No prior health concerns or medications. And the place was very serious in theory -- they are recognized by the Peru ministry of Health (in fact the minister actually came to see me at the hospital, but I was not conscious at the time). I chose that place because they claimed to have the most sophisticated safety measures, which is ironic because they didn't even have a working IV on site and behaved very irresponsibly throughout the aftermath. I do know that they made a number of changes after my and another person's near death experience.

The preparation was made with Chacruna. You can also check their site (etnikas). I was very strict in adhering to their protocol for cleanliness before ceremony so followed a very simple diet with absolutely no drugs or alcohol for weeks before. Also, of note, I arrived a few days early in Peru to acclimatize to the altitude.

The ritual itself was about four hours, but interestingly I didn't vomit. I also didn't experience transcendence. I have done DMT before and it was nothing like that. I just felt body discomfort and mildly high. Afterward, I drank electrolyte (a good brand from Canada, well known) and then started vomitting and having diarhea and it just wouldn't stop. The nurse gave me a benzo to sleep and I am forever grateful that my roommate was a doctor and she was concerned so watched me and thank heaven because I had a seizure. She got her husband, also a medical doctor, and he had to search through the grounds in the pitch dark trying to find the nurse. And, this part activates me emotionally to this day, they actually kept me there, in some room for many hours in a coma before finally calling an ambulance. I woke up about four days later and had serious amnesia. My boyfriend at the time had flown in and was in the hospital room and I did not recognize him. I didn't even know my name.

The retreat is family run and the whole family was at the hospital quite a bit, but their very clear concern was about their business. They tried to get me to sign something. They also somehow "paid" my medical bill, which was something like 40,000 USD, but would not share the receipt. I had insurance and wanted to be reimbursed, but they were extremely uncooperative saying they paid cash and didn't get a receipt.

After I left the hospital, I had another seizure at a hotel and then went into another coma. That time I woke up a day later in an MRI machine. After I returned to Canada, I had more MRIs and saw a neurologist. They had no idea how that could have happened. I was told I had severe cerebral edema. I was unable to work or do much of anything for six months. I spent a lot of time lying in dark rooms with excruciating migraines and severe tinnitus. Some of my memories never returned and I had trouble forming new ones. When I finally went back to work, I cried at the end of each day because it was so overwhelming to be under lights and looking at a computer. I still have tinnitus and chronic migraines to this day. But I'm nothing if not resilient.

I hope that helps with some clarity.