Magic truffles are widely available and very popular. They are also potent psychedelics with the ability to induce powerful experiences. In this article, we aim to show you how to take them responsibly, and ultimately have a wonderful experience.

What Are Magic Truffles?

Magic truffles are the subterranean parts of the entire organism (or colony) that creates magic mushrooms. Truffles are technically called sclerotia, and they form out of mycelium underground. In the Psilocybe genus, the sclerotia contain psilocybin and psilocin—the compounds that cause a psychedelic experience.

Truffles are legal in the Netherlands, while mushrooms are not. The reason for this is that Dutch law states that only psilocybin-containing “mushrooms” are illegal. And as sclerotia are not technically mushrooms (only the reproductive part that grows above the ground is considered a mushroom), they are not banned by law. Unlike mushrooms, which are soft and wet, sclerotia are hard, dense, and comparatively dry.

What Are the Effects of Magic Truffles?

The effects of magic truffles are the same as those of magic mushrooms.

At low doses, magic truffles can cause:

• Physical sensations similar to nervousness or excitement

• Heightened sensory perception—the world can appear with more clarity; colours and sounds may appear more saturated

• Deeper thoughts and feelings

• Increased empathy

• As sense of well-being and oneness

Note: Low doses can also cause general discomfort and anxiety, as the brain and body can’t really determine why they feel strange—only that they do.

At medium doses, magic truffles can cause:

• Strong physical sensations

• Intense sensory perception—sensory stimuli will likely appear very beautiful

• The world may appear to bend, warp, and breathe in unusual ways

• Mild closed-eye visuals

• Very deep thoughts

• A profound sense of oneness and acceptance

At high doses, magic truffles can cause:

• A powerful change in perception

• Ego death

• Hallucinations

Magic Truffles vs Magic Mushrooms

As mentioned, truffles grow below ground, and mushrooms above.

The other big difference is how they are to eat. Dry mushrooms aren’t necessarily pleasant, but they tend not to be too bad and don’t usually affect the stomach so badly. Truffles, on the other hand, are very dense and can taste very bad, and are more likely to upset a person’s stomach.

It has long been suggested by some parties that magic truffles contain less psilocybin and psilocin than mushrooms, and thus are less potent. Indeed, this is one of the reasons sclerotia are allowed to be sold legally in the Netherlands. However, this theory has not been scientifically confirmed, and is likely (partly) down to confusion surrounding the concentration of these chemicals by dry weight. In any case, slightly higher doses of truffles are typically recommended in order to achieve a trip comparable to one on mushrooms.

Moreover, magic truffles are typically consumed fresh, while mushrooms are often dried first. That said, you can more or less treat mushrooms and truffles the same in terms of approaching how they should be used.

How to Take Magic Truffles

If you choose to take magic truffles, or magic mushrooms, then you should know at least a little about responsible use. Exercising due care will facilitate a better, more profound trip. A trip free from worry can be experienced much more clearly than an anxious one, so if you really want to feel the effects and have fun, preparing is one of the best ways to do this.

Understand How to Dose

First things first, you need to know how to dose truffles. In order to do this properly, you need to know which strain you have. Some are comparably weak and can be eaten in high quantities, while others are very strong and require only small doses.

The following advice is very rough and should be used in conjunction with your own knowledge about the strength of the truffles you are using. A rough dosing guideline for fresh magic truffles is:

• Low: 5–7.5 grams

• Medium: 7.5–15 grams

• High: 15+ grams

Bear in mind that if you have very mild truffles, then a 5-gram trip is going to be incredibly light. Likewise, if you have very strong truffles, then a 15-gram trip is going to be quite intense.

Know Your Truffles

So, given that, you can only really dose accurately if you know which strain you are taking. If you do, then you can easily look up dosing guidance and trip reports online, and assess from there. If you really don’t know which strain you are taking, then maybe start with somewhere between 7.5 and 12.5 grams, depending on how strong you’d like your trip to be. Also, make sure you pay attention to whether the dosing recommendations are for fresh or dried truffles; it will make a big difference!

Set and Setting

You’ve probably seen the term “set and setting” many times, but it is incredibly important if you want to have a good trip.

“Set” refers to mindset. It’s no secret that taking psychedelics in a bad mood can cause a bad experience, though this isn’t always the case. You’re likely to have an unpleasant experience if you’re tired, stressed, busy, or your mind is otherwise messy and unclear. If, however, you are in a sad place and looking for some guidance, tripping can actually be beneficial—it depends on the individual in question, and on the setting.

“Setting” literally refers to the place in which you trip, and the people surrounding you. A busy shopping centre is a horrible place to take truffles, while a sunny forest is a wonderful one. Generally, calm spaces where you don’t need to interact with non-tripping people are much better. It’s also worth matching the setting to your mindset. If you’re in a bad place and are trying to use truffles to gain some insight, then a cosy, safe indoor setting or a familiar natural place is most suitable. If you’re with friends and just want to have fun, then you can be more flexible with where you trip.

