What to know about psychedelic retreats: a booming, under-regulated industry

The article notes only a handful of groups have formally obtained legal religious exemptions (e.g., Native American Church using peyote); some retreats operate in countries with fewer restrictions, such as Peru and Brazil, where ayahuasca has long-standing traditional use.

A recent JAMA Network Open study surveyed dozens of retreats and found that more than half exclude participants with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia; nearly 90% require or recommend stopping certain medications, including antidepressants, before use, and washout periods ranged from one day to six weeks; researchers note risks associated with self-reported medical histories and the potential for unsafe practice.

Experts say there are no industry-wide standards or regulations for how participants are screened, prepared, or monitored after retreats, regardless of location, raising questions about the quality of care and accountability and prompting calls for cautious vetting by attendees.

As of 2026, hundreds of outfits worldwide offer multiday, drug-assisted experiences marketed as promoting psychological healing and personal growth, with safety procedures in place in many cases but potential for physical, psychological, and interpersonal harms.

The article notes that MDMA—identified as the only psychedelic drug to have fronted FDA consideration—was rejected as a PTSD treatment in 2024 due to concerns about safety and effectiveness.