Plant Medicine Retreats & Experiences To Support Your Expansion 

Plant medicine has finally entered into the mainstream, thanks in part to a surge of celebrities sharing their experiences (Gyneth Paltrow, Michael Pollan, Joe Rogan) along with a ton of compelling research showing that psilocybin can successfully treat long term depression and reputable journals demonstrating the therapeutic benefits of 5MEO-DMT for those with severe anxiety. With more people than ever before curious about working with psychedelics to support their own well being, we’re sharing a few of the most reputable groups offering plant medicine for healing, right here in B.C. —Monica Krake  

Run by husband-and-wife duo Steve Rio and Austin Austin, Enfold Institute offers retreats on an island near Vancouver that include guided breathwork meditation, cold immersion therapy and plant medicine in the form of 5-MeO-DMT, which is known to be one of the strongest, most potent plant medicines you can find. They offer a one-day retreat called Communal (which doesn’t include 5-MeO-DMT), a three-night retreat experience with 5-MeO-DMT called Awakening to Life, and a parallel retreat experience designed for couples, called Undefended Love.

Gathering Groups is a 12-week online small-group program that guides people to first prepare for a plant medicine experience, then actually experience a psilocybin ceremony, and finally, to integrate the healing, awareness and discoveries back into their lives. Rooted in evidence-based approaches (Polyvagal Theory, Evolved Next Concept, Roots to Thrive Group model) and indigenous ways of being, Gathering Groups are offered in several locations including Vancouver and Kelowna, BC and are covered by most private insurance companies.

Located in the beautiful Kootenay valley of B.C., The Sentinel’s mission is to provide a sacred space for people to experience self discovery, and is one of the rare retreat facilities that publicly advertises plant medicine retreats. They’ve become known for bringing in high-level facilitators—such as The Phoenix Academy, who specialize in providing plant medicine retreats and workshops. They have several medicine retreats coming up.

Locally acclaimed Angela Prider is known for offering preparation and somatic integration for those who want to explore plant medicine experiences on their own. Her area of expertise centres on working with somatic therapy, animistic ritual and counselling to prepare people for plant medicine ceremonies—and she also provides support and counselling for those who’ve had plant medicine experiences whether they’ve been positive or incredibly challenging.

If you’re curious to explore plant medicine or psychedelics as part of your own wellness path, be sure to do your research—there’s some great resources and research on the above websites, as well as on the sites of Numinus and Fieldtrip, two of the leading companies that administer psychedelics in a clinical setting. And if you’re looking to expand without psychedelics, there are some incredibly powerful modalities available, including breathwork, shadow work and energy medicine.

Written by Monica Krake, certified Breathwork Practitioner and founder of Head + Heart. Monica helps businesses get clear on their mission and bring it to life in the most aligned way via breathwork + spiritual website creation.