Legal

Medical Disclaimer

Please read this document carefully before applying.

Important Notice

This disclaimer exists to protect your safety. Ayahuasca is a powerful plant medicine with genuine physiological and psychological effects. Certain medications and medical conditions are incompatible with its use and can result in serious harm. Please read every section before submitting an application.

Not a Medical Facility

Curandera is not a hospital, medical clinic, psychiatric facility, or licensed healthcare provider. Retreat facilitators are not medical doctors, licensed therapists, or mental health clinicians.

Nothing provided through our website, communications, or retreat programming constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Participation in a Curandera retreat is not a substitute for professional medical or psychiatric care. If you have an active medical or mental health condition, consult your physician before applying.

Legal Status in Brazil

Ayahuasca is legal in Brazil. Its ceremonial and religious use was formally recognized by Brazil's National Anti-Drug Council (CONAD) through Resolution No. 1 of January 25, 2010, following a multi-year government study. Brazil was the first country in the world to formally legalize ayahuasca, reflecting decades of documented indigenous and religious tradition.

Guests are solely responsible for understanding and complying with the laws of their own country of residence. The legal status of ayahuasca varies by jurisdiction. Curandera does not provide legal advice.

Health Screening Requirement

All applicants must complete a detailed health screening intake form as part of the application process. Acceptance is contingent on passing this screen. You must disclose fully and honestly:

  • All prescription medications, over-the-counter supplements, and herbal preparations you are currently taking.
  • Any history of psychiatric diagnosis or mental health treatment, including therapy.
  • Any personal or family history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, or psychotic episodes.
  • All cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension, heart arrhythmia, and history of stroke.
  • Liver conditions, including hepatitis or cirrhosis.
  • Seizure disorders or epilepsy.
  • Any previous experiences with ayahuasca, other plant medicines, or psychedelic substances.
  • Current pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • Any other significant medical condition.

Providing false or incomplete information during health screening places you and others at risk and voids any responsibility on the part of Curandera for any resulting harm.

Absolute Contraindications

The following conditions and medications are absolute contraindications. You must not attend a Curandera retreat if any of the following apply.

Medications — Do Not Attend If Currently Taking:

  • SSRIs — fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), citalopram, fluvoxamine.
  • SNRIs — venlafaxine (Effexor), duloxetine (Cymbalta), desvenlafaxine.
  • MAOIs — phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), isocarboxazid, moclobemide.
  • Lithium
  • Tramadol
  • Meperidine (pethidine / Demerol)
  • Linezolid
  • Dextromethorphan (DXM — found in many cough medicines)
  • St. John's Wort
  • Stimulant medications for ADHD (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse) — require individual assessment and mandatory washout period.

Serotonin Syndrome Warning: Combining ayahuasca (an MAOI) with SSRIs or SNRIs can cause serotonin syndrome — a potentially fatal condition characterized by agitation, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, high body temperature, and seizures. This is not a theoretical risk; it has caused deaths. Do not attempt to taper medication without medical supervision.

If you are currently taking an SSRI or SNRI, you must taper off under the supervision of your prescribing physician. A minimum washout period of 4–6 weeks is required for most SSRIs; fluoxetine (Prozac) requires a minimum of 6 weeks due to its long half-life. Do not stop any psychiatric medication without medical guidance.

Medical Conditions — Do Not Attend If You Have:

  • A personal history of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or any psychotic spectrum condition.
  • A first-degree family history of schizophrenia (parent or sibling diagnosed).
  • Severe or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or a history of stroke.
  • Acute liver disease or cirrhosis.
  • Current pregnancy.

Relative Contraindications (Individual Assessment Required)

The following require careful individual evaluation and may result in a recommendation not to attend:

  • History of bipolar disorder (particularly Type I).
  • Active PTSD with ongoing crisis symptoms or recent acute episodes.
  • Borderline personality disorder — assessment required.
  • Active or recent eating disorders.
  • Uncontrolled diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes.
  • Epilepsy or seizure disorder.
  • Suicidal ideation within the past 12 months.
  • Breastfeeding — caution advised; individual assessment required.
  • Recent surgery or significant health event within the past 3 months.

If any of these apply, be completely transparent in your application. We may request a medical clearance letter from your physician before making a determination.

Psychological Risks

Ayahuasca can produce intensely altered states of consciousness, including vivid visual and auditory experiences, deep emotional release, re-emergence of suppressed memories, and experiences of ego dissolution. For many participants, these are among the most meaningful experiences of their lives. For some, they can be profoundly challenging.

Participants may feel worse — mentally, physically, or emotionally — during or after a session, as part of their process with the medicine. A small percentage experience anxiety, disorientation, or emotional volatility in the days following ceremony. Our team provides integration support throughout the retreat and refers participants to professional integration therapists where appropriate.

Retreat facilitators are trained in ceremonial container-holding and participant support. They are not licensed therapists or mental health clinicians. What they offer is ceremonial guidance, grounding, and safety — not clinical treatment.

No Guarantee of Outcomes

Curandera makes no representations or guarantees of any kind regarding the physical, psychological, emotional, or spiritual outcomes of attending a retreat. Individual experiences vary widely.

The indigenous plant medicine tradition from which we operate regards healing as a process — not an event. We encourage all participants to approach the experience with humility, patience, and a commitment to ongoing integration after returning home.

Emergency Medical Plan

Chão de Estrelas maintains a documented emergency medical protocol. At least one staff member trained in first aid and emergency response is present at all ceremonies. The property has a designated emergency vehicle access point.

In the unlikely event of a psychotic episode or severe adverse reaction, Curandera reserves the right to administer emergency protocols as deemed appropriate by the facilitation team — including the use of anti-psychotic medication, retention onsite for monitoring beyond the retreat end date, and coordination with local emergency medical and hospital facilities. Where possible, next of kin or emergency contacts will be notified.

