The Tangerine Retreat in Holland is the brainchild of French-born Londoner Arnaud Beauregard, a trained scientist and a tech entrepreneur. It was created to help unlock the doors to the mind using Psilocybin, one of the world’s most mysterious naturally occurring chemical compounds. The retreat offers an innovative and legal option for those seeking to free themselves from the ‘cycle’ and achieve personal transformation. Below, we look at what it offers and why many feel the need to seek out alternative therapies.
Understanding why the mind behaves as it does and why many of us feel lost, disillusioned, trapped, and generally unhappy is difficult. Our brains have helped us survive, experience, and evolve for hundreds of thousands of years, but even with all the technological know-how we have at our disposal today, we are still far from establishing precisely how it works and likely never will.
Although this incredible organ is the undoubted instigator of everything we experience and feel, the vast majority will only scratch the surface of its capabilities in their lifetimes.
This is where nature comes into play with its incredible array of chemical compounds. Housed within its well-stocked larder are psychedelic compounds that could provide access to parts of the mind that have been locked away in the deepest, darkest recesses.
Humans have used naturally formed psychedelic compounds for at least ten thousand years to help them heal, advance, and open their minds. Even today, some cultures are still using them, indicating they must find them beneficial.
Probably the best-known of these are Ayahuasca, used by Indigenous tribes in South America; Psilocybin, of course; and perhaps the lesser-known Peyote, which is taken in rituals by Native Americans. These substances, when taken in controlled environments in the company of experienced practitioners, can produce a profoundly positive change.
A Move to the ‘Left’ and Clever Marketing
If you asked the average person on the street for words to describe modern life, confusing, challenging, and even crazy would likely spring forth. Whether we are where we are by design or through a lack of foresight, we cannot ignore that some aspects of modern life are negatively impacting mental health.
Recently, there has been a shift to the ‘left’ in many countries, and it is more than just political. Today’s world operates in a way designed to access and increase the use of the brain’s left hemisphere. It is an obvious thing to do, as it is estimated that around 95% of people are left-hemisphere dominant.
It will not have escaped readers’ notice that we are constantly bombarded with messages and advertisements showcasing all manner of things that we must adhere to or need to be ‘better’. These messages are designed with beautiful visuals and clever wording, preying on the limited way the left hemisphere uses information.
Explaining why this is causing problems in modern society would at least double the length of this article; however, to adumbrate, the left hemisphere allows one to see the parts, while the right hemisphere allows one to see the ‘big picture’. Clearly, having a fuller and complete picture will benefit those receiving the messages; however, it will undoubtedly be less advantageous to those on the ‘giving’ side.
Certain treatments, like those offered by the Tangerine Retreat and others, are often seen as a way to access less-used parts of one’s consciousness. The psychedelic compounds they use could help reestablish a more balanced thought process and allow the right hemisphere, which I believe is vital for achieving the best quality of life, to take its rightful place.
If you want to learn more about the roles of the hemispheres, the British psychiatrist, literary scholar, philosopher, and neuroscientist Iain McGilchrist FRSA is one of, if not the world’s leading authority on the topic. I urge readers to explore his works.
Faster and Slower Solutions
Although the focus of this piece is on psychedelic treatments, it must be said that this isn’t the only way to free the mind; there is another tried and tested option, which is meditation, a subject I discussed at great length in my previous lifestyle thesis.
However, to reach the level where you have completely unshackled the mind and allowed the right hemisphere to become dominant once more takes a great deal of practice and thousands of hours, which many will not have at their disposal.
Nowadays, with time at a premium, people are more inclined to look for fast solutions, which is where psychedelic compounds could help. The Tangerine Retreat in Holland offers this type of treatment. Its ‘calling card’ is the legal use of Psilocybin, a chemical compound found in certain groups of fungi.
Although the chemical compound is deemed illegal in countries such as the USA and UK, it is classified differently in Holland. The Tangerine Retreat has chosen to focus on this particular naturally occurring chemical because it is nonaddictive and is known for its ability to produce positive life-changing results.
An Unwarranted Reputation?
Many believe the word Psilocybin has been unfairly tarnished, and this goes back to 1970 when it became illegal to use under the Controlled Substances Act in the US, with the UK making it illegal in 1971. Both countries had the view that it was too addictive and dangerous and offered no medicinal value, all of which are disputed by many leading lights in academic and scientific circles today.
I believe those temporarily elected to govern were worried that open ‘free’ minds would be more difficult to influence and control. In addition, some larger pharmaceutical companies were likely less than happy with people having free access to substances that could reduce the need for their products, reducing their revenue streams; however, this is just a personal opinion.
The two countries’ historical stances seem to contradict many of their most lauded educational establishments, medical bodies, and pharmaceutical companies, which are conducting extensive trials today to unlock Psilocybin’s benefits.
About The Tangerine Retreat
To offer the potential benefits of taking Psilocybin in a legal and secure setting, Arnaud Beauregard, a French-born Londoner, has created the Tangerine Retreat in the Netherlands. Arnaud says, “London is a wonderful city, but it’s also stressful and sometimes cruel. Many people are suffering, which is making people more curious about psychedelics.
