We want you to get the care you deserve.
In 2023, Transcendence Retreat opened the nation’s first 28-day, psilocybin-assisted addiction and trauma recovery program, hosted in retreat settings. This historic program and its team of experts were featured in national news and interviewed for an upcoming documentary on the use of natural medicines in the resolution of addiction. In addition to this landmark program, Transcendence Retreat offers 4- to 10-day retreats for anyone who wants to incorporate psychoactive natural medicines into a deeper exploration of the higher potentials of human consciousness and the role these innate powers play in healing and self-development.
The modalities of specialized care available at Transcendence Retreat, including sound therapy, recovery coaching, wellness protocols, and integral consciousness training and coaching, micro- and midi- dose protocols, professionally guided psilocybin journeys, and customized, personal support to enhance the achievement of your goals.
Our trained psilocybin facilitators and guides offer the highest standards care in natural medicine preparation, psychedelic education, administration sessions, and integration support. The facilitation team coordinates with our interdisciplinary professionals to ensure that psilocybin sessions are offered in a safe container, clients are supported in cultivating the right mindset, and non-directive, client-centered methods are used to support a meaningful psychedelic experience. Our team are trained in clinically proven, evidence-based psychedelic harm reduction methods that can reduce risk, enhance safety, and increase therapeutic benefits.
In 2024, Transcendence Retreat is taking the next step in supporting superior psychedelic experiences with the launch of their new formulas, the Enlightened Life product line. Informed by ancient tradition and honed with modern science, these unique formulas are designed to support a positive mind “set”, enhance insights and realizations, balance psychedelic immune benefits, and mitigate potentially traumatic experiences. Born of long-term research and practice across multiple fields of discipline, these formulas feature the absolute highest quality, pure traditional herbs, minerals, and nutrients. We are honored to make these available to the public after years of development.
Transcendence Retreat is proud to sponsor the Open Minds Expo in Denver, November 23-24, 2024, the first-ever psychedelic expo for consumers looking to learn more about the benefits of natural medicines and discover how they can access services in legal states. Please join us for this epic event, meet our team in person, and get the latest information and education in the emerging field of psychedelics.
As the first state to legalize psilocybin services, Oregon allows adults aged 21 and over to experience psilocybin journeys in licensed psilocybin service centers with trained and licensed psilocybin facilitators. The program requires completion of an administrative intake that identifies contraindicated medications and conditions, which if identified, would mean that the individual is not eligible to consume psilocybin. Several important legal documents must also be completed with your facilitator, including an informed consent, safety plan, transportation plan, consent for an additional dose, consent for supportive touch during the administration session, and where applicable, consent to participate in a group or in the presence of individuals other than the client and the facilitator.
Legal psilocybin may only be purchased from a licensed service center and must be paid for in cash directly to the service center. The administration session must take place in a licensed service center and there is a fee for the use of the space that the client must pay directly to the service center. These fees are separate from and in addition to your Transcendence Retreat services. In Oregon, our facilitators see clients at Ashland Healing Center, a warm and welcoming service center featuring quiet, spacious and comfortable private rooms.
What We Do
Transcendence Retreat was founded in 2021 by Rose Moulin-Franco and Prema Sagara. With a lifelong history in the traditions of consciousness and holistic wellness, they have created a dynamic company that offers cutting edge services, programs, and retreats that offer new pathways for healing, personal growth, and meaningful transformation. The company was launched to coincide with the legalization of psilocybin in Oregon and the Natural Medicine Act ballot initiative in Colorado. The use of natural psychoactive medicines in conjunction with coaching, counseling, and wellness services in safe settings and with trained facilitators is an important development that promise to radically change the fields of mental and emotional wellbeing and holistic health.
With a special interest and background in helping people recover from trauma and addiction, Rose is a special matter expert in PTSD and substance use recovery. A former treatment center owner, she and her leadership team carefully crafted a retreat program designed to address these issues that millions of Americans face. Additionally, she has decades of experience with psychedelics and served on the Oregon Rules Advisory Committee for Facilitation Standards.
Prema brings the essential and complimentary components of clinical herbalism, nutrition, specialty products, and functional medicine to our company, which includes a highly trained team of licensed and certified natural medicine guides, recovery specialists, and healing arts practitioners. He is also an expert in entheogenic medicine, indigenous practices, and the clinical applications of natural herbal and psychoactive medicines.
Our Facilitators and Guides
Our psilocybin services team were among the first in the U.S. to offer guided journeys for healing, personal awakening, and self-exploration when Oregon opened the state’s legal system for the use of psilocybin in 2023. Our Certified Psilocybin Guides and Oregon Licensed Psilocybin Facilitators will soon be licensed in Colorado when its legal access programs open in January 2025. All of our facilitation and guide team members are trained in the practice of depth-coaching, which is ideal for uncovering root issues, identifying core values, and helping our clients align with their most compelling intentions for their psychedelic experience. All of our current facilitators and guides also serve as faculty at Bodhi Academy, a leading psilocybin facilitator training program.
