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NUMINOUS adj. /ˈnuːmɪnəs/ A term derived from the Latin numen, meaning "arousing spiritual emotion; mysterious or awe-inspiring."

Blog Archive

Psychedelic Assisted Therapy UK
Simon

How to Prepare for a Psychedelic Experience: A Guide to The Right Mindset and Setting

At Numinous Ways, we understand that each person’s journey into transforming their mind is unique. Whether you’re seeking fresh insights, healing or personal transformation, the preparation you do before a psychedelic experience can profoundly influence the outcome. That’s why we offer first-class preparation and integration therapy. After all, the moments before and after the experience

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Samira Ghofrani

Psilocybin Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder and Depression

A recent French clinical trial explored the use of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in people with severe alcohol use disorder and depression. The study found psilocybin to be feasible, safe and potentially effective as an add-on to standard care, with promising results for abstinence and mood improvement.

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Samira Ghofrani

Finding Meaning Through Psychedelics

A new study found that psychedelics like psilocybin can profoundly enhance our sense of meaning in life. Research spanning retreat, laboratory, and clinical settings found that psychedelic experiences consistently increase feelings of purpose and fulfilment, with benefits lasting up to six months. These gains were strongly tied to improvements in well-being and reductions in depression. The quality of the experience, particularly mystical and emotional breakthroughs, was key, highlighting the value of supportive, guided contexts for lasting personal growth.

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ssri psilocybin
Sam Woolfe

How Do Psychedelics Interact with Antidepressants?

If you’re considering using psychedelics for therapeutic reasons – in the form of psychedelic-assisted therapy or a psychedelic retreat – then it’s vital to know how these compounds can interact with any medications you might be on.

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Samira Ghofrani

The Healing Power of Mystical Experiences

Can mystical experiences predict the success of psilocybin therapy for depression? A new clinical study reveals that the intensity of mystical experiences during the first psychedelic session may strongly influence therapeutic outcomes. This research offers insights into the power of altered consciousness in healing treatment-resistant depression, suggesting a pivotal role for spiritual-type experiences in psychedelic retreats and clinical settings alike.

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Samira Ghofrani

Can LSD Help Treat Depression?

A new randomised clinical trial explored how LSD-assisted therapy could treat major depression. Researchers compared high and low doses of LSD in a supportive psychotherapeutic setting. High doses led to stronger, longer-lasting symptom improvements, with manageable side effects. These findings point to LSD’s potential as a fast-acting, durable treatment for depression.

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Mental Health
Simon

Preparing for Your First Psychedelic Retreat: A Guide for Newbies in the UK

If you’re considering psychedelic assisted therapy in the UK, you’re not alone. More people than ever are seeking the type of transformative experience, especially those who have reached the limits of conventional therapy. At Numinous Ways, we offer immersive retreats that help you explore your psychological potential like never before. We do this through carefully

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psychedelic retreat
Dr Christoph Zwolan

Are Psychedelic Retreats Worth It? A Guide to Safety, Healing, and Choosing the Right One

Psychedelic retreats offer a structured path to emotional healing, spiritual insight, and personal transformation. But how safe are they—and how do you choose the right one? This guide breaks down the essentials, from safety protocols and therapeutic support to ethical considerations and integration. Whether you’re curious or committed, here’s what you need to know before embarking on a psychedelic journey.

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psychedelic retreats
Fiona Cooke

Tripping God and Healing

In this raw and intimate account, Fiona reflects on her April 2025 retreat with Numinous Ways—revealing how psychedelics, deep preparation, and communal support helped her confront childhood wounds and break free from a lifetime of smoking.

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Ketamine Therapy Scotland
Simon

Heal and Transform with Powerful Ketamine Therapy in Scotland

In recent years, ketamine is being increasingly explored for its therapeutic potential for a number of conditions, including anxiety and depression. If you’re interested in finding out how it can assist you and how our therapy works, this is the blog for you.  Here at Numinous Ways we offer a wide range of ways to

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Samira Ghofrani

How MDMA-Assisted Therapy Boosts Self-Compassion and Eases PTSD

A new study reveals that MDMA-assisted therapy eases PTSD and depression by boosting self-compassion. Participants who became less self-critical and more self-kind saw the greatest healing, suggesting that self-compassion may be a key mechanism behind the therapy’s success. This research highlights the potential of combining psychedelics with compassion-focused practices to deepen emotional healing.

