MUSHROOMS AND AYAHUASCA: How wellness tourism is opening the door to hallucinogens.
Psychedelics are going through a renaissance. From specialized clinics treating PTSD with MDMA to spiritual retreats based on the supervised consumption of ayahuasca in Jamaica, the public’s curiosity to experiment with the limits of the body and mind is growing. In this Insight article we explain why the demand for this type of experiences is booming and how the imminent legalization of certain psychedelic substances will change the world of hospitality.
When nothing else works
I first became interested in hallucinogens when I was living in London. A friend had just experienced his first LSD trip a few days ago. “It was the most introspective experience I’ve ever had.” He told me, “I suddenly knew exactly what I had to do with my life.” That triggered my curiosity. At that time I was going through a period of personal and professional uncertainty. The promise of clarity definitely sounded enticing.
It wasn’t the first time I’d heard someone praise psychedelics in London. The British capital is one of the cities with the highest drug consumption per capita in the world and its use is a recurring topic of discussion on the street. From this point on, I began to attend debates, watch movies, and visit exhibits on the healing qualities of hallucinogens.
It turns out that most of the people I spoke to during this time were using psychedelics in the same way and for the same purpose: sporadically and for a spiritual experience.
Brands that are aware of their impact on the environment and the reality of customers.
According to the international trend forecasting agency WGSN “Staying mentally and physically healthy is a priority after the pandemic.” COVID changed more than the way we work, it changed our relationship with ourselves and our environment.
“People are looking to reconnect with themselves after months of lockdown.”
As a consequence, the wellness tourism industry is in full swing. According to a Research and Markets study, the sector will be worth 735.8 billion dollars in 2027. We are currently witnessing the proliferation of hotel projects focused on offering a concept of well-being beyond the usual yoga classes and sports facilities. An example is the Six Senses Vana hotel that will open in India in autumn 2022, which promises its guests a ‘deep transformation’ through experiences such as Ayurveda, sound therapy or Tibetan meditation.
Hallucinogens are part of this movement. “Real luxury is about having authentic experiences, not about wearing a tie to dinner.” Explained in Bloomberg Douglas Gordon, founder of Silo Wellness, a retreat center in Jamaica that offers guided experiences with mushrooms for between 2,000 and 6,000 dollars. His hotel has experienced a torrent of requests since the relaxation of travel restrictions. A similar story is that of the Soltara Healing Center, an all-inclusive in Costa Rica specializing in ayahuasca rituals.
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