r/Psychonaut • u/DuePerspective7999 • 1d ago
Is $600 for a 5-meo-dmt session reasonable?
A friend who goes to meditation retreats and has experimented with psychedelics. She recently met a couple at one of her meditation retreats that offer 5-meo. She recommends them and I am eager to try it. But $600 seems like a lot. But I don’t have anything to compare it too. It just seems like a lot. When I did Ketamine, it was $600 a session and that was in an office with a doctor. And while I trust her, she’s a rather trusting person that isn’t overly careful with her money. I often assume that people who are interested in psychedelics are going to be more ethical and moral (not just trying to make money), but there are all kinds and my own personal history tends to make me less trusting.
So I’d love to know from more experienced people whether $600 (US dollars) is within normal range. I don’t know how much synthetic 5-meo costs to obtain.
To some extent, I realize that it’s a matter of what it’s worth to each individual. And for a potentially life changing experience, a high price may be worth it.
Thanks in advance.
ETA: what is the going rate, if there is one? Also, I realize people need to make a living, I don’t expect people to just give it away. But since they portray themselves as wanting to help people become more aware, etc. and this is not their primary source of income.
Is it weird to ask? I feel weird asking since she thinks of them as friends and I don’t want to make her uncomfortable.
ETA2: I feel a little vulnerable because I am a bit desperate for healing. I just don’t want to feel taken advantage of. This isn’t just for personal experimentation. And I don’t have limitless funds. But I’m looking for some hope.
ETA3: He and his wife are traveling and are staying at my friend’s house for 2 nights. She asked if they would do the 5-Meo for me. So it would be at her house. (I usually do my psychedelic journeys at her house. She is my dad’s ex-wife. So she is like a mother figure) They mentioned a little breathwork. Instructions on how to take it. They will be there to watch. And I don’t think they took any formal course. He knew a friend that introduced him to it and taught him how to do it for others. He said he’s administered it to about 60 people so far.
I have been in therapy for over 2 decades. I’ve tried other therapies like Ketamine and ECT. I’ve done LSD, psilocybin and mdma therapeutically. I’m trying to get insurance to cover TMS. I am desperate for relief from my treatment resistant depression.
I am ultimately willing to pay for it because I am desperate and this opportunity is so convenient. But I’m scared of ruining the experience if I have these internal doubts about the integrity of the people administering it. And being so depressed, I have doubts about my ability to think things out rationally. Perhaps I am letting my distrustful part talk me out of it. I don’t know. I am just stressing about it now. I am probably overthinking everything. And due to my depression and anxiety, it is not easy for me to just go to another country where it’s cheaper. It is hard enough just getting through each day. So there’s a scarcity component. I don’t know when I’ll have this kind of opportunity again.
Eta4: I don’t think this will cure my depression. They are not claiming it will and they are not therapists. It’s just something they offer. I am just open to trying that may help in the healing journey and I’ve heard it can help.
I appreciate everyone’s feedback.
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u/No_Dig9979 1d ago
wow that doctor is making some serious profit😭i mean hey if money’s not an issue this is the safest way to have an experience.. but uh yea $600 is way steep for 5meo at this point just spend the 2k and go on the week long ayahuasca ceremony journey lol
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u/DuePerspective7999 1d ago
Perhaps. But as far as I can tell, most ketamine places charge around $600, unfortunately. But at least I know that’s what most people charge. In California at least. With 5-meo, I don’t know the going rate since, obviously, it’s not as ubiquitous. And I don’t have those types of contacts.
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u/No_Dig9979 1d ago
Ketamine therapy is often covered by insurance if you have a severe depression diagnosis from a psychiatrist. Have a friend who gets infusions every week
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u/DuePerspective7999 1d ago
I did the ketamine infusions before spravato was fda approved. I’m on Medicaid. They will not pay for IV infusions. Your friend is fortunate. Right now I’m trying to get them to cover TMS, but it’s not looking good.
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u/No_Dig9979 1d ago
im sorry to hear that bro, fuck our healthcare system. man like liquid ket is really not that expensive for them to get anyways and they use like 10mg everytime cus its god damn IV. like fucking hell its a real treatment it should be covered.
