What’s it Like to Attend a Psilocybin Ceremony with Beckley Retreats?
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Psilocybin ceremonies have received a lot more attention in recent years, and for good reason. As a psychoactive compound, psilocybin has been helping people improve their overall wellbeing and deepen their connection with the natural world or their own spirituality.
To learn more about the latest research on psilocybin and understand how these ceremonies are structured, we spoke with the team running the ‘psychedelic renaissance’, Beckley Retreats. Lucky for us, the experts at Beckley Retreats were able to answer our burning questions about psilocybin, as well as share how their retreat center creates the richest possible experience for every one of their participants.
Insights on psilocybin ceremonies courtesy of the experts at Beckley Retreats
For starters, we were curious to know what a psilocybin ceremony typically looks like. According to the experts at Beckley Retreats, retreat groups gather in a ceremonial space and remain there — or in the surrounding natural area — for the duration of the six hour ceremony.
All ceremonies at Beckley Retreats follow the same cadence: opening and holding safe space together; consuming truffles or mushrooms dosed by their expert team; being guided by sound (via their facilitator’s musical talents); and offering personal, skilled attention to each guest.
This depth of ritual and ceremony is known to have profound, long-term benefits. For example, there’s research that shows increased activity in the visual cortex (resulting in ego death) can lead to enhanced creativity when the psilocybin is consumed in nature, improving their overall wellbeing and connection to self.
And thanks in part to The Beckley Foundation, there’s a growing body of peer-reviewed information — like the studies coming out of John Hopkins University and Imperial College London — that demonstrate the powerful effects of psychedelics on modern maladies like addiction, trauma, eating disorders, and more.
With all this in mind, you might be wondering whether psilocybin is right for you. The truth is, you’re the only one who can make that decision. As the experts at Beckley Retreats encouraged, it’s important to read up on psilocybin for yourself, examine your intentions, and consider all aspects of this experience with an open mind. If you do decide to embark on a psilocybin retreat, they suggest you look for one that combines contemporary science with ancient wisdom.
Beckley Retreats curates just this type of program, by merging world-class contemplative practices with the science-backed benefits of psilocybin. In other words, their ceremonies offer a comprehensive approach for anyone looking to make meaningful change in their lives. In many ways, Beckley Retreats is birthing a new model that seeks to maintain one’s safety (and provide maximum support) without losing the magic that comes from ceremonial mushrooms.
Sound like something you want to experience firsthand? If so, keep in mind there’s a preparation program and an integration process for all guests of Beckley Retreats.
As they shared with us, the preparation protocols help support the safety of your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. More specifically, these protocols include a one-on-one call with a Beckley Retreats facilitator, as well as group calls, meditation, guided visualization, and reading material relevant to your upcoming journey.
Along with all that, Beckley Retreats offers a six week, post-psilocybin integration program. During this time, guests can take part in weekly group sessions, individual daily practices, and try out science-backed techniques designed to sustain the retreat experience. From their expert point of view, each of these activities fosters an ongoing connection with your retreat group — which undoubtedly makes for a smoother transition back to everyday life.
Wrapping up
If you feel called to participate in a psilocybin ceremony with the renowned team at Beckley Retreats, be sure to visit their website for more information and to check the availability of their upcoming programs in Jamaica and the Netherlands.