2010, N., 18 y.o.
Claims that a demon settled inside to steal his soul. In order to feel normal, N. began taking drugs, which eventually made him feel even worse. Ceased to communicate with peers, could not continue his education, felt as if there was a “dirty glass” between him and the world. Periodically he would try to burn himself with a lighter, as well as take different substances in inadequately large quantities. Decided to regain his soul with the help of ayahuasca and appealed for help. During the trip to Peru, N. ran away twice driven by delusional motives and putting his life at risk. N. successfully participated in a mountain climb, went through more than ten ayahuasca sessions, experimented with the tree frog poison, Datura tea, and mescaline-containing San Pedro cactus. Upon returning home, the depersonalization symptoms of N. reduced more than twice. He ceased to be obsessed with self-harm, gave up on drugs completely, and his “magical” thinking — to a large extent. He resumed communication with peers, and was finally able to continue his education.
The maximum therapeutic effect was obtained via:
- Recognition of the delusional nature of the “stolen soul” idea as the result of the numerous ayahuasca ceremonies and daily psychotherapy sessions
- Biological impact on the brain produced by the Kambo procedure
2017, М., 28 y.o.
Obsessed with magic, divorced, ceased communication with friends. In order to acquire magic powers, he consumed a large dose of a psychedelic triggering triggered a psychosis episode. M. perceived himself as a God, and desired to commit suicide at the same time. In the course of our 3-month journey we would revise his life strategy, discuss ways to adapt to life in society in the context of his “magical” worldview. M. participated in only one ayahuasca ceremony which helped him abandon drugs completely. Upon arrival home, M. restored trust with his family, got a job, and started a family of his own three years later. Acerbations involving “divinity” ideas and manic episodes still occur, however, they are being managed with proper medication. M. is currently well socialized, and is successfully developing his own business.
The maximum therapeutic effect was obtained via:
- Daily psychotherapy sessions, “debunking” of the idea that psychedelics possess magical power
- The single ayahuasca trip which then facilitated the “debunking” of the magical possibilities of psychedelics
2018, Mehmed, 54 y.o.
Suffers from type 1 bipolar disorder, addicted to cocaine and alcohol. Set off on an independent trip to Peru to cure his bipolar disorder with ayahuasca. At the ayahuasca retreat center his depression worsened. He started having paranoid ideas (that his soul was purposefully “held captive” by the shamans in the Amazon jungle). As it turned out later, M. had combined his medicine (five psychotropic medications) with ayahuasca, which eventually resulted in the dangerous deterioration of his condition. Mehmed was successfully taken out of the retreat center, and we set off on a road trip along the Pacific coast. His delusional ideas about the “shamanic persecution” and the “divine condemnation” reduced more than 50% giving space for joyful emotions and zest for life. Another month into the trip, and with no help from the medication whatsoever, his paranoid ideas disappeared completely and his emotional state stabilized. M. returned to Istanbul alone and resumed medical treatment of his bipolar disorder.
The maximum therapeutic effect was obtained via:
- Rejection of psychedelics and psychotropic medications
- Daily psychotherapy sessions in the atmosphere of the road trip aimed at redressing of the thinking distortion
2011, Ivan, 16 y.o.
ADHD, behavioral and emotional reactions of a 12-year-old child. Represents himself as a video game or a movie character, confusing his imagination with reality. Our program was conducted in the form of a long-distance journey across the Andes which included living with the local tribes. No medication or psychedelic were administered. The emphasis in the work was placed on trustful communication, psychoeducation, acquaintance with the culture of archaic tribes. He abstained from computer use and movies, and the intense physical activity, vivid emotional experiences, and development of scenarios for his further life in society greatly complemented the treatment results. Upon returning home, the subject’s both “naive” imagination and his fear of communicating with the parents and the peers diminished, the frustration about his gender identity decreased accordingly. He then managed to receive a higher education, and is currently working for his parents’ company, married.
The maximum therapeutic effect was obtained via:
- Long-distance mountain pass and the accompanying intense physical activity, risk, and strong emotional experiences
- Daily psychotherapy sessions under the constant relocation, aimed at psychoeducation and the development of social skills
- Trustful relationship with the therapist achieved via the help of mutually experienced “difficult situations” in real life
2013, Natalia, 23 y.o.
