Bufo Ceremony: My First-Hand Experience, Effects & Risks

A Bufo ceremony is a facilitated session centred on 5-MeO-DMT, inhaled as vapour from toad secretion or a synthetic source. Effects can begin within seconds and may be physically and psychologically intense. I attended a group ceremony in Barcelona; this article records what happened before, during and after it, including a follow-up integration session one week later. This is one participant’s experience, not evidence that Bufo is safe or therapeutic.

Important safety note: 5-MeO-DMT carries physical and psychological risks and may interact dangerously with some medicines and substances. This article is informational, does not encourage illegal drug use and is not medical advice. Do not stop or change prescribed medication for a ceremony without guidance from the clinician who prescribed it.

What Is a Bufo Ceremony?

The Sonoran Desert toad, Incilius alvarius (formerly Bufo alvarius), produces a defensive secretion containing 5-MeO-DMT (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine). Some ceremonies use this secretion, while others use synthesised 5-MeO-DMT. The substance is sometimes nicknamed the “God Molecule”, although that phrase is cultural rather than scientific. A Bufo ceremony usually combines the substance with preparation, supervision and some form of post-session integration. The acute experience is typically brief compared with ayahuasca or psilocybin, but its onset and intensity can be overwhelming.

My Bufo Ceremony Experience in Barcelona

My Ceremony at a Glance

• Location: Barcelona, Spain
• Setting: a group of nine participants with three facilitators
• Total evening: approximately 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• My most intense period: approximately 20 minutes before my everyday awareness began returning
• Aftercare: food, a sharing circle and a Zoom integration meeting one week later
• Perspective: a first-person account; other people may have very different experiences

Before the Ceremony

The ceremony commenced at 8 p.m. and continued until 1 a.m. in a beautiful yoga studio in Barcelona’s heart. Upon arrival, I got to know the other eight participants. One participant casually mentioned to me that she had spent the entire week in Barcelona preparing for the ceremony, which left me feeling somewhat doubtful about my level of preparation, as I had only flown in that day and had just returned from a colourful festival in Germany.

Once the formalities were completed, we were smudged with Palo Santo, a traditional cleansing ritual, before entering the ceremonial space. As we walked in, we were greeted with a long and friendly hug from the shaman, a kind-hearted lady from Spain named Ness. The retreat introduced Ness as an experienced plant-medicine facilitator. She was assisted by two compassionate guardians, Pierluigi and Susy, who gracefully helped hold the space throughout the ceremony.

We began by introducing ourselves and sharing what had brought us to the ceremony—our intentions for taking Bufo, how we were feeling, and whether we had any prior experience with this powerful medicine. None of us had tried it before, and the group had a palpable sense of nervousness. I felt a tightening in my stomach and noticed my heart beating faster than usual. I had heard from multiple sources that taking Bufo could feel like a near-death or dying experience, requiring complete surrender and the willingness to let go of everything. Was I ready to do that? I wondered.

Rather than diving straight into the ceremony, we engaged in preliminary exercises designed to alleviate nervousness. We danced to some happy Bob Marley and Bobby McFerrin songs, lightening the mood. More importantly, it helped us get more into our bodies and out of our heads, making us more present for the experience to come. Following this, Ness spoke about the substance, what the group might experience and how the evening would be structured.

This was followed by a demonstration of how to take the medicine and what to do afterwards. Since the effects of Bufo are felt very, very quickly, it is crucial to have everything prepared so you can lie down safely afterwards. To enhance the experience, we used blindfolds, providing a more immersive journey. 

Following the talk and demonstration, we participated in a short Hapé ceremony. Hapé is a powdered tobacco-based snuff used in some ceremonial contexts. Although having this powder blown up your nose is not the most pleasant experience, it has an almost immediate grounding effect, and I felt much more connected to my body afterwards.

The Ceremony and Onset

The main event of the evening then began. We were each given a glass pipe with the Bufo medicine inside, and Ness went around, in no particular order, heating the pipe while we sat at the end of our mats and inhaled the smoke or vapour. The substance was presented as a dried paste and vaporised through a glass pipe. There was a heightened sense of nervous anticipation as none of us knew when our turn would come. There were moments of fear, and I thought about backing away entirely from the experience, but I calmed myself and kept my awareness grounded in the body.