The nearest hospital is in the town of Paraty (approximately 30–45 minutes). Larger emergency facilities are located in Angra dos Reis (approximately 90 minutes) and Rio de Janeiro (approximately 3 hours by road).

All participants are strongly encouraged to obtain comprehensive travel and health insurance, including medical evacuation coverage, before traveling to Brazil.

Informed Consent

Prior to participation, all confirmed guests must sign a separate informed consent and liability waiver document that details the specific risks associated with participation, confirms your voluntary assumption of those risks, and acknowledges that you have read and understood this Medical Disclaimer in full. No participant may enter ceremony without signing this document.

Questions

If you have questions about any of the above — particularly regarding your medication history or a health condition — please contact us before applying. We would rather have an honest conversation than have you travel to Brazil and find that attendance is not safe for you.

Curandera · Chão de Estrelas
Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
hello@curandera.co

Signable Document

Activity Waiver & Release

This document will be sent to you for electronic signature prior to your retreat date. A preview of its contents is provided below.

Curandera · Chão de Estrelas

Activity Waiver & Release

Date: _____ / _____ / _____Between: _____________________________

(“Participant”) and Curandera / Chão de Estrelas (“Organizer”)

Consideration

  1. The Participant, being of lawful age and having thoroughly reviewed the potential challenges and benefits of ayahuasca use, hereby releases and discharges forever the Organizer and the Organizer's affiliates, including but not limited to their heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, and assigns, from all forms of actions, causes of action, debts, claims, and demands for injury to person or property, including injury resulting in the death of the Participant, which may be sustained as a result of the Participant's participation in the activities described herein, regardless of whether such damage, loss, or injury was caused solely or partly by the negligence of the Organizer.
  2. The Participant understands that participation in the activities described herein would not be permitted without signing this Agreement.

Details of Activity

The Participant will partake in the following activities at Chão de Estrelas, Paraty, Brazil:

  • Ayahuasca plant medicine ceremonies
  • Breathwork, yoga, and meditation sessions
  • Workshops, talks, and integration circles
  • Time in nature and leisure activities
  • All meals and accommodation

The Participant will also partake in the Preparation/Integration Program, which includes:

  • Pre-retreat medical intake and preparation call
  • Online resources and integration guidance
  • Post-retreat integration call and support

Fitness to Participate

The Participant acknowledges and agrees to each of the following. Initials are required on the signed document.

  1. All known physical limitations, medical ailments, and physical or mental disabilities have been fully disclosed. If required, the Participant has or will obtain a medical examination and clearance prior to arrival.Initials: __________
  2. They will abstain from all psychoactive substances during their stay — including prescription medications not pre-approved, recreational drugs, alcohol, and other plant medicines/psychedelics — unless explicit consent is given by the facilitation team.Initials: __________
  3. They are not currently taking, and have not taken within the required washout period, any medication contraindicated with ayahuasca that was not disclosed and approved during the intake process.Initials: __________
  4. They do not have any preexisting heart conditions, and any respiratory ailments (e.g., asthma) have been cleared by Curandera.Initials: __________
  5. They do not have any preexisting mental health conditions such as Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, or Psychosis.Initials: __________
  6. They understand that consumption of ayahuasca has in the past resulted in injury or death.Initials: __________
  7. They understand that there are inherent risks of being in a wilderness environment that may cause injury or death.Initials: __________
  8. They accept all risk associated with the consumption of ayahuasca or other natural medicines offered at Chão de Estrelas.Initials: __________
  9. They acknowledge that they may feel worse — mentally, physically, or emotionally — during or after, as part of their process working with ayahuasca.Initials: __________
  10. They acknowledge that Curandera cannot accept responsibility for theft or damage to personal belongings.Initials: __________
  11. In the unlikely event of a psychotic episode or adverse reaction, they agree that Curandera reserves the right to offer care and emergency protocol as deemed fit by the facilitation team, with the support of next of kin or emergency contact. This may include anti-psychotic medication, retention onsite for monitoring, and liaising with local emergency medical and hospital facilities.Initials: __________
  12. To maintain the group container, guests agree to participate in all ceremonies throughout the retreat, whether or not they choose to drink the medicine. If a guest decides not to participate in ceremony, they agree to depart without refund and cover their own onward travel.Initials: __________
  13. The Organizer reserves the right to expel any guest without prior notice, responsibility for a refund, or provision of accommodation outside the retreat center. Should a Participant decide to leave for any reason, the Organizer is not responsible for the reimbursement of fees.Initials: __________
  14. If the Participant has provided incorrect or incomplete information, they may be expelled from the retreat without refund at the sole discretion of Curandera staff.Initials: __________
  15. The Organizer is not responsible for any decision made by the Participant to stop taking or change their medication schedule. The Organizer accepts no liability for adverse effects from doing so. The Participant acknowledges they have been advised to seek medical supervision from their prescribing doctor before reducing, ceasing, or changing any medication.Initials: __________

Full and Final Settlement

  1. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that they have carefully read this Agreement, that they fully understand its content, and that they are freely and voluntarily executing the same.
  2. By signing this Agreement, the Participant agrees to be forever prevented from suing or otherwise claiming against the Organizer for any property loss or personal injury that they may sustain while participating in or preparing for the noted activity.
  3. The Participant has been given the opportunity and is encouraged to seek independent legal advice prior to signing this Agreement.
  4. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties and its terms are contractual and not merely a recital.

Governing Law

This Agreement will be interpreted in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

The Participant has affixed their signature below prior to the start of their participation at Chão de Estrelas:

 

Print Name

 

Signature

 

Date

We look forward to supporting you. In service — The Curandera Team.