Interview with Dr. Sara Ahmadi: The Power of Psychedelic Retreats

In this exclusive interview with Conscious Pharmacist founder Dr. Sara Ahmadi (43), she answers ten questions in which she explains the power and benefits of the Psilocybin Retreats and Therapy Programs that she and her Conscious Pharmacist team are hosting in the Portguese Algarve on a regular basis year round.

Question 1: Dr. Ahmadi, can you please tell us why people from all over the world come to your psychedelic retreats in Portugal?

Sara Ahmadi: “People come to our psychedelic retreats in Portugal for a variety of reasons. Some seek emotional healing after trauma or depression, others want to gain deeper self-insight, or get rid of an addiction and many are looking for spiritual growth. What makes our retreats unique is that we provide a safe, professional environment where participants can experience profound transformations. The south of Portugal is an ideal location due to its serene surroundings and the progressive regulations regarding psychedelic therapies.

The appeal also lies in our holistic approach. We combine modern scientific insights with ancient traditions surrounding psychedelics. This balance resonates deeply with many of our participants.”

Also read: Psilocybin and Anxiety: An Evidence-Based Approach to Healing

Question 2: What makes psychedelic therapies so special? What do they do to people?

Sara Ahmadi: “Psychedelics, such as psilocybin, work on a deep level in the brain. They strengthen connections between brain regions and can break through limiting patterns. People often experience a sense of unity, the release of fear, and profound insights into themselves and their lives.

What’s remarkable is that these substances don’t “cure” per se but rather ignite a process of inner healing. They help people see themselves differently and overcome stuck emotions or patterns. Many of our participants describe it as a spiritual reset, as if they’ve reconnected with their authentic selves.”

Also read: The Benefits of Psilocybin in Treating Depression

Question 3: What are the long-term effects of these retreats?

Sara Ahmadi: “The effects vary from person to person, but we often see lasting improvements in emotional and mental well-being. People report feeling less anxious, more focused, deeply connected with others, and more grateful.

Scientific research shows that psychedelics can help treat depression, trauma, anxiety, and addictions. Our integration programs are designed to help participants maintain these positive changes so the effects are felt not only during the retreat but long after as well.”

Also read: Unlocking New Horizons: The Transformative Power of Psychedelic Therapy and Microdosing

Question 4: Why are you the right person to guide these experiences?

Sara Ahmadi: “My background as a pharmacist has provided me with a solid foundation in medical knowledge, and I have conducted years of research on the therapeutic applications of psychedelics. In addition, I am trained in trauma and integration therapy. This allows me to understand both the scientific and human aspects of these experiences. Lastly I am also certified as a psychedelics coach and therapist, which establishes my expertise in this field. It all fits my passion and purpose to help heal others.

At Conscious Pharmacist, we work with a multidisciplinary team of therapists, coaches, and medical professionals. We ensure every participant feels safe and well-supported, both during the experience and throughout the integration period.”

Question 5: Are there risks? How do you ensure the safety of your clients?

Sara Ahmadi: “Every therapeutic method comes with risks, and psychedelics are no exception. That’s why we conduct thorough screening before anyone joins a retreat. We assess medical history, mental health, and the participant’s intentions.

During the retreat, we always have medical professionals present and follow strict protocols. Safety and responsibility are our top priorities (besides creating the ultimate guest experience).”

Question 6: What would you say to someone considering joining a psychedelic retreat?

Sara Ahmadi: “I would say: listen to your intuition. If you feel ready for a profound journey inward, be open and willing to grow. These experiences can be intense, but the healing and insights they bring are often life-changing.

Always choose a retreat that is professionally and medicallyn guided and prioritizes safety. This isn’t just an experience; it’s a transformative journey that can positively change your life.”

Question 7: Do you think psilocybin therapy will become a hype?

Sara Ahmadi: “Psilocybin therapy is most certainly gaining momentum, but I believe it’s more than just a fleeting hype. We’re seeing a growing body of scientific research supporting its therapeutic potential, particularly in mental health treatment for conditions like depression, PTSD, ADHD, eating disorders, dementia, perimenopause and addiction. The regulatory landscape is also evolving, with more regions exploring decriminalization and clinical use.

However, as with any emerging therapy, there’s a risk of over-commercialization or misinformation. To ensure its longevity and credibility, the focus should remain on rigorous research, responsible medical integration, and ethical accessibility rather than hype-driven trends. If done correctly, psilocybin therapy could become a transformative tool in mental healthcare, rather than just a passing phenomenon.”

