Behind every badge, helmet, and uniform is a human being carrying the weight of trauma, stress, and countless difficult moments that never leave. And behind every first responder is often a family carrying this weight alongside them. We invite these heroes and their families to release in our sacred space; First responder retreats where we provide:
| Retreat | When You Can Join Us |
|---|---|
| Renewal & Recovery: A Psilocybin Retreat for First Responders | 1759968000 9th October 2025 — 14th October 2025 |
Early Bird Discount: Enjoy 10% off when you book San Pedro Retreats at least 6 weeks out
Join us in a private sanctuary over-looking the Pacific Ocean for a 5 day, 4 psilocybin retreat designed by and for first responders and their families. If you are a paramedic, firefighter, police officer, nurse, or emergency personnel, who has tried traditional therapy with minimal results, these first responder retreats are for you.
This one-of-a kind experience blends sacred plant medicine, somatic healing, and community in a space rooted in family, safety, trust, and care.
Together in community at first responder retreats we will experience the power of safe connection and the heart, mind, and spirit benefits of psilocybin and cacao.
Behind the scenes lies a silent epidemic of those on the front lines and the families that stand behind them.
Similar to military service members returning from combat, depression and PTSD are five times more common in first responders and suicide rates are on the rise.
A survey of more than 4,000 first responders, published by the Journal of Emergency Medical Services in 2015, found they are 10 times more likely than the general population to consider or attempt taking their own lives – 37% of respondents reported they had contemplated suicide.
With a lack of culturally competent mental health resources available to first responders and their families, it’s time to find a new approach to healing.
Book a 30-minute discovery call with our team.
First responders face stress and trauma daily. That takes a toll over time. Nearly 60% experience burnout or other mental health challenges from constant exposure to crisis.
Repeated trauma can rewire the brain, leading to emotional numbness, over-alertness, and disconnection. But there is hope. Psilocybin and other classic psychedelics have been shown to calm the brain’s fear center (the amygdala), support emotional processing, and help form new, healthier neural pathways.
In professions where emotions are often suppressed, trauma can get stuck in the body. Psilocybin invites deep emotional release and inner clarity, gently uncovering the imprints that block our natural resilience, vitality, and wholeness.
A single dose of psilocybin mushrooms was associated with a noticeable reduction in burnout symptoms among emergency medical service workers.
Owners of Ananda Lodge Costa Rica, Jason & Kimberly Ocana, know how unresolved trauma, stress, and burnout can permeate the families surrounding first responders.
As a retired firefighter paramedic, Jason struggled silently for years with depression, hypervigilance, emotional shut down, and burn out. His method of coping was typically alcohol, isolation, and dissociation. Through his smile and jovial personality, he hid the scars well. Until one day it had become too much for their family.
Hit by Hurricane Ian in 2022, Jason & Kimberly lost their home and belongings under 30 inches of water. Trying to salvage the remains, Jason steadfastly worked to support the community. When he finally returned home, he did so with a bottle and no emotional capacity for his family. It was at this point Jason & Kimberly a drastic change needed to take place.
While first responders face unique challenges that compound over time, their trauma doesn’t exist in isolation—it ripples through their entire family system.
The stress of the job often manifests at home through:
Book a 30-minute discovery call with our team to begin your journey. First responder retreats could be a defining moment for you.
