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The benefits of psychedelics such as psilocybin (found in some mushrooms) are becoming increasingly clear and supported by scientific evidence. These substances can play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, anorexia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, cluster headaches, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. In some cases, they allow users to deal with trauma more quickly than traditional psychotherapy. A recent clinical trial in the US found psilocybin to be effective in treating severe depressive disorders that are not amenable to antidepressant therapy.
Neurobiological studies conducted by the Center for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London have shown that psilocybin can increase brain connectivity for up to a month after a single dose in people suffering from depression. These findings are consistent with animal studies that demonstrate that psychedelics promote neuronal growth and increase neuroplasticity, which in turn alters perception of reality.
Along with this is the growing popularity of retreats where the use of psychedelics is practiced under legal (or at least not explicitly forbidden) conditions. Such events take place in places like Peru or Brazil, where ayahuasca can be taken, as well as Costa Rica and Mexico. In Jamaica, mushrooms can be legally consumed, making them a preferred choice for many psychiatrists and licensed practitioners researching the effects of psychedelics.
Beginning in 2023, psilocybin therapy will also become available in Oregon thanks to Bill 109, which was passed in 2020. There is information about LSD or MDMA (ecstasy) interventions in places such as the Catskill Mountains and Ibiza, in both individual and group formats — many participants in such interventions have shared their positive experiences, describing them as «life-changing».
Ayahuasca, a preparation composed of the plants Psychotria viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi, is one of the most discussed psychedelics. One well-known retreat center is Soltara Healing Center, which has two facilities in Costa Rica and one in Peru. The center offers retreats ranging from five to thirteen days in length, including up to seven ceremonies using ayahuasca prepared by experienced healers from Peru's Shipibo nation.
This is important because the quality and safety of the experience depends on the experience and training of the organizers. «Users are in a vulnerable state, which can create both positive and negative consequences» — notes psychiatrist and psychopharmacologist Julie Holland. She stresses that as psychedelic retreats become more popular, the risk of inadequate training for some organizers increases. Although psilocybin and LSD have no physiological toxicity, there is a risk of potentially dangerous behavior in an altered state of consciousness, such as trying to cross the road, attracting the attention of cars.
According to Holland, health checks and the availability of qualified support are important aspects. For example, the psychedelic retreat Synthesis in the Netherlands requires guests to fill out a health questionnaire before starting the program, and similar checks are conducted at Soltara.
Quality guidance during the preparation phase is also paramount. Be wary of retreat operators who don't offer a clear preparation program: «One of my problems with ayahuasca is that you have to stop taking all your medications before using it — these include drugs such as SSRIs [antidepressants such as sertraline, prozac and citalopram], antipsychotics, stimulants and anti-anxiety medications».
Soltara also recommends abstaining from sexual activity, including masturbation, for two weeks before the event. Holland worries that if this is done without proper medical supervision, it could put participants on a potentially unstable footing; without a clear strategy for preparation and integration, both the experience itself and the beginning of it could be traumatic.
«Because of changes in demographics, we had to carefully filter participants» — notes Daniel Cleland, adding additional layers of vetting to the admissions process. Some aspirants are so eager for the experience that they may misrepresent their mental health and medical history. «There are some people who absolutely should not drink ayahuasca» — he says. At Soltara, in addition to the online health check, a one-on-one consultation with a staff member who has years of experience with ayahuasca is mandatory; «this allows us to discuss their expectations, clearly understand why they want to take ayahuasca and in some cases dissuade them from participating».
«Unfortunately, there is something of a middle ground: peak mystical experiences can be valuable, but sometimes preparation and integration are not given enough attention» — emphasizes Neil Markey, co-founder and CEO of Beckley Retreats. The organization, although affiliated with the Beckley Foundation founded by Amanda Fielding, runs its projects independently and researches psychedelic substances, calling for their decriminalization.
Beckley Retreats runs events with medical staff and facilitators in Jamaica and the Netherlands.
With his experience serving in elite units of the U.S. Army and participating in military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, Markey understands the important mindset necessary for success. He also faced acute PTSD due to his military experience, which led him to seek herbal treatment alternatives.
With Beckley Retreats, Markey hopes to «raise the standard of these kinds of experiences so that more people can have them». The program includes not only the retreat itself, which lasts only five or six days, but also 11 weeks of preparation: four weeks of pre-training, the retreat itself, and six weeks of supervised integration. The preparation phase emphasizes self-reflection, exercise, meditation and changes to your diet and lifestyle. «If you are on a regimen that is saturated with caffeine and alcohol or spend five hours a day interacting with your phone, that requires attention».
Regular remote group meetings are highly recommended: «We believe it is important to start building this group dynamic as soon as possible. Research shows that group work is more beneficial than one-on-one sessions» — he states. «In addition, being in nature also plays an important role; both contribute to a more positive experience». Groups typically consist of 12 to 18 people, each with five or six facilitators, with at least one of them being a therapist and focused on each group of three participants. Synthesis can have as many as 21 participants and Soltara can have as many as 22.
