Frequently Asked Questions
About Enfold
Enfold is for those who can feel a gap between who they are today and who they envision themselves to be. Our guests come from all walks of life — executives, therapists, artists, parents, seekers — but they share something in common: they know there is more for them in this life and they’re ready to step into their full potential.
Perhaps you’ve achieved everything you were told would make you happy, but don’t know how to actually enjoy it. Or you know you’re capable of more and can see that you’re in your own way.
This is the portal for those ready to make significant progress in a short period of time and unafraid of doing hard things to get there.
We are located on a small island outside of Vancouver BC, Canada.
We’re not just a 5-MeO retreat. We’ve built a comprehensive process that integrates medicine with psychology, somatic work, and spiritual practice.
Our process has been refined over 7+ years and 700+ guest journeys. Here’s what sets us apart:
- A complete psycho-spiritual framework. We work with three dimensions of your being: your spiritual essence, your personality, and your nervous system. Learn more.
- Five-day Intensive with multi-week preparation and months of integration. This is non-negotiable for safety and effectiveness. Many facilitators offer “drive-by sessions”: 2-3 hours where you’re served medicine and sent back into the world alone. This is unsafe and ineffective.
- World-class facilitation. Sober, undivided presence during ceremony. Our guests describe the facilitation as transformative.
- Six guests maximum. We have four or five team members working at most times to ensure a high level of support and safety.
- Private high-dose ceremony. Many retreats have guests take medicine together to serve more people at once. This limits your ability to fully surrender.
- Comprehensive ongoing support. Two weeks of on-call support. Access to hundreds of resources, integration circles, coaches, therapists, and our Enfold Angels peer community.
- Twenty Intensives per year maximum. We deliberately limit our volume. Every person receives our full care, energy, and attention.
- Located in Canada. One of the world’s safest and most beautiful countries.
Learn more about the Awakening to Life Intensive here.
Awakening to Life is a deep nervous system intervention that connects mind, heart, and body for lasting change you can feel in the core of your being.
This is not talk therapy. This is not a retreat. This is a world-class 5-MeO-DMT process refined over 7+ years and 700+ transformative guest journeys, designed for those ready to make significant progress in a short period of time.
The process blends modern psychology, somatic and energetic modalities, IFS-informed coaching, and universal spiritual wisdom. It includes a five-day residential Intensive, multi-week preparation, and months of integration support.
This process isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about revealing the most potent version of yourself and letting go of the parts that no longer serve you.
The word “retreat” implies stepping back from life. We believe true transformation requires the opposite: developing the resilience and capacity to step fully into life.
While the surroundings and accommodations are world-class, this is not a getaway. It’s a commitment to your growth, your transformation, and your future. We call it an Intensive because that’s what it is.
- A thorough intake and screening process
- Group and one-on-one preparation sessions
- A comprehensive online preparation program
- A 5-day residential stay at our property
- Group and private ceremonies
- Daily integration circles
- Somatic sessions
- A detailed integration plan
- Ongoing support following your return home
You will also have access to hundreds of resources, community events and integration circles, and support from coaches, therapists, and our community of Enfold Angels who offer peer sessions.
Groups are limited to 6 guests at a time. We have 4-5 team members working at most times to ensure a high level of support and safety.
Twenty maximum. We deliberately limit our volume to protect the level of care, energy, and attention every person receives.
- Stepping fully into the life and success you’ve already built
- Closing the gap between who you are and who you’re meant to be
- Mid-life transitions and rediscovering purpose
- Enhancing intimacy, relationships, and connection
- Releasing deeply held traumas that therapy can’t access
- Connecting with God, source, or a sense of deep universal consciousness
- Discovering or deepening embodiment.
We have two accommodation options:
- Private suite with a king-size bed and private patio that opens onto a lavender garden.
- Shared suite that sleep two people, with breathtaking views of the Howe Sound.
All of our rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Communal spaces are available 24/7 if you need somewhere to curl up with a book or journal at any hour.
Absolutely — we think hearing directly from the people who’ve been through Awakening to Life is one of the best ways to get a feel for what this experience is really like.
Our Still In It podcast features in-depth conversations with past guests about their 5-MeO experience – how they prepared, what shifted, and how they’ve integrated it into their lives.
You can also read written stories here from our community.
The short answer is yes, though only a very limited amount per year. Most typically, we offer a private version of the Awakening to Life Intensive for up to 6 guests, which allows you to curate your own group. We are also open to creating custom formats that focus in specific areas and offer various medicines and structures such as couples work, family sessions, and more. We have very limited space for privates, please contact us if you’re interested in learning more.
The Medicine + Safety
Not to be confused with N,N-DMT, 5-MeO-DMT is one of the most powerful medicines in the world. It’s technically legal in Canada as an unrestricted substance.
