Mushrooms have been used for centuries in spiritual ceremonies, and a deluge of clinical studies suggests they might help treat mental health problems like depression that resists other treatments. This is why retreats offering psilocybin are booming.

The psilocin in psilocybin acts on serotonin receptors to produce mystical-like experiences that relieve depression by normalizing hyperactivity in the medial prefrontal cortex. This is one of the reasons it’s so effective in treatment-resistant depression.

Located in the Dutch countryside, Tangerine Retreat offers a unique personal experience. During these psychedelic retreats, participants embark on a powerful spiritual journey. This self-exploration is made possible by psilocybin truffle. Unlike the famous?magic mushrooms?, which are still illegal in most countries, psilocybin truffle contains the same molecule and produces similar effects.

These experiences are a powerful way to overcome mental blockages. For example, negative memories can take up space in one’s mind and lead to feelings of anxiety or depression. By taking a psychedelic, these negative memories can be released. This can help you find new ways to cope with your daily life and develop stronger relationships, read more about Tangerine Retreat here.

To make sure your psilocybin experience is as safe as possible; you will receive guidance from professionals before, during, and after the retreat. This includes group sessions in which you can discuss your concerns and challenges. In addition, the team will prepare your body and mind for this event. This will help you fully enjoy the psychedelic experience.

At the end of your stay, you will be ready to bring these new insights into your daily life. The psychedelic retreats last between three and five days, depending on the program. During these events, you will have one or more psilocybin truffle ceremonies. During this process, you will be guided through a series of meditation and breath work exercises to help you integrate your experience. Afterward, you will be given a toolkit for integrating the lessons learned from your trip.

What is psilocybin?

Psilocybin is a psychedelic drug that occurs naturally in mushrooms. Its hallucinatory properties cause people to see, hear, and feel things that are not real (hallucinations). It can also make people experience synesthesia, or the combination of two senses, such as feeling like they can smell colors.

Scientists have discovered that psilocybin can alleviate severe depression when combined with psychotherapy, raising hopes for people who fail to respond to traditional antidepressants. A study of brain scans from participants suggests that the drug helps to open up depressed parts of the brain.

Despite its powerful therapeutic potential, psilocybin has been stigmatised as a dangerous hallucinogen for decades because of the way it can affect people’s bodies. It’s also illegal to take in the UK unless you are part of a research study or have a doctor’s approval. This is because some poisonous mushrooms in the wild bear a striking resemblance to psilocybin-containing species, and mistakenly eating them could be fatal.

What is a psilocybin retreat?

A psilocybin retreat is an immersive experience that offers participants one or more psychedelic experiences. It can be a facilitated group experience, or you may have a private session with a guide. Psychedelic retreats usually follow a similar format, with two psilocybin sessions separated by integration days.

Typically, psilocybin retreats are held in countries where the drug is legal to possess and consume for non-medical purposes, such as Jamaica, Costa Rica and Peru. However, despite this, psilocybin is not legally considered a treatment or intervention for anything, and retreat centers in these countries are still running the risk of being seen as unregulated centers for human experimentation.

The risk of illegality also means that the quality and safety standards of a retreat or psilocybin guide can vary considerably between providers. That’s why it is so important to do your homework before booking. Look for reviews and testimonials, a clear health screening process and an experienced team that can provide support before and after the experience.

Is psilocybin legal for UK residents?

There is currently no legal framework in the UK for psychedelic retreats. However, a recent poll found that the majority of people support reform to decriminalise or reschedule psilocybin.

Despite this, many private retreat centers are offering packages which include guided psilocybin sessions. This is a dangerous move, as it violates long-held ethical principles that underpin human research and treatment development.

Furthermore, it flies in the face of the overwhelming body of evidence showing that psilocybin has low toxicity and does not produce addiction or dependence. In fact, the latest research shows that psilocybin can be used to treat conditions including severe depression, anxiety and PTSD.

Silo Wellness provides a safe and supportive environment for guests to take psilocybin, accompanied by experienced psychotherapists. The team also hosts multiple online integration sessions with a lead therapist after the retreat. This allows participants to continue their integration journey for several weeks following the retreat. This is a crucial step for guests to fully integrate and gain full benefit from their experience.

Is psilocybin retreats safe?

While psilocybin is not for everyone, it is safe in the hands of experts. When choosing a retreat or guide, be sure to look for the right signs. “A solid wellness retreat will be able to offer a full experience that takes guests through preparation, ceremony and integration support,” says Wilson.

At Silo Wellness, guests are welcomed by a team of professionals who work to create a safe space for each participant. Ahead of their retreat, guests are given three preparation calls and a detailed medical history form, which gives the team a clear understanding of the substance they are about to ingest.

Outdated drug laws, like the one in the UK, need to be updated to allow for clinical trials that could see psilocybin become a treatment for cluster headaches, end of life distress, and major depression that has resisted other interventions. In the meantime, those who are interested can visit one of many retreat centers in countries where magic mushrooms are legal.