My experience of taking Bufo was incredibly intense, unlike anything I had ever encountered with Ayahuasca, Psilocybin or San Pedro. The vapour or smoke was not unpleasant to inhale, and it had a unique smell. Within seconds of inhaling, my perceptions rapidly started to change. The shaman, Ness, began to appear as a very colourful and incredibly vibrant painting. I completely forgot to raise my hand and start counting on my fingers, as instructed.

Instead, I inhaled as much as I could and held my breath. The next thing I knew, I was lying down, surrounded by vibrant, colourful geometric patterns swirling around me. I could hear myself making sounds, but I wasn’t sure why or what they were related to. Any initial fear dissipated, replaced by a profound intensity. It felt like a type of exorcism, a powerful emotional purge. At times, it resembled a peak Ayahuasca experience, and at others, it went beyond this into realms that were inexplicable. There were moments of pure presence, without sound or sight, just consciousness. My sense of self had disappeared entirely, but it wasn’t frightening. It was very peaceful.

Returning From the Experience

After about 20 minutes, my mind began to return, trying to make sense of what had happened and what was happening. Visions started to appear—loved ones, beautiful heavenly scenes, and glimpses of the future. It was all very beautiful. As the effects began to wear off, I heard beautiful, angelic voices in the middle of the room. The shaman and her assistants began to play music with guitars, singing bowls, and other instruments. It felt heavenly, a lovely way to reintegrate into everyday waking reality. Some of the chants were familiar, and I started to sing along. When I removed my eye mask, I saw the three facilitators surrounded by candles, singing and playing with all their hearts.

Aftercare and Integration

After everyone had come around, we gathered back into a circle and were treated to some delicious fruit, nuts, and chocolate. As we ate, we were given colouring pens and encouraged to convey our experiences on paper. Verbalising the experience was challenging enough, but attempting to capture it visually was even more so. However, the goal was not to accurately depict the experience but to express our emotional journey in whatever way felt right. After this, we shared our experiences verbally, with each participant having their unique journey. The shaman provided helpful feedback and reassurance, especially to those who had challenging experiences.

The experience had been so profound and peaceful, so to step onto the bustling streets of Barcelona at 1 a.m. was a stark contrast. For me, the acute effects felt as though they had worn off by then, although the contrast was still striking. I left feeling grateful for having had such a beautiful and mystical experience with such wonderful people, and I am already planning my return. A week later, there was a follow-up Zoom integration meeting where we could discuss any issues that had arisen, providing a lovely way to reconnect with everyone and continue processing the experience.

When this article was first published in August 2024, the Bufo ceremony with Avalon Retreats was listed at €359. Prices and programme details can change, so readers should verify current information directly. I considered the level of care and guidance strong, but that is my personal assessment rather than a guarantee of safety or outcomes.

Disclosure and disclaimer: This is a personal account, not a clinical assessment of the provider. The author does not condone illegal drug use. Nothing here is intended to diagnose or treat a medical or mental-health condition, and the article is not a substitute for advice from an appropriately qualified professional. Review My Retreat disclaims liability for decisions made using this information.

What to Know Before a Bufo Ceremony

How Long Does a Bufo Ceremony Last?

The most intense effects of inhaled 5-MeO-DMT are generally measured in minutes rather than hours. In my case, everyday awareness began returning after roughly 20 minutes, while the full evening—including preparation, waiting, aftercare and sharing—lasted about five hours. Recovery and emotional integration can continue well beyond the acute experience.

Screening and Preparation

Preparation should involve more than diet or intention-setting. A responsible process should ask about physical and mental-health history, prescribed medicines, supplements and other substance use. A facilitator’s intake form is not a substitute for medical advice. Nobody should stop or taper prescribed medication for a ceremony without consulting the clinician who prescribed it.

How to Assess a Facilitator

A calm setting and compassionate manner matter, but they do not by themselves establish competence. Before considering a ceremony, ask clear questions about:

• Who conducts health and medication screening, and what qualifications do they have?
• What substance is used, where does it come from and how is its identity assessed?
• How many sober facilitators are present for each participant?
• How are consent, touch and physical boundaries agreed in advance?
• What safeguards prevent falls, airway obstruction or injury during involuntary movement?
• What is the emergency plan, and how quickly can professional medical help be reached?
• What follow-up is available if anxiety, sleep disruption or other difficulties appear afterwards?

Integration and Aftercare

Integration can mean rest, journalling, speaking with trusted people or working with a suitably qualified therapist who understands psychedelic experiences. It should not be used to reinterpret every difficult reaction as healing. Persistent distress, confusion, insomnia or changes in functioning deserve professional attention.

