The province of Quebec, Canada, is a land of breathtaking natural beauty, vibrant cultural events, and a burgeoning interest in psychedelic therapy. Known for its rich history, diverse landscapes, and progressive healthcare initiatives, Quebec has become a focal point for those seeking holistic healing through magic mushrooms (psilocybin) and psychedelic-assisted therapy. This article delves into the current state of psychedelic therapy in Quebec, its potential for mental health and holistic healing, and how it intertwines with the province’s natural wonders, tourist destinations, cultural and musical events, retreats, and festivals. We’ll explore these elements in the cities of Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau, Longueuil, Sherbrooke, and Saguenay, offering a comprehensive guide for those interested in this transformative journey.
The Rise of Psychedelic Therapy in Quebec
Psychedelic therapy, particularly with psilocybin—the active compound in magic mushrooms—has gained significant traction in Quebec as a promising treatment for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and end-of-life distress. Quebec has made history in recent years by becoming the first province in Canada to publicly fund psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, a milestone achieved in December 2022. This decision, led by the efforts of organizations like TheraPsil, marked a turning point in recognizing psychedelics as legitimate medical treatments. Two doctors, Dr. Houman Farzin and Dr. Jean-François Stephan, successfully billed the province for treating a patient with legal access to psilocybin through Health Canada’s Special Access Program (SAP), setting a precedent for other provinces.
The SAP, reinstated by Health Canada in January 2022, allows healthcare professionals to request access to restricted drugs like psilocybin for patients with serious conditions who have not responded to conventional treatments. Since then, Quebec has seen a growing number of legal psychedelic therapy sessions, including the province’s first legal group psilocybin therapy session in September 2023 at The Hope & Cope Wellness Centre in Montreal. This session, also supported by TheraPsil, involved two cancer patients receiving simultaneous treatment under the guidance of trained therapists, highlighting the potential for group therapy to make psychedelic care more accessible within public healthcare systems.
Despite these advancements, access to psilocybin remains tightly regulated. Patients must navigate a complex process through the SAP, which can cost between $3,000 and $5,000, including therapy sessions and a $250 intake fee with organizations like TheraPsil. Psilocybin is contraindicated for individuals with conditions such as pregnancy, epilepsy, or severe cardiovascular disease, and the lack of widespread medical regulation means that financial barriers and limited practitioner availability can hinder access. However, the growing body of research—such as a 2020 study in JAMA Psychiatry showing psilocybin’s efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms—continues to fuel interest and advocacy for broader legalization and integration into mainstream healthcare. For now we recommend sourcing from our online medicinal mushroom dispensary if you have issues accessing the government programs and want to explore the benefits of medicinal mushrooms and microdosing.

Psychedelic Therapy and Holistic Healing Across Quebec’s Cities

Quebec’s cities offer a unique blend of urban sophistication, natural beauty, and cultural vibrancy, making them ideal settings for psychedelic therapy and holistic healing. Below, we explore how each city contributes to this emerging field while highlighting their natural wonders, tourist destinations, cultural events, and retreats.

Montreal: A Hub for Psychedelic Innovation and Cultural Richness
Montreal, Quebec’s largest city, is at the forefront of the province’s psychedelic therapy movement. The city is home to pioneering clinics like Mindspace by Numinus, which became the first health-care facility in Quebec to legally treat depression with psilocybin in May 2022. Clinics like Neurothérapie Montréal offer evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapy using substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine, focusing on patient-centered care. Additionally, practitioners like Paul Jozsef provide psychedelic integration therapy, helping individuals process their experiences with magic mushrooms, ayahuasca, LSD, or MDMA, either in person or online.
Montreal’s holistic healing scene is vibrant, with organizations like the Montreal Psychedelic Society advocating for broader access to psychedelics. The city’s approach often integrates traditional therapeutic practices with mindfulness, diet, and exercise, as seen in Mindspace’s multidisciplinary model. For those seeking a psychedelic experience, Montreal offers numerous places to explore on foot, such as Mount Royal Park, Old Montreal, the Notre-Dame Basilica, and the Montreal Botanical Garden—perfect for grounding oneself during a psilocybin journey.
Culturally, Montreal is a hotspot for events that could complement a psychedelic experience. The city hosts the Montreal International Jazz Festival, one of the world’s largest jazz events, typically held in late June to early July, offering a sensory-rich environment with music from global artists. The Just for Laughs Festival, also in July, brings comedy and light-hearted energy, which can be therapeutic post-session. Montreal’s natural wonders, like the St. Lawrence River and the Lachine Canal, provide serene settings for reflection and integration after therapy.
