Spinoza

Spinoza is an Amsterdam company, Spinoza Company B.V., that runs 24-hour group psilocybin retreats in a forest in the east of the Netherlands, using psilocybin truffles, which are legal there. It also offers private and couples retreats, microdosing truffles and an app.

Approach

The group programme has three steps. A 1.5 to two-hour online preparation workshop covers diet, lifestyle, meditation and breathwork, and is where the group first meets. The 24-hour retreat centres on a guided psilocybin ceremony of four to six hours in a yurt with live music, followed by a five-course organic meal and a night in the yurt. An online integration workshop comes afterwards. Doses are agreed with each participant and are generally high, from 21 grams of fresh truffles. Founder Maarten van Huijstee has taught meditation for about fifteen years, and the guides’ backgrounds include yoga, breathwork, psychology, ACT coaching, mediation and music therapy. The truffles are grown on a farm in the east of the country.

Who it is for

The retreats are open to newcomers and experienced participants alike. Truffles are not for anyone under 25, pregnant or breastfeeding, and the company excludes people with heart problems, those currently dealing with mental health problems and those on certain medications.

Practical details

The group retreat costs €1,198 for a group of 11 participants. Private retreats start at €3,500, at a location of the client’s choosing and for one day or several. An extended integration package can be added.

Care and safety

Every participant has an intake call and completes a medical form to check for contraindications. Truffles must not be combined with alcohol, other drugs or medication, an in-house therapist and a doctor are available case by case, and the app’s daily practices support integration afterwards.