“Being prone to anxiety myself, I tried this substance legally several years ago. It was a revelation, and I decided to provide a legal environment for those wanting to try it. It prompted me to create Tangerine Retreat in Amsterdam, where we host many British citizens looking for a mental second wind. Unlike my previous activities, I feel I’m helping people in their quests. It gives a lot of meaning to the work.”
Arnaud stated that people are generally delighted with their Tangerine Retreat experience and leave revitalised. He added, “A man came here as a last resort. He had fallen into alcoholism after a sudden bereavement. By the end of the retreat, he had started exercising, stopped drinking, and regained a real light in his eyes.”
Tangerine Retreat’s Psilocybin treatments are no different from many other types of wellness treatments. Arnaud makes clear that the effects sometimes wear off after a while. Sometimes, the rebound lasts no more than four months if the person doesn’t undergo therapy or personal work.
He added that the Tangerine Retreat is there to give a push in the right direction and is not a replacement for the medical world. He also added that a psychedelic experience is not suitable for everyone, particularly those with heart conditions or who suffer from psychosis.
“We are very vigilant about safety and have each sensitive application evaluated by a specialist. Each applicant is required to undergo an eligibility test to assess any contraindications.”
The goal of Arnaud’s Tangerine Retreat is to popularise the concept of psychedelic therapies among Britons, French, Germans, Swiss, and Belgians. It also wants to demonstrate that this experience is safe and beneficial when properly supervised.
In the longer term, the Tangerine Retreat has plans to open a second facility in Oregon and create a retreat and information centre which will be dedicated to psychedelics and research.
The Dreaded ‘IN’ Words and the Need for Alternative Therapies
Establishing the causes of the growing problems seen in today’s society, which is causing growing numbers to explore alternative therapies, is far from straightforward. However, my starting point is words that begin with ‘in’, particularly “insecurity” and “inadequacy,” which are constantly preyed upon and amplified and can be linked directly to many issues plaguing the modern world.
Whether people like to admit it or not, most experience these two things daily, and they are reminded of them every time they look in the mirror, use social media, open a magazine or newspaper, or turn on their TVs.
Insecurity affects a significant percentage of the developed world’s people, including the rich, famous, lauded industry titans and even senior political figures. Not addressing the root cause breeds a host of negative traits, such as greed, egotistic tendencies, jealousy, longing for praise and validation, and respect, which many feel is only achievable through a constant accumulation of power and money, etc.
It’s a sad state of affairs, as in days gone by, a person’s standing in society was based upon knowledge, skills, wisdom, kindness, consideration, etc.; however, societal conditioning has replaced this with materialism, fame and manufactured appearances.
Modern life today is akin to being in an almost inescapable cycle of needing to have more and appearing to be better and more attractive. This creates addiction and almost always results in a lack of authenticity and the Dunning-Kruger¹ effect.
When any addiction cannot be satisfied, issues begin, and that is when the dreaded ‘in’ words rear their heads.
There will be people who will fight tooth and nail, not to be categorised by the above. I can envisage some thinking or saying to themselves, “I’m not doing it for the benefit of others; I put a lot of effort into how I look as it makes me feel better.” The fact that a person needs to feel better says it all, and I’m not even going to get into narcissistic tendencies, which would need a separate piece.
In modern society, people are so trapped by their insecurities that nothing is more important than them. Weaknesses and mistakes are never accepted, and people quickly shift the blame; even when shown to be unequivocally wrong, they will still seek validation and support from others to hide their mistakes. These are the same people who are always quick to denigrate and make light of another’s success not to appear to be less than what they perceive themselves to be.
More examples include those who need to purchase flashy fast cars that lose value as soon as they are driven off a forecourt, magnificent dwellings beyond any measures of practicality, expensive designer goods and clothing that quickly become outdated, only to be confined to a cupboard, never to see the light of day, etc. Again, people will argue that they are doing it for self-gratification, a treat, rather than asking the key question, which is why they feel they need to do this to feel better in the first place.
As much as one might try to disagree, the simple fact is that almost everyone continuously disguises and fights against their insecurities, which only keeps them trapped in the cycle. One of the few ways to break free of the cycle is to find legal ways to open the mind, making one less influenced by the ego and more authentic.
Final Thoughts
As someone who hasn’t directly experienced psychedelic substances, I cannot offer an opinion on their efficacy. However, I have talked to people who have used them, particularly Psilocybin, and they have said their use has been beneficial. Those same people were also quick to caution that people on rare occasions could experience what they call a ‘Bad Trip’, which reiterates the importance of only using them in a controlled environment. More can be read about this in an article from researchers at Johns Hopkins.
If you feel that a Psilocybin treatment at The Tangerine Retreat is something you want to experience, I suggest you speak with a medical professional before making any firm decision or directly with the people behind the retreat. All use of psychedelic compounds should only be done legally, in the company of experienced professionals and in a controlled environment.
The next Tangerine Retreat for British or English-speaking residents will occur in the Netherlands from September 23 to 25, 2024, over three days and two nights. Retreat participants will be hosted in a beautiful house nestled in nature. The atmosphere will be relaxed, with various activities such as yoga, music, breathwork, meditative walks, and individual support sessions.
For more information on The Tangerine Retreat, visit their website: https://tangerineretreat.com/.
¹ The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias that occurs when someone overestimates their knowledge or abilities in a specific area, even though they aren’t particularly knowledgeable in that area.
You must be logged in to post a comment.