LEGAL PSYCHEDELIC RETREATS IN THE NETHERLANDS

How would it feel if there would be nothing holding you back from being your true self, fully and authentically?

If you could break free from the negative thought patterns, emotional blockages, and physical discomforts that are holding you down? Imagine that lightness, and then come experience it for real with us, at the Essence Institute in the Netherlands.

Is a psychedelic retreat with truffles containing psilocybin legal in the Netherlands?

Yes, psychedelic retreats with truffles containing psilocybin are legal. In our country, it’s legal to purchase and consume ‘magic truffles’. These truffles are different from mushrooms (which are banned), but they both contain the compound psilocybin and produce similar effects. In a safe space, surrounded by 16 hectares of forest and gardens, you’ll be able to positively (and legally) transform your life.

The retreat takes place at our peaceful venue, Centrum Venwoude. It’s located right in the heart of the Netherlands, between Amsterdam and Utrecht. In 1988, Ted Wilson (the father of one of our founders William Wilson), built this place as a personal growth center. It’s the perfect place for you to embark on your journey toward healing and spiritual awakening.

What are the benefits of a psychedelic retreat with truffles containing psilocybin?

Under supported conditions, psilocybin can have enduring positive changes in your mood and behaviour. The effects of psilocybin can be compared to the effects of meditation, only stronger. While people benefit greatly from daily meditation, the effect of a guided psilocybin Ceremony is much more intense.

But a psilocybin retreat isn’t just a psychedelic trip. It’s a transformative journey for your body and mind, where you’ll be supported, guided, and monitored by our highly trained mental health professionals. Psilocybin offers you truth, connection, and enlightenment. You’ll learn to process difficult emotions, thereby releasing possible stress, anxiety, and depression.

Some of the other effects you may notice are:

  • Self-love, self-acceptance, and compassion for others
  • Valuable insights that will help you shape your life
  • Creative ideas and intrinsic motivation
  • The challenging and overcoming of fears and attachments
  • Hallucinations, seeing sounds or hearing colours

How does psilocybin differ from ayahuasca?

Both psilocybin and ayahuasca can give you a deep-felt emotional, mental, and spiritual experience. The difference is that psilocybin is easier on the body. There is less nausea involved and a psilocybin trip won’t last as long as an ayahuasca trip. This means that you’ll recover much faster.

What does a psilocybin retreat at Essence include?

The cost of a ticket (€ 1.180 for a shared room or € 1.420 for a single room) includes:

  • A facilitated psilocybin truffles Ceremony by experienced and dedicated facilitators.
  • 3-days at a luxury accommodation in a closed nature reserve (with multiple protected species)
  • All meals: healthy, delicious vegan food from our cook
  • Bodywork, yoga, meditation, and transformational breathing session
  • In-depth preparation before and profound integration guidance after the Ceremony
  • Psilocybin truffles
  • 21% VAT

Why join a retreat at the Essence Institute?

At the Essence Institute, safety comes first. We provide these retreats to help you discover your true self and empower you to grow as a human being. However, your health will always be our core concern. Our team of mental healthcare professionals is fully dedicated to making sure that you and other participants stay safe and sound during the entire course of the retreat.

The impact and benefits of a psilocybin session depend almost entirely on the right Set and Setting. That’s why we will carefully guide you through your journey, providing you with a serene and peaceful setting. Your session will take place in a friendly, intimate environment with easy access to nature.

Our goal is to make you feel safe and secure, so you can let go and enjoy your experience. The only people present will be the others from your group and your facilitators. We always make sure that you’ll feel relaxed and at ease. You’ll be comfortably lying down with your eyes gently covered, whilst being supported and monitored by one of our professionals.

What about social distancing and the coronavirus?

We have taken all precautionary measures to make sure our ways of working are in line with the new social distancing regulations. Our retreat centre is located in the middle of a spacious forest area, full of clean air, and our rooms are big and properly ventilated. Participants and team members are required to keep a 1.5-meter distance.

Normally, we work with small groups of 12 to 18 people (with no fewer than one facilitator for every five participants).

What experience with psychedelics do I need?

We welcome people both with experience and without. Whether you’ve never done psychedelics or you’re an expert, we will adjust the dose according to your level. Our participants are, however, required to be in good mental and physical health. If you suffer from serious mental or physical health issues, we can’t accept you as we don’t want to put you or other participants at risk.

This retreat is not a substitute for medical or psychotherapeutic care. Please consult a doctor or therapist if you need support.