Alalaho

Alalaho runs five-day psilocybin truffle retreats that pair a single ceremony with therapy and meditation. It began in 2016 inside the UK Psychedelic Society and became its own organisation in 2020. After years in the Netherlands, it now holds all upcoming retreats in Spain, near Almería and Málaga.

Approach

Founder and director Jennifer Tessler holds a diploma in counselling and psychotherapy from CCPE in London and draws on Tibetan Buddhism; Jamie Richards leads facilitation and screening. Each retreat sits inside a six-week programme: online material and a group call beforehand, about a day of preparation on site, one ceremony, two and a half days of integration, then a month of online integration. Each guest drinks 35 grams of fresh truffles as ginger tea.

Who it is for

The Core Retreat welcomes newcomers and experienced people alike, if physically and mentally well. A Returners Retreat serves alumni, the Dharma Retreat adds Buddhist teaching, the Therapists Retreat is for health professionals and the Mountain Retreat offers eight days of meditation. Everything runs in English, and Alalaho says its retreats are not treatment.

Practical details

Groups usually hold 10 to 14 people with four facilitators. Prices start at €3,450 for a shared room and include the airport shuttle, full vegetarian board and the programme; the truffles are bought separately, for €25 in Spain.

Care and safety

Screening pairs a health form with a 40-minute call with a senior facilitator. People with a personal or family history of psychosis or bipolar disorder, serious heart or neurological conditions, or who take SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics, lithium or antipsychotics cannot attend, and anyone coming off antidepressants must have stopped at least three months before. A UKCP-registered supervisor reviews each retreat with the team. Alalaho notes that truffles are legal in the Netherlands and that their use is decriminalised in Spain.