In this article we will take a closer look at magic mushrooms, what they are, how they are used during retreats and what the benefits of such a retreat are. Have you ever experienced magic mushrooms? You are in for a treat!
What are magic mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms are simply put wild mushrooms with hallucinogenic effects. The naturally occurring psychedelic found in the mushroom is known as psilocybin. Truffles are the compound in the earth where the mushrooms grow from above the earth.
Mushrooms and truffles are sold either dried or raw. Common types of magic mushrooms are the liberty caps (Psilocybe semilanceata) and fly agaric (Amanita muscaria).
Please note there is a difference in strength for the various magic mushrooms (and truffles). Some are stronger than others. The fly agaric mushroom, as mentioned above, is more potent than the liberty cap.
What is psilocybin?
Psilocybin is the psychedelic compound that over 200 species of mushroom can produce, collectively called the psilocybin mushrooms. Psilocybin is converted to psilocybin inside the human body. This compound has some bizarre effects, quite like those that can be experienced with DMT and mescaline. Effects of psilocybin range from visual and mental hallucinations to euphoria, changes in perception, a different sense of time and even experiences that feel spiritual or religious.
How do magic mushrooms taste?
Most magic mushrooms/truffles are eaten raw and have an earthy taste and rubber-like texture. They do not taste the same as the mushrooms you eat at home. The flavour can be masked by putting them in an omelet or tea. But you can also extract psilocybin from it with ginger tea and only drink this tea.
Magic mushrooms: effects and dangers explained
The usage of magic mushrooms goes way back. Just recently scientists are catching up on what shamans have known for years. In the 1960’s psilocybin was viewed as a breakthrough for mental health. Around 1965 there were over a 1,000 published studies and various international conferences that were dedicated to the drugs.
Unfortunately issues surrounding the magic mushrooms’ legality and morality shut down most studies. Institutions like John Hopkins (USA) and UMC Utrecht (Netherlands) are doing new research where other studies stopped.
So what about the effects and (possible) dangers of these magic mushrooms?
As mentioned the effects of psilocybin are:
As of today scientists are not exactly sure how psilocybin works. One analogy from Matthew W. Johnson, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science from John Hopkins University put it this way: “Psilocybin brings your mind into an acute plastic state, like a ceramic before it goes in the kiln - in that state, your brain is malleable.”
Psilocybin risks?
Luckily, psilocybin is not an addictive drug. The drug can however trigger psychotic episodes and is therefore less suited for individuals with a family history of schizophrenia or other mental illnesses.
Blissful benefits of a retreat
Perhaps psilocybin is illegal in your country. How can you then still experience the blissful experience of a psilocybin trip?
Go on a retreat with the Essence Institute in the Netherlands. Because psilocybin truffles are legal in this country.
Our aim is to provide a safe, beautiful space for you to allow psilocybin truffles to transform your life. During a 3-day retreat you will be guided through this unique inner journey. We offer further tools that will empower you during your spiritual journey. Before you start your retreat you will receive guiding questions, best practices and a simple diet for the most optimal inner journey.
Benefits of a psilocybin retreat at the Essence Institute include:
Increase in well-being
Experience a growth in overall well-being. Some participants experience intense love or bliss, while others experience the recollection of lost, loving memories.
Enhanced connectedness
Feel more connected to yourself, your loved ones and the world around you. This lasting sense of connection can better your life permanently.
Less anxiety, improved creativity
Psilocybin is known to decrease both stress and anxiety. Also opening up the path for heightened states of creativity and intellectual breakthroughs.
Profound mystical experience
Most attendees report having a meaningful mystical experience that stays with them the rest of their lives.
But there is more. At the Essence Institute our magic mushroom retreats also focusses on:
Clinical experience and research have shown that six elements comprise a successful psychedelic experience:
- Substance: At the Essence Institute we choose psilocybin truffles to work with as it reliably establishes and maintains a mystical state, among its many other benefits.
- Set: Set refers to your mental state, mindset or attitude. At our retreat we are very thorough with preparations before and after the ceremony for optimal integration of this experience in your daily life.
- Session: This refers to the timeframe of the trip, which is usually 6 hours for our magic mushroom retreat in the Netherlands. We call this experience a “Ceremony”.
- Setting: This encompasses the surrounding, including the environment, space for the event and also the atmosphere that is created by the facilitators. Our Ceremony takes place in a warm environment with easy access to nature.
- Sitter: This refers to the facilitator of the psilocybin Ceremony. They will be present in case you need them, but will also offer enough space for you to have a deep dive in your psyche on your own.
- Situation: This refers to your personal This is also the reason we help you integrate the experiences of the Ceremony into your daily life.
A successful psychedelic experience is most easily obtained while going on a retreat with skilled, competent facilitators who can care for these six elements.
Ready for a magic psychedelic retreat?
Not everyone who wants to explore psychedelics wants to go to the jungle of South America to experience ayahuasca in the midst of the jungle. With this magic mushroom retreat in Europe you can experience the profound effects of these mushrooms, while still enjoying comfort, convenience and tasty food.
Essence Institute offers magic psychedelic retreats in Centrum Venwoude (near Utrecht), The Netherlands at a splendid estate for an optimal experience. A typical group consists of 14 to 20 people, consisting of both men and women. Our retreats are for both experienced and non-experienced psychedelic users. Prior experience is not required.
The retreats that Essence Institute offers in Holland aim at healthy individuals in good mental and physical health, that want to explore the nature of reality, dive into their psyche or have a spiritual experience.
Discover the Essence of who you truly are.