PSILOCYBIN MEDITATION RETREAT: SUMMER PSYCHEDELIC RETREAT
Mon 19th May 2025 – Sat 24th May 2025
Gelderland, Netherlands
THE RETREAT
The Psychedelic Health Professions Network envisions a world where psychedelics are used responsibly, ethically, and safely to enhance wellbeing, cultivate transformation and deepen our connection to ourselves, others and the natural world. Our commitment to this vision is embodied in our evidence-based, legally grounded and ever-evolving retreat program.
This May, we invite you to our Psilocybin Meditation Retreat — a transformative retreat set in the serene Dutch countryside. Here, self-discovery unfolds through two guided psilocybin ceremonies which are held in a silent meditation retreat style, meditation, breathwork, and creative expression in dance, art, and deep connection with nature. You’ll have the space to embrace new beginnings and explore fresh perspectives on growth.
This retreat is held in an open, secular (non-religious) manner. Any participant can meditate in the style of their choosing - whether that is following a modern mindfulness based approach, or a more traditional dharma approach - or a mix of all the above! All are welcome. Whilst there will be some guided meditations, they are always an invitation.
PSYCHEDELICS AND MEDITATION
There have been a number of studies performed over the past few years examining the relationship between psychedelics and meditation with intriguing and promising results.
Several groups of researchers have studied high dose psilocybin compared to placebo in meditators and found that those who received psilocybin experienced a number of benefits during meditation including:
Increased mindfulness which remained the day after the retreat
A strong mystical or spiritual experience - among the top five most spiritual experiences of their lives, or in a large proportion of cases the most spiritually significant experience of their life
Enhanced meditation experiences including enhanced ability and depth/quality
A variety of beneficial psychoemotional changes e.g. increased acceptance, connection, peacefulness, transformation
After the retreat, there were a number of changes identified, which persisted at the six month follow up mark for example:
positive changes in attitudes about their lives and themselves;
positive mood changes;
increased altruism;
positive behaviour changes
increased spirituality.
other positive changes for example increased gratitude, the ability to forgive, improved life meaning, appreciation of life, self-acceptance, quest for meaning and sense of purpose, and appreciation of death.
In one study, participants' friends/colleagues were also interviewed and said that they had noticed significantly positive changes in behaviour and attitudes.
Taken together these studies provide a foundation upon which PHP have decided to offer this special psilocybin and meditation retreat, to provide an opportunity for meditators to experience for themselves how psilocybin affects and deepens their meditation practice.
For a more detailed review and summary of the different papers discussed above, you can read our research summary paper here.
WHAT TO EXPECT
This retreat is for everyone - whether you’re new to psychedelics or already have experience. We welcome individuals from all walks of life and are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive environment for all neurotypes, sexual orientations, lifestyles, ages and cultural backgrounds.
Through carefully curated practices, you’ll have the opportunity to:
Participate in two psilocybin ceremonies led by qualified and experienced facilitators.
Awaken your body with ecstatic dance and somatic movement.
Explore creative self-expression through art.
Nourish your soul with nature immersion.
Opportunity to do breathwork
Reconnect with your inner self and the world around you in meaningful ways.
Spaces are intentionally limited to maintain an intimate, personalised experience, ensuring that you feel fully supported throughout your journey.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
It’s not just the 6 days in the Netherlands, but the whole process of personal transformation.
Preparation/Orientation – preparation is a vital aspect of this process. A series of screening, group and one to one support calls and monthly groups before the retreat will allow you to maximise the benefit of your experience and prepare mind, body and soul.
The Retreat Experience – 6 days, 5 nights full board, single rooms and travel from Amsterdam to the retreat centre.
Integration – group, one to one and monthly support calls to help you integrate your experience.
IS THIS RETREAT FOR YOU?
This retreat may be for you if you are:
At any stage of life, seeking transformation and growth.
Curious about psychedelics and embodied practices.
Ready to embrace deeper self-awareness and personal empowerment.
Seeking inspiration, clarity and connection with others.
Desiring to enhance emotional wellbeing, resilience and empathy.
Looking to release limiting patterns and cultivate a deeper sense of purpose.
