RETREATS FOR DEPRESSION
Learn everything you need to know about joining an Avalon ceremony or retreat for depression.
Why take a retreat for depression?
The basis of good physical and mental health is rest
Information is power
Understanding Ayahuasca is the first step
In modern western cultures there is an immense lack of education about nature and particularly about plants and their properties. Thankfully, there are still indigenous people that continue to pass their rich knowledge from generation to generation and we should all give our best to preserve and expand this knowledge as much as possible within our capacities through these Ayahuasca retreats.
Nature is more powerful than most human creatures seem to understand and, if we pay close attention, we can easily have all we need within the offerings of the natural universe, including medicine.
What are limiting beliefs?
Our brain plays a lot of tricks on us and specially on people struggling with their mental health. Limiting beliefs can be mistaken with views of reality, which people with depression tend to see as absolute truths. This can prevent the individual from experiencing the world fully, facing new challenges, developing new skills, and expanding their growth potential. In short, limiting beliefs work hard to sabotage your true efforts and you need to work even harder to let them go. We want to help you with depression at our retreats!
We all have limiting thoughts that prevent us from realizing our dreams. The good news is that you can eliminate them with the right attitude and by following a few simple steps. What’s keeping you from taking the first steps towards controlling more aspects of your life?
Implementing healthy practices, one step at a time
Avalon Retreats are filled with unique experiences designed to clear the mind and guide you to a brighter relationship with yourself and with the beautiful world that surrounds you.As your focus will be mainly on depression and detox, expect to experience radical changes within yourself but not only that. You will experience a radical change of the self and you will be healing your body and soul, which will help you appreciate the free flow of life.
People who used to have an ongoing battle with their mental health and have already participated in a retreat for depression report a significant improvement in sleep, already during the retreat. Exchange the unpleasant memory of pain for the memory of rest and relaxation.
Upcoming retreats for depression
Take a look at Avalon’s upcoming magic mushroom ceremonies in Barcelona and book your spot now.
Max. 18
Ayauhasca & Bufo
Ibiza
tbc
Max. 16
Ayahuasca
Barcelona
from 3.160€
Max. 16
Ayahuasca
Barcelona
from 2.360€
Max. 16
Ayahuasca
Barcelona
from 3.160€
Max. 22
Ayahuasca
Barcelona
from 3.160€
Max. 22
Ayahuasca
Barcelona
from 2.360€
How can ayahuasca help with depression?
The World Health Organization estimates that depression affects more than 350 million people worldwide. Moreover, during the pandemic, cases increased by 25%, with women and young people being the most affected by the disease.
You are not alone
Depression is a mental disorder that affects the ability to sleep, work and enjoy life. It is caused by a number of genetic, biological, social and environmental factors. What many people do not know, is that 30% of cases do not respond to drug treatment. It was with these people in mind that scientists started conducting research on the effect of alternative medicines, such as Ayahuasca, on helping fight depression and the results are astonishing.
Your journey includes a preparation video-call, a high-quality healthy meal, an integration workshop combining diverse and creative methods such as writing, arts and dancing and finally two sacred medicine ceremonies:
1) Rapé ceremony (dried tobacco powder) which will help you clear the mind and cleanse the body.
2) Therapeutic Magic Mushrooms ceremony with an experienced psychologist.
This journey concludes with an online integration follow-up circle.
Ayahuasca and depression
The therapeutic properties of ayahuasca for depression are likely due to a combination of its psychoactive effect − and the associated subjective experiences − and its pharmacological actions. Ayahuasca activates brain areas related to the memory of personal events (the so-called episodic memory) and the awareness of emotions and internal sensations. Ayahuasca stimulates serotonin receptors called 5-HT2A, located in brain regions responsible for processing emotions and perceptions and introspection. These are some of the main brain regions deeply affected by those struggling with their mental health and going through depression.
Studies on Ayahuasca for depression
There are some studies that have explored the psychotherapeutic potential of Ayahuasca in clinical populations. The most solid evidence is found in patients with resistant major depression. The effects of consuming the substances present in Ayahuasca include changes in emotions, with most people reporting calmness and well-being, perceptions (increased sensitivity to sounds and colors, and sights), and cognition (self-awareness, memory).
