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

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.

Psychedelic integration challenges: Participant experiences after a psilocybin truffle retreat in the Netherlands

“…In particular, studies suggest that psychedelics may be an effective treatment for a variety of clinical issues, including treatment-resistant depression (Carhart-Harris et al, 2021), cancer-related distress (Griffiths et al, 2016;Ross et al, 2016), obsessive compulsive disorder (Moreno et al, 2006), substance use disorders (Bogenschutz et al, 2015(Bogenschutz et al, , 2018Johnson, Garcia-Romeu, & Griffiths, 2017), eating disorders (Spriggs, Kettner, & Carhart-Harris, 2020), and neurodegenerative disorders (Saeger & Olson, 2021). Psychedelics have also been posited to promote healthy lifestyle changes (Lutkajtis, 2021;Madsen et al, 2020;Teixeira et al, 2022), increase nature-relatedness (Lyons & Carhart-Harris, 2018) and foster environmental virtues (Kirkham & Letheby, 2022). Additionally, Gandy, Bonnelle, Jacobs, and Luke (2022) argue that psychedelics might act as potential catalysts of scientific creativity and insight.…”

Biological studies of clavine alkaloids targeting CNS receptors

“…Traditionally used by communities in South America and Africa for religious ceremonies and rituals, these compounds share a potential for substance abuse but are now re-emerging as potential therapeutics in North America and Europe (2). The demand for psychedelic therapy (3) and psychedelic wellness retreats (4,5) has seen tremendous growth in recent years, in part driven by microdosing applications and the combination with traditional psychotherapeutic counseling. Users experience an altered state that involves changes in sensory perception and mood and may undergo dissociation or a loss of self-identity (6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”

Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy: A scoping review of participants’ and facilitators’ experiences in qualitative studies

“…Previous research has highlighted that qualitative methods offer an in-depth understanding of patients' subjective experiences (Meikle et al, 2020) and the information can supplement the data obtained through quantitative measures (Watts, 2020). Therefore, by exploring patients' experiences, researchers could improve their understanding of the underlying psychological mechanisms and processes of PAT to ensure more effective treatment (Lutkajtis, 2021). Similarly, quantitative measures might not capture the full extent of the highly personalised psilocybin-induced experience.…”

“…Research conducted in various settings using qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies, recognises the value of a facilitator (Breeksema et al, 2020;Wheeler & Dyer, 2020). In this context, the beneficial outcome of psilocybin is dependent on a compassionate environment where administration is guided by a healthcare professional and supplemented with psychotherapy (Al-Nagger et al, 2021;Breeksema et al, 2020;Lutkajtis, 2021). Conversely, Bienemann et al (2020) noted that negative outcomes can occur when using psilocybin recreationally, specifically when ingesting multiple doses of psilocybin in the same session or combining it with other substances.…”