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Across the world, more and more people are exploring psychedelics as a way to work with depression, anxiety, trauma, and questions of meaning. At the same time, scientific research is rapidly expanding, and the conversation is shifting from stigma to serious therapeutic potential.
In the Netherlands, magic truffles, which contain the psychedelic compound psilocybin, hold a unique position. They are legal and can be used in carefully guided settings such as psychedelic retreats. That creates an opportunity to explore profound inner work in a safe, structured and lawful way.
At Essence Institute, we don’t offer medical treatment or replace psychotherapy. Instead, we create a space where legal psilocybin truffles, psychological insight and ancient practices like breathwork, meditation and bodywork come together in a 3-day retreat format. The focus is not on “getting high”, but on therapeutic, spiritual and personal growth.
In this article, psychedelic therapy explore what therapsychedelicpy is, how magic truffles are used within guided sessions, what a retreat with us looks like, and who this type of work may – and may not – be suitable for.
What is psychedelic therapy?
Psychedelic therapy is an approach in which a psychedelic substance is used within a structured therapeutic or growth-oriented setting. Rather than taking a substance casually or recreationally, the process is held by:
- clear intention
- careful preparation
- guidance during the session
- and integration afterwards
In clinical trials, psilocybin-assisted therapy is investigated as a potential treatment for conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, end-of-life anxiety and addiction. In those settings, the sessions take place in medical environments under the supervision of psychiatrists and therapists.
At Essence Institute, we work in a related but distinct way:
- We do not diagnose or treat illnesses, and we’re not a clinic.
- We facilitate legal truffle ceremonies in the context of personal and spiritual development.
- Our participants often come with themes such as stress, feeling stuck, life transitions or a longing for deeper connection and meaning.
Psychedelic therapy in this context is less about a “quick fix” and more about opening a door: into your emotional world, your belief patterns, and a wider sense of awareness.
Why magic truffles are used in psychedelic therapy in the Netherlands
Magic truffles (also known as psilocybin truffles or sclerotia) are compact underground formations produced by certain fungi. They naturally contain psilocybin, the same compound that is found in so-called “magic mushrooms”.
There are three reasons why they play such a central role in psychedelic therapy in the Netherlands:
1. Legal status
While many psilocybin-containing mushrooms are prohibited, magic truffles remain legal in the Netherlands within specific regulations. This unique legal context allows organizations like Essence Institute to offer retreats where the substance is:
This legal framework is one of the main reasons people from all over Europe choose to travel to the Netherlands for a guided psilocybin experience.
2. Therapeutic potential
Scientific research suggests that psilocybin may help people experience:
Many participants describe their truffle journey as one of the most meaningful experiences of their lives, even years later. These effects can support processes of grief, burnout recovery, identity questions, or a wish to live more authentically, when approached with care and integration.
3. Fit with holistic practices
Psilocybin truffles combine naturally with practices that Essence Institute already values, such as:
This blend of psychological, somatic and spiritual work makes truffle-based psychedelic therapy a holistic journey rather than “just a substance experience”.
From substance to session: How a Guided Magic Truffle Journey Works
A psychedelic experience doesn’t start when you ingest the truffles. It begins well before, and continues long after. At Essence Institute, we usually speak about a three-day process.
Day 1 – Preparation and intention
Before participants arrive, they receive information and reflective questions to help them prepare. On Day 1 of the retreat itself, the focus is on:
Arriving & connecting
Meeting the facilitators and other participants, getting familiar with the venue and environment.
Set & setting
Exploring your current mental and emotional state (“set”) and the importance of the environment (“setting”) for the psychedelic experience.
Intention setting
Clarifying what you hope to explore. This could be:
Rather than trying to control the experience, an intention offers a gentle orientation for where your attention may naturally go.
Day 2 – The truffle ceremony
On the second day, the psilocybin truffle ceremony takes place in a carefully created container.
