Legal psilocybin retreats are emerging as an option for people whose depression, trauma, and PTSD haven't responded to traditional therapy and medication. As more states legalize psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic use, people are traveling to regulated facilities to undergo guided psychedelic experiences paired with professional support. The growing body of research suggests these sessions can produce lasting relief, though experts caution that not all retreat operators meet the same safety standards.

What's Driving People to Try Psilocybin Therapy?

Martha Stem, a retired appellate paralegal in her early 70s, had spent decades compartmentalizing trauma. She had experienced two sexual assaults in college, a suicide attempt, two divorces, and other significant stressors. For about 20 years, she took antidepressant medication and engaged in psychotherapy, but the relief felt incomplete. When her ex-husband and close friend died by suicide during Hurricane Helene in September 2024, the accumulated weight of her "trauma box" became unbearable .

"I wasn't really worried about what it would be like," Stem said of her decision to pursue psilocybin therapy. "But I wanted it to be a guided, intentional journey." She traveled to Oregon, which became the first state to legalize psilocybin mushrooms in 2020 and rolled out regulated psilocybin services in 2023. During a multiday group retreat, she underwent two psychedelic journeys that she described as "yin and yang" experiences, the first heavy and difficult, followed by a lighter and freer journey .

Stem's story reflects a broader cultural shift. As psilocybin has become more available through state-regulated programs, more people are giving retreats a try. Dozens of people shared their stories with CNN, each with unique experiences ranging from profound and life-changing to scary and disappointing .

How Does Psilocybin Actually Work in the Brain?

The exact mechanisms behind psilocybin's effectiveness remain an area of active research, but several theories are emerging.

"Potentially, by regrowing these connections in the brain, or creating this new neuroplasticity, it's possible that it helps people to get out of some of their negative behavioral and emotional patterns," explained Dr. Albert Garcia-Romeu, associate director of the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Albert Garcia-Romeu, Associate Director of the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins University

Researchers suggest several possible explanations for how psilocybin produces its effects :

• Brain Pathway Disruption: Psilocybin may interrupt entrenched traffic patterns in the brain that keep people stuck in negative thought cycles.
• New Neural Connections: The drug appears to grow new neuron connections and create neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to form healthier patterns.
• Anti-inflammatory Effects: Some researchers believe psilocybin's anti-inflammatory properties in the brain contribute to symptom relief.

The benefits of just a couple of doses can last up to six months, with some people reporting relief from symptoms for more than a year, according to preliminary research .

What Conditions Show Promise in Research?

High doses of psilocybin are effective in treating depression, according to a growing body of research, with promise for other conditions as well.

"High doses of psilocybin are effective in treating depression, a growing body of research suggests, with promise for other conditions, like PTSD and addiction," stated Dr. Albert Garcia-Romeu.

Dr. Albert Garcia-Romeu, Associate Director of the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins University

Psilocybin therapy first received a "breakthrough therapy" designation for treatment-resistant depression from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018. Now, psilocybin drug products are on track to be submitted to the FDA for possible approval in the not-too-distant future. Dr. Lynn Marie Morski, president of the Psychedelic Medicine Association, noted that psilocybin seems to be "knocking on the door of FDA approval" .

Which States Have Legalized Psilocybin Therapy?

The legal landscape for psilocybin is shifting rapidly across the United States. While psilocybin remains illegal under federal law, several states have created their own paths for legal use :

• Oregon: The first state to legalize psilocybin mushrooms in 2020, with regulated psilocybin services rolling out in 2023. Most psilocybin administered in Oregon occurs through individual sessions, with preparation required beforehand and "integration" offered afterward to help participants process the experience with a facilitator.
• Colorado: Became the second state to make psilocybin legal with a 2023 law and issued its first "healing center" licenses in 2024.
• New Mexico: Adopted a law last year establishing the state's Medical Psilocybin Program, now in development.

Beyond the United States, international retreats featuring psilocybin have become popular in Jamaica, where magic mushrooms are legal to grow and consume, as well as in Mexico and Costa Rica, where psychedelic use falls into legal gray areas .

How to Prepare for a Psilocybin Retreat Safely

If you're considering psilocybin therapy, experts recommend taking several precautions to ensure a safe and effective experience :

• Enroll in Clinical Trials: Dr. Garcia-Romeu recommends enrolling in clinical trials for "a safe, medically monitored setting" rather than unregulated retreats, because some retreat operators may not thoroughly screen for dangerous conditions or medication use.
• Verify Mental Health Support: Ensure the retreat provides sufficient mental health resources to make the experience positive and effective. Much of the benefit comes when psilocybin is paired with talk therapy.
• Choose Regulated Facilities: Prioritize state-regulated programs like those in Oregon and Colorado over international retreats, especially if you want structure, support, and professional oversight.

Stem, who had tried psychedelic drugs a few times in college, was not worried about the experience itself. What mattered to her was having professional guidance. "But then it got to the point that talking about it wasn't helping anymore," she said, explaining why she pursued psilocybin therapy alongside her ongoing psychotherapy and medication .

What's the Current Status of FDA Approval?

While psilocybin remains illegal at the federal level, the regulatory environment is changing. The FDA's "breakthrough therapy" designation for psilocybin in treating treatment-resistant depression signals that the agency recognizes its potential. However, some people seeking relief from mental health struggles are not willing to wait for federal approval and are instead pursuing therapy through state-regulated programs or international retreats .

The resurgence in psilocybin research is relatively recent. While psilocybin has been used for thousands of years by Indigenous Mesoamerican communities, modern study of therapeutic psilocybin use began in the 1950s but was derailed by political and cultural pushback starting around the 1960s. Attitudes have changed in the last 20 years, with a growing focus on treating mental health concerns and a more open environment to therapeutic uses of drugs like marijuana leading to renewed research interest .