Are Psilocybin Retreats Legal in the Netherlands?

The short answer is, yes, psilocybin retreats are legal in the Netherlands. However, there’s some nuance to that answer that you should understand before attending one. Mushrooms, aka magic mushrooms or shrooms, have been illegal to sell since 2008, according to Dutch Law (Drugs Info, n.d.). You can, however, take truffles—no, not the kind that pairs well with French fries. We’re talking about truffles that grow with magic mushrooms and contain the same hallucinogenic compounds: psilocybin and psilocin.

These truffles are what’s called the sclerotia of a mushroom, which are hard structures that store nutrients for the fungus to grow in harsh conditions. Mushrooms grow above the ground; truffles grow underground. And because they’re technically not mushrooms, they’re exempt from the ban (Jellinek, 2015). The main difference is the dosage, which brings us to an important point: 

You should ingest this drug with the guidance of professionals at legitimate retreats. Experienced facilitators know precisely how many grams of truffle to distribute (a dosage that varies person to person). They also know how to thoroughly screen you for physical health, medication contraindications, and existing mental health concerns/disorders to ensure you have a productive and safe experience. 

Does a Truffle Journey Feel Different from Mushrooms?

Because truffles contain the same compounds that are in shrooms, the trip is similar. The main difference is in the dosage; truffles have less potency per gram, so you typically need to consume more compared to mushrooms. Once you begin your journey, here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect:

The psilocybin converts to psilocin, altering your sensory perception, mood, perception of time, thought process, and, potentially, a few physical traits (like your heart rate and balance) (Jellinek, 2020). After taking the truffles, you’ll feel the effects in about 20 minutes to an hour. The entire trip lasts four to six hours, with the intensity usually peaking between hours two and three (Coffey, 2025).

“Going in as a newbie, the retreat was so different from what I thought would happen,” says one Beckley Retreats alumnus. “I experienced a new connection to myself, my community, my needs, my peace, my power, and my deep joy in being alive through life’s ups and downs.”

Trips can be an enlightening and beautiful experience. They can also be terrifying. Factors like dosage, body weight, mental health, and the setting—including who you’re with—can all influence your experience. That’s why enlisting professional services to help guide you is vital.

Why the Netherlands Is a Global Psychedelics Hub

The answer is simple: the Netherlands is a world leader in psilocybin research, with active clinical trials taking place at prestigious universities around the country. 

The University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht partnered with COMPASS Pathways to study the effects of psilocybin against depression (UMC Utrecht, 2024). Leiden University hosts public science days to educate the public on how various psychedelics can positively impact brain function (Leiden University, 2024). Leiden University also hosts PRSM Lab, a collective of students and researchers collaborating on innovative approaches to study psychedelics and related topics. (PRSM Lab, n.d). And then there’s the team at Maastricht University, led by Dr. Jan Ramaekers, a leader in psychopharmacology research (Maastricht University, n.d.)).

These psychedelics and topics aren’t taboo in the Netherlands. There’s a legal framework in place that makes them safer to experience, and the country’s clinical interest only enhances that safety net. If you’re interested in taking psilocybin, the Netherlands is one of the safest places to try it. 

Policy Snapshot: A Forward-Thinking Government 

The Dutch government has demonstrated a cautious willingness to embrace psychedelic research. In 2024, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) denied Lykos Therapeutic approval for a therapy combining MDMA and psychotherapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Kupferschmidt, 2024).

Shortly after, the Dutch State Committee published a 231-page report titled: MDMA Beyond Ecstasy. The report examined both the recreational and clinical use of MDMA, and ultimately recommended enabling MDMA therapy through a large-scale study in the Netherlands.

The exact text reads: “In the absence of formal registration as a medicine, this can probably only be achieved by making MDMA-AT available to patients specially selected for this purpose through a multi-year, large-scale naturalist study within the frameworks of scientific research. That study may also provide insight into aspects such as the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of MDMA-AT in the Netherlands.”

Beckley Retreats (Netherlands) vs. Other Options

Assuming you’re medically cleared to participate, all Beckley retreats include travel to and from the airport, meals and snacks, yoga, meditation, breath-work classes, and massages for an additional fee. You’ll follow an active three-step process that lasts anywhere from six to 10 weeks.

