In many healing centers the assistant also sit with the medicine, not much medicine but a little just to be in the flow and ceremony!
In the center I was in, Gaia Sagrada in Ecuador, the assistants do not. Which was also beautiful in its own way.
It made us very stable and calm to assist anyone in need. Being in the ceremony space with the music is already powerful.
Yet I do think when we would drink as well, we would be more part of the space.
It was so beautiful to assist and be of service. I have had help during my own retreat experiences and to give back was just amazing.
Hearing people in the medicine, purging, is just such a beautiful thing. You hear them release. The medicine working.
If you feel the call to give back, please do!