Psychedelic therapy is a type of psychotherapy where the therapist assists the client in altering their consciousness via the use of psychedelics to then utilize the obtained psychological phenomena for solving the problem. For example, such an experience can help reduce symptoms of depression or anxiety, deal with obsessive fears, or drug addiction. In contrast to shamanic practices, the psychedelic therapy implemented within this program appeals directly to the consciousness of the client instead of seeking answers in outside forces (e.g., God, spirits, energy). This approach helps investigate mechanisms of one’s own psyche, manage emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Unlike traditional types of psychotherapy, psychedelic-based therapy opens the door to extraordinary transcendent experiences which are then used by the therapist as a healing tool. The type of psychedelic therapy applied within the On the Road approach allows to reduce the amount of medication needed to stabilize the emotional condition of some groups of clients. In addition to that, it embodies the potential to increase the effectiveness of traditional psychotherapy.
The shaman believes that gods, spirits, and entities are the rulers of this world.
The psychiatrist insists that gods, spirits, and entities live solely inside one’s head.
The psychedelic therapy assumes that one does not exclude the other.
Psychedelics (translated from Greek as “mind/soul manifesting”) are substances that promote a very specific change in consciousness causing feelings of understanding the structure of the cosmos; loss of ego and connection with every object in the universe at the same time; one’s own death and rebirth; tactile, visual, and emotional experiences of time-space phenomenon; true and illusory; perception of oneself as a natural manifestation unconditioned by morality and social norms. Psychedelic-induced changes of consciousness are commonly referred to as hallucinations, however, this is a rather gross generalization. In fact, psychedelics can cause a whole range of alterations in consciousness ranging from minor changes in perception (heightened perception of sounds and colors) to severe hallucinations (trips to the macro or micro realms). The instrument of psychedelic therapy within the On the Road program is not the hallucinations per se, but rather complex synesthesia such as identification of oneself with the flow of time or the universal mind, accompanied by intense emotions experienced by the client throughout the entire session. An equally important tool in this type of therapy is the participant’s comprehension of their own thinking mechanisms based on the altered state model.
The shaman takes ayahuasca to see the magic structure of the world.
The psychiatrist takes ayahuasca to live through the mind crisis experience.
The psychedelic therapist takes ayahuasca to think in a more rational manner.
Substances classified as psychedelics are tryptamines (psilocybin and ayahuasca), phenylethylamines (mescaline), and semi-synthetic ergolines (LSD). The On the Road approach suggests using only plant psychedelics (such as ayahuasca, San Pedro cactus, and some other jungle entheogens) for the purpose of psychedelic therapy.
The advantage of modern psychedelic therapy is its long-term effect. However, this effect requires more than just giving someone a psychedelic and “speed up” their neuron networks in order to be granted an “epiphany”. The obtained "insight" must be apprehended, structured, described with unambiguous terms, and finally reinforced via daily life application. Such self-aid tool stays with the person throughout the rest of their life helping form critical and mature thinking patterns.
Infantile thinking: the “personality” is formed by emotions, thoughts, and actions.
Distressed thinking: the “personality” is driven by emotions, thoughts, and actions.
Mature thinking: the “personality” itself can choose emotions, thoughts, and actions.
Interpretations of psychedelic experience can be roughly divided into three levels
Level 1 – vulgar-magical, when hallucinatory images are interpreted literally, in the terms of 'God', 'Energy', 'Darkness', 'Light', etc.Level 2 – educated, when the emotional insight of the trip helps the person make rational conclusions about their relationships with close ones, specific goals in life, as well intuitively acquire greater flexibility and breadth of thinking at the same time.
Level 3 – professional, when the phenomena of the trip are structured and can be used as an effective tool for psychotherapy with no help from psychoactive substances, and can be verbally conveyed to other people.
“Analytic stage”, “the meaning-enhancing effect”, “meaningful insight effect”, “dissolution of destructive beliefs”, and other terms allow the participants of the program to speak the same language while discussing their psychedelic phenomena, which can be otherwise difficult to describe via the everyday language. In contrast to the vulgar interpretations offered by esoterics, the ability to therapeutically decode psychedelic images helps form mature thinking in the participants of the On the Road program.
Irrational decisions
A psychedelic trip can suggest directions of action that seem irrational or wrong to the person. It can also show “incorrect” ways of solving the problem. At the same time, those “incorrect” ways may turn out to be the most effective ones for the participant. The peculiarity and the “beauty” of psychedelic therapy is its ability to work both with logic and “irrational” constructs of the unconscious. It is this “vast dialogue” that distinguishes psychedelic therapy from shamanism on the one hand, and differentiates it from counselling from the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the treatment program participation cost?
$ 55,000+/month The cost covers everything except airfare The cost may vary depending on the program option. Contact doctor for more details. Options for 1-stage Program: 31-day Program – Nepal, Himalayas. 60-day Program – Peru (Peru-Bolivia, Peru-Columbia) 90-day Program – Nepal, Himalayas, South America, Africa Options for 2-stage Program: 31-days – Nepal, Himalayas; downtime for 30-90 days; 60 days – Peru (Peru-Bolivia) Upon completion of any of the optional programs, participants will remain in contact with the therapist in order to have the opportunity for follow-up medical consulting and psychological support via online, or in person (non-commercial). The cost of additional psychotherapy sessions is discussed with the therapist individually.
