One of the most soothing, healing experiences a human can give another human is physical touch. In our darkest hours, sometimes a caring hand squeeze or a warm, safe hug can transform our pain. Knowing that someone else understands and cares about our suffering is pivotal, and few things can express that compassion the way intentional, respectful touch can.

The reverse is true, too. Some of us can be triggered by even the slightest touch, as it can remind us of horrible abuse and intentional harm. Physical touch can create feelings of danger and fear, and some of the greatest traumas we experience involve physical abuse.

Compassionate physical touch can help heal the damage of abusive physical touch, yet we know this can never be forced. We also know that each person healing trauma has to have their own sovereignty around healing these somatic hurts. So navigating this is a profoundly sensitive topic.

When you add in the complexity of entheogens that alter consciousness, the topic of physical touch becomes increasingly complex. The issue of consent in Ayahuasca and other Plant Medicine ceremonies is a crucial component to the creation of legitimate safety. Ayahuasca preparation holds spiritual significance, yet complicates its safety profile due to the imprecise methods involved in preparing the drug.

Understanding Plant Medicine and Ayahuasca

Plant medicine, including Ayahuasca, has been revered for centuries in traditional healing practices for their profound ability to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Ayahuasca, a potent hallucinogenic tea made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the Psychotria viridis leaf, holds a special place in the spiritual and healing traditions of indigenous communities in the Amazon. The active chemical in Ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), is a powerful psychedelic that can facilitate access to higher states of consciousness. This altered state allows individuals to observe subconscious patterns and gain deep insights into their mental health conditions, offering a unique pathway to healing and self-discovery.

Can We Consent to Be Touched on Ayahuasca and Other Psychedelics?

When we are under the influence of a powerful medicine like Ayahuasca, we access parts of our consciousness that are otherwise inaccessible. Still, we also become exceedingly cracked open, vulnerable, and altered. A strong dose of Ayahuasca can completely shatter our sense of normalcy, and she can also bring us into states of confusion and overwhelm. Ayahuasca use, while sought for positive experiences, carries significant risks, including life-threatening health complications and potential side effects. These are not always places of clarity, nor states where we can truly determine what we do and do not feel safe with. In other words, a deep dive into the world of Ayahuasca can obliterate our ability to give legitimate consent for things like physical touch.

Many Plant Medicine facilitators circumvent this by asking for consent prior to consuming the medicine. However well intended this may be, it still doesn’t create true safety for the experience itself. The reason is complicated: One, under the influence of Ayahuasca, we may not be able to articulate that we no longer wish to consent to physical touch. We might not even be aware. The second complexity: Ayahuasca has a tendency to bring us into our traumas and triggers, so while prior to the ceremony we might feel strong and safe to be touched or held, if we are traversing our darkest moments that lacked safety and/or sovereignty, we may not in any way want to be touched, as it can push us deeper into the trauma.

So, how do we navigate these complexities while keeping people safe and helping them feel nurtured and cared for?

There’s no definitive answer, but there are some trauma-informed ways to deal with this very real conundrum.

The Role of Physical Touch in Healing

Physical touch, when used appropriately, can play a significant role in the healing process during Ayahuasca ceremonies - and anywhere else in the healing space. I have personally felt like I would not have survived a ceremony or two had it not been for the kind and comforting physical touch of a guide who cared about my well being. Non-sexual touch, such as holding hands or lightly touching shoulders, can provide a sense of safety and support, helping individuals navigate the intense emotional and psychological experiences that Ayahuasca can evoke. However, it is crucial to establish clear boundaries and obtain explicit consent before engaging in any form of physical touch. Facilitators should discuss and determine ahead of time what kinds of physical touch participants are comfortable with, using code words or other markers to ensure a safe and respectful environment. This approach helps maintain the integrity of the healing process while honoring the personal boundaries of each participant.

