What is it Like at a Psilocybin Retreat? 

Psilocybin mushrooms have been generating a lot of attention lately as we unlock (or should we say “re-learn”) about their therapeutic potential. With this movement, some magic mushroom guides have opened special psilocybin retreats where people can go to safely and comfortably experience the journey of taking magic mushrooms for depression, anxiety, PTSD, to overcome difficult hurdles, or just to better connect with themselves and others. There are many benefits to taking psilocybin, and experts will say that the best way to get a positive experience from them is by setting aside the time to do a full journey, with both body and mind immersed in the experience. So, what is it like at a Psilocybin Retreat? 

I have been fascinated with everything about psychedelic mushrooms and mental health and decided to experience this magical fungi for myself. I was invited to take the leap at Blue Portal Retreat, and to be guided by my friend, Mycologist Tradd Cotter, therapist Irene Dubin, and their staff. This retreat is a go-to for psilocybin mushrooms in Jamaica and they have an incredible team that cares a lot about helping people reach their goals through these treatments. The following video steps through exactly what the retreat was like for others that might like to check it out: 

All about the Psilocybin Retreat

The incredible thing about the magic mushroom retreat experience is that it is an all-encompassing journey of body, mind, and spirit. On arrival, you are greeted by an incredible villa right on the water, offering the perfect space to relax and reflect. 

The days spent here are full of swimming, reiki, yoga, massage, therapy – both in group sessions and one-on-one – and time to reflect on what you want to get from the experience. The small-group dynamics make it easy to bond with others and experience community while you are there. 

The guides make sure to help participants discover and set their intentions, for the best psilocybin therapy results. With them, you will narrow down your goals and get given the right dose for you. This controlled and supervised experience really helps many people to feel great about going into the magic mushroom ceremony, which results in them getting the most out of the journey. 

The Magic Mushroom Ceremony 

Here at Blue Portal, the yoga studio – that’s also a historical stone walled building – becomes a sacred area where everyone will do their journey together. Each person gets their own space to lay down, a mat, headphones, eye masks, and are paired up with a guide, though the guides will travel around the room making sure everyone is okay. 

As the room fills with burning sage and soothing music, people take their psilocybin mushroom tea and enter the psychedelic state. 

For me it happened quickly. The LemonTek acted quickly and in15 minutes I was experiencing an intense yet beautiful dream that allowed me to deal with some difficult topics in his life, my dog’s death and my brother-n-law’s suicide only 5 days before. I also had some insight about my purpose and affirmation that what I am doing right now is making a difference.This was followed by going outside and experiencing incredible colors and sounds. 

After the ceremony, the group discussed their journeys, ate food, did more yoga, partook in art, and let everything sink in more profoundly. Last, an integration ceremony took place where everyone had time to think about/talk about what they would like to leave behind. At this point, everyone writes down these things and burns them in a fire, symbolically leaving behind the parts of them that they no longer wish to carry home. 

Mycologist Tradd also gave a class on mushrooms and chatted about microdosing psilocybin mushrooms, as an option for people, though he truly recommends the hero’s journey for the best results. 

Overall, many people said the things that they encountered were difficult, but ultimately helped them make connections on how to deal with their unique challenges. One participant even said that it felt like “1000 years of therapy in 8 hours,” and that they were hopeful for how it would impact their life once they arrived home. Magic mushroom therapy might not be for everyone, but many people do have incredible results from it, and a magic mushroom retreat is a great way to experience this journey to the fullest.