The sacred mushrooms or “Hongo” are a type of fungi known for their naturally occurring psychoactive compounds that can alter perception, mood, and cognition. They’ve been used for centuries in spiritual and cultural rituals by various indigenous groups around the world.

In recent years, research has shown that these mushrooms may offer potential mental health benefits. When taken in controlled settings, they can help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. They may also assist individuals in overcoming addiction and easing the emotional distress associated with terminal illnesses. Users often report increased emotional insight, a sense of interconnectedness, and long-lasting positive shifts in mindset after a single guided experience.

It’s important to note that these effects can vary depending on the strain, dosage, environment, and individual factors, and that professional guidance is strongly recommended when used for therapeutic purposes.

Unlike Ayahuasca ceremony that requires stringent preparation and absolutely not suitable for those who are on pharmaceutical anti-depressants, the sacred mushrooms require less preparation and safe for those who are on anti-depressants. Hence, it’s a good “bridge” medicine for those who want to prepare themselves for Ayahuasca ceremony but finding stoping anti-depressants too challenging.

For those who have already experienced high dose of the sacred mushrooms and looking for a deeper, more powerful experience, we also offer “Psilohuasca” medicine which is a combination of the sacred mushroom and Harmala (aka Syrian Rue) to take the mushroom experience to the next level of profound realization and clarity. But due to the extremely intense nature of the experience, we only recommend this combination for those who have extensive experience with plant medicine and not on anti-depressants.

At Plant Medicine Retreat Thailand, we offer two types of Hongo session; the clinical type and the ceremonial type. The clinical type is similar to the sessions provided by John Hopkins and Imperial Collage for treating depression and other mental disorders, in which the participant receives the dose then puts on the blindfold and the music while a facilitator is sitting nearby provides support when needed. This is done during the day from 9am-4pm and can only be booked privately. Although an overnight stay isn’t required, it’s highly recommended for a smoother integration after the session.

The ceremonial type is a shamanic ritual with some live music/chanting performed during the session in accordance with the energy in the ceremony. The session begins with the Rapéh (shamanic snuff) ceremony, then a short breathwork session before serving the medicine. The ceremony type is recommended for those who seek the spiritual aspect of the experience. This is done during the night from 6pm-midnight, hence an overnight stay is included.

The Hongo ceremony can be booked privately or join as a part of group retreats that we host regularly (see Retreat Schedule). The group retreat has the added benefit of creating connections to like-minded people and the group ceremony is generally more powerful due to the group energy of shared experience.