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nature connection
Neil Spence

Opening the doors of perception

Neil, a numinaut and participant on Numinous Ways retreats, shares a moving reflection on how nature, psychedelics, and deep attention have helped him dissolve the boundaries between self and world.

Drawing on the work of Nan Shepherd and Roger Duncan, Neil explores practices of full-bodied perception—walking, listening, and quieting the mind—as doorways into the living consciousness of the natural world.

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Samira Ghofrani

Facing the Past to Heal for the Future

A new study reveals that reliving past trauma is a common and often healing part of ayahuasca retreats. Drawing on data from over 300 participants, the research shows that these intense memory experiences are not only widespread, especially among veterans and trauma survivors, but may also lead to lasting emotional growth.

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Samira Ghofrani

Can Psychedelics Influence Menstrual Cycles?

Psilocybin therapy may offer safe and meaningful relief for depression, anxiety, and even motor symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease. A new pilot study reveals sustained improvements in mood and cognitive flexibility, without worsening symptoms or serious side effects—paving the way for future clinical research into psychedelics for neurodegenerative conditions.

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Psychedelic Integration Therapy UK
Simon

Unlocking Your Inner Transformation with Psychedelic Integration Therapy 

Over the past few years, the conversation around psychedelics has changed dramatically. Once relegated to the fringes of alternative culture, these powerful substances are now being explored for their potential to improve our mental health and further our personal development.  As psychedelic experiences become more prevalent, with people going to retreats and on personal journeys,

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Samira Ghofrani

Psilocybin Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

Psilocybin therapy may offer safe and meaningful relief for depression, anxiety, and even motor symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease. A new pilot study reveals sustained improvements in mood and cognitive flexibility, without worsening symptoms or serious side effects—paving the way for future clinical research into psychedelics for neurodegenerative conditions.

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Samira Ghofrani

The Power of Togetherness

A landmark study from Imperial College London reveals that the deep sense of togetherness – or “communitas” – experienced during psychedelic retreats plays a vital role in boosting psychological wellbeing and social connectedness. Communitas, shaped by the retreat environment, emotional support, and openness, predicts lasting positive changes well beyond the psychedelic experience.

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psychedelic retreats
Dr Christoph Zwolan

Dreamtime to Jungle Time: Seeking the Numinous in the Amazon

In January 2025, a small group of us travelled deep into the Peruvian Amazon for a unique kind of journey—one rooted not in tourism, but in respect, learning, and connection. What began with a dream led to ceremony, plant medicine, and meaningful encounters with the Shipibo people. This blog documents that experience—its challenges, beauty, and the seeds it planted for Project Roots, our long-term commitment to honouring indigenous wisdom and the Numinous.

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Psychedelic artwork of person with tree-like brain facing glowing magic mushrooms
Samira Ghofrani

Exploring the Neural State of “Embeddedness” Under Psilocybin

A neuroimaging study reveals how psilocybin alters the brain’s functional organisation, promoting a state researchers call “embeddedness.” Using machine learning, the team found that the psychedelic state enhances the brain’s integration and flexibility, aligning closely with self-transcendent experiences.

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Samira Ghofrani

Ayahuasca Ceremony Leaders on Preparation and Integration

Ayahuasca, a sacred plant medicine from the Amazon, is increasingly used for spiritual and therapeutic purposes. This study explores the perspectives of ayahuasca ceremony leaders on essential preparation and integration practices. Findings highlight the importance of honesty, readiness, and complementary practices such as meditation and psychotherapy. Integration, including community support and personal reflection, is critical for meaningful healing. Understanding these elements ensures safer, more transformative experiences for participants engaging with this powerful medicine.

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Samira Ghofrani

Ayahuasca, Gratitude, and Nature: A Path to Deeper Connection

This study explores how ayahuasca enhances gratitude and deepens one’s connection to nature. Conducted at a Costa Rican retreat, the research found that participants reported lasting increases in gratitude and nature-relatedness. These changes were linked to mystical experiences and awe felt during ceremonies, rather than the number of sessions attended. With implications for mental health and environmental awareness, these findings highlight ayahuasca’s potential to foster personal and societal transformation.

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