From success to self-insight: a truffle experience in the Zuidas, Amsterdam

When Quote recently wrote about truffle therapy as “the new luxury for the overstimulated elite,” that resonated with some readers. One of them, a successful young entrepreneur with a thriving webshop, decided not only to read about this form of therapy but to experience it herself. She chose me, Marcel, as a guide for her psychedelic trip at her home in the Zuidas.

The outside world under control, the inside world hidden

From the outside, everything seemed in order: growing revenue, a strong brand, financial independence. But behind that success lies a pattern of escapism that happens often with successful people. During the session, we discovered that a lot of pent-up emotions were released.

The ceremony began calmly with an introductory conversation. After ingesting the truffles, the effects began to kick in subtly about 20 minutes later. What initially seemed like a mild relaxation soon transformed into a wave of emotions. The suppressed feelings that had been tucked away for years beneath the drive for achievement and control surfaced one by one.

Letting go of repressed emotions

This young woman was experiencing so much grief that she wanted it to lessen a little. I encouraged her to allow it, and I gave her something to slightly reduce the effects, for reassurance. The grief that had been held in her body finally found an outlet through tears.

The result?

We are halfway through the session and she is calmer, with the occasional sob. We do not yet know what the result will be, as the session is still ongoing (with psilocybin, during the introspective phase, there is often room to let the client turn inward and do something else in close proximity). I think today is going to have a significant long-term effect. I see the tears as an indication: the more tears, the more letting go and progress. That is not always the case, but it is often!

We'll see, and perhaps there will be an update soon!