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u/DuePerspective7999 1d ago
I know. I’m so frustrated with the healthcare system. I just found out that Spravato is also only technically fda approved if taken with an antidepressant. I know you can just not take it. But people often turn to these alt. therapies precisely bc meds don’t help. You shouldn’t have to lie about it to get their more expensive, (likely) less effective, patented version of ketamine.
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u/Low-Opening25 1d ago
ketamine places are giving you profesional medical service, while this seems to just be a private person claiming they are a “healer”.
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u/DuePerspective7999 1d ago
Exactly. My first thought was just excitement about getting the opportunity to try this possible life changing experience and willing to pay the price bc I’m desperate. But then my distrustful and self critical parts are questioning the integrity of this person and it’s now stressing me out and ruining my excitement for it. Sigh…
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u/Low-Opening25 11h ago
checking integrity of a person you entrust your mental health to is very important
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u/galangal_gangsta 1d ago
Those people are laughing all the way to the bank with your friend’s money.
“I feel a little vulnerable because I am a bit desperate for healing.”
The people charging you $600 know this, which is unethical, which makes them unfit to serve.
I used to manage a business in a big city in the alt health scene. People who turn to psychedelics etc. have legitimate issues that need healing that mainstream society cannot help. However, predators know this, it is their bread and butter. Anywhere people seek healing, expect predators.
Anywhere there is anything spiritual involved, expect predators.
This is not to say you still couldn’t benefit from the medicine, and if money is no object and you have no issues surrendering your autonomy (as you must do during a breakthrough) to unethical charlatans, then what the hell.
But it’s not an ideal situation and they are absolutely charlatans, the price tag alone exposes this.
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u/Northern_Primal 1d ago
If you are willing to travel mexico you can do it from ~25 to 150$ a session
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u/weedy_weedpecker 1d ago
And total price will end up being higher because of airfare and at least one nights lodging.
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u/Maxwell-95 1d ago
I paid €150 in The Netherlands.. the medicine itself is extremely cheap, and you trip for just 20min.. the whole thing takes about an hour or so usually(including before and after care) so I’d say 600 is extremely expensive..
But it all depends on the facilitator, maybe you are going to do breathwork etc before?
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u/Curious_Aspect_9631 1d ago
I haven't looked into this particular , I was looking for psychedelic retreats in the Netherlands but sa many prices are just... crazy. On the other hand, meals, trip sitters, overnight stay and integration are included.
Still, I have found overnight retreats with mushrooms between 300 and 3000 euro...
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u/Available_Map1386 1d ago
It is also the practitioners expenses as in their home or office, daily cost of living, what they consider appropriate compensation. I do handyman work and you can always find someone cheaper but there’s a point it’s no longer worth my time or energy.
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u/DuePerspective7999 1d ago
They are doing it at my friend’s house, who they are staying with for the weekend. I realize they also want to be compensated. But $600 for an hour or even 2hrs of their time seems high.
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u/Available_Map1386 1d ago
It seems high to me too. I agree with you. But what people charge or pay is subjective. So I don’t think that’s a real legitimate question or argument.
I had 1 DMT experience and it was lovely. It got me into growing mushrooms and micr dosing. It was mind shifting and got me onto a better path mentally.
But, honestly, I don’t think DMT is a “cure” it’s a treatment that can often allow someone to gain perspective on what they need so they can heal.
Probably better to spend that money in microdosing and going to a traditional therapist or a gentle yoga/meditation weekly class. Then doing a DMT experience when the price is more aligned to what is fair.
Also something about all this, your friend, them, just has an off vibe. Your discussion thread seems to boil down to a belief if you pay the $600 you either be cured/healed or it’s a scam…for many people $600 for DMT and two facilitators is just a lovely experience.
I think they are just selling an experience. And you have a legitimate and valid need for therapeutic treatment. It doesn’t (how you’re describing it) sound like they are offering what you need.
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u/i_love_boobiez 1d ago
Either pay it or don't. It should be irrelevant if somebody else maybe in another continent can get it cheaper.
That said, it's way above "street" price. On the other hand, it seems this includes more than just the dose, so you're also paying for that.
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u/DuePerspective7999 1d ago
I’m not asking about another continent. I specified US dollars. I guess I should specify that I’m in California.
