Psilocybin and ketamine are popularizing psychedelic wellness retreats in the Western world. Photo by ADDICTIVE_STOCK.
Ancient civilizations healed with psychedelic plants before it was cool. Today, Indigenous cultures and non-Western communities still do. Finally emerging in the Western world, these transformative rituals are being rebranded as wellness retreats.
A longstanding tradition rather than a trend, psychedelic therapy can have a profound impact on perception of self and environment. For centuries, one could only find these experiences in remote Indigenous cultures. In the Peruvian jungle, for example, substances like San Pedro, peyote, and ayahuasca are seen as natural healers and are completely legal.
Making social progress, psychedelic wellness retreats are attracting clients who seek natural remedies for anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, and more. A majority of these retreats are tightly scheduled with traditional therapy techniques, dosing ceremonies, and re-integration sessions.
How to Find the Right Retreat
When done correctly, altering consciousness with psychedelics can rewire negative thought patterns, release trauma, and inspire motivation. However, not all wellness retreats are created equally. From shamanic rituals to therapeutic models, there are key elements to consider for a positive experience.
In an article published by Psychedelic Health, CEO of MycoMeditations, Justin Townsend, discusses how to find a compatible and trustworthy retreat. Townsend explains, “Any psychedelic retreat centre should have a lengthy and detailed application form and screening process ideally including a telephone or video interview screening with a mental health professional.”
If a retreat is not assessing pre-existing health conditions and state of mind, this is a red flag. Always ensure that these programs have an approval process and are not just money grabs. Townsend also emphasizes aspects like the qualifications of retreat leaders and founders, reading testimonials and reviews, and integration and post-treatment therapy offerings.
Under the umbrella of psychedelic wellness retreats, psilocybin is the most common modality, However, it’s important to also consider substance treatment options like ketamine, MDMA, and LSD. All of the above produce different effects on the body and mind; but all work to increase serotonin levels.
In an article published by McLean Hospital, the author breaks down how various disorders and psychedelics work together.
“Research suggests that psychedelics can temporarily disrupt the brain’s default mode network (DMN). […] By suppressing the DMN, psychedelics create an opportunity for new neural connections to form.”
Experts may recommend psilocybin therapy to an individual battling substance abuse because mushrooms are not addictive. Whereas, ketamine is potentially addictive and would better suit PTSD, depressed, or anxious clients. The author explains, “Ketamine produces a dissociative state in the individual and can cause euphoric sensations. […] It is primarily used in clinical settings for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression.”
The Best Psychedelic Wellness Retreats in the Business
It’s absolutely necessary to do extensive research to find the proper substance treatment and credibility in a wellness retreat. But the fun part is choosing the location. From Jamaican rainforests to Mexican beaches, psychedelic wellness retreats are also a great excuse to travel; a classic killing two birds with one stone situation.
Revered by mainstream publications like Conde Nast Traveler, Vogue, and Forbes, Beckley Retreats is a comprehensive, all-inclusive, psilocybin retreat. Co-founded by the queen of psychedelic advocacy, Amanda Feilding, this program is backed by years of research done by Feilding herself.
A serene sanctuary found in Jamaica and The Netherlands, Beckley Retreats is a poignant example of an informative retreat. In dreamy locations with reputable facilitators, medical staff, gourmet meals, yoga, and holistic teachings, this psilocybin healing center is a luxurious getaway.
In California, The Humboldt Center for New Growth is a ketamine-assisted therapy out-patient center that hosts retreats including at Northern California’s historic Scotia Lodge. The four-day experience offers two guided ketamine journeys, yoga, sound and art therapy, and integration sessions. The consultation process, requirement for medical clearance, and team of nurses, physicians, trauma therapists, integration therapists, and herbalists are all signs of a worthwhile retreat experience.
The real mecca of transformative psychedelic experiences is Central and South America. From Westernized wellness retreats to off-the-grid shamanic ceremonies, psychedelic plant rituals originated in this sacred continent, BBC reports. At the immersive Spirit Vine Ayahuasca Retreat Center in Brazil, they grow their own ayahuasca vine and host retreats in the Atlantic forest.
There, they require an application process and a three months advance preparation plan and diet. Each retreat includes an air-conditioned bungalow, four or five ayahuasca ceremonies, meals, yoga, and education workshops.
Ancient Psychedelic Medicine
Safety always comes first when experimenting with mind-altering substances. This is not a suggestion to find an Amazonian shaman and ask for ayahuasca. However, it’s true that Indigenous people still practice sacred traditions and have substantial knowledge about psychedelic plant rituals.
Unlike psychoactive-assisted psychotherapy (PAP), the ceremonies done in remote Indigenous villages are rooted in spirituality rather than science. Found on foot or by word of mouth, these sacred psychedelic rituals have been passed down by ancient civilizations and are still being practiced today.
An article in BBC explains, “It is thought that the use of the San Pedro and Peyote cacti [which both contain the psychedelic mescaline] goes as far back as 8,600BC in Peru and 14,000BC in Mexico.”
In ancient cultures, shamans worked with psychedelic plants to bridge the physical and spiritual world. There was an innate desire to connect with god, nature, and the unconscious realm that led to the use of these plants as sacramental tools.
“Using psychoactive plants, shamans had the power to enter trances, combat evil spirits and disease, communicate with ancestors, prevent famine, and control weather (rain dances),” an article published by the United States Department of Agriculture explains.
Today, wellness retreats are bridging psychoactive plants with medicinal and mental health knowledge. By combining the power of psychedelics and basic therapy techniques, the Western world is accepting these plants’ ability to battle chemical imbalances and change negative thought patterns.
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