Use a Trip Sitter

People often advise the use of a trip sitter for novice mushroom or truffle users, but it isn’t always necessary. Another option is to trip with one or two very close friends. In this scenario, you should find you’re able to handle all that comes up between you.

Trip sitters can be useful if you want to go very deep into a psychedelic experience, but at lighter doses they are usually not so important. In fact, unless a person really knows what they’re doing, a sober presence can be incredibly disturbing and off-putting when you’re tripping. What may at first seem like a good idea could in fact turn out to be the thing that taints the experience.

Clear Your Schedule

Make sure you have the time to trip!

A busy day leading up to a trip, or knowing you have a very busy schedule the day after a trip, can make it feel crammed in and messy.

If you have the luxury, clear the day before and after a trip of anything stressful or intense. That doesn’t mean those days have to be completely empty, but just make sure you don’t have to get up too early or rush around.

If nothing else, make sure the hours preceding your trip are clear. Don’t spend all morning busy, and then trip in the afternoon. If you do, you’ll find that your mind can’t settle and you won’t be able to place yourself in the moment.

Make Sure You Want To

Check in with yourself and confirm that you actually want to trip. Just because all of your friends are doesn’t mean you have to. And if you’ve said no and someone is trying to pressure you into it, just walk away. You’ll likely have a bad time if someone else pushes a trip upon you, and you may struggle to build your own, positive relationship with magic truffles going forward.

But don’t be put off if you feel anxiety and fear before a trip, as this is totally natural. Even very experienced users still get anxious before they trip—it’s a part of it. So don’t close up at the first feelings of fear, but rather try to be honest with yourself about whether you want to experience a different state of consciousness right now.

Don’t Mix With Other Substances

If you’re inexperienced, it’s best not to mix truffles with other substances. Many sources say that smoking weed enhances the trip, and for some this may be true. But for others, it just introduces an anxious edge and actually reduces the effects of the truffles.

A little smoke or drink can be pleasant toward the end of a trip, but it will still dull the experience somewhat. Until you’re very comfortable with the experience, take truffles on their own. Plus, if you mix them with other drugs, you’ll never actually know what they’re like on their own, and that’s a big loss.

Know That Bad Trips Are Overstated

Comfort yourself with the knowledge that bad trips are actually pretty rare—they’re mostly the invention of anti-drug propaganda. While uncomfortable experiences can surely happen, and sometimes they can be frightening and overwhelming, the chances of a truffle trip descending into madness and full-blown hallucinations are almost nil.

Switch Your Devices Off!

Don’t go on your phone. Texting, scrolling on social media: these things will certainly dampen your psychedelic experience, and can also arouse anxiety.

Use your trip as an opportunity to take a day off from your devices; it will be infinitely richer for it!

If you must use one for music, prepare the music before the trip and place the device somewhere out of the way and on airplane mode, so you don’t get distracted by texts, calls, or anything else.

Take a Breath

Breathe and be still. Negative feelings are to be expected even in the best of trips. Anti-drug rhetoric can make you feel as though a single bad thought or feeling is destined to bring doom to your experience, but this is far from the case. Much like in everyday, sober life, thoughts and feelings will come and go while you’re tripping—this is totally natural.

Tips for Overcoming a Bad Trip

If you have an uncomfortable experience during your trip, there’s no need to worry or fear that you’ll be stuck in that state for the whole experience. Here are some tips in case things start getting a bit too intense:

• Take a few deep breaths; hold at the top of the inhale and the bottom of the exhale.

• Know that truffle trips are relatively short, so everything will be over soon.

• If things feel intense as you’re coming up, know that they will very quickly “level out” and you’ll soon feel good—it’s just part of the process.

• Remind yourself that truffles and mushrooms are among the safest drugs in the world.

• Take a walk outside, if the surroundings are peaceful.

• Drink water.

• Don’t smoke weed or drink caffeine or alcohol.

• Stretch and/or do yoga; it’s incredible how gentle movement can bring you back from even the most intense trip.

• Get lost in some soothing music.

• Tell your friends how you’re feeling—don’t bottle it up.

• Practise acceptance! If you fight an uncomfortable trip, you can be certain it will get worse. Accept that you feel bad right now, and know it will change, but don’t try to force it.

• Know you’ll be absolutely fine!

Taking Magic Truffles: Very Safe With the Right Approach

Magic truffles are really quite safe, and as long as you’re with people you trust and in a relaxing environment, the chances of having an enjoyable experience are very high.

Follow the tips in this article to plan for your trip, and most of all, rest easy in the knowledge that magic truffles and mushrooms are friendly drugs. Even if the experience becomes intense, it won’t actually hurt you!