Burrowed in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies is a wooden house, a retreat center made of pine and spruce and filled with mushroom carvings, tapestries of periwinkle and indigo paisley, books about “The Indoctrinated Brain” and other paraphernalia nodding to the promised transformation: Enter as a chief executive, emerge as an enlightened one.

When a group of executives wearing hoodies and leggings arrived on a Tuesday evening in October, they vibrated with the nervous energy of summer camp drop-off. They were gathered for a retreat called “The Psychedelic C.E.O.,” which they had agreed to let me observe.

Their guide, Murray Rodgers, used to be a hard-charging oil and gas executive. About a decade ago, he underwent a process of self-discovery. It began after a miserable pairing — a divorce and a failed company initial public offering — that left him alone on his 60th birthday, watching Hugh Grant’s romantic comedy “The Rewrite” and wondering if it was time for a rewrite of his own. He became a yoga instructor and then went to Costa Rica to try ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic brew. This started a sequence of mushroom trips and psychedelic ceremonies that left Mr. Rodgers, now 69, spiritually, psychologically and professionally transfigured.

It was as if he had thrown his ego into a dryer and watched it shrink, and he became intent on helping others with that same kind of cosmic laundering.

He wrote a book, “The Psychedelic C.E.O.,” and after hearing from readers, he also began hosting retreats. On that day in October, he welcomed five business leaders — Adam, Adam, Jill, Chris and Ajay — most of whom requested to use only their first names so as not to alarm their investors, employees or children with their unconventional approach to professional development. All run small businesses in the Calgary area and had met through an entrepreneurs’ network.

After their arrival, they scarfed down bowls of thick lentil soup and then settled on couches in a downstairs den, waiting for Mr. Rodgers to introduce the agenda.

From the conversationLLisa CostonCalifornia

I'm 50 years old and I have used and loved psychedelic drugs since I was 14 and I have to say that, based on my hundreds of experiences and those of many people who I have spoken to about their own experiences, I think using psychedelics will more likely result in a CEO quitting their job rather than becoming "better" at it.I have yet to meet anyone who uses psychedelics and still believes in and supports unfettered capitalism. I have also seen comments suggesting that a hike in nature is equivalent or even better than the psychedelic experience. I respectfully disagree. Although some people should never take psychedelic drugs due to mental health issues or cultural/religious/other factors, what psychedelics do to the human mind is completely unique. Some of my best experiences have been taking psychedelics while in nature, and although I love hiking in nature and I am fortunate enough to be able to do so every single day all year, my experiences while sober simply so not come close to my experiences while on psychedelics.Please know that I am not advising or advocating for minors to use psychedelic drugs while underage, and I am aware that my brain was affected and shaped by my early drug use. I firmly believe that it was right for me because it brought me out of a depression so deep that I no longer wanted to remain in the world, and I am grateful that I was able to use psychedelics to treat my mental condition, but I'm not suggesting others follow my example.

Read full commentEmma GoldbergReporter

@Lisa Coston This was interesting, thank you for sharing. This was a sentiment I saw shared on social media as I was reporting the piece — that some people believe doing psychedelics will cause CEOs to no longer want to be CEOs. For the people I spoke with, it was certainly a useful way to rethink ego and ambition.

SSusanAustin, TX

Smoking Marijuana and using LSD are completely different. I used marijuana in college and enjoyed its effects. My first LSD trip was frightening and over whelming. I felt like the ceiling was falling down. I cried the entire time and was scared to death. I thought it would never end. But I tried it two more times. It was terrible experiences. It did not expand my mind in any way. It did not expand my brain function. It made me manic and scared.

royale777 comRead full commentEmma GoldbergReporter

@Susan Thanks for your comment Susan. I spoke with a number of psychiatrists about the potential risks. They emphasized that especially people with loaded family histories of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder should exercise caution about psychedelics, because they could experience psychosis. These psychiatrists also emphasized that some people experience "bad trips" (including anxiety, panic)

“I’m so grateful for this church,” Ryan Amodei, 28, told the congregation before a second pastor, Buck Rogers, baptized him in a tank of water in the sanctuary.

AABTennessee

Oh look! Another thing CEOs can do that other people cannot: use illegal drugs with impunity. In fact, their use is considered innovative—potentially good for profits!

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