I’ve just finished watching the second season of Nine Perfect Strangers, and as a self-confessed wellness enthusiast, the first thing I did was search for psychedelic retreats. It seems I’m not alone: Google Trends data shows that searches for psychedelic therapy in the UK have soared by 510% over the past five years, and the country is the top searcher globally for 'psychedelic retreats.' Some of the conditions trending alongside psychedelic therapy over the past 12 months in the UK include psychological trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression.
And the science is starting to catch up. In a landmark 2020 study published in JAMA Psychiatry, researchers found that a single high-dose psilocybin session (found in mushrooms), combined with psychological support, led to rapid and significant reductions in major depressive symptoms, with many patients experiencing lasting relief. Could the show’s luxurious, mind-bending retreat experience be closer to reality than we think? With a growing number of people interested in wellness trends, biohacking and alternative therapies, it might not be as far-fetched as it seems.
