The Way to Get Ready Physically and Spiritually for Your San Pedro Ceremony
Preparing for a San Pedro ceremony is much more than just reserving the date and room to show up. In the Andean tradition of ceremony, the preparation itself is included as part of the ceremony.
Wachuma or San Pedro is a heart-centered plant medicine from the Andes that has been used for thousands of years. Wachuma is much less intense than other psychoactive substances but still can produce profound emotional insights, clarity and connection to nature.
The quality of your experience with Wachuma will largely depend on the quality of your prior preparation.
One of the most frequently asked questions by participants before their Wachuma ceremonies is:
“What is the proper San Pedro (Wachuma) Diet before the ceremony?”
This guide will outline the various types of physical, emotional and energetic preparations that should be completed in preparation for your Wachuma ceremony in Peru.
Join a San Pedro (Wachuma) Ceremony in Cusco
If you feel ready to experience the heart-opening wisdom of Wachuma in the Sacred Valley, this is your invitation to take the next step.Our San Pedro ceremonies in Cusco are held in small, carefully guided groups to ensure safety, authenticity, and personalized support. From preparation guidance to post-ceremony integration, every stage is designed to help you feel grounded, informed, and supported.
Why Preparation Matters Before a San Pedro Ceremony
San Pedro is not simply a substance — it is approached in Andean cosmology as a living teacher.
Preparation helps to:
- Cleanse the body
- Calm the nervous system
- Reduce physical discomfort
- Clarify intentions
- Strengthen emotional receptivity
The experience may be disrupted by coming to the ceremony with a heavy physical body, an overstimulated nervous system or a chaotic emotional state, despite the fact that Wachuma tends to be gentler to the body than other plant medicines.
Preparing your body and mind prior to the ceremony allows you to be aligned with the medicine instead of resisting its effects.
How Many Days Should You Follow the San Pedro Diet?
There is no universal rule, but most traditional and contemporary facilitators recommend:
- A light diet for at least 2–3 days before ceremony
- Ideally, 5–7 days if possible
- Longer if you are sensitive or new to plant medicine
Unlike Ayahuasca, the Wachuma dieta is less restrictive, but intentional simplicity is still encouraged.
What to Avoid Before a San Pedro Ceremony
The goal of the San Pedro diet is to reduce stimulation and toxicity in the body.
It is recommended to avoid:
- Alcohol
- Recreational drugs
- Processed foods
- Excess sugar
- Heavy fried foods
- Red meat (preferably)
- Excess caffeine
Alcohol and drugs should be avoided for at least one week before ceremony. These substances disrupt emotional clarity and nervous system balance.
Heavy meals, especially fatty and processed foods, can increase nausea and physical discomfort during the ceremony.
What to Eat Before Wachuma
The ideal San Pedro diet focuses on light, natural, easily digestible foods.
Recommended foods include:
- Fresh vegetables
- Fruits (in moderation)
- Whole grains (rice, quinoa, oats)
- Light soups
- Herbal teas
- Small portions of legumes
- Plenty of water
Simple meals help the body remain clean and receptive.
Many participants find that eating lighter naturally increases emotional sensitivity and mental clarity before ceremony.
Should You Fast Before San Pedro?
Some traditions encourage a light fast the morning of the ceremony.
This does not necessarily mean a full-day fast. In many Andean practices:
- A very light breakfast may be allowed
- Heavy meals should be avoided
- The stomach should not be completely full
A light body often results in:
- Less nausea
- Greater clarity
- Smoother emotional flow
Always follow the guidance provided by your specific facilitator.
Caffeine and San Pedro
Caffeine is not strictly forbidden in all traditions, but reducing or eliminating it 2–3 days before ceremony is recommended.
Caffeine stimulates the nervous system and may:
- Increase anxiety
- Interfere with heart-centered awareness
- Reduce subtle sensitivity
If you consume caffeine daily, taper gradually rather than stopping abruptly.
Medication Considerations
Unlike Ayahuasca, San Pedro does not contain MAO inhibitors, which reduces certain interaction risks.
However, caution is still necessary.
If you are taking:
- Antidepressants
- Anxiety medication
- Blood pressure medication
- Psychiatric prescriptions
You should consult both your doctor and your ceremony facilitator before participating.
Never discontinue medication without medical supervision.
Emotional and Mental Preparation
The Wachuma diet is not only physical. Emotional preparation is equally important.
Before ceremony, consider:
- Reducing exposure to stressful environments
- Limiting social media and digital stimulation
- Spending time in nature
- Reflecting on your intentions
- Journaling
San Pedro works strongly with the heart. Entering ceremony with clarity and sincerity enhances the depth of your experience.