I realize that I ultimately have to decide whether it’s worth it to me. But I would also like to know if I’m vastly overpaying. I don’t think it hurts to ask around about the price. This is a business transaction. I think it is reasonable to ask around and not assume the first offer you see is a fair one.
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u/i_love_boobiez 21h ago
Sorry if my comment came across as attacking you, that wasn't the intention.
I don't see this as a business transaction, it's a luxury purchase. Is half a million too much for a car? what if it's a Ferrari?
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u/Curious_Aspect_9631 1d ago
Also... what does this session include?
Is it a full day experience with meals, fresh fruit and free beverages, yoga, meditation, trip sitters and integration management, or just a 'quick' in and out?
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u/DuePerspective7999 1d ago
They are staying at my friend’s house for the weekend. So i would do it at her house. They probably do a little breathework and then administer and sit with you. They say they offer post integration a few days later if you want, but I don’t think it’s included in the price.
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u/Curious_Aspect_9631 7h ago
Ok, that does sound quite expensive then. Also, to have friends as therapists, to me that would be also a no… Have you considered microdosing instead while you look into alternatives? I found it very beneficial.
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u/Few_Zookeepergame155 1d ago
The most charge is 250, and I kinda gauge it on a person‘s ability to pay, often I end up doing it for free. It also has to do with how much integration you assist with sometimes spending hours with people afterwards and over the following days and weeks to help them interpret the experience and turn into a therapist. I’ve heard of people charging as much as 400 in California, but that’s the most I’ve ever heard.
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u/Gasolinapapi 1d ago
I think it is overpriced. Considering that is less than an hour session.
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u/DuePerspective7999 1d ago
Have you done it?
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u/Gasolinapapi 1d ago
Have a talk with the practitioner and ask them what is the service they offer like, if it’s a program or just a stand alone session. If there are any preparation and integration sessions. I practice Psychedelic Assisted Therapy in California (I don’t use 5 meo) and some prices are very high because they work with a very select and wealthy clientele. They are used to charge excessive prices.
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u/4strings4ever 1d ago
I mean if you feel like it is worth it given your situation, then maybe the cost really doesnt matter. But I’d rather pay for $500 worth of psychotherapy following the experience itself rather than $600 for the trip itself.
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u/Low-Opening25 1d ago
you can have 4 days ayahuasca retreat, that includes 2 full ceremonies with meals and accommodation for this price
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u/lrerayray 1d ago
5meo is a tough psychedelic to recommend. It can be bliss, it can be brutal. It can heal but the path to that is difficult. I personally had a tough time but got more benefits that problems. I know folk that didn’t get the message well… it is, in my opinion, on of the psychedelics that you reeeeaally need to think long and hard if you want to open that door.
That all being said, I think $600 is too much. Shouldn’t be more than $200, imo. And also, if the practitioners are using the synthetic version, how do they know the practice and the medicine well? Will they do a ceremony or just provide the substance? How will the session go? Aside from your friend, do you have more recs for this particular group?
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u/John_Philips 1d ago
Why are you so desperate to heal? Why do you think you can’t heal without psychedelics to do it?
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u/DuePerspective7999 1d ago
Trauma. Treatment resistant depression. Have tried therapy (and still do). Tried lots of meds. Tried ketamine. ECT. Trying to get insurance to cover TMS. I’ve done lsd, mdma, and psilocybin. I’m willing to try almost anything to relieve the depression.
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u/John_Philips 1d ago
Well shit. I’m sorry friend. Just be safe. I hope it helps. Just don’t pay that much for it
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u/kingcirce 1d ago
I’d say you’re getting what you pay for if she knows what she’s doing. It’s a niche business, not a lot of people doing, and of those who are many don’t do it properly or even overcharge just for money. People need to be checked for medical history, she may have to have insurance for the practice. There’s lots of reasons why 600 could be a reasonable price.
I’d do more research on the business and general practice to see where she falls in it. Ideally if she’s good at the work, doses and guides properly, prepared and executed flawlessly then 600$ is absolutely worth the outcome (especially if you are able to feel safe and protected) while also actually being safe and protected.
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u/MidnightZenTripper 1d ago edited 1d ago
Do you have easy access to 5-MeO? I live in Canada and we can order online with few issues - possession is legal. It seems like 90% of the people on reddit seem to think you need to take it in a commercial setting with a 'shaman'. I don't think you do. If you get a sitter, start with low doses and increase dosage slowly, you will be totally OK on your own.
