MycoMeditations

MycoMeditations has run psilocybin retreats in Jamaica since 2014, from a base in Treasure Beach in the parish of St Elizabeth. Its retreats centre on three guided psilocybin sessions with licensed therapists and facilitators.

Approach

Each guest takes the mushrooms in a private spot with a therapist or facilitator present throughout, and every session is followed by a day of integration. Over the week there are about 20 hours of group preparation and integration. A retreat of eight to ten guests usually has five to eight therapists and facilitators, each trained over six retreats. Justin Townsend is the founder and chief executive. The mushrooms come from Magnificent Mushrooms, which trains local growers in Treasure Beach.

Who it is for

The centre lists depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, OCD, insomnia, chronic pain, grief and end-of-life distress among the reasons guests come. Applicants can be turned down for psychosis, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder in themselves or their family, some personality disorders, uncontrolled heart conditions, pregnancy or conflicting medication, and about 15% are declined.

Practical details

Retreats run year-round at Blue Marlin in Treasure Beach, Rainbow Tree and Bluefields Bay. Prices start at $6,250 in a shared room at Blue Marlin and rise with the property and room, and the mushrooms cost a further $420 on the island. The price covers lodging, meals, a massage, airport transfers, three online integration sessions in the following eight weeks and lifetime access to alumni sessions.

Care and safety

Licensed therapists review every application. Guests must taper off many psychiatric drugs, including antidepressants, with their own prescriber. A nurse is on site at every retreat, a doctor and a psychiatrist are on call, and a hospital is 30 minutes away. Touch happens only by agreement, and The Bridge links the team with a guest’s own therapist. The centre describes psilocybin as legal in Jamaica.