5-MeO-DMT has extraordinary potential for transformation and expanding consciousness. This medicine is not well-suited as a starting point for personal development work.
If you’re new to psychedelics, we encourage you to spend some time in our 5-MeO-DMT section to learn more. We offer a wide variety of resources, videos, and free online courses to help you determine if this medicine is right for you.
In recent years, 5-MeO-DMT has been studied in formal clinical trials with human participants. These studies have found it to be well-tolerated by the human body, with a reassuring short-term safety profile. Furthermore, a formulation of 5-MeO-DMT has been granted Breakthrough Therapy status by the FDA in the United States, a designation reserved for medicines with particularly promising therapeutic potential.
5-MeO-DMT also has a very short half-life of about 18 minutes, meaning the body metabolizes it quickly rather than lingering in the system. For comparison, the caffeine in a single cup of coffee has a half-life of roughly five hours, more than fifteen times as long.
We take great care with screening and safety, and the experience of our guests reflects that care. We work closely with a pharmacologist and a psychiatrist, whom we consult any time a question arises about medication interactions or a guest’s health.
At Enfold, the medicine sits inside a setting built around our guests wellbeing: an unhurried conversation about their health and history before they arrive, experienced facilitators present throughout, well-established protocols, and a calm, supportive environment. That preparation is what lets people relax into the experience.
We have facilitated over 700 5-MeO-DMT sessions over 7 years without any adverse medical events or outcomes. That speaks to the level of care, training, and safety we bring to this work.
Personal or family history of psychosis or schizophrenia; active suicidal ideation; certain heart or cardiovascular conditions; certain medications including SSRIs, MAOIs, and lithium; pregnancy or breastfeeding; acute psychological crisis.
We screen for physical conditions affecting heart and lung performance, and certain medications. If you’re on SSRIs or anti-anxiety medications, that’s not necessarily a problem. MAOIs make this medicine unsafe.
This list isn’t exhaustive. We assess each applicant individually through our screening process. We have a pharmacologist on retainer and medical emergency plans in place for all Intensives.
Yes. There’s a growing body of research at top institutions and pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Enfold has compiled a collection of the most recent studies, found here.
No. We offer sober facilitation — which is not the norm in this industry. We believe you deserve the full, undivided presence of your guides during ceremony.
Profound psychedelic experiences can be fleeting and difficult to translate into lasting change without the right context and support. Integration is the bridge between the experience and your actual life. This is one of the biggest problems with “drive-by” style offerings — people have powerful openings with no structure to carry the insights forward.
Integration is where the real work begins! Translating insight into action and embodying the transformation in your actual life.
For two weeks post-Intensive, our team is on-call for support. You’ll have scheduled integration sessions with your facilitators and your cohort.
Beyond that, you’re welcomed into the Enfold community with access to:
- Monthly community calls
- Integration circles
- Breathwork events
- Community group chat
- Vetted coaching and counsel network (therapists, coaches, and Enfold Angels offering peer support)
- Full integration library of practices, reflections, and resources
Many guests continue working with our network for months after. Integration is an ongoing practice.
Readiness
Awakening to Life is for people who have already done significant personal development work — therapy, coaching, workshops, psychedelic work, meditation, self-directed learning.
Perhaps you’ve achieved everything you were told would make you happy, but don’t know how to actually enjoy it. Or you know you’re capable of more and can see that you’re in your own way.
5-MeO-DMT is an exceptionally powerful experience. It’s not well-suited for people just beginning personal development work. That said, we work with many guests who’ve never done large-dose psychedelics. The screening process determines readiness. See our 5-MeO-DMT section for more details.
We work best with people who have stability in their lives. If you’re in acute crisis or unable to manage daily responsibilities, this isn’t the right fit. We work with many people navigating challenges — but you need to be ready to step into your full potential, not seeking crisis management.
Questions? Email arthur@enfold.org
We work with many guests who’ve never done large-dose psychedelics. The screening process determines readiness. We also offer a free video series and a Discovery Call to help you make an informed decision before registering.
A challenging previous experience doesn’t disqualify you. In many cases, it’s exactly why this comprehensive, supported approach is right for you. We assess each person individually and ask you to disclose all previous experiences in your application.
Preparation begins the moment you’re accepted. You’ll receive a comprehensive program including guided materials, group orientation with your cohort, and a personal preparation call with a facilitator.
In the weeks leading up, we ask you to wind down caffeine, limit screen time, and step away from alcohol or substances. You’ll establish daily practices — meditation, journaling, reflection on what’s present in your life, what’s asking to be released, and what you’re calling in.
Preparation is crucial, it creates the conditions for you to go as deep as possible. By the time you arrive, you’re already connected with your cohort and ready to step fully into the experience.