You do have to take appropriate precautions, however, depending on your health status. If you have high blood pressure or are at risk for atrial fibrillation, then proceed with caution - meds can control high BP and reduce heart rate, but you should check with a doc to be certain risk is minimal. And you probably already know to avoid certain meds (MAOIs, lithium, etc).
People here on reddit waaay overestimate the physical risks - they are there if you have health conditions, but otherwise they are minimal for most people - higher BP, mild tachycardia. But if you start low and increase dose slowly and monitor your reaction, you can safely just back off if you react badly. Read some of the research results for 5-MeO - I am always struck by the comments regarding the safety profile of 5-MeO - many mention how low risk physically it is.
But there is also psychological risk. I think this is probably really what is causing most redditers to overreact. The experience is so overwhelming psychologically, I think most assume there is also some physical risk exposing you to high risk of death. This is not the case - there are very few documented cases of death from 5-MeO and usually there were other factors involved.
I have found an alternative way of taking 5-MeO that works for me. I start with a low dose of ketamine, like 100mg or so, and about 40-50 minutes later, take 5-MeO - a 10 second inhale from a vape. That is also a low dose. And the effect is incredible. Why? Because for me, the ketamine acts as an anxiolytic - I go to a place of low stress and happiness. And the effect persists to the point that the 5-MeO experience at the tail end is also a very low anxiety event - there are none of the jitters one can have when taking 5-MeO stand alone. But the experience, despite the lower dose of 5-MeO, is still unbelievably intense, every time a feeling of overwhelming joy, really feeling deep in one's bones of being at one with the universe and all of existence - truly, the most intense experience I have ever had in my life. For therapeutic reasons, I repeat this experience every 2 weeks or so, which is enough of a delay for the experience to not get dulled.
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u/I_like_hash 1d ago
All I have to say the going rate in Canada (but it’s technically legal aka not scheduled so take that into mind) is $200-260 a gram. At 20mg that’s like $5 for a hit, obviously your paying for someone to be ur shaman in the experience and presumably properly vaporize it and give u a safe set and setting but it’s really up to you do you think the service of set setting and proper vaporization which can be tricky and guidance is worth the money.
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u/Eastern-Programmer-9 1d ago
That's a lot for a session. Is it private or in a group? Do they limit how many times you can go?
The group sessions I've been to are $222 the private are $333
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u/ActualDW 1d ago
desperate for a healing
I feel for you. 🤗 I really do.
But…that’s almost always a counter-productive way to go into something like this.
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u/jimmy_luv 7h ago edited 7h ago
This is the new grift. $600 is enough to buy a few grams of 5-MEO-DMT and you could have hundreds of sessions.
The people offering that are wook slimey PoS fake shaman dregs of society who refuse to get a job and be productive members of anything besides themselves. Fuck people that sell what friends give for free.
Yeah, fuck those people and anyone offering psychedelic services for money. They are 100% dirtbag fucks.
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u/Ok_Significance_9843 1d ago
I paid $250 CAD for a 1 gram cartridge so you are getting charged almost triple
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u/frakking_you 1d ago
I haven't done it, but according to my friend with significantly more experience, it shouldn't be bought, it should be an exchange of gratitude. As in, they give you an experience and you reciprocate with a treasured item to serve them well....
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u/Gasolinapapi 1d ago
The practitioner needs to be paid fir his time and service. Tell your friends to pay rent and groceries with an exchange of gratitude 🙏🏽
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u/frakking_you 1d ago
I think you misunderstood. I'm not saying a worthless trinket to say thanks. Just not cash.
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u/Tmpatony 1d ago
I’ll be honest, I’d pay up to that much for it. I think the experience is worth it 100%.
Have you guys even realized yet that it’s all fake? You either have paper or numbers you look at, but none of it is real and it seems like it’s always ways to get it. Stop worrying abt $$ guys.
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u/venomweilder 1d ago
NN is better
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u/DuePerspective7999 1d ago
What is NN?
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u/venomweilder 20h ago
NN dmt vs 5meo, mckenna would always prefer NN, as it had actual colorful visions and hallucinations where as 5meo is usually like white light or blackness
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u/CheezayD 1d ago
Way too expensive.