Question 8: What makes your Inner Leadership Psilocybin Retreat so highly in demand?

Sara Ahmadi: “The success of our Inner Leadership Psilocybin Retreat comes from a unique blend of science, safety, and deep personal transformation within a luxurious natural setting. We don’t just offer a psychedelic experience—we create a carefully guided journey designed for profound self-discovery and leadership development.

What sets us apart is our holistic, evidence-based approach. As a pharmacist-led retreat, we prioritize safety, intentional preparation, and professional integration, ensuring that participants not only have a meaningful experience but also translate their insights into lasting change. Our program blends psilocybin therapy with coaching, neuroscience, and ancient wisdom practices, making it a truly transformative experience.

Additionally, the high demand for our retreats reflects the growing need for conscious leadership in today’s world. Many professionals, entrepreneurs, and changemakers are seeking new ways to break through personal and professional barriers, and our retreat provides a structured, supportive space for that transformation. Ultimately, it’s the life-changing impact our participants experience that fuels our reputation and keeps our retreats in high demand.”

Question 9: What is driving the demand for corporate psychedelic retreats and private group psychedelic retreats?

Sara Ahmadi: “The demand for our corporate and private group psychedelic retreats is being driven by a fundamental shift in leadership and workplace culture. Today’s organizations recognize that true innovation, resilience, and well-being come from within. Leaders and teams are seeking deeper self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and sustainable ways to manage stress, prevent burnout, and foster creativity. Our proven psychedelic-assisted retreats provide a unique opportunity to break through mental barriers, enhance decision-making, and cultivate a more conscious leadership style. Our customized Conscious Leadership Practice Retreats – in which we take entire management teams or boards on an accelerated growth journey – always have a major positive and long lasting impact on the participating individuals, on the team power, and eventually on the bottom line impact of an organization.

At Conscious Pharmacist, we tailor each of our custom retreats to the specific needs of our B2B clients, whether they are executive teams, entrepreneurs, or mission-driven organizations. Our unique approach integrates our proven psilocybin therapy with neuroscience, leadership coaching, and personalized integration strategies, ensuring that insights gained during the retreat translate into long-term growth. We prioritize safety, scientific rigor, and a highly supportive environment, allowing participants to explore altered states of consciousness in a way that aligns with their professional and personal goals.

By creating bespoke experiences that align with a company’s vision, we help teams unlock new levels of creativity, collaboration, and purpose-driven leadership—making our retreats a powerful tool for transformation in the corporate world.

Question 10: What is your growth vision for Conscious Pharmacist in becoming a leader in psychedelic therapy and psychedelic retreats?

Sara Ahmadi: “At Conscious Pharmacist, our vision is to establish ourselves as a global leader in psychedelic therapy and retreats, setting the highest standards for safety, research, and transformative experiences. We believe that psychedelics have the power to revolutionize mental health, leadership, and personal growth when integrated responsibly and ethically.

Our growth strategy is built on three foundational pillars:

Scientific & Ethical Leadership: As a pharmacist-led organization, we prioritize evidence-based psychedelic therapy, ensuring that our retreats and programs are grounded in rigorous research and best practices. We actively collaborate with scientists, psychologists, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to contribute to the advancement of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Expanding Global Retreats & Corporate Programs: We are scaling our Inner Leadership Psilocybin Retreats, Conscious Leadership Practice Retreats and corporate psychedelic programs to meet the growing demand from executives, entrepreneurs, and high-impact teams. Our retreats offer a highly curated, science-backed approach that integrates psilocybin therapy with neuroscience, leadership coaching, and integrative wellness practices.
Education, Training & Community Building: Beyond retreats, we are developing certification programs, training initiatives, and a global network of professionals dedicated to the responsible use of psychedelics. By empowering healthcare providers, therapists, coaches, and facilitators, we aim to shape the future of psychedelic therapy on a large scale.

Through innovation, ethical responsibility, and global collaboration, Conscious Pharmacist is on a mission to redefine how psychedelics are used for healing, personal development and leadership development. Our goal is to create a world where psychedelic therapy is not just accepted but fully integrated into healthcare and personal transformation at the highest level.”

Conclusion

Sara Ahmadi and her team at Conscious Pharmacist offer more than just a retreat; they guide participants on a transformative journey. With their unique approach and expertise, participants are in safe hands. For those seeking inner growth, healing, and insight, our psychedelic retreats in Portugal could be the start of a new chapter.

Want to learn more? Please visit our retreats page Conscious Pharmacist Retreats or contact us via our contactpage.

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Author: Editor