In a recent 5-MeO-DMT study, the vast majority of participants who had been diagnosed with depression or anxiety reported an improvement in their symptoms. Findings from a similar study showed a single dose of the molecule produces persistent reductions in depression, stress, and anxiety, as well as increases in awareness, life satisfaction, and mindfulness. Though I felt quite shaken up after my experience, once the dust had settled and my healthy sleep patterns returned, I felt more joyous, playful, and hopeful than I ever had in my life. It seems even more people want in on the benefits, too; since Brierre and Wueschner began offering retreats in Tepoztlán in 2018, they’ve experienced a sevenfold increase in bookings. “The world is changing, and the way we traverse it is, too,” says Brierre. “People are seeking connection to themselves, their fellow humans, and to nature—psychedelic wellness retreats offer all of this.”
But with this boon comes a contradictory side, too, as some studies are finding that some psychedelic experiences can elicit negative responses. According to research conducted by Jules Evans of the Challenging Psychedelic Experiences Project, around two-thirds of 608 participants surveyed reported experiencing anxiety, fear, anger, low mood or depression, paranoia, panic attacks, shame, guilt, and resurfaced trauma, among other things, after taking a psychedelic, mostly psilocybin and LSD likely due to easier access. One-third reported their difficulties lasting longer than a year and one-sixth longer than three years. Only 8% of survey respondents had taken psychedelics in a therapeutic or clinical setting, which shows the importance of choosing the right facility while simultaneously proving harm can happen even in the safest of settings.
Beyond 5-MeO-DMT, interest in other psychedelic retreats has also increased, especially ayahuasca, which harbors DMT, a hallucinogenic known for its powerful psychoactive effect. Co-founder of The EAST Institute Lena Franklin—who offers 10-day experiences in the Sacred Valley of Peru—believes overall interest in psychedelic retreats is spiking because individuals are now desiring more out of life. These experiences could be the answer, as they rest at the intersection of mental health, travel, and wellness. “These medicines help us see who we actually are by allowing us to release the conditioning of who we were told we should be,” says Franklin. “There’s a deep collective desire for wholeness.” (Her views—and the benefits of ayahuasca, in general—are proven by several studies, including a report by the Journal of Affective Disorder Reports.)
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