They are trained in the use of evidence-based psychedelic harm reduction methods, which include non-directive, client-centered methods to support each individual to prepare for a personally meaningful journey and to deeply integrate the content of their psychedelic experience into their identity and life. They come from a variety of professional backgrounds, but their common ground is a deep respect for the sacred nature of natural medicines and a commitment to demonstrate the highest standards of total client care. Meet the Team
The Oregon Psilocybin System
The Colorado Natural Medicine System
In 2022, Colorado voters passed the Natural Medicine Act, which lead to the creation of a legal access program for psilocybin services. Over the past two years, the natural medicine advisory board, Department of Regulatory Authority, and Department of Revenue have worked to create the rules and regulations for licensed facilitators and licensed healing centers. The final rules will be completed in December 2024 and licensing will open in January 2025. Our facilitators and guides are not currently licensed in Colorado, but plan to apply when the program begins. Our Oregon licensed facilitators qualify for reciprocal licensure and our Certified Psilocybin Guides are eligible for licensure based on their training.
Transcendence Retreats also has plans to open our first healing center in Colorado in 2025, and a retreat-based healing center for our retreat guests in the near future. Colorado will be adding additional plant medicines to the legal access system at a future date, and we plan to expand our services offerings to incorporate these sacred plants as they come online.
For updates and information on Transcendence Retreat locations, please sign up for our e-list.
Psilocybin
As a natural psychedelic, psilocybin mushrooms contain a powerful substance that impacts the brain's serotonin receptors, suppresses the default mode network (habits and patterns of thinking and behaving, and entrenched cycles), and increases neuroplasticity. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, the substance that induces a psychedelic experience. You may experience subtle changes in your perception, powerful, colorful visions, emotional and energetic releases, and more. Psilocybin effects each person in a unique way and each time it is experiences variable and very personal. Factors like your genetics, dosage, unique neuro-chemistry and biology, and most importantly, your mindset can influence the intensity, duration, and outcome of your session.
From the beginning of human existence, psilocybin mushrooms have been used for spiritual purposes, shifting consciousness, overall wellness and healing. These ‘magic’ mushrooms can be found all over the world. Despite this long history and its notable safety, psilocybin mushrooms are illegal under federal and most state laws. Regulated use in a legal system has now become available in Oregon and will soon be available in Colorado. Many other states have legal initiatives underway due to the safety and efficacy of psilocybin that has been shown in a wealth of clinical research studies. The legal access systems in these states allows adults to experience psilocybin's benefits under the guidance of professional facilitators, in safe settings.
What to Expect During a Psilocybin Session
No two sessions are alike when it comes to the psilocybin experience. You should be prepared for a very unique and perhaps transformative experience that could last anywhere from 5 to 7 hours.
You may experience a vivid world of auditory, tactile, and visual hallucinations, where colors and scenery change, and sounds become intensified and alive. You might experience emotional swings, ranging from euphoria and joy to sadness and deep contemplation. You will be in a non-ordinary state of awareness where you may gain important realizations, insights, and understandings about yourself and your life.
Throughout your journey, your facilitators will be present, bringing compassion and understanding, helping you with any needed practical tasks including walking to the bathroom, keeping track of time, and refilling your water bottle. They'll be watching over you, ready to offer supportive touch, hold your hand, provide a warm blanket when needed, and ensure your wellbeing and comfort throughout the session. In the event you experience an emotional memory or release, your facilitators will provide reassurance and keep you safe while the healing takes place.
A psilocybin journey can be a healing and enlightening experience, and there may also be unpredictable aspects that can arise. Before the session, your facilitator will support you to learn navigation skills, master the art of surrender, and let go of resistance and control so you can freely ride the waves of your journey no matter what comes your way. It is important to enter this journey with an open mind, knowing that whatever you encounter, the sacred mushroom can open pathways to breakthroughs and healing in many different ways.
Risks, Side Effects, and Considerations
There are many documented benefits of psilocybin experiences, but there are also some risks and side effects to consider.
On a psychological level, some individuals may experience adverse reactions such as heightened anxiety, paranoia, or panic during a session. Anxiety reactions are usually mild and soon pass. Paranoia and panic are rare but can feel challenging if they come up. Common physical side effects may include nausea, high blood pressure, or an increased heart rate. These symptoms don’t always happen and are typically mild. They usually occur during the time your body is metabolizing the psilocybin and are usually temporary. Your facilitator will help you relax with breathing exercises, music, and reminders that these things will pass as the journey begins. Medical emergencies involving psilocybin are extremely rare, however, your facilitator will ask for details regarding your emergency contact person in the unlikely event they might need to be contacted. If you have any pre-existing conditions, medical, or psychological concerns, talk to your clinical mental health or healthcare provider and seek their advice regarding your plans to consume psilocybin. Inform your facilitator of any such conditions and advice received so they can help you prepare for and manage any potential side effects effectively.
During the administration session, some individuals may recover traumatic memories, feel intense emotions, revisit losses and grief, or feel agitated or angry. These experiences can be a part of the healing process and will change as the session continues. Your facilitator is trained to support these challenges and provide you with safety, reassurance, and comfort to guide you through to the next phase of the journey.
