Essence Institute

Essence Institute runs legal psilocybin truffle retreats in the Netherlands, at rural host venues in the middle and east of the country. The standard group retreat lasts three days around a single high-dose truffle ceremony. Psychologist Derk Mulder set it up in 2019 with clinical psychologist Willem Fonteijn.

Approach

Guests arrive on the first afternoon to meet the group and set intentions. The second morning brings yoga, bodywork and breathwork before the ceremony, which starts around midday and lasts about six hours, accompanied by music. The third day is for integration. The lead team also includes psychiatric nurse Sanne de Burger and clinical psychologist Sepideh Ravahi.

Who it is for

The Core Retreat is a guided first meeting with psilocybin and needs no earlier experience. A Revisitor Retreat, a Women Wisdom Retreat and private retreats are offered too. The institute states that it offers no treatment for any illness. Guests must be at least 25 and in stable physical and mental health.

Practical details

A place costs about €2,050 in a shared room or €2,350 in a single room, VAT included and travel extra. The fee covers lodging, vegan meals, sessions, truffles and an integration journal. Groups hold eight to twelve people. Venues include Samaya, a small priory near Utrecht, and Athanor in the east. A free 20-minute call is offered before booking.

Care and safety

Every applicant completes an intake assessment. The institute turns away people diagnosed with conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, clinical depression or PTSD, people with heart problems or high blood pressure, and anyone on SSRI, MAOI or tricyclic antidepressants or lithium. There is a facilitator for every five guests, and the institute names about six months as the usual time for insights to settle. In the Netherlands psilocybin truffles are legal to buy and use; magic mushrooms are not.