How long does a retreat last?
There are different types of psilocybin retreat in the Netherlands, ranging from three to five days. The main difference between them is that some will hold just one psilocybin ceremony, while others will provide two. On a five-day retreat like Tangerine Retreat, we offer two doses of psilocybin, helping you benefit from more significant and longer-lasting effects.
Why do I need to take psilocybin truffles twice?
Based on our participants’ experiences of these different types of retreat, we’ve chosen to provide two doses of psilocybin on our retreats. There are two main advantages to this approach.
Firstly, some people subconsciously try to remain in control even while under the influence of psilocybin, so this gives them the chance to get used to any unusual feelings and really let go. It’s a step towards guaranteeing positive results.
Also, taking two doses gives you the opportunity to go further in your personal quest. The first dose opens the door to your personal exploration, then, after a day’s rest and some deep introspection, the second dose allows you to come back to your personal quest having already taken the first steps along that path.
What is psilocybin truffle?
What’s the difference between magic truffles and magic mushrooms? Psilocybin truffles are not like the truffles you eat in fine-dining restaurants.
Psychedelic truffles are just the dormant parts of magic mushrooms, otherwise known as sclerotium. This specimen grows underground and plays a major role in conserving the mushroom’s nutrients – including the psilocybin molecule – during harsh environmental conditions. Think of it as a sort of hibernation reserve for mushrooms which allows them to grow back when conditions improve.
Are truffles legal?
In the Netherlands, taking psilocybin truffles is legal for adults over 18. It’s therefore not unusual to see American, British, Belgian, Swiss, and French tourists travelling to the Netherlands to participate in a retreat.
However, you won’t find any legal retreats offering magic mushrooms in either Europe or the US, since magic mushrooms are completely illegal.
How do you take psilocybin?
In general, psilocybin is taken like a herbal tea. Participants are given a fresh truffle that they then grind down and infuse with ginger in some hot water.
This all happens within the framework of a ritualistic ceremony that helps participants reach a level of emotional reconfiguration. Respecting this ritual is essential for tapping into the solemnity of the whole ceremony.
What are the effects of psilocybin?
Psilocybin is a molecule that occurs naturally in many varieties of mushroom and its presence has been well-documented since the dawn of humanity. When psilocybin enters the human body, it is transformed into psilocin, a hallucinogenic that temporarily affects brain chemistry. Several studies suggest that psilocin works by attaching itself to serotonin receptors in the brain, which usually regulate things like mood and motivation.
When under the influence of psilocybin, connections between neurons seem to change, leading to temporary sensorial distortion, similar to lucid dreaming or hallucinating. This alteration to how neurons communicate with each other helps bring up emotions that had been buried deep down. This is the time to come to terms with these deep-rooted emotions and try to draw from them.
Does psilocybin help with depression?
Patients suffering from depression tend to have an interesting reaction to psilocybin. Numerous studies show that patients suffering from forms of depression that resist antidepressant treatment can show a marked improvement in their mental health following an experience with psilocybin.
One of the latest studies to show this demonstrates how 25 mg of psilocybin had a significant effect for up to three months on patients for whom traditional treatments had failed. However, typical treatment for depression doesn’t currently take this into consideration. The medical profession and international governing bodies require several more years of studies into psilocybin before they’ll think about accepting its use in certain cases.
Does psilocybin have an impact on anxiety?
As with depression, research points to the potential effects of psilocybin on people suffering with anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and alcohol addiction. People who have participated in psychedelic retreats say almost unanimously that their anxiety reduced in the months following their experience.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry also notes that subjects with alcohol use disorder were twice as likely to completely stop drinking alcohol as those who took a placebo.
What’s the difference between taking psilocybin at home and at a retreat?
It is not recommended to take any psychedelic substance without proper supervision. From a legal and ethical stance, we do not recommend it.
Firstly, our experience shows us that preparation is important. It’s essential to be ready to engage with the issues and anxieties in your life and embark on a journey of personal development. This is the only way to open the mind to new ideas and for the issues you need to work on to become clear to you. The preparation stage is what psychedelic retreats offer you above any other experience, as our facilitators are on hand to assist participants towards their own consciousness and guide them through difficult feelings.
Also, the effects of psilocybin can be overwhelming and lead to brief sensations of confusion. In that situation, it is much better to be under the supervision of people who are trained to put you at ease, remind you that you’re in the midst of a temporary experience, and recentre you on your spiritual journey.
Is it safe to take psilocybin mushrooms?
In accordance with Dutch law, Tangerine Retreat only offers psilocybin truffles and not mushrooms. For the majority of people, taking magic truffles is completely safe. Any feelings of confusion or hallucinations are temporary and participants are able to go about their normal lives after a good night’s sleep.
There are, however, recommendations to take into account. People suffering from psychotic disorders and cardiovascular diseases, patients on certain classes of antidepressants*, and pregnant women are at a higher risk and may not get all the benefits from the experience.
* We strongly advise against any interactions between monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, modulators, and serotonin stimulators.
