How Psychedelics Work: A Journey Into Mind, Meaning, and Healing

How Psychedelics Work is a four-day healing retreat at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, for people who want to understand the science of psychedelics and the inner work that follows from it. It brings together neuroscientist Robin Carhart-Harris, Ph.D, musician and teacher East Forest, and yoga teacher Marisa Radha Weppner for a weekend that holds research and ceremony side by side, through teaching, dialogue, music, movement and rest.

The workshop explores a new way of thinking about mental health: that psychological suffering may be less a simple chemical imbalance than a state of excessive mental rigidity. Together the group looks at how psychedelics can loosen entrenched patterns of thought and perception, and what that might mean for understanding and treating difficult mental illnesses. Esalen workshops do not involve the use, provision, or facilitation of any psychoactive substances.

What to Expect

The weekend opens on Friday with an orientation to Esalen, "How to Drop Into Esalen," in the early evening, followed by an opening session of arrival and welcome. Saturday and Sunday each have morning teachings and dialogue from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm, an open afternoon, and an evening session from 7:15 pm. On Saturday the evening combines music and practice. On Sunday it turns toward music, movement and collective celebration, including a dance party. Sunday afternoon is set aside for journaling and personal reflection. Monday morning brings final teachings and an integration session, and people depart after lunch.

Across the days you can expect:

- Teachings and conversation with Robin Carhart-Harris on the neuroscience of psychedelics and mental rigidity
- Intimate live performances by East Forest
- A group co-creative musical process
- Yoga, meditation and breathwork with Radha
- Time in nature, deep rest and journaling for integration

About Robin Carhart-Harris

Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris holds a PhD in Psychopharmacology from the University of Bristol and an MA in Psychoanalysis from Brunel University. At Imperial College London he designed human brain imaging studies with LSD, psilocybin, MDMA and DMT. His research also includes a clinical trial of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, an ongoing trial comparing psilocybin with escitalopram for major depressive disorder, and an imaging study of healthy volunteers receiving psilocybin for the first time. He founded and heads the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial, the first of its kind in the world, and holds an honorary position with the University of Oxford. His book, How Psychedelics Work, is the recommended reading.

About East Forest

East Forest is an internationally known teacher and composer with millions of listeners. He grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and his music, which blends ambient soundscapes with contemporary classical elements, grows out of a deep connection to nature and aims at peace and introspection. His collaborations include Ram Dass, Google, Johns Hopkins, TED, UCSF and the Yale Psychedelic Science Group. His sound work has long been intertwined with psychedelic ceremony and contemplative practice.

About Marisa Radha Weppner

Marisa Radha Weppner, known as Radha, holds an MA and is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and a 1000-hour Nosara Yoga Master Educator. For two decades she has facilitated self-awakening through classes, retreats, community organizing, guiding psychedelic journeys and coaching. She draws on ancient wisdom and direct experience to create a grounded, safe and expansive space for exploring the inner world.

The Setting

Esalen Institute sits on the Big Sur coast, and the days include time outdoors and access to the hot springs and campus features. Meals are served in the dining hall: breakfast from 8:30 am, lunch from 12:30 pm and dinner from 6:00 pm, with coffee, tea and snacks available. Lodging ranges from sleeping bag space and shared bunk rooms to private queen and king rooms, yurts, and a historic suite in Dick Price's former residence. Some rooms have ocean or forest views and private decks. Day passes and off-site stays are also offered.

Before You Go

Workshop tuition covers instruction and dialogue, and the on-site option adds housing, all meals, beverages and snacks, hot springs access and open-schedule classes. Healing arts sessions such as Esalen massage, specialty coffee, tea and alcohol from the bar, and bookstore purchases are extra. The workshop carries an additional faculty tuition, and East Forest and Radha offer a limited number of scholarships, with Esalen scholarships also available.

Travel to northern Big Sur can depend on Highway 1 conditions, so check current travel advisories before you plan your arrival and departure.