Truffle ceremony in the Netherlands: how a psilocybin ceremony works

More and more people come to the Netherlands for a truffle ceremony: a guided session with psilocybin truffles, to find some quiet inside, to break a pattern that has got stuck, or to get closer to themselves. But what is such a ceremony exactly, is it legal, how does the day run and who is it for? This guide sets it out step by step.

A truffle ceremony is a form of psilocybin ceremony. You take psilocybin truffles under professional guidance, in a safe and quiet setting. Psilocybin is the natural compound that is converted into psilocin after you take it, which temporarily changes the way different parts of your brain communicate with each other. Thoughts, emotions and memories can surface in a different way because of that.

Unlike recreational use, a ceremony is built around intention and guidance. You are not simply taking a trip: you work on a question or a theme, in a place set up for exactly that. At Mental Health Temple we arrange the day around the safety guidelines developed at Johns Hopkins University for research with psychedelics, with close attention to set and setting, music and the people guiding you. We are not a research institute and use those guidelines as a framework, not as a seal of approval.

Yes. Psilocybin truffles (also called sclerotia) are legally available in the Netherlands. Mushrooms containing psilocybin were banned in 2008, but truffles fell outside that ban because legally they are a different part of the fungus. They do contain the same active compound, which is why they are the ones used in guided ceremonies.

Want to know exactly how truffles, mushrooms and psilocybin relate? We set that out in Psilocybin, truffles and mushrooms: what is the difference?. One thing worth saying plainly: because this is a powerful experience, we advise doing it under professional guidance, never alone.

A ceremony is much more than the day itself. It runs in three phases.

• Preparation: everything starts with an intake call in which we go through your situation, your intention, any medication and possible contraindications. That is how we know participation is safe, and how you arrive prepared.
• The day itself: in a warm, quiet room you take the truffles with a guide beside you. With music, eye masks and experienced guides present, you turn inward. We provide drinks and fresh fruit throughout the day.
• Closing and aftercare: afterwards we close the day together with a prepared dinner and a conversation about what happened. A few days later there is a follow-up call to help you give the experience a place.

The intake call, the guidance during the day and the follow-up call are all in English. More about the day itself: What to expect from a psilocybin ceremony.

No two experiences are the same, and that is part of what makes a ceremony personal. Many participants describe more emotional openness, a sense of connection, and letting go of tension or old patterns. Sometimes difficult or intense moments pass through, and that is often where the value sits. Our guides are there throughout to help you through them safely.

Your surroundings and your state of mind play a large part in this. Why that matters so much is in Set and setting: why your surroundings decide so much.

Research into psilocybin is growing quickly. Studies from Johns Hopkins University and Imperial College London, among others, point to possible positive effects on anxiety, depression and breaking through entrenched patterns of thinking. The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) describes psilocybin as non-addictive, with a relatively low risk profile.

Worth emphasising: a ceremony is not a medical treatment and not a replacement for regular care. What we offer is guidance alongside existing therapy. More on where the research stands is in Psilocybin and depression: what does the research say?.

You can take part from the age of 18, and everyone is screened beforehand. A ceremony is not suitable during pregnancy, with certain medication such as some antidepressants, or with certain psychiatric conditions such as psychosis in your history. Not sure whether it fits your situation? Get in touch and we will look carefully during the intake at what is responsible.

There are several forms, each with its own character.

• Group ceremony from 299 euro, together with a small group
• Private ceremony 599 euro, entirely tailored, with one to one guidance
• Duo ceremony 399 euro per person, together with your partner or someone you trust

Torn between private and duo? Read Private, duo or small group: which one fits?. Every ceremony includes guidance and a prepared dinner, and the full amounts are on the pricing page.

How long does a ceremony take? Count on a full day. The effects themselves last several hours, with time around them for preparation, rest and closing the day together.

Is it safe? The RIVM describes psilocybin as non-addictive with a low risk profile. We screen beforehand, dose carefully and stay with you through the day.

Can I combine it with medication? Some medication, certain antidepressants for example, can affect how it works or make it unsafe. Always raise this during the intake.

What language is the ceremony in? In English, from the intake call through to the follow-up conversation.

Would you like to experience a truffle ceremony under professional guidance in the Netherlands? Look through the upcoming ceremonies in the calendar or read more on the psilocybin ceremony page. If you are travelling here, coming here from abroad covers the practical side. Questions? The contact page is the place.

Read also:

• Psilocybin, truffles and mushrooms: what is the difference?
• What to expect from a psilocybin ceremony