RETREAT FAQs
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Anyone applying for one of the PHP retreats will be sent a detailed Application Form which will cover important information necessary for our team to determine if psilocybin is safe for each individual and if our retreats are suitable for you. You will then be contacted by one of our screening team and, if appropriate, a screening video call will be set up. It is of the utmost importance that you are completely honest and that you provide us with full and correct information during this process so that we can ensure your safety and the safety of others.
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Preparation and integration are key aspects of the psychedelic experience, and we have developed our approach to this informed by our experiences facilitating group therapeutic processes, aiming to create a sense of group cohesion.
Prior to arrival, everyone will be assigned to a small ‘pod’ of about 4 participants, with each pod having 1 facilitator (typically a 1:4 ratio) who will be working with them on the retreat. As part of their preparation, participants will have a 1:1 video call and, usually, a small group video call with their pod facilitator before the retreat. During the call, they will have the opportunity to get to know each other, talk through personal intentions and receive more practical details about the retreat.
Following the retreat, there is an additional 1:1 and pod video call with their facilitator. An online meet-up for the whole group is also provided. For those who wish to keep in contact, the option of continuing to meet thereafter in a peer support format is available. The group will also be able to connect via WhatsApp and will have access to PHP’s network-wide monthly integration group.
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£2,450 for a six-day retreat (two psilocybin ceremonies). This price covers facilitation, accommodation, food & return bus travel between Amsterdam & the retreat centre and six preparation/integration video calls
£50 for the psilocybin truffles/mushrooms. (In order to sell truffles in The Netherlands you have to be a registered ‘smart shop’, so for licensing reasons, we cannot give you the truffles directly and you have to purchase them yourself. We will set aside time in Amsterdam prior to the bus journey for you to buy the truffles you’ll be using.
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Closest airport: Amsterdam
We offer a group coach with pick-up near Amsterdam Centraal train station and return drop-off at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
We will be gathering in central Amsterdam at a Smart Shop (café) on Monday 7th April afternoon (a 10 min walk from Centraal Station). The exact location will be provided after confirmation of your booking.
If you can, please arrive there by 3pm at the latest. If you want to get there early and drop bags, please feel free - we have a good relationship with the people in the shop and they have a safe area for this.At least one of the Facilitators will be there from 1 pm. We will all leave the shop together at about 4pm to catch our coach at 4.30pm which will take us to the retreat centre.
Arrival Day
Meeting point: Monday April 7, 2025, by 3:00pm CET (at a Smart Shop, 10 min from Centraal Train Station, Amsterdam)
Coach departure time: Monday April 7, 2025, 4:30pm CET (near Amsterdam Centraal station)
Departure Day
Coach drop-off time: April 12, 2025, 1:30-2:00pm CET depending on traffic (at Amsterdam Schiphol airport)
For those travelling by train, direct trains from Schiphol airport to Centraal station run every 15 minutes and take around 15 minutes.
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Our retreat centre is set on a traditional farm with 8,000m² of beautiful grounds. The farmhouse, built in the traditional Dutch style, houses some of the bedrooms, while others are located in two adjacent buildings. Additionally, the centre features charming ‘tiny houses,’ which guests love for their peaceful, cozy atmosphere - offering a unique and restful experience. Toilets and showers are conveniently located near all rooms.
Each retreat participant will have their own private room, and we will take all accommodation needs into consideration.
The ceremony space is a traditional Finnish Kota, designed for comfort and transformation. It features soft lighting, underfloor heating and an inviting atmosphere. Set amidst mature trees and overlooking a serene pond, it provides a truly special setting for deep inner work.
Nature is at the heart of this retreat centre’s appeal, with a ley line running through the site, adding to its unique energy.
Lovingly developed over the past 40 years, this retreat space has a distinctive atmosphere that participants consistently find supportive and enriching.
JOIN US FOR OUR PSILOCYBIN MEDITATION RETREAT
Deepen your meditation ability. Step into a space of renewal, creativity and transformation - where new beginnings await.
Spaces are limited. Reserve your spot today to embark on this sacred journey of connection, clarity, and growth.
THE TEAM
Our facilitation team comprises health professionals, experienced psychedelic facilitators and compassionate guides. With deep expertise and lived experience, we provide a safe, intentional space for your journey. We offer a high ratio of facilitators to participants to ensure that you feel fully held, heard and supported at every stage of your experience
