Psychedelic Retreat: The Complete Guide (Updated 2024)

The Global Mental Wellness Epidemic

You may have noticed, many of us are not doing so well. According to pre-COVID statistics from Our World in Data [1], between 1 in 7 and 1 in 8 people globally are suffering from a mental illness. That's a very difficult statistic to stomach.

https://ourworldindata.org/global-mental-health

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‍Here’s the breakdown for each mental health disorder and addictive disorders:

• Depression - 264 million
• Anxiety - 284 million
• Bipolar - 46 million
• Eating Disorders - 16 million
• Schizophrenia - 20 million
• Alcohol use Disorder - 107 million
• Drug use Disorder - 71 million

It is also estimated that an additional 3.5% of the global population suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Interestingly, mental health challenges are most acute in wealthier, western countries, for example the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

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Clearly, mental illness is a massive burden on human flourishing and productivity.

And while we have a staggering array of treatments and modalities across cultures and continents, the statistics continue to move in the wrong direction. Looking at depression, conventional antidepressants disappoint as many as they help, to the extent that we’ve now even coined such terms as “treatment resistant depression”.

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If we are to address the global mental disorder and the alarming statistics, it’s evident that we need more effective tools to improve mental health outcomes. 

“If you always do what you’ve always done, and you’ll always get what you’ve always got” - Henry Ford

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A New Hope: Science and Benefits of Psychedelics Retreat Centers

‍Psychedelic research is exploding. Following a two-decade hiatus between 1970 and 1990, psychedelic research has grown exponentially over the past 20 years, with the number of psychedelic study now numbering over 700 per year [2].

Psychedelic medicine is now exploring a broad variety of psychedelic drugs: Ketamine, MDMA, LSD, psilocybin, and psychoactive / psychedelic plant medicines such as cannabis and ayahuasca.
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Research has shown these powerful medicines to be effective in treating a broad variety of mental health disorders[3]:

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Growing Body of Research: Mental Health Issues

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• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar
• OCD
• PTSD
• Addictive disorders (smoking, alcohol, drug dependency)

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Use of Psilocybin and Psychedelics are Proven to Improve Mental Health Conditions Such As:

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• Cognition & creativity
• Consciousness
• Relationship to self and others
• Sense of purpose and belonging
• Mood & behavior
• Life satisfaction 

Results from treatment are commonly referred to as “10 years of therapy” in one psychedelic session. Unfortunately, there remains a significant gap between science and policy. 

Classic psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD are still broadly illegal, Ketamine is legal in many jurisdictions, and MDMA assisted psychotherapy has entered stage 3 clinical trials in the USA for treatment of PTSD, led by Rick Doblin and the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)[4].

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The psychedelic renaissance is fueling significant injection of new capital, decriminalization and legalization, psychedelic drug and service innovation, and inspiring novel career paths such as the psychedelic researcher at leading academic institutions. 

“Psychedelics, used responsibly and with proper caution, would be for psychiatry what the microscope is for biology and medicine and the telescope is for astronomy” - Dr. Stanislav Grof

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Why the Interest in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy?

Psychedelic therapy, or psychedelic assisted therapy [5] is the administration of a psychedelic substance by a psychedelic therapist to a patient. A psychedelic treatment takes place in a controlled, therapeutic environment where the patients safety, security, and care are the absolute priority.

The motivations of patients to participate in psychedelic therapy are typically to heal, to grow, and/or to deepen their spirituality.

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Common psychedelic therapies include:

• Psilocybin therapy (synthetic or with psilocybin mushrooms)
• MDMA therapy
• Ketamine assisted psychotherapy

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While the drug Ketamine and the drug MDMA have been increasingly ‘lumped in’ to be considered a psychedelic compound over the past few years, for the purpose of explaining how psychedelic therapy works, we will focus on psilocybin assisted psychotherapy.

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‍How Retreats Tend to Increase Neuroplasticity

The process for psychedelic psychotherapy generally follows three stages - intake & preparation, the psychedelic experience, and psychedelic integration.

Intake & preparation: The process for psilocybin assisted therapy treatment begins as would any normal therapy session. A patient is asked questions about their life, identity, challenges, and mental and emotional state. As part of the screening process, patients provide detailed medical and psychological information to ensure psilocybin treatment will be safe for them. 

Psychedelic experience: During the therapy session, the psychedelic medicine, in this case psilocybin, is administered to the patient in a relaxed and comfortable setting. The patient typically reclines on a couch or bed, dons eye shades to black out the light, puts on headphones for music, and commences their journey within. 

During a psychedelic experience, it is common to revisit memories from earlier in life, experience visuals, heightened emotions, insights, synaesthesia, mystical experiences. Through these experiences, we can establish a deeper connection with ourselves, improved relationships, and a greater sense of health, happiness, and interconnectivity.

A psychedelic session typically is between 3-6 hours, depending upon the treatment, modalities, medicine, and dosage used. 

Psychedelic integration: Following the psychedelic session begins the integration process. The focus of the integration process is to unpack the experience, lessons, and insights from the therapy, and to integrate the experience to improve thought-patterns, beliefs, and behaviors and thereby improve quality of everyday life.