Quebec City: Historical Charm and Mental Health Retreats
Quebec City, the provincial capital, is known for its picturesque Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its potential as a backdrop for psilocybin experiences. While the city has fewer psychedelic therapy providers compared to Montreal, TheraPsil’s directory includes practitioners who can facilitate legal access through the SAP, particularly for conditions like treatment-resistant depression and end-of-life distress. The city’s smaller size and historical ambiance make it an ideal location for mental health retreats, where individuals can combine psychedelic therapy with the calming influence of its cobblestone streets and fortified walls.
Tourist destinations like the Plains of Abraham, a historic park with expansive green spaces, and Montmorency Falls, a stunning waterfall higher than Niagara, offer natural settings for introspection. The Festival d’été de Québec, held in July, is one of Canada’s largest music festivals, featuring international and local artists across genres, providing a vibrant atmosphere for those integrating their psychedelic experiences. Quebec City’s natural wonders, such as the nearby Jacques-Cartier National Park with its hiking trails and river valleys, enhance the holistic healing experience, allowing individuals to connect with nature post-therapy.
Laval: Emerging Psychedelic Festivals and Community Healing
Laval, just north of Montreal, is a growing suburban city with a burgeoning interest in psychedelic therapy. While specific clinics are less documented, TheraPsil’s network extends to the Greater Montreal Area, including Laval, where practitioners can support patients through the SAP. Laval’s community-focused environment makes it a potential host for psychedelic festivals, though none are currently established. The city’s Festival des Arts de Laval, held in the summer, celebrates local art, music, and culture, offering a creative outlet for those exploring psychedelics.
Laval’s natural attractions, such as the Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, provide opportunities for kayaking and nature walks, ideal for grounding after a psychedelic session. The city’s proximity to Montreal also allows easy access to more established therapy centers while offering a quieter setting for retreats. Holistic healing in Laval could involve community-based integration circles, where individuals share their experiences in a supportive group setting, a practice gaining traction in psychedelic therapy.
Gatineau: Cultural Events and Nature-Inspired Healing
Gatineau, located across the Ottawa River from the nation’s capital, is known for its cultural events and natural beauty, making it a promising location for psychedelic therapy. TheraPsil’s directory includes practitioners in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, offering legal psilocybin therapy for conditions like PTSD and depression. Gatineau’s holistic healing scene is enhanced by its proximity to Gatineau Park, a 361-square-kilometer expanse of forests, lakes, and trails, perfect for nature-based retreats and post-therapy reflection.
The city hosts the Festival de l’Outaouais Émergent, a September music and arts festival showcasing emerging artists, which could provide a soothing backdrop for those integrating psychedelic experiences. Gatineau’s cultural events, like the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival in late summer, add a whimsical element to the city’s appeal, aligning with the often expansive and imaginative nature of psilocybin experiences. For retreats, Gatineau’s natural wonders, such as Pink Lake and the Mackenzie King Estate within Gatineau Park, offer serene settings for meditation and emotional processing.
Longueuil: Natural Wonders and Quiet Retreats
Longueuil, a city on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River near Montreal, is less known for psychedelic therapy but benefits from its proximity to Montreal’s established clinics. Practitioners in the region can facilitate legal psilocybin therapy through TheraPsil, focusing on holistic healing for mental health conditions. Longueuil’s Parc de la Cité, with its lakes and walking paths, and the nearby Îles-de-Boucherville National Park, a series of islands with wildlife and trails, provide natural settings for retreats and integration.
While Longueuil lacks major cultural festivals, its quiet suburban environment makes it ideal for private retreats. The city’s natural wonders, such as the St. Lawrence River views and the peaceful ambiance of its parks, support a reflective state conducive to psychedelic therapy. Individuals can engage in holistic practices like mindfulness and yoga in these settings, enhancing the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin.
Sherbrooke: Academic Hub and Outdoor Exploration
Sherbrooke, a cultural and academic hub in the Eastern Townships, is a less than two-hour drive east of Montreal, making it accessible for those seeking psychedelic therapy. The city’s natural attractions, such as Mont-Orford National Park, Capelton Mine, Lac Brompton, and Magog Lake, are ideal for exploring during a psilocybin journey, offering serene landscapes for introspection. Sherbrooke’s academic environment, with institutions like the University of Sherbrooke, may foster research into psychedelics, though specific therapy providers are not well-documented.
