Psilocybin mushrooms offer hope to many. Medical research reports significant results in the field of mental health. What’s more, psilocybin is not considered a dangerous or addictive substance.
Nevertheless, potential side effects must not be overlooked. This page is here to inform you.
Let’s talk!
Schedule a free information session in English with one of our facilitators.
Using psilocybin is not a trivial act. At Tangerine Retreat, we expect participants to be mindful and fully aware of what such a journey entails.
Several contraindications to psilocybin are now well established. These include the use of antidepressant medication, psychiatric history, and general health status.
Every new application to Tangerine Retreat is reviewed via a medical questionnaire. This helps us assess the risk of side effects related to these contraindications. It’s a way of protecting individuals who may be more vulnerable, and ensuring they don’t put themselves at risk.
This list is provided for informational purposes only. Please consult a medical professional before making any decisions.
The ingestion of magic truffles can lead to a powerful psychedelic journey. As a result, the body may respond in unpredictable ways. There is a risk of complications, including premature labour or miscarriage.
Moreover, no medical research can guarantee the complete safety of psilocybin for fetal development. Pregnancy is therefore considered entirely incompatible with the use of any psychoactive substance.
When it comes to breastfeeding after ingesting magic truffles, extreme caution is advised. It is unknown whether psilocybin can be transferred into breast milk and affect the infant. In the absence of research, this constitutes a major contraindication to a psychedelic experience.
Psilocybin can influence the cardiovascular system. It may cause fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate. While this is harmless for most people, it poses a risk for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions.
As a precaution, magic mushrooms should be avoided in the following cases:
In case of doubt, a doctor’s opinion is essential to assess the situation.
Psilocybin is metabolised by the liver. In cases of severe liver disease, its consumption may lead to a build-up of toxic substances. For this reason, medical advice is required.
The same applies to kidney disease. Psilocybin is excreted through the kidneys, and renal insufficiency may prevent proper elimination of the substance.
Patients with glaucoma should avoid psilocybin, as it may increase intraocular pressure (IOP). While this is generally harmless, for those with glaucoma it can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss.
Epilepsy is a contraindication for psilocybin ingestion. Magic mushrooms can alter brain activity, lowering the seizure threshold. A seizure triggered in a modified state of consciousness may involve further complications.
A medical professional should always be consulted in such cases.
There is no direct contraindication related to cancer. In fact, research suggests psilocybin may help reduce anxiety and depression in cancer patients.
However, caution is needed in cases of liver or kidney cancer, as these organs are already weakened.
Furthermore, some types of chemotherapy may interact with psilocybin. A medical consultation is essential to assess potential drug interactions.
Allergic reactions to mushrooms can range from mild to severe. Minor symptoms include skin rashes or itching, and patients with mild allergies may prefer synthetic psilocybin.
In more serious cases, individuals may experience breathing difficulties or anaphylactic shock. Mushroom allergy is therefore a total contraindication.
Studies show that magic mushrooms can benefit individuals with treatment-resistant depression. However, some standard treatments are discouraged alongside psilocybin, including SSRIs, MAOIs, St John’s Wort, 5-HTP, and lithium.
These drugs influence the uptake of serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation. Psilocybin affects serotonin in a similar way. Combining the two may lead to an excessive serotonin level.
The most common effect of combining SSRIs and psilocybin is a diminished psychedelic experience, with fewer sensations and long-term benefits.
In rare cases, this combination may cause serotonin syndrome — a serious, though uncommon, reaction. Pausing antidepressant treatment is usually advised.
Taking antidepressants is not an absolute contraindication. Some individuals suspend treatment for several weeks (4 to 8) to take part in a psychedelic experience. Caution is strongly advised.
A medical consultation remains the gold standard for understanding and assessing the risks.
Healthcare professionals can support patients in temporarily stopping medication or may advise against it. Any discontinuation must be medically supervised, gradual, and psychologically supported.
A conversation with a doctor is essential before considering a psychedelic retreat.
See also our article on combining antidepressants with psilocybin.
Certain supplements like Griffonia Simplicifolia (5-HTP) and St John’s Wort are available without prescription. They act similarly to antidepressants by targeting serotonin receptors.
To take psilocybin safely, it is necessary to stop these supplements. A health professional can determine the required abstinence period, usually around 10 to 12 days.
The presence of certain antipsychotic drugs may not only reduce psilocybin’s effects but also carry a risk of side effects. These substances act on dopamine and serotonin, just like psilocybin, and may disrupt the nervous system.
This can lead to mania, psychosis, or confusion.
The following medications are strong contraindications:
Anyone taking antipsychotics should speak with a doctor or psychiatrist before considering psilocybin.
Taking multiple psychoactive substances simultaneously is known to be risky. Combining psilocybin with cannabis, poppy, LSD, or ayahuasca is unpredictable and potentially dangerous.
There are two main risks: the persistence of the psychedelic state and the possibility of a bad trip.
It is recommended to allow several days between psilocybin use and other psychoactive substances. For alcohol and cannabis, 48 to 72 hours of abstinence is advised.
A family history of psychosis is a major contraindication, regardless of the substance used. Individuals with a genetic predisposition are at risk of developing psychotic disorders.
This includes those with a parent or sibling diagnosed with a form of psychosis. However, the risk appears to decrease after the age of 40.
The use of psilocybin in individuals with schizophrenia is strongly discouraged. The risk–benefit ratio clearly supports a total contraindication.
In some cases, psilocybin may intensify symptoms after the experience. Psychedelic effects can heighten the intensity of auditory or visual hallucinations, as well as delusional thinking. In such instances, the consequences can be significant and may seriously destabilise the individual. There is also a risk of acute psychosis occurring during the psychedelic trip.
Finally, hallucinogenic mushrooms may interact unpredictably with antipsychotic medications (see above).
The effects of magic mushrooms on conditions such as bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD) remain poorly understood.
At present, it may be possible to take psilocybin for individuals affected by these conditions. However, there is a risk that psilocybin could trigger a temporary manic episode. This can lead to risky behaviours or a major depressive episode, potentially worsening suicidal thoughts.
Certain safeguards are therefore essential before considering the ingestion of psilocybin:
There are three basic safety rules that must never be compromised. To avoid risky situations or potentially traumatic experiences, it is essential to absolutely avoid:
Side effects do exist, though they tend to be relatively rare in the general population. Nevertheless, the main danger lies in misidentifying the product. Certain poisonous mushrooms can look very similar to harmless ones. It is therefore essential to rely on the right people when selecting the appropriate specimen.
One of the most common cross-cutting contraindications to taking psychedelic truffles is poor preparation. The mystical journey and the emotions they bring up require professional and compassionate guidance.
Trustworthy individuals and a setting that encourages relaxation appear to be essential prerequisites for a meaningful and safe experience. Our intention is not merely to offer a taste of psilocybin. We provide participants with the full mental ecosystem needed to support their personal journey with truffles. Scientific research supports the idea that proper guidance greatly enhances the chances of a beneficial experience.
Microdosing with magic mushrooms is one alternative. It generally presents fewer incompatibilities. For some individuals, it offers a different way to explore the effects of psilocybin on the brain.
It is also possible to take part in other types of spiritual retreats. These can lead to mild altered states of consciousness without the use of any substances.
These options should always be considered in consultation with your doctor, and in accordance with the law.
Start your microdosing
3-week Microdose Kit
Promo code -10%: TANGERINE10
Buy magic truffles: Psilocybin truffle microdosing kits are shipped by a reliable and legal supplier based in the Netherlands.
€44.99 | €49.99
Live video session