Type 2 bipolar disorder, mephedrone addiction. Approached with the goal of getting rid of the drug dependency in order to start a family and have children. Our three-month program included a high-mountain pass with climbing to an altitude of more than 5000 meters above sea level, a road trip along the Pacific coast of Peru, ayahuasca sessions, and addiction psychotherapy. Remission was achieved in regards to the mephedrone dependency, the depression symptoms diminished, and the overall performance and the zest for life restored. Natalia is currently receiving maintenance medication therapy. She is now engaged in business and plans to start a family.
The maximum therapeutic effect was obtained via:
- Lengthy mountain pass with intense physical activity allowed to reduce the dose of medications, and to abstain from their continuous administration
- Three ayahuasca sessions promoted re-examination of the drug addiction in favor of a complete abstinence
2007, L., 23 y.o.
Heroin addiction, depressive disorder. Following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, his parents reached out to put him in the program. The program consisted of a high-mountain pass, hiking in the jungle, rafting down the tributaries of the Amazon River, several ayahuasca sessions, addiction psychotherapy and maintenance medication therapy. Upon completion of the program, L. stayed in Peru and started a business. He lived there for three years before returning to Russia. He is now married and professionally occupied.
The maximum therapeutic effect was obtained via:
- Administration of a long-duration opioid receptor blocker combined with a course of antidepressant medication
- Vivid emotional experiences and communication with new people helped L. realize that “the world is much broader and joyful than I thought”. He successfully gave up on antidepressants and antipsychotics
2008, А., 26 y.o.
Persistent hallucinosis, depersonalization, drug addiction, HIV, hepatitis C. Completed a one-and-a-half-month program in the Himalayas with long-duration stay in the highlands, which resulted in the cessation of the compulsive cocaine use. The depersonalization symptoms diminished by 80% while the number of “flashbacks” reduced to 1-2 episodes a month. After that he participated in the two-month Peru program where he underwent ayahuasca therapy. Upon completion of the program, he continued the maintenance medication therapy and eventually achieved a one-year remission.
The maximum therapeutic effect was obtained via:
- Prolonged stay in the highlands combined with intense physical activity reduced the symptoms of depersonalization more than twice
- Daily psychotherapy
- Psychedelic therapy involving the use of ayahuasca
2019, D., 52 y.o.
Anxiety-depressive disorder, medication-resistant depression. Completed the three-month On the Road program which included a high-altitude climb, ayahuasca and San Pedro sessions, cognitive-behavioral therapy. Managed to reduce the number of medications being taken with complete rejection afterwards. A stable emotional state was achieved, which lasted for more than six months upon returning home. After that, the depressive episodes resumed, however, they have been successfully managed via the help of medications and psychotherapy.
The maximum therapeutic effect was obtained via:
- Lengthy mountain pass helped reduce the dosage of antidepressants and antipsychotics with complete rejection that followed afterwards
- Psychedelic therapy involving San Pedro cactus allowed to eliminate the symptoms of depression and contributed to the effectiveness of psychotherapy
1998, K., 21 y.o.
The first participant of the “On the Road” program. Heroin addiction. After an unsuccessful suicide attempt, K. decided to undergo the program in the Himalayas with a long-duration stay in the highlands where he mastered active meditation practices. The program resulted in many years of remission. Married, works as an adolescent psychologist.
The maximum therapeutic effect was obtained via:
- Administration of opioid receptor blockers followed by a “heroin provocation” test and a respiratory arrest. Multi-year maintenance therapy
- Highland hike led to the realization that “life without cravings is possible”
- Kundalini meditation as a “mood stabilizer”
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the treatment program participation cost?
$ 55,000+/month The cost covers everything except airfare The cost may vary depending on the program option. Contact doctor for more details. Options for 1-stage Program: 31-day Program – Nepal, Himalayas. 60-day Program – Peru (Peru-Bolivia, Peru-Columbia) 90-day Program – Nepal, Himalayas, South America, Africa Options for 2-stage Program: 31-days – Nepal, Himalayas; downtime for 30-90 days; 60 days – Peru (Peru-Bolivia) Upon completion of any of the optional programs, participants will remain in contact with the therapist in order to have the opportunity for follow-up medical consulting and psychological support via online, or in person (non-commercial). The cost of additional psychotherapy sessions is discussed with the therapist individually.
How many patients can participate simultaneously?
Normally, 1 or 2 patients participate in the program, provided they share mutual psychological compatibility, and it does not violate the anonymity of each of the participants. Following the same principle, participation of up to 3 individuals is feasible.
What is the cost of participating in the educational program?
$15,600+/month per person (for groups of 5+ people) Program options: 31 days in Peru, 5 participants, everything included except airfare
Is the On The Road program similar to other existing practices or therapeutic approaches I might already be familiar with?
