Psychedelic therapy Netherlands

Interest in psychedelic therapy is growing worldwide. More and more scientific studies show that substances such as psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA may have potential for conditions including depression, trauma, anxiety disorders, and addiction. At the same time, many people seek not only relief from symptoms but also deeper self-insight, emotional processing, or a spiritual experience.

In the Netherlands, there is relatively ample room for guided psychedelic sessions, particularly with legal substances such as magic truffles. As a result, the Netherlands has grown into a major destination in recent years for people interested in psychedelic therapy.

One of the organizations playing a pioneering role in this is Triptherapie. With thousands of guided sessions and a network of experienced therapists and trip guides, Triptherapie offers a safe and professional environment for people who wish to use a psychedelic experience for personal growth or therapeutic purposes.

Why the Netherlands is a center for psychedelic therapy

In many countries, psychedelic substances are still strictly prohibited, limiting research and therapeutic applications. The Netherlands is an exception to this.

Although magic mushrooms have been banned since 2008, are magic truffles still legal. These contain the same active ingredient as magic mushrooms: psilocybin. As a result, guided sessions with truffles can take place under Dutch law.

This unique situation has ensured that extensive experience with psychedelic guidance has been built up in the Netherlands. Therapists, coaches, and guides have learned in practice how to safely guide people through a psychedelic experience.

Triptherapie is one of the organizations that has built up this experience and combines it with scientific insights from modern psychedelic therapy.

What is psychedelic therapy?

Psychedelic therapy is a form of guidance in which a psychedelic experience is used as a tool to deepen psychological processes. During such a session, a person can often more easily access emotions, memories, or insights that are difficult to reach in daily life.

The goal is not to get “high,” but to reach a state of consciousness in which the brain functions temporarily more flexibly. Research suggests that psychedelics can contribute to, among other things:

1. increased neuroplasticity

2. reducing rigid thought patterns

3. deeper emotional processing

4. new perspectives on personal problems

Many people describe a psychedelic session as a kind of accelerated introspection process, in which insights that normally take months or years sometimes become visible in a single experience.

The Triptherapie approach

What distinguishes Triptherapie is the holistic approach. Psychedelic therapy is not viewed as a standalone experience, but as a process consisting of preparation, guidance and integration.

1. Screening and intake

Before someone undergoes a session, it is first determined whether psychedelics are suitable for that person. This involves looking at, among other things:

1. medical conditions

2. medication use

3. psychological background

4. personal goals

This helps to minimize risks and choose the right approach.

2. Personal preparation

Following the intake, a preparation period follows which may consist of lifestyle advice, nutrition, mental preparation, and sometimes additional support such as supplements.

With Triptherapie, for example, neurotransmitters and stress levels are assessed. In some cases, support products such as GABA or DHEA are used, when deemed appropriate by the intake.

This preparation often increases the chance that someone can relax more deeply during the session and be open to the experience.

3. The psychedelic session

The session itself takes place in a safe environment with an experienced guide or tripsitter. Safety is paramount during the experience, but there is also room for introspection and emotional processing.

The facilitator does not actively steer the experience but ensures a stable and supportive environment. Music, aromatherapy, and other techniques can be used to support the experience.

4. Integration

After the session, there is time to discuss the experience. This is called integration. During this process, we look at how insights from the session can be translated into changes in daily life.

Many people experience that insights deepen further precisely during this phase.

Which psychedelics are used?

Triptherapie works primarily with legal or legally permitted variants of psychedelic substances. The most commonly used are:

Psilocybin (truffles)

Magic truffles contain psilocybin and form the basis of many psychedelic sessions in the Netherlands. The effects usually last four to six hours and are often introspective and emotionally deepening.

LSD analogues

In some sessions, legal LSD analogues are used. These often have a longer duration of effect and can provide a more analytical or philosophical experience.

MDMA analogues

MDMA-like substances are sometimes used in sessions aimed at emotional processing or trauma. MDMA can enhance feelings of safety and empathy. Please note: MDMA analogues are prohibited as of July 1, 2025, and after this date, MDMA or its analogues can only be supervised under a harm-reduction policy.

Combinations

In addition, there are also combinations such as:

1. Hippie flip (MDMA + psilocybin)

2. Wizardflip (LSD + psilocybin)

3. Psilohuasca (truffles + caapi)

4. Psiloflora (truffles + passion flower)

The choice of a specific session depends on the goal and the personal situation.

Guidance by experienced tripsitters

An important part of psychedelic therapy is guidance. During a psychedelic experience, emotions can be strongly intensified and the sense of control can temporarily change.

Therefore, the presence of an experienced tripsitter or therapist is essential.

A tripsitter takes care of, among other things:

1. physical safety

2. emotional support

3. calmness during fear or confusion

4. monitoring the setting

At Triptherapie, multiple facilitators work throughout the Netherlands. Sessions can take place at various locations or sometimes even at someone's home.

One of the most experienced guides in the Netherlands

Within Triptherapie plays Marcel van der Putten an important role. He is the founder of Triptherapie and is one of the most experienced psychedelic guides in the Netherlands.

Marcel van der Putten

With more than 2,300 guided psychedelic sessions Marcel has built up an exceptional amount of practical experience. He combines his background in chemistry and biochemistry with knowledge of psychology, nutrition, neurotransmitters, and neuroplasticity.

This combination of scientific knowledge and practical experience ensures that he approaches psychedelic sessions from both a biological and a psychological perspective. His approach focuses not only on the experience itself, but also on preparation and integration.

Many people specifically choose a session with Marcel when they want a first or deeper psychedelic experience.

For what goals do people choose psychedelic therapy?

People come to a psychedelic session for various reasons. The most common goals are:

1. processing trauma or emotional blockages

2. reducing depressive feelings

3. quitting alcohol or nicotine

4. reducing anxiety

5. more self-insight and personal growth

6. spiritual or existential experiences

Scientific research suggests that psychedelics may potentially help with depression, addiction, and PTSD, among other conditions, although this research is still very much in development.

The Netherlands attracts international visitors

Because psychedelic therapy is not yet available in many countries, people from abroad regularly travel to the Netherlands for a guided session.

Visitors from Germany, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, in particular, find their way to the Netherlands due to the relatively liberal legislation and accumulated expertise.

Triptherapie therefore also offers sessions with international guidance and retreats attended by participants from various countries.

A new approach to mental health

Psychedelic therapy is increasingly seen as a potential complement to existing forms of therapy. While traditional therapy often revolves around talking and analyzing, a psychedelic experience can provide direct access to emotions and underlying patterns.

For many people, it feels as if they can view their own psyche from a new perspective.

It is not a miracle cure and it is not suitable for everyone. But when applied carefully, with proper preparation and guidance, psychedelic therapy can be a powerful experience.

Conclusion

The Netherlands has developed into an important center for psychedelic therapy, partly thanks to the legal status of psilocybin truffles. As a result, guided sessions can take place in a relatively safe and professional context.

Triptherapie has built up an important role in this landscape by facilitating thousands of sessions and employing a holistic approach in which preparation, guidance, and integration are central.

For people curious about the therapeutic or personal possibilities of psychedelics, a guided session can be a unique opportunity to get to know themselves in a new way. Sometimes, just one experience can open a new perspective that continues to have an impact on daily life for a long time.

Go to: Triptherapie Netherlands