Health Update: Why wild health raves will be one of 2026’s biggest wellness trends – What Experts Say

A conference’s last session before lunch is usually the time to covertly check your phone and run some digital errands, while trying to stifle yawns.

But that was not the case at the Global Wellness Summit’s recent event in New York to launch its annual trends report. Attendees were urged to get to their feet, turn to their neighbour, hold their gaze for several minutes, take their hands and say: “I love you.”

Next came the rave.

On stage, former dancer Luuk Melisse, founder of the mindful movement community Sanctum, who has hosted sessions all over the world, shouted instructions over heavy, vibrating house music. We followed his moves as he thrusted his hips and punched his fists to the beat, swaying and pulsating as one, everyone letting down their guard to join in.

The dancing provided a profound emotional release and it was impossible not to feel the room’s energy lift.

A new chapter is opening for the wellness industry, one that owes a lot to the euphoric rave culture of the 80s and 90s.