AYAHUASCA IN FLORIDA
AYAHUASCA ORLANDO, FLORIDA
FINDING THE RIGHT HEALING ENVIORNMENT
Before attending an ayahuasca retreat in Orlando, Florida, there are 10 things you must know to ensure you have an authentic, supportive, safe and transformational experience. Here’s how to navigate the ayahuasca in Florida safely and with respect for tradition.
New Life Rising will begin offering ayahuasca retreats in the United States in early 2026. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to receive updates on our new offerings and locations.
What is Ayahuasca? – Benefits & Risks
Ayahuasca is an ancient Amazonian plant medicine that has been used for centuries in traditional ceremonies for healing and spiritual growth. In recent years, interest in ayahuasca has expanded across the United States, including Florida and cities like Orlando, where more people are beginning to explore its potential for transformation. From documentaries and podcasts to celebrity testimonials, ayahuasca has become part of mainstream conversation, with many crediting the medicine for breakthroughs in mental health, addiction recovery, and personal growth. This growing awareness has led to a sharp rise in searches for ayahuasca in Orlando and beyond.
While this rise in popularity is encouraging, it also comes with challenges. Authentic, safe ceremonies can be difficult to find in the U.S., including in Florida. The lack of oversight has allowed some untrained facilitators to offer unsafe gatherings, which can put participants’ physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being at risk. For those in Orlando considering ayahuasca, the most important step is learning how to find trusted, experienced facilitators who honor the medicine and provide the preparation and integration support necessary for lasting transformation.
Legal Considerations for Ayahuasca in Orlando, Florida
In the United States, ayahuasca is federally illegal because of its DMT content, which is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. However, under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), some religious organizations have been granted exemptions that allow them to use ayahuasca legally in their ceremonies. Groups such as União do Vegetal (UDV) and Santo Daime have already received recognition, and in 2025, another U.S.-based church was granted DEA approval to work with psychedelics in a spiritual setting.
Florida has not legalized or decriminalized ayahuasca, so ceremonies in Orlando remain legally restricted unless operating under a recognized exemption. Still, the larger cultural climate is shifting, with states like Oregon and Colorado leading decriminalization efforts and cities such as Oakland and Washington, D.C. passing reform measures. For Orlando residents, understanding the legal context is critical when considering participation in any ayahuasca ceremony.
10 Things You Must Know Before Attending an Ayahuasca Ceremony in Orlando
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Who is facilitating the ceremony?
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How much experience do they have?
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What is their background and training?
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Where will the ceremony be held?
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How many participants will be present?
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Are there sitters or helpers available to provide support?
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Are there female facilitators or helpers on the team?
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Where does the brew come from and what ingredients does it contain?
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What safety protocols are in place?
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How will integration support be provided after the ceremony?
Finding the answers to these key elements will make sure the ceremony is experienced, safe and aligned with your needs. New Life Rising looks foward to offering retreats in the United States soon!
New Life Rising
BUILT ON LOVE SINCE 2014
Matthew and I have been partners in this work for over a decade. Plant medicine brought us together in 2014 and we've been dedicated to this path ever since. Everything in our lives has been shaped by Ayahuasca. Not only did she lift us from our darkest moments after years of battling addiction, but she gave us the purest gift of love in finding each other.
We've had our share of ups and downs. Things haven't always been easy. It's been a long road and we've had to navigate many personal and professional challenges over the years. But at the end of the day, ayahuasca has helped us cultivate a deep love rooted in mutual respect, support, and admiration. We've turned to her to help us through trials of marriage and personal doubt. It's because of this work that we've been able to grow stronger as individuals and as partners, lovers, and best friends.
We hear all the time from guests that they don't understand how we can do this work, and while we love to help others, the truth is that it's just a happy by-product of helping ourselves. It's our hope that as we continue to heal, we are able to better support you in your own healing.
Working with ayahuasca is truly humbling. It's not a responsibility we take lightly. Our ayahuasca retreat Costa Rica program is designed to give you a curated balance of support and space.
Thank you for letting us share the magic.
Ayahuasca Costa Rica has been a gift to us through the years and we will forever be indebted for all the gifs we have received.
OUR MISSION & VALUES
ACCESSIBLE HEALING FOR ALL
Sharing the magic of this medicine is a great honor and a great responsibility. Ayahuasca has been the catalyst for every great transformation in our lives, and we are committed to guiding others on their journey to healing. We accept people from all walks of life in a non-judgmental environment.
As individuals who have had trauma experiences, we understand the importance of having a safe space that encourages vulnerability for authentic self-reflection and discovery. Healing can be painful, and we are here to support our guests so that they feel seen and held throughout the process.
For more than a decade, we have committed ourselves to this path, and we respect the Peruvian Mestizo traditions that have been handed down from our teacher and his teacher before him. As part of that tradition, we complete master plant dietas that give us the tools necessary to create a protected sacred ceremonial space.
We hope to help you find a renewed sense of peace and joy in your life as you embark on a beautiful journey to uncover your full potential.
THE SHAMAN
Matt and Jeanae have been working with plant medicine since 2014. It was through ceremonial work that they met and where their love was forged.
Together they have been trained through a powerful lineage of healers in the Peruvian Mestizo traditions going back generations. Matthew and Jeanae are deeply dedicated to their path and continue to grow in their work by traveling to the Amazon every year and completing master plant dietas. These dietas allow them to connect with the great spirits and receive insightful teachings and medicine songs called Icaros. They use these tools and songs in the ceremonies to guide the participants through the ayahuasca experience.
Matthew possesses a strong intuition and is highly sensitive to energetic subtleties. These skills allow him to adapt the songs of the ceremony to meet the energy needs of the room. Jeanae has a very gentle and nurturing energy. Her singing and flute playing invite softness into the space. Matthew brings a grounded masculine energy while Jeanae brings a motherly feminine energy, creating a perfect balance and play between the two polarities.
To provide responsible ceremonies, we limit our ayahuasca retreat size to 12 participants so that the energetic space is maintained with respect to each individual's experience. We offer our ayahuasca Costa Rica retreat ceremonies in darkness, promoting an inward journey to heal the soul. Jeanae and Matthew are passionate about this work and lead each ceremony with love, compassion, and a desire to share the beauty of the sacred medicine with all who seek healing.
Your physical and emotional safety are our highest priority.
While ayahuasca is safe when used properly, there are a few medical conditions and medications that are contraindicated with ayahuasca. Every participant is asked to complete a medical questionnaire over the phone to ensure the safety of our ayahuasca retreats. In case of emergency, Matt and Jeanae are certified in CPR and have training with the use of our AED (Automated External Defibrillator). We are 25 minutes from a medical center.
Our small groups enable us to provide quality service and attention to every guest. Each ceremony is supported by 4 team members : Our ayahuasqueros, Matthew and Jeanae, who drink ayahuasca with each group to help guide the experience and 2 additional helpers, who do not drink during the ceremony and are there to assist any participant that may require attention. A male responds to the men and a female responds to the women, ensuring that everyone feels safe and comfortable during such a vulnerable and emotional experience.