Part 2: Coffee + Ayahuasca: Timing, Risks & Guidelines

Can you drink coffee before or after an ayahuasca ceremony? Science shows caffeine mildly inhibits MAO enzymes, while ayahuasca’s β-carbolines strongly block MAO-A. Combining them may elevate blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety. Here’s what the research says—and how to time caffeine safely. (Not medical advice.)

⚠️ Disclaimer

This article summarizes peer-reviewed data on caffeine, MAO-A inhibition, and ayahuasca pharmacology. It is not medical advice. Anyone considering ayahuasca should consult a qualified facilitator or physician familiar with MAO interactions.

☕ Why Timing Matters

Coffee’s stimulant compound caffeine affects both the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Ayahuasca’s active β-carbolines—harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine—are reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A), the enzyme that breaks down serotonin, dopamine, and DMT.

When both are active together, caffeine’s stimulating and mild MAO-blocking effects can stack with ayahuasca’s MAO inhibition, potentially leading to:

Elevated blood pressure
Rapid heart rate
Heightened nausea or anxiety
Overstimulation or “restless” ceremony experiences

Studies show caffeine can inhibit MAO-B and weakly MAO-A at higher concentrations (PMID 16423318).
Meanwhile, harmine produces strong, reversible MAO-A inhibition (PMID 35664562)—enough to keep DMT orally active.

🧪 The Science Behind the Interaction

Compound	Enzyme Target	Inhibition Strength	Effect Duration
Caffeine	MAO-B > MAO-A	Weak / reversible	4–6 hours
Harmine / Harmaline	MAO-A	Strong / reversible	4–8 hours
DMT (ayahuasca)	Not an inhibitor	Depends on MAO-A inhibition	2–4 hours

Clinical data from reversible MAO-A inhibitors (RIMAs) show that adding caffeine may increase systolic blood pressure by 10–20 mm Hg in sensitive individuals (PMID 24798537). While ayahuasca’s inhibition is shorter and gentler, the combination still deserves caution.

🕰️ Timing Recommendations

1. Before Ceremony

Stop caffeine 48–72 hours before.
This prevents elevated catecholamines and ensures MAO-A is clear.
Avoid energy drinks, chocolate, or pre-workouts.
Many contain hidden caffeine.

2. During Ceremony

Never combine caffeine with ayahuasca.
Even small amounts can increase heart rate and anxiety when paired with harmala alkaloids.

3. After Ceremony

Wait at least 24–48 hours before re-introducing coffee.
Let MAO-A activity normalize and allow sleep and integration first.
Start gently. Begin with half your usual amount to assess sensitivity.

Ayahuasca facilitators and pharmacologists echo these guidelines (PMC7678905), noting that full caffeine abstinence is one of the easiest safety adjustments participants can make.

🧠 What Happens If You Don’t Abstain?

People who ignore the “no-caffeine” advice sometimes report:

Heightened body tension or jitteriness
Nausea without vomiting (“stuck purge”)
Racing thoughts or anxious looping
Difficulty surrendering to the medicine

These effects correlate with increased noradrenaline and dopamine from caffeine acting during MAO-A inhibition (PMID 31043018).

🌬️ Re-introducing Coffee Mindfully

When the ceremony period is complete:

Hydrate first. Coffee is mildly diuretic but primarily after dehydration.
Use organic, low-acid beans. Minimizes gut irritation post-purge.
Drink slowly and intentionally. Let it serve as a grounding ritual, not stimulation.
Journal sensations. Notice if caffeine heightens restlessness or clarity; your sensitivity may reset for days.

🧩 Practical Summary

Stage	Recommendation	Rationale
Pre-ceremony (−3 days)	Stop caffeine entirely	Normalize catecholamines & MAO activity
Ceremony day	Avoid coffee	Prevent cardiovascular strain & anxiety
Post-ceremony ( + 1–2 days )	Re-introduce small dose if desired	Observe new sensitivity

Are you looking for a reliable (and legal) entheogenic retreat center?

Our friends over at Agape Church in Conroe, Texas have received traditional training by Colombian medicine man to properly and safely facilitate these sacred ayahuasca ceremonies. And, they have been safely facilitating psylocibin ceremonies for many years. Agape Church has served over 1,500 people since 2019. Participants have traveled from all over the country and world to attend their retreats.

Agape’s voice: “Agape Church is an interfaith spiritual community that welcomes individuals from all paths. We host
enriching spiritual retreats designed to foster personal growth, community connection, and a deeper
understanding of diverse spiritual traditions.

Celebrating diversity in all forms, Agape Church warmly welcomes everyone, inviting you to explore a deeper connection with your Soul, Mind, and Body, transcending boundaries of religion, race, and personal backgrounds.”

Agape Church is a registered 508c1a non-profit that has listed their listed entheogenic practices to legally facilitate these ceremonies. You can learn more about their location, retreats and more on their website: https://www.agape4smb.com

Read PART 1 ‘Coffee & Psychedelics: What Science Actually Says’ HERE

Read Part 3: ‘Coffee + Psilocybin: Microdosing, Macrodosing & Neurochemistry’ HERE

📚 References

Herraiz T. Life Sci. 2006 — “Monoamine oxidase inhibition by coffee.” PMID 16423318
Berlowitz D et al. Front Pharmacol. 2022 — “β-Carboline MAO inhibition.” PMID 35664562
van der Hoeven MA et al. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2014 — “Caffeine and tranylcypromine hypertension case.” PMID 24798537
Ruffell JD et al. Front Pharmacol. 2020 — “Ayahuasca pharmacology review.” PMC7678905
da Silva J et al. Neurochem Int. 2019 — “Caffeine and monoamine modulation.” PMID 31043018