Psychotherapy practices you may already be familiar with: - REBT by A. Ellis (identifying the participant’s erroneous beliefs and forming a healthy lifestyle) - CBT (working with automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions) - ACT (work with experiential avoidance) - FBA (Functional Behavior Analysis) - Mindfulness (distancing from thoughts and feelings practice) And possibly less familiar approaches: - Psychedelic therapy - The healing effects of adventure
Is On the Road just another spiritual retrit with shamans and ayahuasca?
The only thing in common the On the road program has with retreats is the practice of applying plant hallucinogens, such as ayahasca, San Pedro, and others. Retreats, as practice shows, are nothing but a form of spiritual tourism, and a rather extreme one, too, given the lack of medical supervision in most cases. On the Road applies modern psychedelic therapy protocols that prioritize the physical and mental health of the participant. Hallucinogens are used at retreats as a means of acquiring magical resources (e.g., power, energy, knowledge), and solving karmic problems (“if I get to resolve my karmic conflict, my life will be improved”) Conversely, On the Road applies hallucinogens as a tool for participants’ psychoeducation and elimination of emotional disorders. The results of a successful psychedelic therapy experience can be measured objectively. For example, reduction or elimination of symptoms of depression, anxiety, cessation of illicit drug use, facilitation of social communication. The experience you may obtain during a retreat will, most likely, be a very exciting one: it may reveal you the world of shamanic culture and the ancient beliefs. However, a science-based approach in the treatment of mental disorders, which implies the use of psychedelics, proves to be more safe and effective.
Do well-known shamans or Gurus provide healing during the program?
The persona of the shaman is not a central figure in the On the Road program. Shamans participating in the program assist the therapist in the preparation of ayahuasca, San Pedro, and other psychedelic compounds. They also act as an aide during the psychedelic sessions. Shamans maintain the authenticity of the magical ceremony, which can sometimes contribute to the effectiveness of the therapy. Certain shamans or “gurus” posess outstanding personal qualities, in which case the therapist facilitates the communication between the shaman and the participant, keeping it in the context of the therapy process.
Is On the Road as same as a premium-class rehab center?
The On the Road program and premium-class rehab centers have only one thing in common – and it is the relatively high cost of participation. As an addition to the therapy itself, luxurious rehab centers provide clients with horseback riding opportunities, golf courses, paragliding, spa, personal chef, helicopter transfer, and other similar services – in order to maintain the maximum level of comfort, prestige, and hypothetically high self-esteem of the client. On the Road neither views comfort as an end goal, nor as a precondition. Program participants constantly relocate, both living in comfortable hotels of large cities and staying in jungle bungalows or tents during a mountain pass in the Andes or the Himalayas. They travel by Jeep and horseback riding, move on foot, and by boat, constantly excercising a significant amount of physical activity. The On the Road’s goal is to improve and diversify the participant’s social life, teach individuals suffering from drug addiction to cope more easily with unpleasant emotions (e.g., resentment, anger, boredom, irritation) without having to replace them with increased comfort.
Does On the Road apply the 12-step program approach?
12-step programs, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provide a very generalized and group-based approach with which built upon some very outdated ideas about the psychology of addictions. The On the Road program offers participants a modern, evidence-based, personalized approach. The emphasis in therapy is focused on the individual’s awareness of their biological characteristics, understanding of the problem in the context of their social and cultural environment, including personal goals and values.
Are there any specific requirements for potential participants?
On the Road sets no limitations for people of different religions, gender identities, individuals suffering from autism spectrum disorders, HIV, hepatitis C. Each treatment tour is being developed individually, taking into account the preferences and physical capabilities of the participant.
Does the therapist maintain contact with the participant upon completion of the program?
One of the One the Road’s key benefits is that the participants of the program can remain in touch with the therapist for years following the completion of the program. Each “former” participant can contact the therapist and discuss any issue on a non-commercial basis by phone or via instant messengers. If, in addition to informal communication, the participant is willing to continue therapeutic work in a particular psychotherapeutic model, options of online or personal consulting may be regarded. The price is to be discussed with the therapist.
Who may benefit from the On the Road rehabilitation program participation?
Most common disorders addressed within the On the Road approach are: drug addiction; other types of addictions and addictive behaviours, including related mental disorders; anxiety-depressive disorder; bipolar and schizophrenia spectrum disorders; personality disorders. The social status of the participant is of no importance. On the Road provides a highly personalized and anonymous approach to individuals of any social status, capable to participate in the program, determined to break free from addiction, and willing to follow the program plan with discipline.