Beckley Retreats boasts the availability of specialists that Markey calls «unicorns» — practitioners with formal medical training who have been in the business for years and have conducted hundreds of sessions using psilocybin. While you may have a challenging experience, it likely won't be traumatic. «It's experienced organizers, communion with nature and an opportunity to calm the nervous system for a few weeks».
Nevertheless, such an initiative requires a significant financial investment: participation in Beckley Retreats costs from €3,600 in the Netherlands and from $5,500 in Jamaica; at Soltara the price starts at $1,875, and a five-day Expansion retreat at Synthesis costs almost $6,500. Beckley Retreats offers a scholarship program, seeking to subsidize the participation of at least one, and preferably two, people at each retreat; also, some participants may be able to attend a retreat at cost.
However, these figures highlight a broader problem: financial barriers to access. The legal aspects associated with Schedule 1 substances result in high research and procurement costs. It is therefore worth considering different retreats rather than limiting ourselves to those mentioned here. Actively working to change legislation to be able to offer retreats closer to home and at a more affordable price would obviously be the next step in broadening consciousness and contributing to a more inclusive environment.
Mind-altering adventures are becoming a huge — and unregulated —business. Which ones should you choose?
Changing lives is one of the health and wellness industry's loudest promises. People's desire for slimmer, longer-lived and generally improved versions of themselves has created a global market that McKinsey recently estimated at $1.5 trillion.
Traditionally, wellness has focused on body and soul (e.g., can you work through your chakras and cleanse your colon in one day? And even with a single practitioner? Quite!). Today, however, more and more people are changing their lives through consciousness transformation. The controlled use of psychedelic plant substances, long a niche trend, is now entering the mainstream and forming a major new industry.
Last May, enthusiasts moderated a panel discussion titled «Microdosing, Mushrooms and the Cannabis Boom for Millennials» at the first American Festival in Washington, DC. Before the recording began, one of the participants noted that despite the catchy title, it did not reflect the scale of the phenomenon: while cannabis has already become a multi-billion dollar industry, psychedelics, despite their status as Schedule 1 drugs in the US and prohibition in many countries, could reach a market value of over $10 billion by 2027.
Changing lives is one of the health and wellness industry's loudest promises. People's desire for slimmer, longer-lived and generally improved versions of themselves has created a global market that McKinsey recently estimated at $1.5 trillion.
Traditionally, wellness has focused on body and soul (e.g., can you work through your chakras and cleanse your colon in one day? And even with a single practitioner? Quite!). Today, however, more and more people are changing their lives through consciousness transformation. The controlled use of psychedelic plant substances, long a niche trend, is now entering the mainstream and forming a major new industry.
Last May, enthusiasts moderated a panel discussion titled «Microdosing, Mushrooms and the Cannabis Boom for Millennials» at the first American Festival in Washington, DC. Before the recording began, one of the participants noted that despite the catchy title, it did not reflect the scale of the phenomenon: while cannabis has already become a multi-billion dollar industry, psychedelics, despite their status as Schedule 1 drugs in the US and prohibition in many countries, could reach a market value of over $10 billion by 2027.
The benefits of psychedelics such as psilocybin (found in some mushrooms) are becoming increasingly clear and supported by scientific evidence. These substances can play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, anorexia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, cluster headaches, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. In some cases, they allow users to deal with trauma more quickly than traditional psychotherapy. A recent clinical trial in the US found psilocybin to be effective in treating severe depressive disorders that are not amenable to antidepressant therapy.
Neurobiological studies conducted by the Center for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London have shown that psilocybin can increase brain connectivity for up to a month after a single dose in people suffering from depression. These findings are consistent with animal studies that demonstrate that psychedelics promote neuronal growth and increase neuroplasticity, which in turn alters perception of reality.
Along with this is the growing popularity of retreats where the use of psychedelics is practiced under legal (or at least not explicitly forbidden) conditions. Such events take place in places like Peru or Brazil, where ayahuasca can be taken, as well as Costa Rica and Mexico. In Jamaica, mushrooms can be legally consumed, making them a preferred choice for many psychiatrists and licensed practitioners researching the effects of psychedelics.
Beginning in 2023, psilocybin therapy will also become available in Oregon thanks to Bill 109, which was passed in 2020. There is information about LSD or MDMA (ecstasy) interventions in places such as the Catskill Mountains and Ibiza, in both individual and group formats — many participants in such interventions have shared their positive experiences, describing them as «life-changing».
Ayahuasca, a preparation composed of the plants Psychotria viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi, is one of the most discussed psychedelics. One well-known retreat center is Soltara Healing Center, which has two facilities in Costa Rica and one in Peru. The center offers retreats ranging from five to thirteen days in length, including up to seven ceremonies using ayahuasca prepared by experienced healers from Peru's Shipibo nation.