Every Experience Is Different

My experience involved geometric imagery, a loss of ordinary self-awareness and a peaceful return. Other people describe fear, little or no imagery, memory gaps or lingering distress. A positive personal story cannot predict another person’s response.

Can a Bufo Ceremony Heal Trauma? What the Evidence Says

Research into 5-MeO-DMT is developing, but claims about trauma healing need to be cautious. A frequently cited 2018 retreat study found that 75% of 20 participants met its threshold for a “complete mystical experience”. It measured acute subjective experience—not whether trauma was healed. The study was neither prospective nor placebo-controlled, had a low questionnaire completion rate and cannot establish cause and effect. Read the Frontiers in Psychology study.

Survey studies and early clinical trials have reported promising changes in mood for some participants, but this is not the same as proving that a commercial Bufo ceremony treats depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress. A 2024 systematic review of 5-MeO-DMT clinical trials reported generally favourable short-term tolerability under controlled research conditions while emphasising the small evidence base and need for better reporting.

A broader systematic review of adverse events in classic psychedelic studies found that adverse-event assessment and reporting were inconsistent. Results from medically screened research participants should not be assumed to apply to informal or underground ceremonies. Bufo should not be presented as an established trauma treatment or a replacement for licensed mental-health care.

Risks and Safety Considerations

5-MeO-DMT can cause rapid and profound changes in consciousness. Reported short-term effects include intense fear or panic, confusion, nausea, vomiting, involuntary movement, temporary loss of awareness and changes in heart rate or blood pressure. The surrounding environment and sober supervision matter because a person may be unable to protect themselves physically during the acute experience.

Interactions are particularly important. Pharmacology literature reports that combining 5-MeO-DMT with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)—including MAOI-containing preparations—can intensify and prolong its effects and may cause severe toxicity. See this review of 5-MeO-DMT metabolism and interactions and the more recent systematic review of psychedelic drug interactions. Research on interactions with many other medicines remains limited.

Anyone considering a ceremony should discuss their personal and family health history, prescriptions, supplements and substance use with an appropriately qualified professional. Never stop or change medication based on a facilitator’s advice alone.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

The legal status of 5-MeO-DMT varies by country and can change. A retreat operating openly does not necessarily mean possession or use is legal, so readers should check current local law rather than rely on a blog post or facilitator.

Toad-derived material also raises animal-welfare, sourcing and conservation questions. Ask whether the substance is toad-derived or synthetic and how it was obtained. These questions matter independently of the subjective experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does a Bufo Ceremony Feel Like?

There is no universal experience. People may report loss of ordinary self-awareness, feelings of unity, powerful emotion, fear, little or no imagery, memory gaps or difficulty describing what happened. My own account is one example, not a template.

How Long Do the Effects Last?

The acute effects are usually brief compared with ayahuasca or psilocybin, but preparation and aftercare make the complete ceremony much longer. In my experience, ordinary awareness began returning after about 20 minutes and the group evening lasted around five hours.

Is Bufo the Same as Ayahuasca?

No. Bufo ceremonies centre on 5-MeO-DMT and generally have a very rapid onset and comparatively short acute duration. Ayahuasca is an oral preparation containing different compounds and usually lasts several hours. The risks, interactions and cultural histories are also different.

Is a Bufo Ceremony a Proven Therapy?

No. Researchers are studying possible therapeutic uses of 5-MeO-DMT, but a commercial or informal ceremony is not an established treatment for trauma, depression or anxiety.

My Final Reflection

My experience was exceptionally intense, peaceful and difficult to put into words. I was grateful for the preparation, the presence of multiple facilitators and the follow-up integration call. At the same time, I would not assume that my positive experience predicts someone else’s outcome. The speed and intensity are precisely why evidence, screening, informed consent and realistic discussion of risk matter.

Sources and Further Reading

• Intensity of Mystical Experiences Occasioned by 5-MeO-DMT — Frontiers in Psychology
• Short-term safety and tolerability profile of 5-MeO-DMT in human subjects — systematic review
• Adverse Events in Studies of Classic Psychedelics — systematic review and meta-analysis
• Drug–drug interactions involving classic psychedelics — systematic review
• 5-MeO-DMT metabolism, pharmacokinetics and drug interactions — pharmacology review

Final disclaimer: This article is provided for information and harm-reduction context. It does not encourage illegal drug use, offer medical advice or recommend any retreat or facilitator as safe. If you have concerns about your health or a past psychedelic experience, consult an appropriately qualified professional.