FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About ayahuasca, about how SunGaya works, and everything you want to know before you take the step.
01
Ayahuasca is a plant medicine originating from the Amazon region and has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples for spiritual and healing rituals. The name literally means 'Vine of the soul'. Traditionally it is made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and a DMT-containing plant such as Chacruna. At SunGaya we work with an analogue: Peganum Harmala and Jurema.
Honest answer: no, not fully. Jurema, one of the ingredients we use, contains DMT and therefore falls under the Opium Act. There is currently a tolerance policy because it is a grey area. What we can say: under expert guidance and with careful screening beforehand, you enter a process that is as safe as possible. Transparency about this is non-negotiable for us.
Traditional ayahuasca is made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine combined with a DMT-containing plant such as Chacruna. An analogue works on the same principle but with different plants. At SunGaya we use Peganum Harmala as an MAO inhibitor and Jurema as a DMT source. The effect is comparable, the plants themselves are different. This is not psilohuasca and contains no psilocybin.
The purge, as vomiting during a ceremony is called, is not something that happens to everyone. It is not a standard part of the experience, but can occur with some people. Everyone has a unique journey. What you experience depends on your own process, not on a fixed script.
02
Ayahuasca takes you to the deeper layers of consciousness that you cannot always reach from your daily life. It brings up old memories, patterns and beliefs, also on a cellular and ancestral level. So that you can choose in the here and now what still suits you and what no longer does. It shows you not only where you are stuck, but also where your potential for growth and development lies.
Ayahuasca can bring up old patterns, memories and beliefs that lie at the root of depression, anxiety or trauma. It is not a treatment and not a replacement for professional care. Whether participation is suitable at this moment is always discussed in the check-in. In some cases Seed of Transformation is a better first step.
Both. Many people who come to SunGaya have no major trauma but simply feel there is more to life. That the mind is constantly running. That they have lost touch with what they truly want. Ayahuasca is just as much a tool for growth, self-insight and expanded awareness as it is for healing. She chooses herself how she works.
03
Under expert guidance and with careful screening beforehand, the risk is considerably smaller than without guidance. Yet it is not a risk-free experience. Medication, mental condition and contraindications all play a role. That is why the check-in at SunGaya is mandatory and non-negotiable.
Not always. Some medication cannot be combined and can cause risks. Complete honesty about this is essential. Medication and contraindications are always assessed in advance via the mandatory check-in. Never stop medication on your own without consulting your doctor. Tapering off antidepressants is not without risk. Sometimes [Seed of Transformation](https://sungaya.nl/seed-of-transformation/) as a preparatory trajectory helps to create a plan together.
Some medication and substances cannot be combined with ayahuasca and can cause risks. This applies in particular to antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, lithium and certain heart medication. Complete honesty is essential. When in doubt, you discuss this with us in advance via the check-in. Never stop medication on your own without consulting your doctor or prescriber.
During the ceremony we guide you back to breath, body and safety. Gently where possible, firmly where needed. The ceremony dogs Sary 🐾 and Nova 🐾 are present as gentle, grounding support. You are not alone.
04
You are ready to go further than your mind allows. You feel there is more in you than you have been able to live until now. And you are willing to look honestly at what is holding you back.
If you are looking for a quick fix, a kick or a nice trip, you will be disappointed. Also if you cannot be open about medication, substance use or mental health, we cannot guide you safely.
A day ceremony takes place from approximately 10:00 to 22:00. An evening ceremony includes an overnight stay: you start at 14:00 and leave the following day around 12:00. The evening ceremony offers more space for rest, sleep, deepening and a shared debrief the following morning.
The ceremony itself lasts an average of 6 to 8 hours. Plan the day after quietly. You need that time to let everything settle. Do not plan a full agenda.
Yes. Ceremony dogs Sary 🐾 and Nova 🐾 are always present. Many people experience this as grounding and supportive. Contact is never obligatory. If you have a fear of dogs, allergies or become overstimulated easily, mention this in advance so we can align honestly.
Yes. A private session is possible for one person or a self-composed group, such as friends, a couple or colleagues. The guidance is more intensive and fully attuned to your personal process. Get in touch via the contact form for the possibilities.
05
Yes, always. Via the check-in we discuss health, medication and resilience. Sometimes we advise you not to participate yet or to choose a different path first. Honesty about this is non-negotiable.
After the check-in you receive clear guidelines by email about nutrition, rest, mindset and intention. This helps your body participate more safely and supports the depth of the process. The exact dietary guidelines are also on the website.
Seed is a preparatory trajectory for people who feel the call but are not yet ready for a ceremony. Perhaps additional guidance is needed when tapering off medication, there are larger trauma pieces that first need attention, or there is a block on feelings and emotions. Seed gives you the tools to prepare so that you enter the ceremony with more confidence. More about Seed →
06
Integration is the process of giving the insights from the ceremony a place in your daily life. Without integration, insights evaporate. You slide back into the old rhythm. Not because the insight is gone, but because there is insufficient support to hold on to it. SunGaya offers three integration trajectories: Roots of Clarity, Branches of Growth and Path of Integration.
After the ceremony I take you along in the process that follows. For approximately four weeks you will regularly receive tips and support by email to guide your integration process. After about ten days we come together again as a group via Zoom, to share what has been set in motion and what still asks for attention.
07
The check-in costs €39. If you decide to book a ceremony within 30 days, you will receive a code with which you can fully deduct this amount from your ceremony booking. The rates for the ceremonies are on the pricing page.
Via the contactfrom. Everything you write comes directly in my inbox.
READY TO START
Get in touch via the form. Everything you write comes directly into my inbox.
SunGaya is a place of stillness and strength where healing is allowed to deepen.
You are seen and supported as you integrate what you have experienced.
Here, everything is welcome, and you find the space to truly come home to yourself.
© 2026 | SunGaya.nl | Sacred Transitions | Capelle a/d IJssel