Safety
& Screening
A truffle ceremony starts with careful screening. Not everyone is suitable for participation — and that is not a barrier, but protection. Here we explain how our screening process works, which contraindications apply and how we handle unforeseen situations.
Intake & screening procedure
Participation in a ceremony is only possible after a personal intake conversation. This conversation serves multiple purposes.
- Mutual introduction and trust assessment
- Inventory of medication use and medical background
- Discussion of psychiatric or psychological history
- Assessment of current life situation stability
- Establishing intention, expectations and motivation
- Informed consent — explanation of what participation entails, the risks and personal responsibility
Contraindications & exclusion criteria
Participation is not possible in the following situations. These are absolute exclusion criteria, not personal judgements.
Medication
- SSRIs and SNRIs (antidepressants)
- MAO inhibitors
- Lithium
- Antipsychotics
- Certain blood pressure or heart medication
Unsure about your medication? Get in touch before requesting an intake. We always check this together.
Psychiatric & psychological background
- Current or past psychotic episode
- Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
- Bipolar disorder (type I)
- Personality disorders in acute phase
- Family history of psychosis or schizophrenia (increased risk)
Medical
- Serious cardiovascular conditions
- Epilepsy or seizure disorders
- Liver or kidney problems (in consultation)
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Situational
- Major personal crisis or acute instability
- Recent loss or trauma without any processing
- Active substance abuse
- Participation under pressure from others (not own choice)
Informed consent
Every participant consciously consents to participation. Informed consent means that you:
- Understand what psilocybin is and how it works
- Are aware of the possible risks and challenging experiences
- Know that the ceremony is not a medical treatment
- Understand that you bear personal responsibility for your participation
- Give consent for the processing of your data (GDPR)
- Confirm that you have read the contraindications and that none apply to you
Safety protocol during the ceremony
During the ceremony a number of fixed safety measures are in place.
- The guide is present all day — there is always a person available who is sober and alert
- The guide holds a valid first aid/BHV certificate
- Dosage is individually determined and never exceeded without explicit consent
- Water, fruit and comfort are available throughout the day
- Participants do not drive themselves after the ceremony — transport is arranged in advance
- The exact location address is known to the guide and a trusted contact person
- Mobile phone is available for emergencies
Emergency procedure
In the unlikely event of a medical situation we follow this procedure:
- Step 1 — Guide assesses the situation and remains calmly present
- Step 2 — When in doubt 112 is called immediately; better unnecessary alarm than too late
- Step 3 — The participant is not left alone until professional help is present
- Step 4 — Next of kin or emergency contact are notified
- Step 5 — Incident is documented and evaluated
Aftercare & availability
After the ceremony you are not on your own. Aftercare is a standard part of every trajectory.
- An integration session is included with all ceremonies — standard scheduled in the weeks afterwards
- Getting in touch in between is always possible via email
- In case of unexpected complaints or intensive processing, we refer to an appropriate professional
- We follow the processing for at least four weeks after the ceremony