UNTIL a few weeks ago, the most I knew about psychedelics was from a documentary I’d watched about the swinging ‘60s that showed they made people act a bit bonkers. But, according to my friend Russ, I had it totally wrong.

We ended up talking about them after I moaned I was having a terrible case of writer’s block – which, as someone who needs to write to pay the bills, is pretty disastrous.

8 Writer Becky Wicks admits she was suffering from writer's block before heading to the retreat to see if magic truffles could improve her mental outlook Credit: Shuttershock

Russ told me that new tests have revealed taking small amounts of a hallucinogenic like LSD or magic mushrooms – a process known as “microdosing” – could actually enhance focus and clarity, as well as boost creativity by accessing parts of the brain you can’t usually reach.

It could also be used to treat anxiety and depression in the future after professors at the Johns Hopkins University in America recently discovered that psilocybin – the hallucinogenic compound found in psychedelics – helped reduce symptoms in sufferers. Russ suggested I could give it a try.

There was just one stumbling block – these kinds of hallucinogenics are illegal in the UK. As harmless as they sound, magic mushrooms are Class A drugs and carry a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment plus a fine for possession, and life imprisonment and a fine for supplying.

However, after a bit of research, I discovered that although magic mushrooms are also illegal in the Netherlands, their ever-so-slightly different counterparts “magic truffles” are 100% legal. And I even found a retreat just outside Amsterdam offering “truffle therapy,” where you take the fancy fungi in a controlled and safe environment to help you mentally process life’s problems.

8 The writer Becky Wicks had to travel to Holland in order to have a 100 per cent legal experience with 'magic truffles' Credit: Shuttershock

Created a year ago by an ex-Silicon-Valley recruit known as Chi with his partner Leti, the Truffles Therapy centre promises to take clients on “healing journeys.” So with features to write and rent to pay, I decide to give it a go.



Pre-trip prep

Before I can be accepted at the retreat I have to fill in an online form to show I’m physically and mentally OK to take psychedelics. I pass with flying colours and even manage to convince my friend Amy, 32, to come along as she’s just gone through a break-up following a five-year relationship.

8 Becky brought along her friend Amy to the retreat - seen here with Chi and his partner Leti Credit: Shuttershock

As we take the train from Amsterdam to the weekend retreat just north of the city, I wonder what magic truffles will really do to our brains. Will they heal Amy’s heart? Can they help me unleash a new creative streak? Or maybe they’ll just send us bonkers?

When we arrive at the four-bed countryside house, we have to surrender our mobile phones and we quickly learn other electronic devices and TV aren’t allowed either. At first, everything seems eerily quiet, especially as we’ve booked a private retreat (although you can attend with up to 30 other people) and I can’t help but feel as if we’re cut off from everything.

These are not recreational drugs

Yet without our gadgets, Amy and I soon begin to feel a bit relieved and admit technology has taken over our lives. The next day I’m looking forward to my morning coffee, but that’s banned, too. As a fully fledged caffeine addict, how will I cope?

“It’s important to cleanse yourself before a psychedelic journey,” Leti explains to us. “This lets the plant medicine enter a clean body and mind.” In our bedroom, Amy confesses she’s nervous. Having no distractions has forced her to mull over the break-up and it’s making her quite emotional.

8 The pair took the train from Amsterdam to the retreat Credit: Shuttershock

Leti suggests we go for a long walk in the forest to help clear our heads and give us a chance to focus on more uplifting things, like feeling the sunshine on our faces.

Everywhere we go we stumble across wild fungi – it’s a stark reminder of why we’re here.



Time for truffle therapy

Once back from our walk, we’re taken to the living room, which has two comfy mattresses on the floor, lots of duvets and pillows and an eye mask each.

Chi explains that the room is set up both physically and mentally for our “journey.”

8 The 38-year-old was told to wolf down 7 grams of the truffles Credit: Shuttershock

According to Timothy Leary, an American psychologist who was among the first to explore the therapeutic potential of magic mushrooms in the ‘60s, a good environment is crucial when taking psychedelics.

As Chi presses play on his playlist of shamanic sounds, he tells us: “Even if you have a bad trip, it usually ends up being a good one. You just have to face whatever comes up and process it. These are not recreational drugs. These are spiritual tools.”

My heart thuds as I swallow the 7g of truffles Chi hands me on a plate. They are big, chunky things that taste like sour walnuts and I try not to gag. And then I sit there. Nothing happens for 15 minutes and I wonder if it’s going to be a waste of time. Suddenly my eyes start to feel like they’re buzzing and within 30 minutes I swear the pictures on the wall are moving.

Weirdly, I don’t feel scared, just curious. When I put on the eye mask, images of colourful mushrooms swim in front of my eyes and I can’t help but laugh. However, my giggles soon turn to tears – but I have no idea why. In the background I can hear Amy sobbing, too.

8 Becky says the truffles tasted of 'sour walnuts' Credit: Shuttershock

After an hour I need the toilet, but when I take my eye mask off, the room seems distorted and instead of just one door to the bathroom, there appears to be 20. Sensing my confusion, Leti gently guides me. Even so, I don’t feel alarmed as I’m so consumed with positivity.

When I get back to my mattress, an inner voice begins to tell me that the reason I’ve been so distracted from my creative projects is because they’re not exciting me any more. I have to quit them and move on to something I am passionate about.

In hindsight, it seems obvious, like I’ve always known but have been too afraid to address. Then my mind begins to whirr and I think about things that have bothered me in the past – only this time I’m looking at them from a whole new perspective. An ex who I haven’t thought about in ages crosses my mind.

I’d always been so angry he’d broken up with me, but now I feel grateful that the relationship happened in the first place. I see everything from a place of compassion and love. In fact, I seem to have taken on the guise of a ‘60s hippy. I feel like I’ve broken a secret code.

8 The writer says she felt overwhelmed by positivity while she was in her truffle trip Credit: Shuttershock

After five hours, our trip ends and I finally feel like I’m “back in the room”. Leti gives us some pumpkin soup and we chat about our weird and wonderful experiences until bedtime.

Our adventure is over and tomorrow we’ll be heading back to Amsterdam – and reality.



But was it worth it?

It’s been four weeks since I had truffle therapy and I feel better than ever, as if my brain has had a spring clean.

I’m more focused, able to shift my perspective and I’m writing more than I have in months.

8 Becky and Amy are both feeling more positive about the future since visiting the retreat Credit: Shuttershock

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Something I wasn’t expecting was the effect it had on my dating life. I’ve been seeing guys I wouldn’t usually go for – I’m just enjoying meeting new people. And Amy feels the same. She’s been able to let a lot of the grief over her relationship go and is now feeling positive about the future.

When I tell people about it, I’m hit with a variety of reactions. Some are inspired, others are cynical.

While taking psychedelics won’t be for everyone, both Amy and I agree that we’d definitely do it again if we ever needed a bit more “magic” in our lives.

Dr Hilary says “Despite being promoted as different from magic mushrooms, these truffles contain exactly the same psychoactive compounds – psilocybin and psilocin – with the same effects. "While pleasant mind-altering sensations may be reported by some, ‘bad trips’ are common, too. "Research shows that nearly 3% of users require medical help afterwards and one in 10 put themselves or others in physical danger. "As a doctor I could never recommend truffle therapy. "There are plenty of healthier ways to unlock creativity and emotions, such as through exercise and counselling, without risking your mental health.”