Going on an ayahuasca retreat in Europe...will I be able to get travel insurance for the actual retreat?

[Sundiamondtree]

I'm about to book to go on a weekend ayahuasca retreat in Europe, run by a very reputable centre who has places in Netherlands and in Spain. In the Netherlands, these retreats/ceremonies recently lost their legal status, but they are tolerated. And the retreats are open, and upfront online about country location.

I would like to get travel insurance, in the event I am forced to cancel for illness etc - but will I be able to get it for the retreat cost? And if so, where and how to go about it?

OP you are brave posting this. There is some very interesting research done into how psychedelics can help with PTSD and other mental illnesses. Psilocybin, found in magic mushrooms seems to help with migraines and cluster headaches. I have tried to take DMT, the active ingredient in ayahuasca, but could not stomach the taste. I have known friends who have and it has been a profoundly life changing experience for them, in a positive way. Let us know how you get on, it sounds absolutely fascinating.

And do you think it’s a good basis for lasting change?

Can you say something about the circumstances in which you actually took the drug on the retreat? The only people I know who’ve done it have taken it in much more ‘unofficial’ circumstances in Guatemala…

Hi OP,
just seen this thread for the first time and read your updates, glad it went well!

Just wanted to share for others sakes and to support you -
Ive taken Ayahuasca many times, and it has been incredibly healing. I was a total mess before I began my medicine plant journey.
I also had no connection to source / any spiritual or religious connection. Ever since then I’ve had faith and belief in the bigger picture, and spirituality which has given great comfort and confidence.

It’s helped me come to terms with horrific abuse and overcome C-PTSD and have a normal and successful life!

oh and I did this all in the UK btw, bar one trip with English people to Portugal.

I’ve taken: Ayahuasca, Iboga, San Pedro, Rápe, Sanaga and more. Oh and we’ve done Muchroom ceremony’s which are amazing to work with our own medicine plants.

I also wouldn’t advocate taking them too often or too regularly. You should definitely be working with a spiritual teacher to help you stay grounded and I’d recommend a lot of Breathe and chakra work to intergrate the process.
will take about 3 months post ceremony to full do this.

best of luck to you and others.

I think the insights and discoveries are very different for everyone involved. There were lots of people who found themselves dealing with traumatic moments in their life, or difficult relationships - I say, found themselves, because whatever your intention is (whatever you are seeking healing over), the medicine will give you what you need, not what you want.

For me, I went because I've felt pretty stuck in my life, despite being successful and lucky in many things. I just had an endless feeling of being disconnected and lacking purpose. I stopped doing something about 18 months ago that was pretty central in my life (I won't say what as it might be quite outing) and I was trying to work it, and the 'whys', out.

I had so many insights about what's been happening with me, and the 'whys' and lots of messages over what I need in life, and what is right in front of me. It was pretty profound and pretty simple in the end.

Since I've been back, I've been calmer, lighter, and much more mindful. I am trying to work out how best to integrate what I've learnt into my life, to make changes, and will be doing so with the help of a therapist.

I don't intend to do it often, but I can definitely see myself doing it again.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/actress-killed-herself-after-taking-plant-medicine-at-healing-retreat-fswc6p72f

OP, please be careful.

yes, the actress's death was really sad. And of course, there are stories where people don't interact well with the medicine, for lots of reasons. But these are a tiny number compared to the number taking it on a regular basis.

I was very sure I felt safe.

I had the exact same experience. I was given a little peak into a window where I saw who I am and the things that I needed to change. I did it some years ago and still feel the effects. I want to do it again just haven’t had the time.

Many more people have taken their own life’s after being prescribed properly approved psych meds than ayahuasca. This said the article doesn’t mention if this poor lady was taking psych medications or antidepressants because that’s a major contraindication when taking psychedelic substances. It can lead you to death. It would be interesting to know. Also: a 600 pound three day ayahuasca retreat in the UK is really cheap, probably done in someone’s shed and the sort of place you need to stay away from. These things need to be done in proper settings, with real organic ayahuasca (maybe they gave her synthetic aya), mental health professionals available for proper integration and proper settings. God bless this poor woman and who knows what ayahuasca scenario she got herself into. There’s a lot of fake shamans, brain washing and new age BS sorrounding the ayahuasca craze. This is something you need to be very careful as you can easily fall into the wrong hands.

Glad it went well op