A recent study reported anti-depressant effects of Ayahuasca in patients with major depression, effects that were sustained for 21 days after the administration of a single dose. This therapeutic effect was associated with brain changes measured with neuroimaging techniques, thus providing an objective demonstration of therapeutic change.
Another more recent study confirmed the anti-depressant effect of a single dose of Ayahuasca in a placebo-controlled clinical trial. In that clinical trial researchers also reported a decrease in suicidality ideation in the Ayahuasca group compared with placebo, a result that was also found in another open study. (International Center for Ethnobotanical Education Research and Service – Technical Report On Psychoactive Ethnobotanical, 2018).
Increase of neurotrophic factor levels
Ayahuasca also increases the levels of neurotrophic factors (mainly BDNF or brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which are associated with neuroplasticity and antidepressant effects, among others; and induces changes in the inflammatory profile of patients with depression, suggested by decreased C-Reactive Protein concentrations after the Ayahuasca session, which is correlated with the improvement of depressive symptoms.
Psychotherapeutic effects of Ayahuasca on depression
From a psychological perspective, several recent studies have shown that the psychotherapeutic potentials of Ayahuasca could be related to its capacity to increase what in clinical psychology is called “decentration”, or the ability to observe thoughts and emotions as transitory events of the mind without being trapped by them, mindfulness capacities and cognitive flexibility.
These processes are seen as important in clinical psychology, since they are considered to be responsible for, and therefore explain, the psychotherapeutic results.
At Avalon’s Ayahuasca retreats, we don’t make vague promises of guaranteed recovery. We want your decision to be very well-informed and that is why it is so important for us that you are reading this. We are not selling fake results of living happily ever after. After your Ayahuasca depression retreat, you will have the information and the tools to continue your self-healing journey by yourself.
Depression robs the individual of energy. Removes the will to exist. It destroys relationships, work, and family. It harms social relationships and it is a threat to society as a whole.
Ayahuasca has an antidepressant, anxiolytic, serotonergic and dopaminergic efficiency due to the three main beta-carbolines, extracted from the macerated stems of Banisteriopsis caapi, structurally similar to serotonin.
As a guest at Avalon’s Ayahuasca depression retreat, your experiences will lead you to a clear mind and a clean body, which is the first step to complete healing.
Wait no more and book that luxury retreat you have always dreamed of. It is ok to prioritize yourself and to invest in your mental health. At Avalon’s retreat for depression, you will be offered a variety of traditional and nontraditional depression treatment plans. You will experience therapy sessions with trained professionals, you will engage in group activities with like-minded people such as sharing circles, writing and art therapy and you will feed your body with the right nutrients, with high-quality fresh meals.
Ayahuasca depression retreats aren’t just about countless therapy sessions that take place throughout the day. The days are organized in a way so that you don’t feel overwhelmed by the treatment by having several light activities such as yoga and meditation, as well as some alone time to process the new information, perhaps during a calming walk in the beautiful nature that surrounds our space.
What makes Avalon Retreats stand out is the loving guidance that allows everyone to learn how to meditate easily and correctly, at their own rhythm. You will learn how to nourish the mind with silence, rest, balance and peace.
An engaging depression and detox retreat can help guests begin to transform physically and mentally, which will significantly improve their lives.
One of the reasons people seek out a retreat for depression is the variety of techniques summed up at our retreats. It’s more than just talking to therapists. It’s an immersive experience that goes to the root of the problem and has the potential to change lives.
Avalon depression retreat is a retreat for personal empowerment, inner healing, self-development and self-knowledge. Equipped with advanced techniques, practices and experiences of high transforming power. All done with professionalism and love for all beings.
It is for women and men who want to overcome mental oscillations, anguish, chronic fatigue, sleepless nights, and end the frustration born from procrastination. For those who want to overcome the symptoms of stress, depression and emotional, spiritual and mental imbalance.
For those who always live in the waiting line instead of taking the plunge because of paralyzing sadness.
For those who want to conquer the dreamed balance and clarity of mind, focus and concentration to materialize their dearest dreams.
Is that you?