Trauma-Informed Perspectives on Physical Touch in Ceremony

The heart of any trauma-informed work lies in giving the client complete agency around what they do and do not consent to, as well as the genuine opportunity to change their minds in real-time. Psychedelic therapy is becoming increasingly important in trauma-informed work, emphasizing the need for clear communication regarding the effects and potential risks associated with these therapies. So here are some core ways Plant Medicine facilitators can ensure they are maintaining safety and honoring the sovereignty of all clients:

Only employ physical touch when absolutely necessary once the medicines have taken effect. If someone is in danger to themselves or others, of course it’s required that we do all we can to prevent harm. If physical touch is needed, use the absolute minimum amount of force required.
When a client is in a deep process but is not a danger to themselves or others, use all other methods of support available before physical touch.
If physical touch feels safe or useful, we must, as facilitators, be incredibly clean with our sexual energies and intent. If we are attracted to the individual in any way, or repelled/repulsed, this WILL be conveyed via physical touch. We must have the maturity, awareness, and integrity to know if we are not neutral and compassionate with our energies and views of the participant or if we can be liable for the harm that we cause.
If touch feels at all helpful, the caregiver must also maintain awareness of how the participant responds. If they recoil, flinch, or react in any way that seems they wish not to be touched, we must correct course and honor that agency. It’s also helpful to agree upon a simple hand single or gesture that gives the client full permission to stop the physical touch immediately – perhaps it’s a closed fist, a hand on their belly, or something simple indication that touch is not in any way welcomed.
Any shared touching experience must be completely and utterly platonic. Anything else is abusive.

The Facilitator’s Role in Creating a Safe Environment

The role of the facilitator in creating a safe environment for Ayahuasca ceremonies cannot be overstated. A qualified facilitator should possess proper training and experience in traditional practices, along with a deep understanding of the cultural and spiritual contexts from which these practices originate. They must provide a supportive and non-judgmental space for individuals to process their experiences, ensuring that each participant feels seen, heard, and respected. It is essential for participants to research the facilitator’s qualifications and read reviews from previous participants to ensure they are engaging with someone who can provide a safe and nurturing environment. The facilitator’s ability to create this space is crucial for the healing journey of each participant.

To Create Safety, We Must Continue to Discuss The Topic of Physical Touch with Psychedelics

Developing safety standards and protocols with psychedelic Plant Medicines is really in its infancy, so we must continue to have honest conversations about these complexities. The Global Ayahuasca Survey, involving over 10,000 participants, highlights the physical and mental health side effects experienced by users of Ayahuasca, emphasizing the need for data-driven approaches to safety.

On the one hand, we do not want to create a sterile world in which the warmth of a hug or tender squeeze is not allowed out of fear. But in tandem, we must have the courage to ask permission, to talk about boundaries, and to recognize when someone still holds so much trauma around physical touch that any gesture, no matter how well-meaning, could actually re-trigger that pain.

The ownness is on both parties. Facilitators have a deep responsibility to their Plant Medicine clients—to create a space of safety for traumas to heal, not to add to the things that feel traumatizing. Creating that takes tremendous integrity, transparency, and genuine curiosity about* what each client needs to feel safe.

If you’re looking for truly safe retreat experiences with Plant Medicines like Ayahuasca, we would be honored to welcome you at a future retreat!

About the Author

Tina “Kat” Courtney is a traditionally trained Ayahuasquera and Huachumera; she apprenticed for over a decade in the Shipibo-Conibo and Quechua-Lamista traditions. She’s the author of Plant Medicine Mystery School Vol 1: The Superhero Healing Powers of Psychotropic Plants. Kat is a pioneer in the Psychedelic Integration space, as well as an expert in cultivating life-changing relationships with plant spirits. She leads Master Plant Diets both in person and remotely and is available for coaching and consultations about this and all shamanic topics. Kat is also a certified Death Doula, honored to help people make peace with the inevitable and beautiful transition into the afterlife. She has spent her adult life cultivating a bonded and trusting relationship with the darkness, and she’d love to help you do the same.

Physical Touch in Plant Medicine / Ayahuasca Ceremonies: Is it Ever Appropriate?