After you apply, we arrange a discovery call to meet you, understand your background, and explore what you’re looking for. This is a real conversation; we want to know your story, what’s brought you here, and whether this is the right fit.
If we’re aligned, you’ll complete a comprehensive intake questionnaire covering your mental, physical, and emotional history. It’s thorough — we need to understand the whole picture to ensure your safety and readiness.
If you’re on medications, our consulting pharmacologist reviews them to assess compatibility with 5-MeO-DMT. We’ll also suggest you speak with your doctor.
We assess each person individually. This isn’t a formality, we take it seriously to protect the integrity of our space and the safety of every guest.
Yes. Many couples describe it as one of the most powerful experiences they’ve shared. Book two shared room spots and we’ll place you together.
Each person has their own private ceremony, so you can fully surrender to your own process. That combination of individual depth and shared experience is potent.
Coming separately works just as well. Some couples come months apart, which gives each person room to do the work without managing anyone else’s experience.
Couples who have done it both ways have shared their reflections in Taking the Next Step, Together. If your partner isn’t coming and has questions, there are answers for them there too.
The Intensive is a device-free experience. This means phones, laptops, and tablets are put away for the week. This is an intentional part of the process. Stepping away from the constant pull of technology is one of the ways we support a dopamine reset and help your nervous system genuinely unwind.
We know this can feel daunting, especially if you have work or family responsibilities. We encourage you to set up an out-of-office, let your people know you’re offline, and trust that four days of true presence is worth it. In the event of a genuine emergency, your loved ones will have a way to reach you through our team.
Registration + Payment
Review the information about Awakening to Life to determine if it’s a good fit. If you’re unfamiliar with 5-MeO-DMT, learn more here.
If you’re ready, submit an application. We’ll arrange a screening call to ensure suitability.
If you have any questions, please email arthur@enfold.org.
Yes, it’s required. Everyone who applies is invited to a Discovery Call before booking. It’s a chance for us to get to know you, understand what you’re looking for, and ensure this experience is the right fit.
Submit your application and we’ll be in touch to set that up.
In the meantime, be sure to check out our 5-MeO-DMT page and learn more about Awakening To Life.
If your application aligns, we’ll schedule a discovery call to get to know you and answer questions. If you’re approved, you’ll complete a comprehensive safety and readiness intake, then begin registration.
A referral from Enfold Alumni is preferred and prioritized. We accept applications from those who haven’t been referred — these undergo more thorough screening.
We are happy to offer interest-free payment plans. Please contact us to enquire.
We do our best to make Intensives accessible regardless of financial means. Scholarships are offered case-by-case when funds are available. Reach out and share your situation — we’ll see what we can do.
Yes. Deposits and all subsequent payments are non-refundable and non-transferable once your participation is confirmed. Cohorts are small, and your place is held from the moment you commit.
If you need to cancel, we’ll always try to fill your spot. If we’re able to fill it at full price, we may, at our discretion, apply a portion of your payment toward a future Intensive. This is never guaranteed. We know what this work asks of people, and we approach these conversations with care.
One exception: if you reserved online before a Discovery Call and we determine the Intensive isn’t suitable for you, we refund your deposit in full.
This is why we ask guests to arrange travel insurance, and to consider Cancel For Any Reason coverage where it’s available. Arranging suitable coverage, and understanding its terms, is each guest’s responsibility. See Do you recommend purchasing travel insurance? for where to start.
For full details, please review our Refund & Rebooking Policy.
Enfold Intensives are small, carefully held spaces. Each guest’s participation directly impacts the experience we create and the sustainability of our work. Participation is non-refundable once confirmed, so we recommend every guest arrange travel insurance.
Standard trip cancellation policies cover illness, injury, and death in the family. Some go further, covering situations such as a hospitalized parent or attending the birth of a family member. What qualifies varies by insurer and requires documentation.
Some policies also offer Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, which can reimburse a portion of your costs when you withdraw for a reason a standard policy doesn’t cover. Terms vary considerably between insurers: how much is reimbursed, what conditions apply, when it must be purchased, and whether it’s offered to residents of your state. CFAR is generally unavailable in New York and Washington.
Insure the full Intensive fee, plus flights, accommodation, and ground transportation, not only the deposit you’ve paid so far. Retreat and program fees count as insurable trip cost. Insuring less than the full amount can disqualify you from CFAR entirely.
Selecting a policy, purchasing it in time, and understanding its requirements, deadlines, and exclusions are your responsibility. Enfold cannot advise on coverage or confirm what any policy will pay.
Common providers: Allianz, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, Travel Guard, Trawick International, Travel Insured International. Squaremouth compares plans across insurers and filters for CFAR. Canadian residents will need a Canadian insurer, such as TuGo.
Review our full refund policy anytime at enfold.org/refunds.
