Psilocybin retreats are guided, multi-day programmes that utilise psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) in a therapeutic setting to improve mental wellbeing.
Psilocybin retreats typically involve a structured itinerary, including substance administration, learning workshops and healing modalities like meditation and healthy eating. The goal is to facilitate a positive and transformative experience for participants, guided by experienced facilitators.
Psilocybin is part of a group of drugs called psychedelics or hallucinogens, that have the potential to change a person’s sense of reality, leading them to see, hear, and feel things that are not happening in real life, or to experience reality in a different way.
Psilocybin has been used by humans for thousands of years and has many healing properties. One of the greatest benefits of psilocybin use is its remarkable ability to reset the human brain and thus patterns established due to imbalances and trauma. There is a strong empirical evidence that psilocybin can induce deep behavioural changes and address emotional, spiritual, and physical challenges.
Research suggests that some psychedelics can reduce anxiety and depression in people with cancer, and can promote wellbeing, quality of life and acceptance of their illness, mortality and related issues. The National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, is funding a follow-up multi-site clinical trial to investigate the use of psilocybin to treat cancer-related mental health issues.
Psychedelics and specifically psilocybin, have shown promise in treating various psychological symptoms including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and end-of-life or existential distress, and the results of studies of people with cancer have been encouraging, according to research.
Psilocybin is typically taken orally in powder or pill form, and can be ingested in several ways; by consuming fresh or dried fruit bodies, by preparing as herbal tea, or by combining with other foods to mask the bitter taste.
CancerChoices’ rating for psilocybin reports that people with cancer with either end-of-life anxiety or psychiatric distress treated with psilocybin, often a single dose, have reported less anxiety in several studies. People with cancer and depression and/or anxiety treated with psilocybin have shown fewer symptoms of depression in many small studies, and better quality of life in one small study.
Jo Neill, Professor of Psychopharmacology at the University of Manchester in the UK, and Chair of the Medical Psychedelics Working Group at Drug Science, writes in her blog that psychedelic assisted therapy (PAP) in rigorous and robust clinical trials across the world have been shown to work for people with severe depression, PTSD, substance use disorder and existential anxiety and depression associated with a cancer diagnosis.
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring molecule found in over 200 species of fungi. It is structurally similar to serotonin – a human neurotransmitter that regulates mood and perception. When administered in clinical settings with psychological support, early clinical trials show that psilocybin may be a safe and effective treatment for many mental health disorders, particularly for patients for whom other treatments have been ineffective.
Unfortunately, researching psychedelics is particularly difficult in both human and animal studies. It is extremely costly, bureaucratic, and incurs large time delays due to its current status as a Schedule 1 drug under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations of 2001.
PAP has been implemented in various ways in different studies, with one commonality: psychotherapeutic support is provided to participants before, during, and after treatment. The patient lies down on a bed in a comfortable room, designed specifically for the session. They receive a dose of psilocybin usually in capsule form. During the experience, patients listen to a specially designed music playlist and wear an eye mask, to help them focus internally. The psilocybin experience typically lasts 6 to 8 hours. A therapist is present throughout the session. Patients are encouraged to discuss their experiences of the psilocybin session afterwards with the therapist.
Quoting from Prof Neill’s article, the way in which psychedelics are taken represents a paradigm shift in medicine. The protocol in clinical trials is commonly 1-3 high doses of psilocybin spaced a couple of weeks apart in combination with therapy. The beneficial effects have been shown to last for up to a year in some trials which means that patients may not need to take another dose. Recent clinical trials have confirmed the significant benefits of psilocybin assisted therapy for individuals living with cancer. One trial, using PAP in 12 participants with advanced-stage cancer induced anxiety, showed significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety both one and three months after their second dose. A larger trial of 51 participants with life-threatening cancer diagnoses reported significant reductions in anxiety symptoms both immediately after PAP and six months later. A randomised double blind control trial conducted by Ross and colleagues investigated the combination of psilocybin and psychotherapy for 29 participants with cancer related anxiety and depression. The anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly reduced for up to 6.5 months following psilocybin plus psychotherapy treatments.
These trial results clearly support the potential of psilocybin for improving the mental distress experienced by individuals with cancer.
The study, alongside mounting clinical trial results, shows that this is a much needed alternative approach to traditional treatments for depression and anxiety in a growing patient population but its legal status is a significant barrier to access. These medicines are Class A, Schedule 1 drugs in the UK, they are hard to research and carry the harshest penalties for possession and supply.
At moderate doses psilocybin can cause visual, auditory, and sensory distortions, leading to the perception of vivid colours, patterns, and shapes. Psilocybin can induce greater emotionality, with both positive and negative emotions. It has been associated with feelings of relaxation euphoria, energy, joy and transcendence. Psilocybin has been shown to increase feelings of empathy and compassion towards others, increased openness and expanded emotional receptivity, a strengthened connection to others and a sense of interconnectedness with everything.
Even though psilocybin is generally not considered an addictive drug, people who have substance abuse problems still could potentially find themselves drawn to take the substance again, outside of their clinical setting.
Psilocybin has a low level of toxicity, which means that it has a low potential of causing potentially fatal events like breathing problems or a heart attack. However, caution is strongly advised as magic mushrooms look similar to poisonous mushrooms which can cause a person to become very sick and can result in death.
As a controlled substance in many countries, psilocybin can be obtained legally only in a few countries and some individual states or cities. It has one of the highest safety profiles among psychedelic substances, although medical supervision during use is advised. Patients are strongly advised to obtain clinical advise and support during the use of this substance as use in non-clinical settings can be extremely dangerous.
The legal status of unauthorised actions with psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide. It is currently legal only in Austria, Bahamas, Brazil, Jamaica, Nepal, some US States and Netherlands.
Psychedelic Alpha, a company that tracks news and investment in psychedelics, also maintains a list of ongoing trials.
For more information about specific trials in the United States, search for trials related to specific institutions, drugs, and conditions at clinicaltrials.gov.
Psilocybin is a chemical in certain types of mushrooms that have a long history of use in traditional ceremonies in ancient cultures. There is evidence that indigenous people in Central America used them for healing and spiritual rituals as far back as 3000 BC.
Mesoamerican indigenous cultures used these mushrooms for spiritual and religious ceremonies for centuries before Spanish chroniclers documented their use in the 16th century. In the mid-20th century, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann isolated and identified psilocybin and psilocin, the active compounds, sparking research and therapeutic interest, including psilocybin therapy. Since then, scientists have been studying psilocybin to examine its potential to treat mental illness.
Disclaimer: Yes to Life does not recommend or encourage the illegal use of psychedelics, or offer instructions on the use of psychedelics. Psychedelics including Psilocybin are illegal in the UK and the majority of jurisdictions around the world.
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The cost usually incorporates the fees as part of a retreat and 3-5 days of accommodation. The price ranges usually around £2,000-£5,000 but can be significantly higher depending on the location and travel required.
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