Is Rythmia Safe? Health Screening, Medical Protocols & Who Should Attend
Rythmia is the world's only medically licensed plant medicine center, and safety is the foundation everything else is built on. Our on-site clinical team, rigorous pre-arrival screening, and licensed facility ensure every guest is properly assessed and supported. Find answers to the most common safety and eligibility questions below, or call us at +1 (844) 236-5674.
Core Safety
Rythmia is the world's only medically licensed plant medicine center and treats safety as both a legal obligation and a founding principle. Every guest undergoes rigorous medical screening before arrival and again upon check-in. A full clinical team, which includes doctors, registered nurses, and emergency technicians is on site 24 hours a day throughout your entire stay.
Yes. Rythmia holds a General Medical License from the Costa Rican Ministry of Health and is separately licensed by IAFA, Costa Rica's drug and alcohol facility management authority. It is the only medically licensed plant medicine center in the world, legally permitted to operate in the municipality of Santa Cruz, Guanacaste.
Dr. Jeff McNairy, Rythmia's Chief Medical Officer and co-founder, oversees a dedicated clinical team of two staff physicians, ten registered nurses, and two Emergency Response Technicians (at least one of whom is present at every ceremony). Dr. Jeff personally reviews guest medical histories and leads both pre-arrival and on-site health screenings.
Eligibility & Screening
Screening happens in two stages. During booking, you complete a detailed written medical questionnaire reviewed by the clinical team before your place is confirmed. On arrival, staff physicians conduct an in-person medical evaluation. Both screenings must be passed before you are cleared to participate in any plant medicine ceremony.
No. Rythmia is transparent about this, because plant medicine is powerful and contraindicated for those with certain medical conditions, active psychiatric diagnoses, or specific medications. Rythmia's pre-screening process exists precisely to identify guests for whom participation would carry unacceptable risk. Speak with a consultant before booking if you have any health concerns.
Rythmia is not suitable for individuals with epilepsy, diabetes, heart or cardiovascular conditions, liver or kidney disease, or active psychiatric disorders. Pregnant and nursing women are excluded. Those taking SSRIs, antidepressants, MAOIs, or CNS depressants must complete a cessation period with the proper taper protocol. All eligibility is confirmed during medical screening in the booking process.
During the registration process, you will be required to disclose all medications, drugs, supplements, and psychedelics taken within the past year. In general, one should not be taking any other supplements or medications, including herbal medicines, when taking plant medicine, both for your safety and to not interfere with the efficacy of the plants or their energies.
All prescription medications, certain supplements, and illegal drugs should be stopped at least 2 to 8 weeks prior to taking plant medicine, depending on the specific type of medication or supplement. Synthetic hormones taken for hypothyroidism are an exception.
You must be free of the following substances prior to your visit, or you will not be admitted:
*HGH and testosterone therapies are permitted when prescribed and used under medical supervision.
For a comprehensive list of detailed medication descriptions and cessation periods, please call us to speak to a Rythmia guest consultant. Rest assured, a full medical screening will be completed as part of the booking process and upon arrival to ensure your safety and eligibility.
During Ceremonies
Every ceremony is staffed at a minimum 1:4 healer-to-guest ratio, with at least one Emergency Response Technician present at all times. The on-site medical facility operates 24/7, and all staff train regularly in emergency response. Ceremonies take place within the gated resort, which means that no guest is ever more than a few minutes from qualified clinical support.
Depending on the healing team's tradition, menstruating women may not attend Thursday night’s ceremony. Menstruation is itself a powerful form of purging, and plant medicine can intensify this significantly. Rythmia respects this tradition and offers an alternative Moon Ceremony to menstruating guests on those nights.
Policies
No. Rythmia operates a strict zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and all illegal substances, including cannabis. No alcohol is served or permitted on the property. Guests arriving visibly intoxicated may be discharged without refund. Alcohol consumption within 3 days of arrival, or 14 days if dependent, must be disclosed to the medical team.
Additional Wellness
Rythmia offers an assortment of massage services at Ra Spa. Every guest receives one complimentary 60 minute massage, but additional massages are available for purchase based on availability. Rythmia also offers two colonic hydrotherapy sessions. Beyond that, there is a hot and cold plunge, a sauna, gym, and optional juice program.
Transform Depression with Ayahuasca
Watch this educational webinar to explore the therapeutic potential of Ayahuasca in treating depression with Dr. Jeff McNairy and Dr. Mariana Rojas.
Here's what you'll learn in this discussion:
- How people and their brains get stuck in depression
- How Ayahuasca resets the brain of people dealing with depression
- How the Rythmia Way Program helps people reset their lives