This is important because the quality and safety of the experience depends on the experience and training of the organizers. «Users are in a vulnerable state, which can create both positive and negative consequences» — notes psychiatrist and psychopharmacologist Julie Holland. She stresses that as psychedelic retreats become more popular, the risk of inadequate training for some organizers increases. Although psilocybin and LSD have no physiological toxicity, there is a risk of potentially dangerous behavior in an altered state of consciousness, such as trying to cross the road, attracting the attention of cars.
According to Holland, health checks and the availability of qualified support are important aspects. For example, the psychedelic retreat Synthesis in the Netherlands requires guests to fill out a health questionnaire before starting the program, and similar checks are conducted at Soltara.
Quality guidance during the preparation phase is also paramount. Be wary of retreat operators who don't offer a clear preparation program: «One of my problems with ayahuasca is that you have to stop taking all your medications before using it — these include drugs such as SSRIs [antidepressants such as sertraline, prozac and citalopram], antipsychotics, stimulants and anti-anxiety medications».
Soltara also recommends abstaining from sexual activity, including masturbation, for two weeks before the event. Holland worries that if this is done without proper medical supervision, it could put participants on a potentially unstable footing; without a clear strategy for preparation and integration, both the experience itself and the beginning of it could be traumatic.
«Because of changes in demographics, we had to carefully filter participants» — notes Daniel Cleland, adding additional layers of vetting to the admissions process. Some aspirants are so eager for the experience that they may misrepresent their mental health and medical history. «There are some people who absolutely should not drink ayahuasca» — he says. At Soltara, in addition to the online health check, a one-on-one consultation with a staff member who has years of experience with ayahuasca is mandatory; «this allows us to discuss their expectations, clearly understand why they want to take ayahuasca and in some cases dissuade them from participating».
«Unfortunately, there is something of a middle ground: peak mystical experiences can be valuable, but sometimes preparation and integration are not given enough attention» — emphasizes Neil Markey, co-founder and CEO of Beckley Retreats. The organization, although affiliated with the Beckley Foundation founded by Amanda Fielding, runs its projects independently and researches psychedelic substances, calling for their decriminalization.
Beckley Retreats runs events with medical staff and facilitators in Jamaica and the Netherlands.
«You have to do your own research. You need to ensure your own safety» — notes Markey.
«What are the qualifications of the staff? Does the organization have insurance? Is it all legal?».
«What are the qualifications of the staff? Does the organization have insurance? Is it all legal?».
With his experience serving in elite units of the U.S. Army and participating in military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, Markey understands the important mindset necessary for success. He also faced acute PTSD due to his military experience, which led him to seek herbal treatment alternatives.
With Beckley Retreats, Markey hopes to «raise the standard of these kinds of experiences so that more people can have them». The program includes not only the retreat itself, which lasts only five or six days, but also 11 weeks of preparation: four weeks of pre-training, the retreat itself, and six weeks of supervised integration. The preparation phase emphasizes self-reflection, exercise, meditation and changes to your diet and lifestyle. «If you are on a regimen that is saturated with caffeine and alcohol or spend five hours a day interacting with your phone, that requires attention».
Regular remote group meetings are highly recommended: «We believe it is important to start building this group dynamic as soon as possible. Research shows that group work is more beneficial than one-on-one sessions» — he states. «In addition, being in nature also plays an important role; both contribute to a more positive experience». Groups typically consist of 12 to 18 people, each with five or six facilitators, with at least one of them being a therapist and focused on each group of three participants. Synthesis can have as many as 21 participants and Soltara can have as many as 22.
Beckley Retreats boasts the availability of specialists that Markey calls «unicorns» — practitioners with formal medical training who have been in the business for years and have conducted hundreds of sessions using psilocybin. While you may have a challenging experience, it likely won't be traumatic. «It's experienced organizers, communion with nature and an opportunity to calm the nervous system for a few weeks».
Nevertheless, such an initiative requires a significant financial investment: participation in Beckley Retreats costs from €3,600 in the Netherlands and from $5,500 in Jamaica; at Soltara the price starts at $1,875, and a five-day Expansion retreat at Synthesis costs almost $6,500. Beckley Retreats offers a scholarship program, seeking to subsidize the participation of at least one, and preferably two, people at each retreat; also, some participants may be able to attend a retreat at cost.
However, these figures highlight a broader problem: financial barriers to access. The legal aspects associated with Schedule 1 substances result in high research and procurement costs. It is therefore worth considering different retreats rather than limiting ourselves to those mentioned here. Actively working to change legislation to be able to offer retreats closer to home and at a more affordable price would obviously be the next step in broadening consciousness and contributing to a more inclusive environment.