• Step 1—Prepare: Beckley will provide virtual group workshops and app-based learning tools to help you establish new habits and gain clarity about your intention. 
• Step 2—Immerse: This is your retreat. You’ll fly to your location and partake in one to two ceremonies (depending on your selected program), which are supplemented with meditation, mindful movement, breathwork, group sharing circles, immersion into nature, and a digital detox. Each facility maintains a 1:3 facilitator-to-guest ratio, including at least one psychotherapist, psychologist, or medical doctor.
• Step 3—Integrate: This happens after the ceremony; you’ll participate in guided practices and group calls with staff and alumni to transform your insights into new habits.

Our Netherlands locations are available for two, three, four, and five-night sessions. Here’s what you can expect at each:

Beckley Retreats: De Hoorneboeg 

Beckley’s De Hoorneboeg location is 25 miles outside Amsterdam, easily accessible by train, car, or bicycle. Buildings are nestled into a vast landscape once home to sheep farms. The vibe is minimalistic, cozy, and serene—a setting optimized for comfort that simultaneously doesn’t feel at all manufactured.

“Through sacred psychedelic ceremonies guided by authentic, heartfelt leaders and live music, I connected with a beautiful community of open-hearted souls,” said another Beckley alumnus who attended a ceremony at De Hoorneboeg. “I felt truly held, in both the small circle and one-on-one sharing, where meaningful questions were explored with intention. The time in nature offered deep reflection, grounding, and awe.”

Beckley Retreats: The Place to Be

The Place to Be is a serene escape set in the Dutch countryside, two hours outside Amsterdam.  Guests journey through guided psilocybin experiences, complemented by meditation, breathwork, and mindful movement, all within nature-rich surroundings.

 Accommodations are simple, sunlit, and designed for comfort. Professional facilitators ensure safe, supported ceremonies, following a program that follows Beckley’s carefully constructed roadmap: preparation, immersive retreats, and post-journey integration.

What Else Is Out There?

There are other companies offering various psychedelic retreat experiences. Here’s a brief rundown of what else is available:

• Founded in 2019, the Essence Institute offers shorter and more accessible three-day psychedelic retreats at one of its three facilities in the Netherlands. 
• Synthesis Institute’s retreat program, Immersion, is unique because it is seven weeks long. You undergo three weeks of preparation, followed by a five-day retreat in the Netherlands, and then three weeks of what they call integration.
• TripTherapie provides two services: two-day psychedelic ceremonies and private or small group in-home sessions.
• Insights is a one-day, privately guided psilocybin experience. It starts with an introduction and prep calls, and then your (same-sex) guide will visit you, initiate the process, and stay for as long as you need that day. 

How to Choose Your Retreat

First and foremost: Figure out why you want to attend a retreat. Your intentions are crucial to informing your experience. You can search for a facility once you’ve established your goals—for example, to unlock creativity, strengthen a relationship, or let go of specific behavior patterns. A reputable company should offer you a phone call to discuss any questions. Be sure to ask as many as you want. 

Unfortunately, retreats are not for everyone; people with specific physical and mental health conditions can’t participate. It’s better to know if you’re disqualified early. It’s also recommended that you have a strong support system, like a significant other, therapist, or friends; it’s important to be committed to the retreat and the pre- and post-ceremony plan. 

Interested?

If you think a journey in the Netherlands could be fruitful and fulfilling, download Beckley’s NL Retreat Guide or book a discovery call to learn how our scientifically backed approach can support your personal and professional growth.

FAQs

Sources

• Drugs Info. (n.d.). Zijn Paddos verboden? Drugsinfo.nl
• Jellinek. (2015). Wat zijn truffels en paddo’s? Jellinek.nl
• Jellinek. (2020). Wat zijn de effecten van truffels en paddo’s? Jellinek.nl
• Coffey, R. (2025, February 19). Comparison of psilocybin truffles and psilocybin mushrooms dosing. Inward Bound
• UMC Utrecht. (2024). Study of psychedelics against depression completed. UMC Utrecht
• Leiden University. (2024, April). On this public day on psychedelics, researchers transcend the media hype. Universiteit Leiden
• PRSM Lab. (n.d.). Psychedelics research categories. PRSM Lab
• Maastricht University. (n.d.). Dr Jan Ramaekers (J.G.) research profile. Maastricht University
• Kupferschmidt, K. (2024). FDA rejected MDMA-assisted PTSD therapy — other psychedelics firms intend to avoid its fate. Science