Sexual Energy and Energetic Preparation
Some traditions recommend abstaining from sexual activity for a few days before ceremony.
The intention behind this is energetic conservation and emotional grounding. While not mandatory in all lineages, many participants choose to follow this guideline as a way to approach the medicine respectfully.
The Night Before Ceremony
On the evening before your San Pedro ceremony:
- Eat a light dinner
- Avoid alcohol completely
- Sleep adequately
- Hydrate well
- Avoid intense emotional discussions
Calm preparation allows you to enter ceremony centered and grounded.
What Happens If You Don’t Follow the Diet?
San Pedro is generally forgiving compared to other plant medicines. However, poor preparation may lead to:
- Increased nausea
- Headache
- Emotional resistance
- Physical discomfort
- Reduced clarity
The ceremony may still be meaningful, but preparation greatly improves the experience.
How We Approach Preparation at PumAdventures
At PumAdventures, we view preparation as part of the sacred process.
Participants receive:
- Clear dietary guidelines
- Medical screening when necessary
- Intention-setting support
- Emotional preparation guidance
- Practical recommendations for travel and altitude
The ceremonies we conduct in San Pedro / Wachuma within the area of Cusco will occur in natural Andean settings that promote grounding and the connection to Pachamama, which enhance the heart-opening qualities of the medicine. Preparing for your meeting with Wachuma allows for the experience of the medicine to be approached from a place of respect, clarity and readiness.
Final Thoughts: Preparing with Intention
The San Pedro diet is not about rigid restriction. It is about simplicity, awareness, and alignment.
Approaching ceremony with:
- A light body
- A calm mind
- A sincere heart
creates the conditions for deeper insight and integration.
Wachuma responds to intention.
The more consciously you prepare, the more harmonious your experience is likely to be.
Frequently Asked Questions About the San Pedro (Wachuma) Diet
How many days before a San Pedro ceremony should I follow the diet?
Ideally, participants should begin the San Pedro diet at least 2 to 3 days before the ceremony. For deeper preparation, 5 to 7 days is recommended. The goal is not extreme restriction but simplifying your meals, avoiding heavy foods, alcohol, and overstimulation. The more consciously you prepare, the smoother and clearer the experience tends to be.
Can I drink coffee before a Wachuma ceremony?
It is recommended to reduce or eliminate caffeine 2–3 days before ceremony. While San Pedro does not interact dangerously with caffeine in the same way Ayahuasca can interact with medications, caffeine stimulates the nervous system and may increase anxiety or mental restlessness during the ceremony.
If you are a daily coffee drinker, taper gradually to avoid withdrawal headaches.
Do I need to fast before a San Pedro ceremony?
Full fasting is not always required. Many traditions suggest having a very light breakfast or eating lightly the evening before. The key is not to arrive with a heavy or full stomach. A lighter body often reduces nausea and enhances clarity during the experience.
Always follow the specific instructions provided by your facilitator.
Can I eat meat before San Pedro?
Red meat is generally discouraged for at least 2–3 days before ceremony because it is heavier to digest and may increase physical discomfort. Light meals based on vegetables, grains, soups, and simple proteins are preferred. The intention is to reduce digestive strain and support emotional receptivity.
Is the San Pedro diet as strict as the Ayahuasca diet?
No. The Wachuma diet is typically less restrictive than the Ayahuasca dieta because San Pedro does not contain MAO inhibitors. However, simplicity and mindfulness are still strongly recommended. Clean eating, hydration, and emotional preparation significantly improve the quality of the ceremony.
What happens if I don’t follow the San Pedro diet properly?
San Pedro is generally gentle, and the ceremony may still be meaningful. However, poor preparation can increase nausea, headache, emotional resistance, or physical discomfort. Following the recommended guidelines enhances clarity, emotional openness, and overall comfort.
Can I take prescription medication before a San Pedro ceremony?
Unlike Ayahuasca, San Pedro does not carry the same MAOI-related medication risks. However, participants taking antidepressants, anxiety medication, blood pressure medication, or psychiatric prescriptions should consult both their doctor and the ceremony facilitator before participating.
Never discontinue medication without medical supervision.
Why is emotional preparation important before Wachuma?
San Pedro works strongly with the heart and emotional awareness. Reducing stress, limiting digital overstimulation, and setting a clear intention before ceremony helps you enter the experience grounded and receptive. Emotional preparation can be as important as dietary preparation.
