Stories of Guests from MycoMeditations Psilocybin Retreat
By MycoMeditations
This interview series brings you inside the experiences of people who joined us at our psychedelic retreat to heal with psilocybin therapy.
We asked Beverly—a woman in her 60’s from Florida—six questions to understand what a typical day was like for her before MycoMeditations, how she made the decision to try psilocybin therapy, the key moments of her transformative week, and more.
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What was a typical day like for you before attending the retreat?
My normal day began with me sleeping very late every single day, anywhere between 9 AM to 1 PM. All of my friends and family have always teased me about not being normal with my sleeping habits. Then I would simply function. There seemed to be little real joy in my life. I told myself I was happy, but was I really? I kept thinking. I would commit to social engagements but back out at the last minute. If I did participate in gatherings, I could not wait to leave. I worried about everything possible.
Looking back, what moment or event signaled to you that you needed a change?
I had been on antidepressants for 35 years due to a situational incident. I wanted to “feel” something again. So, with the help of my Medical Doctor, I began to wean myself off of my crutch. I knew that I still needed help with my severe anxiety, so my search began. I came across the
Soft White Unberbelly interview on YouTube with Justin Townsend, CEO and co-owner of MycoMeditations. I felt, after watching this video, that I had found the answer. As my husband said after watching the video for the first time, “Hunny, I think we are onto something.”
Can you describe an eye-opening moment you experienced during the retreat?
I cannot say there was just one epiphany, I can say there were several and they were all profound. After my first dose, the chatter—the constant replaying of events in my life—stopped. I could actually rest when I laid down to go to sleep. I was waking up early! And I felt good and wanted to eat breakfast with the group and get my day started!
Was there a particular session or moment that stands out as pivotal to your experience?
My second dose was very hard. I even called it “brutal” at the time. I felt the profoundness and clarity of something that had deeply affected me for most of my life. As difficult as the trip was, I was able to let it go. I was able to put it behind me with kindness towards myself. Now, I don’t feel the blame and shame that I have carried for years. The third trip was enlightening. It opened my heart to new ideas of how to be happy and live my life to the fullest from this point forward.
How has your self-esteem or self-image changed since completing the retreat?
My anxiety has gone away! And now, by not needing to sleep so much now, I realize I was much more depressed than I thought. That has gone away too! I’m feeling happiness and I want to smile and sing and dance—at home—of course! Lol I want to have fun once more! And I now feel that I deserve this.
In one sentence, what can you say about this experience to somebody considering a MycoMeditations retreat?
Do your due diligence but don’t overthink it, just do it.
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If Beverly’s story inspires you to embark on your own healing experience with psilocybin therapy at MycoMeditations, we invite you to
apply for one of our retreats!
Stories of Guests from MycoMeditations Psilocybin Retreat
By MycoMeditations
This interview series brings you inside the experiences of people who joined us at our psychedelic retreat to heal with psilocybin therapy.
We asked Kenny—a man in his 30’s from Washington—six questions to better understand his life before attending MycoMeditations, key insights from the retreat, how life has been since returning home, and more.
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Can you share a particular low point or difficult period that exemplifies what your life was like before the retreat?
Over the last decade, life has hit me with its hardest punches. I have experienced multiple deaths and the closure of personal relationships, losing my family identity and core support system all in a short period of time. All this compiled trauma and stress became unbearable and felt suffocating. I was unhappy and exhausted all the time. I would leave work and not want to see or speak to anyone. I also realized many of my friendships were unsupportive and quite superficial. I felt alone and ultimately lost in life.
How did the people in your life respond when you told them you’ve decided to go on this journey?
To be honest, when I knew 100 percent that I was going to commit to this journey, I didn’t tell anyone. I felt that this was my journey for self-healing, and I was not going to let anyone convince me or talk me out of it due to their lack of understanding of the mushrooms or their preconceived assumptions. Now returning home and getting integrated back into my life. I felt I made a wise decision to keep my journey with myself.
How did your experiences during the retreat connect you with feelings or memories that were previously inaccessible or difficult to handle?
When I first came to the retreat, I had my prepared list of all the traumas and issues that I wanted to resolve while I was there. However, the magical mushrooms showed me something else during my time. It showed me what I needed to see. I was able to tap into suppressed emotions and thoughts that I had buried over the years that I needed to address and tackle head-on. It was challenging, but I’m glad that I trusted the staff and the overall process.
What advice or insight from a facilitator stuck with you?
I received a lot of guidance and advice that helped me navigate some difficult emotions and past traumas. One key piece of advice that was told to me and that will follow me forever is, “Let it go, it no longer serves you anymore” and “Be kind to yourself”. Such simple advice, but the impact those words have on me has changed tremendously. I used to be a person who used anger and fear as a tool to control my decisions in life. I feel I no longer need it and it had its place in my life and now it’s time to let it go and move forward in life.
What’s the most significant change you’ve noticed in yourself since the retreat?
I feel at peace with where I’m at in life at this moment. Before the retreat I felt like I was wasting my life, watching myself from a third-person view. The retreat has been so fulfilling in so many ways as now I have tools to help me cope with trauma and has given me a new perspective on life.
In one sentence, what can you say about this experience to somebody considering a MycoMeditations retreat?
I will quote Nike’s iconic expression: “Just Do It”. This retreat has been life-changing for me and the other members who participated with me. The mushrooms will show you what you need instead of what you want. Please come open-minded and ready to challenge yourself and lastly enjoy the ride. What you might experience might not make sense to you at first, but over time your mind will process it and you will get the clarity and breakthrough that you need. My only regret is that I didn’t do this journey sooner.
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If Kenny’s story inspires you to embark on your own healing experience with psilocybin therapy at MycoMeditations, we invite you to
apply for one of our retreats!