Four individuals' experiences during and following a psilocybin truffle retreat in the Netherlands

Four healthy individuals who attended a legal psilocybin truffle retreat in the Netherlands reported experiences that included mystical-type features, changes to their sense of self, and a generalized feeling of connectedness. Participants described moments of key insight related to connection with self, others, and a broader relational worldview. Embodiment emerged as a notable but understudied theme. The case studies suggest that, in a well-controlled and supportive retreat setting, a high dose of psilocybin can lead to enduring positive after-effects lasting up to twelve months.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract This article reports on the experiences of four healthy individuals who attended a legal psilocybin truffle retreat in the Netherlands. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach, using semi-structured interviews to gain an understanding of participants' psilocybin experiences and their after-effects. The experiential themes that emerged from these case studies closely match themes that have been identified in previous studies of psilocybin, including variability of the experience, the presence of mystical-type features, significant changes to subjective sense of self, and a generalized sense of connectedness. Participants framed their narrative accounts around moments of key insight, and these insights were related to a sense of connection: to self, others, and to a broader relational ontology. Embodiment, currently an understudied topic in psychedelic research, also emerged as a theme. The case studies presented here provide preliminary evidence to suggest that for healthy individuals in a well-controlled and supportive retreat setting, a high dose of psilocybin can lead to enduring positive after-effects that last up to twelve months.