What is Satori? The third ceremony at our retreats
Satori is DMT from tepezcohuite bark with Syrian rue, taken as capsules. What it is, how it feels compared with ayahuasca, and who should not take it.
Every seven-day retreat at Finca El Péndulo includes three ceremonies. Two are with the main medicine, ayahuasca or psilocybin. The third is with Satori. Guests often ask what it is, so here is a plain explanation.
What Satori is made of
Satori is a plant medicine taken as capsules. It combines two ingredients:
- Tepezcohuite bark (Mimosa tenuiflora), a tree that grows in Mexico and contains DMT.
- Syrian rue, whose seeds contain an MAO inhibitor.
On its own, DMT taken by mouth is broken down in the gut before it can act. The MAO inhibitor in Syrian rue stops that from happening, which lets the DMT work when swallowed. Ayahuasca works on the same principle, with the vine playing the part of the MAO inhibitor and the chacruna leaf providing the DMT.
How it feels
Satori works much like ayahuasca, but it builds more gradually and tends to be gentler on the body. Guests often describe it as lucid, with less purging than an ayahuasca night.
In the ayahuasca retreat, the Satori ceremony falls between the two ayahuasca nights. In the psilocybin retreat, it gives guests a taste of the Amazonian way of working without a full ayahuasca ceremony.
Why it is part of every retreat
We include Satori because it offers a different door from the main medicine. After an ayahuasca night, a gentler ceremony can help people settle what came up. In the psilocybin retreat, it is a second kind of experience in the same safe setting.
Who should not take Satori
Because Satori contains an MAO inhibitor, everything that applies to ayahuasca applies to Satori too. That matters even if you are coming for the psilocybin retreat.
Tell us about every medication, supplement and herb you take. The most common problems include:
- Antidepressants, including all SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics and MAOIs
- ADHD stimulants and weight-loss drugs
- Opioid painkillers and tramadol
- Some migraine, cold and allergy medicines, and cough syrup with dextromethorphan
- Herbs and supplements such as St. John’s Wort, 5-HTP, kava and kratom
Some conditions also rule it out, including epilepsy, psychosis or bipolar disorder, serious heart disease and pregnancy. The list is not complete. Read the full medical information, and never stop a prescribed medication without your doctor.
Can I skip the Satori ceremony?
Yes. Every ceremony is your choice. If screening shows that Satori is not safe for you, we will talk about how to adjust your week.