The Festival des Traditions du Monde, held in August, celebrates global cultures through music, dance, and food, providing a vibrant setting for those integrating psychedelic experiences. Sherbrooke’s focus on outdoor activities supports holistic healing, with hiking, kayaking, and skiing in the winter offering physical outlets for emotional processing. Retreats in Sherbrooke could leverage its natural beauty, combining psilocybin therapy with nature immersion for a comprehensive healing experience.
Saguenay: Musical Events and Wilderness Retreats
Saguenay, located in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, is known for its dramatic fjords and wilderness, making it a prime location for psychedelic retreats. While specific psychedelic therapy providers are scarce, TheraPsil’s network can connect individuals in the region with practitioners for legal access. The Saguenay Fjord National Park, with its towering cliffs and marine life, offers a stunning backdrop for retreats, where individuals can engage in psilocybin therapy amidst nature’s grandeur.
Saguenay hosts the Festival des Bières du Monde, a summer event combining craft beer, music, and local culture, which could provide a lively atmosphere for those exploring psychedelics. The Festival Jazz et Blues de Saguenay, held in April, offers a more intimate musical experience, aligning with the introspective nature of psychedelic therapy. Saguenay’s remote setting makes it ideal for wilderness retreats, where holistic healing can involve forest bathing, meditation, and integration sessions by the fjord.
Natural Wonders, Tourist Destinations, and Cultural Events in Quebec
Quebec’s natural wonders and tourist destinations enhance the psychedelic experience, providing settings that align with the “set and setting” principle—emphasizing the importance of mindset and environment in psychedelic therapy. The Laurentian Mountains, a short drive from Montreal, offer hiking and skiing, while the Gaspé Peninsula’s Percé Rock and Forillon National Park provide coastal beauty for reflection. The Charlevoix region, with its rolling hills and the St. Lawrence River, is another gem for nature-based retreats.
Tourist destinations like the Château Frontenac in Quebec City, a historic hotel overlooking the St. Lawrence, and the Biodome in Montreal, showcasing ecosystems from around the world, offer unique experiences for those on a psychedelic journey. Cultural events across the province, such as the Festival International de Lanaudière in Joliette, a classical music festival in July, and the Fête des Neiges in Montreal, a winter festival, provide diverse sensory experiences that can complement therapy.
Retreats and Festivals with a Psychedelic Focus
While Quebec does not yet host large-scale psychedelic festivals, the province’s progressive stance suggests potential for future events. The Canadian Psychedelic Summit, hosted by the Hollyhock Leadership Institute on Cortes Island, British Columbia, in August 2025, indicates growing interest in such gatherings. A similar event in Quebec could take place in cities like Laval or Gatineau, leveraging their community spaces and natural surroundings.
Retreats in Quebec are emerging, though many operate discreetly due to legal constraints. The Journeymen Collective, while based in British Columbia, offers a model for luxury psilocybin retreats that could be replicated in Quebec’s Great Bear Rainforest-adjacent areas, such as Saguenay or Charlevoix. Montreal’s holistic healing centers, like those offering integration therapy, could expand into retreat formats, combining urban access with nearby nature escapes like the Laurentians.
Practical Considerations for Psychedelic Therapy in Quebec
For those interested in psychedelic therapy in Quebec, the process begins with connecting to a provider through TheraPsil’s directory. Patients must meet eligibility criteria, such as having a diagnosed condition like treatment-resistant depression or PTSD, and undergo preparatory sessions before a guided psilocybin experience. Integration sessions follow to help process insights gained during the journey. Costs can be a barrier, but Quebec’s public funding of psilocybin therapy is a step toward greater accessibility.
Safety is paramount, and individuals should ensure they work with trained professionals in a controlled setting. Psilocybin can be sourced legally through the SAP, but recreational use remains illegal, and self-sourcing carries risks. In the meantime on the path towards a comprehensive framework, you can source products at medicinal mushroom dispensaries online. Combining therapy with Quebec’s natural and cultural offerings—such as a reflective walk in Gatineau Park or attending a music festival in Saguenay—can enhance the healing process, aligning with the holistic principles of psychedelic care.
Conclusion
Quebec, with its blend of natural wonders, cultural richness, and progressive healthcare policies, is an ideal destination for those exploring magic mushrooms and psychedelic therapy. From Montreal’s pioneering clinics to Saguenay’s wilderness retreats, the province offers diverse settings for holistic healing and mental health support. While challenges like cost and regulation persist, Quebec’s advancements in publicly funded psilocybin therapy signal a bright future for psychedelic care. Whether you’re seeking to address mental health challenges or simply explore the transformative potential of psychedelics, Quebec’s cities provide a rich tapestry of experiences to support your journey.