What really happens on a psychedelic retreat?

Perhaps you’ve been told about a psychedelic retreat you might have thought of taking one yourself but what happens? We asked people who’ve been along to report back…

What is a psychedelic retreat?

A psychedelic retreat uses various medicinal plants to help with an optimal healing process on a mental, spiritual, mental, mental and spiritual level. If you’ve been raised in the Amazon then the plants used for therapeutic medicine include Ayahuasca also known as San Pedro/Wachuma amongst other. Western plant medicine is Psilocybin frequently called magical mushrooms. The people gather in reverence of the plant in order to request for healing and to begin the healing process.

How long are they expected to last?

Retreats can last between two nights to two weeks. Indigenous retreats can last for up to a month.

What do they involve?

Alcohol is not permitted. If conducted under the correct direction, these ceremonies are considered highly sacred and are not to be taken lightly. Depending on the retreat and the shaman who is leading the retreat, there can be one ceremony in the evening when the plants are administered according to someone’s prior experience and state of health.

On an Ayahuasca Retreat, hours tend to be spent in bed or resting, and sharing circle (minimal food) and evenings are reserved for ceremonies and singing prayers. In a ceremony, the group will consume medicine or a plant and go into deep meditation, until the medicine begins to take effect.

The brain’s parts which are normally not active become open channels. The process begins with the ‘journey’ or as some prefer to call it a ‘trip’ or psychedelic experience. I would prefer to not call them anything other than ceremony because I don’t see it in the same realm with those who are taking substances to get high. The ceremonies are very personal therefore, each participant will experience very different feelings, emotions and bodily reactions. Most often, groups gather around in circles, in darkness, in the safety of a space that has been blessed by the shaman. As healers they are required to ensure a safe and secure space to allow for the experience.

What have been some of your top experiences?

My most memorable experience was under the care of the care of a Peruvian healer known as Ricardo. He left home aged 11 to travel, study and share his healing. He is very professional and is truly concerned about the well-being and health of each person. From the moment I accepted the space, I prayed for six months for the treatment to be gentle and gentle. My experience began before I even entered the retreat. I also received signs that showed me I was definitely intended to be there. Our actions and our thoughts about medication all play a role in our ‘journey’. I also followed a special diet for several weeks that cleanses the body of toxins and prepares the body to take medicine.

What do you think of when you go home?

It takes some time for the body and mind to process what has occurred. Some people leave feeling clear feeling light and happy, but if someone has been through pain and suffering the result after leaving will of course be very different.

Should everyone leave?

No, absolutely not. The current administration of medicine is sloppy and misused. I knew that I was identified by the medication, commonly referred to as Mother for about six years. I did not want to leave without knowing the reason. It’s not a means to gain a buzz neither is it an excuse to get rid of pain. You must be certain that this is the right choice for you and capable of taking on the responsibility for what might follow. Healing is a process and doesn’t happen overnight and even if you’ve some enlightened visions or a dark experience, it is typically a reflection of the place you’re in your life.

The only option is to go with recommended shamans or psilocybin retreat leaders. There have been many instances of unfortunate situations where people have become sick and suffered terribly because of people simply claiming to be ‘shamans’. Do your homework and consider why you really want to go.

Experience Retreats are organized by the Psychedelic Society UK. Sebastian has attended and has shared his thoughts below.

“Psychedelic retreats are retreats where participants for therapeutic spiritual or recreational reasons ingest plant medicine (Ayahuasca or Psilocybin-mushrooms). They do it with a ceremonial way as well as being looked after and cared for by facilitators.

I’ve attended two psychedelic retreats . Both of which were “Experience retreats” located in the Netherlands hosted by Psychedelic Society UK. The first one I attended was four days long; the second was five.

In general, there is one day for preparation and a ceremony day as well as one integration day, each with appropriate activities and exercises.

During the ceremony, everyone munches their psilocybin truffles and find their way to the venue for the ceremony. After that, everyone makes tea out of the truffles, and then consumes the tea. The dose is decided beforehand with your designated facilitator. Most people opt for a dosage that induces many hallucinations, the loss of sense of time and space as well as loss of awareness of self or of being connected with everything.

I’ve had plenty of wonderful experiences during the psychedelic retreat. Being in contact with amazing human beings amazing and deeply spiritual excursions that are full of images and revelations. I’ve had no particularly bad experiences. Afflicting and sorrowful, but also sad experiences, yes, but nothing too terrifying.

After the retreats, I am inspired and encouraged to live my best life and gravitate towards the kindness and love. The re-entry into the modern world in which everyone is chaotic and anxious may be quite a challenge.

FYI, psilocybin-mushroom truffles are permitted in the Netherlands where these retreats take place.”

Elise Loehnen is the Chief Content Officer at Goop

“I found my psychedelic experience that I’ve experienced since putting the show together – to be transformative. It was like decades of therapy wrapped in just one session. The most important thing about the actual experience, however it’s been that process of integration. The parts of it that I didn’t work on over the past few months, I’ve lost. I believe that psychedelics, when used at the right time and with the right therapeutic support, could lower the ladder out of the sky. Then it’s your turn to grab the line and climb.”