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A Note about Ayahuasca, DMT, Psilocybin Retreats

Given the gap between science and policy, tens of thousands are traveling to Costa Rica, Mexico, Netherlands, or Peru for a legal psychedelic experiences, for example an ayahuasca retreat or a psilocybin retreat.

In western medicine, our scientific method lends preference to being able to control for variables in compounds and dosage. As a result, powerful plant medicine like ayahuasca, which has up to 463 compounds, is often overlooked. 

The good news is that the science is picking up, and demonstrating ayahuasca to be potentially even more effective than the classic psychedelics like Ketamine, MDMA, LSD, and psilocybin. Science is ongoing and proving the benefits for cancer patients, auto-immune disorders, and a range of other mental, emotional, and physical health challenges. 

We recommend anyone considering an ayahuasca or psilocybin treatment to do extensive research of their own, consult with their doctor, and reach their own conclusions.

What’s critical as and when we travel to seek out these healing and growth experiences with ayahuasca “outside” of the frame of western medicine, that we do take the necessary precautions to ensure our safety, and that protocols for harm reduction are in place.

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Wrap-up

Approached correctly, psychedelic assisted psychotherapy and plant medicine retreats are proven to hold incredible potential to improve our overall health and well-being. We hope this article was valuable to you. We wrote this with the intention that we continue to spread the message to all of our guests that "I'm not alone."

Connect with us today and let's begin your journey towards discovering your personal meaning of life. Apply here and let's continue to discover.

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Q: What is a Psychedelic Retreat?

A: A Psychedelic Retreat is a structured program, often involving substances like psilocybin mushrooms, 5-MeO-DMT, or peyote, designed to facilitate personal growth, healing, and spiritual development. These retreats often include guided sessions, meditation, breathwork, and integration support.

Q: What can I expect at Beckley Retreats?

A: Beckley Retreats, affiliated with the Beckley Foundation, offer immersive experiences that combine psychedelic ceremonies, such as those using psilocybin mushrooms, with holistic wellness practices like breathwork. Participants typically receive support from experienced facilitators and shaman to help process their experiences.

Q: What is 5-MeO-DMT, and how is it used in retreats?

A: 5-MeO-DMT, often referred to as the "God Molecule," is a powerful psychedelic compound found in certain plants and the venom of the toad Bufo alvarius. It induces profound spiritual experiences and is used in guided sessions at specialized retreats, such as those offered by Tandava Retreats, to facilitate deep psychological and emotional healing.

Q: Where are some popular locations for psychedelic retreats?

A: Psychedelic retreats are held in various locations around the world, with popular destinations including Jamaica, the mountain town of Tepoztlán in Mexico, and states like California in the U.S. Some well-known retreat centers include MycoMeditations in Jamaica and One Retreats by Rose Hill.

Q: What is the role of a facilitator in a psychedelic retreat?

A: A facilitator in a psychedelic retreat supports participants through their journey by providing guidance, safety, and emotional support. They help prepare individuals for their sessions, assist during the psychedelic experience, and offer integration support afterward to help process and make sense of the experiences.

Q: Are psychedelic retreats safe?

A: Psychedelic retreats, when conducted by experienced facilitators in a controlled and supportive environment, are generally considered safe. However, it is crucial to choose reputable retreats with trained staff to minimize risks. It's also important for participants to disclose any medical or psychological conditions to ensure the experience is appropriate for them.

Q: Can psychedelic retreats help with depression and anxiety?

A: Yes, studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that psychedelic-assisted therapies, such as those involving psilocybin-assisted therapy, can be effective in treating depression and anxiety. Retreats like Beckley Retreats and MycoMeditations offer programs specifically designed to address these mental health issues.

Q: What are psilocybin ceremonies?

A: Psilocybin ceremonies are ritualistic sessions that involve the use of psilocybin mushrooms. These ceremonies are often led by a shaman or experienced facilitator and are designed to create a safe and supportive environment for deep psychological and spiritual exploration.

Q: How do I prepare for a psychedelic retreat?

A: Preparation for a psychedelic retreat typically includes setting clear intentions, researching the retreat center and facilitators, and undergoing any required pre-retreat protocols. Many retreats recommend practices such as meditation, journaling, and maintaining a clean diet to help participants prepare mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Q: What should I expect during a mescaline experience?

A: Mescaline, found in cacti such as peyote and San Pedro, produces a profound and long-lasting psychedelic experience characterized by hallucinations and feelings of deep introspection. Participants often report life-changing insights and emotional healing. Retreats also ensure a safe and supportive environment to enhance the therapeutic benefits of the mescaline experience.

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Research Sources:

1. Global mental health statistics: https://ourworldindata.org/global-mental-health
2. Number of published psychedelic research papers - 1950-2020: https://www.frontiersin.org/files/Articles/544203/fpsyg-11-01681-HTML/image_m/fpsyg-11-01681-g001.jpg
3. Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Research https://hopkinspsychedelic.org/
4. Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies - https://maps.org/ 
5. Psychedelic Therapy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychedelic_therapy