Cold / Flu + Ayahuasca

[Tumupasa]

I’m supposed to have a ceremony tomorrow night, but I’ve caught a mild cold. I haven’t taken any medications, just lots of water, lemon, honey, and a little rum before bed.

Has anyone else been in this situation? Did you decide to cancel or go through with the ceremony? Opportunities to sit with the medicine haven’t come up much lately, and I’ve been looking forward to this one for weeks...

 

[blig-blug]

I have done it once in a similar situation, with a mild cold. In my case it didn't interfere, the symptoms somehow blended in with the effects and it wasn't a significant factor. My nose was clearer during it, as if I were doing exercise. In the end, I felt more tired than usual but that's it.

I would apply a similar rule as to lifting while sick: with symptoms from the neck up only and extremely mild (think 0.5C) to no fever, it's probably fine. With chest symptoms and/or a fever, it's better to rest.

Harmine has some antiviral properties, I don't think it will help in practice, but it's probably closer to helping than hindering recovery.

 

[northape]

Maybe do a light ceremony with the intention of getting better. A cold or other sickness could easily take too much energy away from your focus and the ceremony.
Judge by how you feel and what energy reserves you have to spend. I did a mushroom session during a cold once and ended up lying in bed for a few days with a fever over 40C. Who knows how your body would react? Harmalas are very medicinal though, and can provide some extra help for the body.
Take Care

 

[Tumupasa]

Thanks for the answer @blig-blug and @northape !

I have done it once in a similar situation, with a mild cold. In my case it didn't interfere, the symptoms somehow blended in with the effects and it wasn't a significant factor. My nose was clearer during it, as if I were doing exercise. In the end, I felt more tired than usual but that's it.

Ok, that's reassuring.

I would apply a similar rule as to lifting while sick: with symptoms from the neck up only and extremely mild (think 0.5C) to no fever, it's probably fine. With chest symptoms and/or a fever, it's better to rest.

Ok, I'll check my temperature tomorrow before taking my decision.

Harmine has some antiviral properties, I don't think it will help in practice, but it's probably closer to helping than hindering recovery.

Harmalas are very medicinal though, and can provide some extra help for the body.

Oh I didnt know that, as you say, at worst it won't change nothing, at best I'll recover faster.

Maybe do a light ceremony with the intention of getting better. A cold or other sickness could easily take too much energy away from your focus and the ceremony.

Yes, that's what I was thinking, I'll go for a light one if I feel good enough to proceed.

I did a mushroom session during a cold once and ended up lying in bed for a few days with a fever over 40C. Who knows how your body would react?

That's exactly why I'm asking.

Once, I took ayahuasca in the jungle and the guide insisted we would climb a mountain before the ceremony, so I was very exhausted. When I drank the ayahuasca cup, it came so fast (10 min to 20 min) I was overwhelmed and had the strongest experience I've ever had. So yes, being exhausted can make things tough and requires a lot of energy to navigate through, so again, I'll be careful having a light ceremony

 

[blig-blug]

I'll be careful having a light ceremony

Sounds like the best way to go, definitely. I forgot to mention that in that occasion I was having pharmahuasca. That's much lighter on the body than actual Ayahuasca. So if having full Aya, I agree with going light.

Ok, I'll check my temperature tomorrow before taking my decision.

This is important IMO. Psychedelics affect temperature regulation. Harmalas by themselves have been seen to lower temperature, but who knows what would happen to someone sick and having DMT plus other substances from the plant. So with a fever it's probably most prudent to rest and wait for the next occasion.

 

[northape]

This is important IMO. Psychedelics affect temperature regulation. Harmalas by themselves have been seen to lower temperature, but who knows what would happen to someone sick and having DMT plus other substances from the plant. So with a fever it's probably most prudent to rest and wait for the next occasion.

This. I remember one ceremony in cold weather where the medicine made me so hot that I went naked with a blanket over me.
It was a blast though with tantric energies dancing in the space and music engulfing me. Be careful with these temperature swings.
@Tumupasa Drink lots of water or tea today and rest. You may be ready by tomorrow. Get well soon

 

[Tumupasa]

Sounds like the best way to go, definitely. I forgot to mention that in that occasion I was having pharmahuasca. That's much lighter on the body than actual Ayahuasca. So if having full Aya, I agree with going light.

Pharmahuasca was one of my options actually, but since I've prepared caapi and chaliponga (separately) I wanted to try that... but I can still reconsider this decision.

Drink lots of water or tea today and rest. You may be ready by tomorrow. Get well soon

Ok, thank you

 

[doubledog]

Try to get better, get yourself some heat treatment today and go for it tomorow. Be prepared to unusual strenght of the experience, drink smaller amount of thebrew as you would normally do.

 

[universecannon]

I've only done this sort of thing twice and had mixed results

It was over 15 years ago now, but I think my first time trying ayahuasca was during some kind of flu. It seemed to heal me for a day or so and then things got worse again, but the experience was great

These days, I will just wait till I'm not sick. I did LSD with the beginnings of a minor cold a few months ago and the experience seemed noticeably less focused and useful.

 

[NeitherHere]

if you really don't want to put this off then I would recommend sleeping as much as humanly possible and load up with vitamin c and electrolytes.

look into herbal antivirals. I believe turmeric, garlic, and ginger all have antiviral properties.
I think ethylene blue does as well but that's a bit hard to find and can have side effects. (also, it's synthetic)

best of luck friend. There's always tomorrow

**Edit to remove accidental BOLD letters.