In rare cases, there can be lingering effects after psychedelic experiences including flashbacks, where a person feels as if they are suddenly in an altered state of awareness that is similar to being under the influence of psychedelics, or Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), which can cause after-effects such as seeing visual snow or other perceptual distortions. Flashbacks tend to be temporary and do not occur frequently. HPPD may last longer but is also a rare reaction. There seems to be increased risk for these after-effects when someone is mixing psychedelic substances, taking too much, or taking psychedelics too frequently. There are other unknown risk factors that may be related to these conditions and more research is needed.
There may be other unknown risks and side effects of psilocybin that have not yet been identified. What we do know is that risks can be reduced by completing a safety screening, talking with your medical or mental health providers, working with a trained facilitator, receiving advice on the safest and most effective dose for your personal concerns and purposes, having the right mindset, being in a safe setting, and receiving sufficient integration support after the experience.
Psilocybin therapy is not a one-time solution and is not suitable for everyone.
Psilocybin effects can vary greatly from person to person. It’s important to prepare properly, receive education about psychedelic experiences, learn helpful navigation skills, work with your facilitator to get into the best mindset, and manage your expectations. Psilocybin is not a magical, one-time cure. It can support deeper self-exploration and sustainable personal growth when it is incorporated into a holistic program that includes supportive services such as depth coaching, integral consciousness training, counseling, and wellness care.
Most people read headlines and books, view social media posts, and watch videos about the many benefits of psilocybin and the exciting results of clinical research. They usually do not know that clinical research that results in benefits such as reduced or eliminated long term depression, alleviation of post-traumatic stress disorder, and abstinence from addictive substances always feature two or more administration sessions where research participants take psilocybin. Research participants also receive preparation sessions, have two facilitators for every session, and attend post-administration integration sessions. They often receive clinical psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational coaching, and other related services that enhance the beneficial effects of psilocybin and lead to more enduring changes.
Our experience at Transcendence Retreat in supporting addiction and trauma recovery with psilocybin administration sessions has shown that psilocybin alone is not enough to alleviate these conditions, and that having a solid program of additional support is critical for achieving lasting results. For this reason, when seeking to incorporate psilocybin into addiction or trauma recovery, we recommend participation in our 28-day retreat program to build a solid foundation and jumpstart your progress and post-retreat enrollment in recovery and depth coaching programs such as The Journey, microdose protocols, and additional psilocybin journeys once a month for 12 months.
Psilocybin journeys offer the chance to dive into the deep and wide seas of potential, but it's essential to know how to navigate the waves and currents with caution, awareness, and under the guidance of a skilled professional.
The Peak Experience
A peak experience with psychedelics is often described as a profound, transcendent moment during the heightened phase of a psychedelic trip. These experiences can be intensely spiritual, emotional, or cognitive, and are characterized by an overwhelming sense of unity, insight, or awe.
A common aspect of the peak experience is the dissolution of the ego, or sense of self. This can lead to a feeling of merging with the universe, nature, or a higher power, where the boundaries between "self" and "other" dissolve. People often describe this as being "one with everything" or "losing themselves," leading to a deep sense of interconnectedness with all existence.
The normal sense of time may completely disappear, leading to feelings of eternity or infinity. People often report a sense of existing outside time, as if past, present, and future all merge into one. This can result in a sensation of boundless freedom, as the usual constraints of linear time no longer apply.
Many individuals gain access to powerful emotional insights, often feeling a profound sense of love, empathy, or understanding. The experience can unearth buried emotions, allowing for a deep catharsis. These insights may offer clarity on personal issues, relationships, or broader existential questions.
Many describe these peak moments as "mystical" or "spiritual" in nature, experiencing what they interpret as a direct connection to the divine or a higher consciousness. Some report encounters with archetypal symbols, spiritual beings, or transcendent realms that feel deeply meaningful or sacred.
Peak experiences are often imbued with a sense of sacredness or holiness. People frequently report that even ordinary things, like nature or their own bodies, seem divine or imbued with profound meaning. Peak experiences are often deeply impactful and can lead to long-lasting psychological changes, such as increased empathy, personal growth, or a deeper sense of meaning and purpose. However, if someone is unprepared for the intensity of these experiences, they can also be overwhelming.
Clinical research analysis of psilocybin and depression studies shows that the intensity of the mystical experience was a deciding factor in study participants’ ability to finally resolve long term depression. The realization of unity and one’s essential identity are truly life-changing experiences that can heal even long-term challenges, entrenched cycles, and deep emotional pain.
At Transcendence Retreat you will receive tools and guidance to prepare for and cultivate the peak experience in your journey and reap the rewards of a whole new perspective on life.
The Setting
Our facilitators provide all aspects of the setting for each journey, including sound systems, psychedelic journey playlists, headsets, eye shades, and everything needed to create a safe, sacred, and harmonious environment for your session. During the session, they provide guidance for navigation, reassurance, answers to your questions, help with drinking water, and they will accompany you to move safely through the premises for restroom breaks. They keep your post-journey snacks nearby and provide them as you begin to come back to earth. You are welcome to bring comfort items, meaningful objects, art or photographs, your journal, and anything else that will enhance your relaxation, sense of security, and wellbeing during your session.
