When Psychedelics Are Legal: My Experience at a Psilocybin Truffle Retreat
What is it really like at a high-end psychedelic retreat?
I’ve spent the last two-and-a-half years diving deep into the world of psychedelics. During my master’s degree I spent much of my time writing about the antidepressant effects of psilocybin, which led me to where I am now: disseminating current research in the field.
However, despite a fervent fascination with these substances, all of my previous psychedelic use had been purely recreational — I had never taken an ego-shattering dose in a suitable set and setting. As I was returning to the UK after living in Amsterdam for the last three years, I felt like this was an opportune moment to participate in a psychedelic retreat.
What compelled me to attend was a blend of the mystical and the mental. I had read extensively about the spiritual experiences that occur under a high dose of psychedelics. How would my experiences shape up to these descriptions?
But what seemed even more pressing was that my mind had become a turnstyle of ruminative thought. A long, cold, and dark winter coupled with lockdown after lockdown had a huge impact on my mental health. Maybe tripping on truffles could provide some fresh perspective?