How many patients can participate simultaneously?
Normally, 1 or 2 patients participate in the program, provided they share mutual psychological compatibility, and it does not violate the anonymity of each of the participants. Following the same principle, participation of up to 3 individuals is feasible.
What is the cost of participating in the educational program?
$15,600+/month per person (for groups of 5+ people) Program options: 31 days in Peru, 5 participants, everything included except airfare
Is the On The Road program similar to other existing practices or therapeutic approaches I might already be familiar with?
Psychotherapy practices you may already be familiar with: - REBT by A. Ellis (identifying the participant’s erroneous beliefs and forming a healthy lifestyle) - CBT (working with automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions) - ACT (work with experiential avoidance) - FBA (Functional Behavior Analysis) - Mindfulness (distancing from thoughts and feelings practice) And possibly less familiar approaches: - Psychedelic therapy - The healing effects of adventure
Is On the Road just another spiritual retrit with shamans and ayahuasca?
The only thing in common the On the road program has with retreats is the practice of applying plant hallucinogens, such as ayahasca, San Pedro, and others. Retreats, as practice shows, are nothing but a form of spiritual tourism, and a rather extreme one, too, given the lack of medical supervision in most cases. On the Road applies modern psychedelic therapy protocols that prioritize the physical and mental health of the participant. Hallucinogens are used at retreats as a means of acquiring magical resources (e.g., power, energy, knowledge), and solving karmic problems (“if I get to resolve my karmic conflict, my life will be improved”) Conversely, On the Road applies hallucinogens as a tool for participants’ psychoeducation and elimination of emotional disorders. The results of a successful psychedelic therapy experience can be measured objectively. For example, reduction or elimination of symptoms of depression, anxiety, cessation of illicit drug use, facilitation of social communication. The experience you may obtain during a retreat will, most likely, be a very exciting one: it may reveal you the world of shamanic culture and the ancient beliefs. However, a science-based approach in the treatment of mental disorders, which implies the use of psychedelics, proves to be more safe and effective.
Do well-known shamans or Gurus provide healing during the program?
The persona of the shaman is not a central figure in the On the Road program. Shamans participating in the program assist the therapist in the preparation of ayahuasca, San Pedro, and other psychedelic compounds. They also act as an aide during the psychedelic sessions. Shamans maintain the authenticity of the magical ceremony, which can sometimes contribute to the effectiveness of the therapy. Certain shamans or “gurus” posess outstanding personal qualities, in which case the therapist facilitates the communication between the shaman and the participant, keeping it in the context of the therapy process.
Is On the Road as same as a premium-class rehab center?
The On the Road program and premium-class rehab centers have only one thing in common – and it is the relatively high cost of participation. As an addition to the therapy itself, luxurious rehab centers provide clients with horseback riding opportunities, golf courses, paragliding, spa, personal chef, helicopter transfer, and other similar services – in order to maintain the maximum level of comfort, prestige, and hypothetically high self-esteem of the client. On the Road neither views comfort as an end goal, nor as a precondition. Program participants constantly relocate, both living in comfortable hotels of large cities and staying in jungle bungalows or tents during a mountain pass in the Andes or the Himalayas. They travel by Jeep and horseback riding, move on foot, and by boat, constantly excercising a significant amount of physical activity. The On the Road’s goal is to improve and diversify the participant’s social life, teach individuals suffering from drug addiction to cope more easily with unpleasant emotions (e.g., resentment, anger, boredom, irritation) without having to replace them with increased comfort.
Does On the Road apply the 12-step program approach?
12-step programs, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provide a very generalized and group-based approach with which built upon some very outdated ideas about the psychology of addictions. The On the Road program offers participants a modern, evidence-based, personalized approach. The emphasis in therapy is focused on the individual’s awareness of their biological characteristics, understanding of the problem in the context of their social and cultural environment, including personal goals and values.
Are there any specific requirements for potential participants?
On the Road sets no limitations for people of different religions, gender identities, individuals suffering from autism spectrum disorders, HIV, hepatitis C. Each treatment tour is being developed individually, taking into account the preferences and physical capabilities of the participant.
Does the therapist maintain contact with the participant upon completion of the program?
One of the One the Road’s key benefits is that the participants of the program can remain in touch with the therapist for years following the completion of the program. Each “former” participant can contact the therapist and discuss any issue on a non-commercial basis by phone or via instant messengers. If, in addition to informal communication, the participant is willing to continue therapeutic work in a particular psychotherapeutic model, options of online or personal consulting may be regarded. The price is to be discussed with the therapist.
Who may benefit from the On the Road rehabilitation program participation?
Most common disorders addressed within the On the Road approach are: drug addiction; other types of addictions and addictive behaviours, including related mental disorders; anxiety-depressive disorder; bipolar and schizophrenia spectrum disorders; personality disorders. The social status of the participant is of no importance. On the Road provides a highly personalized and anonymous approach to individuals of any social status, capable to participate in the program, determined to break free from addiction, and willing to follow the program plan with discipline.