Testimonials

The following testimonials make reference to The Psychedelic Society’s Experience Retreats. This is the programme that Alalaho was born out of; Alalaho was co-founded by the former Experience Retreat co-directors. Both the Alalaho team and programme are a continuation of the Experience Retreats, therefore any mention of the Experience Retreats essentially references Alalaho.

“I learned so much about myself in so many ways, it is really hard to list. I have strength and courage I did not know about, I have a purpose, I can connect in an authentic way with people that are not in my usual circle. I learned about psychedelics, vegan food, sharing a small space with strangers (strangers not for long!). I learned a level of compassion that blew me away.”

Jennifer, 52

“I felt completely safe and looked after throughout the truffle ceremony and the retreat as a whole. The love, care and dedication shown by the facilitators was instrumental in allowing me to surrender completely to the psychedelic experience.”

Ben, 37

“The ceremony itself was of course profound and amazing, but even outside of that, the team and the way the retreat has been designed was also really healing. There was so much support and fun and laughter, but also a safe space to explore pain and stuck emotion. The facilitators are very experienced and are really present all the time.

The venue is so beautiful and comfortable - I was not expecting it, the food was excellent and the activities were carefully designed. Sometimes the activities seemed a little arbitrary, but eventually you come to see how deeply useful they are, especially in terms of preparing the mind to be in a place of receptivity for the ceremony.

One of the biggest things that I learnt was the power of connection and how sharing your stories with others can be very healing in and of itself. There are a million other things to write here too, but I am not able to put words to it yet. I feel like something very deep inside me has been shifted in a positive way.

I felt so safe and so comfortable throughout the retreat, It was above and beyond my expectations in every way. I'm grateful to the team for creating such a safe and welcoming environment.”

Tahseen Haye, 32

“I learned that my body has been enslaved by my mind and is now enjoying a recaptured freedom. I also realised, in more depth, that love and grief are inseparable, that my anxiety is a sort of precursor of grief, and I can embrace it as a sign of love.”

John, 58

“What did I learn? Well to love, live, laugh and let go... In no particular order!”

Fanny, 45

“I’ve come to know the very meaning of being a human. There was an overwhelming sense of love for the fellow beings and the joy of being in a community. I’ve learned to be vulnerable, sharing my dark sides and still being loved by my fellows. I’ve learned how we can eat differently while enjoying food even more. So many new techniques of breathing and finding my inner space of calm. The psychedelic experience itself is such a profound, challenging yet immensely beautiful and life changing journey. I’ve got so much clarity about how to proceed in my life.”

Navaid, 45

“I learnt how great trust and bonding can be formed amongst a group of women in such a short time and how this can support them to open up and cope with difficult experiences and of the power of the psychedelic experience to heal and open. It can be a transformative experience. It is a rare safe place to reveal your authentic self and be vulnerable.”

Jane, 63

years experience running retreats

872

people have participated in our retreats

98%

of participants felt able to be more open, honest and present in their lives

“I learned about the profound beauty that can be found through showing vulnerability and opening one’s heart to strangers. I fell in love with everyone at the retreat, perhaps humanity as a whole. The way it opened my heart and mind is deeply profound and beautiful. Without a doubt I consider the retreat one of the most impactful weekends of my life. And I'm desperate for everyone to experience it.”

Alastair, 32

“The attention to integration was amazing, extremely impactful, and probably the main reason I'd recommend these retreats.”

Li, 32

“I unreservedly recommend this retreat to anyone interested in exploring the mysteries of life and mind in a safe and professional setting. This experience gathers everything - if more than than! - that is needed to have a peaceful, safe and profoundly meaningful journey.”

Stephanie, 36

“For me, it was a reminder of what it means to be human and a chance to reconnect to practices and traditions that have fallen out of daily life for myself and many others. It has strengthened my commitment to try living with compassion, kindness and mindfulness, and also reignited a passion inside me for singing and dancing! It was a great reminder of the fact that everyone is a work in progress and the importance of love, authenticity and vulnerability when relating to one another”

Alice, 33

“Before the retreat, I would not have believed the phrase "plant medicines", but now I feel I understand the long-term, positive effects they can have on you. I feel like my eyes have been opened to a world I was ignoring before. I also learned about the power of community, and how the mindset of the people around can have such strong positive and encouraging effects on both the mind AND the body. The way I relaxed during this retreat is something I haven't felt in a long long time.”

Chandell, 26