Before the ceremony
The day often starts with grounding practices like yoga, breathwork or body awareness. These support:
Facilitators will then outline the flow of the ceremony, answer questions and check in with how participants are feeling.
During the ceremony
In the ceremony itself:
Experiences can range from gentle emotional opening to deep non-ordinary states of consciousness. People may encounter:
The role of the team is not to steer the content of the journey, but to hold a safe, non-judgmental space for whatever arises.
Day 3 – Integration and returning home
The third day shifts the focus from “experience” to meaning-making:
In the weeks and months after the retreat, Essence Institute encourages ongoing integration through practices like journaling, bodywork, meditation and, if needed, individual support.
Potential benefits of psychedelic therapy with magic truffles
Every journey is unique, and no specific outcome can be guaranteed. However, many participants and research findings point to recurring themes, such as:
Long-held tension or grief may surface and be processed in a supported way.
People often report seeing their thoughts and behaviours “from the outside”, with more compassion and clarity.
Feelings of isolation can soften, replaced by connection to others, nature or something larger than oneself.
After a journey, some experience more creativity, curiosity and openness to change.
For some, a truffle ceremony opens a direct sense of meaning, presence or inner stillness that remains a reference point.
It’s important to emphasise: psychedelic therapy is not a magic cure. It can be a powerful catalyst, but sustainable change usually requires continued reflection and integration.
Risks, safety and who should not participate
Because psilocybin affects perception, emotion and brain chemistry, it is not suitable for everyone. Essence Institute takes screening and safety very seriously.
Psychological and medical considerations
Psychedelic retreats are generally not appropriate for people who:
In addition, many medications, especially certain antidepressants and other psychopharmacological drugs, can interact with psilocybin. This may:
Anyone using psychiatric medication is strongly advised to consult their physician or psychiatrist and to carefully read about psilocybin and antidepressant interactions before considering a retreat.
The role of screening and professional guidance
At Essence Institute, safety includes:
Psychedelic experiences can be intense and sometimes challenging. The presence of experienced facilitators and clear procedures makes a significant difference in how those moments are navigated.
Psychedelic therapy with truffles vs. clinical treatment
There is growing interest in clinical psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, where patients receive psilocybin within medical research or tightly regulated clinics.
While both settings may involve psilocybin and therapeutic support, there are important differences:
Clinical psilocybin therapy (research/medical settings)
Truffle-based psychedelic retreats at Essence Institute
Both approaches can be valuable in different contexts. Knowing this distinction helps participants set realistic expectations and make informed decisions.
Is a psychedelic therapy retreat with magic truffles right for you?
Psychedelic therapy with truffles is not a casual wellness trend. It asks for:
You may feel drawn to this kind of work if you:
If you are unsure whether a retreat is appropriate for you, reaching out to the team for questions and a realistic assessment of your situation is a good next step.
Frequently asked questions about psychedelic therapy with magic truffles
Is this the same as medical psilocybin treatment?
No. While research on psilocybin-assisted therapy inspires our work, Essence Institute does not offer medical treatment. Our retreats are designed for personal and spiritual development in generally healthy individuals, and are not a substitute for psychiatric or psychotherapeutic care.
Are magic truffles safe?
Psilocybin truffles are considered to have a relatively favourable safety profile in healthy individuals when used with proper screening, preparation, guidance and integration. At the same time, they can be psychologically intense and are not suitable for everyone. Pre-existing mental health conditions and certain medications can change the risk profile significantly.
What does psychedelic therapy at Essence actually look like?
You can think of it as a three-day container:
Do I have to have experience with psychedelics?
No. Many participants join a retreat as their first psychedelic experience. The structure, education and presence of experienced facilitators are designed to support both beginners and those who have worked with psychedelics before.
How can I continue integration after the retreat?
Integration is an ongoing process. Practices that often help include:
Essence Institute also offers integration support and resources for those who want to continue working with what they discovered during the retreat.