Emily Johnson
Amsterdam is known for its liberal drug policies, with coffeeshops selling marijuana and cannabis to customers. In the past, the city's smart shops also sold psychedelic magic mushrooms, which attracted many young tourists. However, magic mushrooms were banned in the Netherlands in 2008, and today, these shops sell alternative psychedelic products like magic truffles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality of magic mushrooms in Amsterdam | Illegal since 2008 |
| Types of magic mushrooms previously sold in Amsterdam | Psilocybe cubensis varieties, Psilocybe mexicana |
| Formats of magic mushrooms sold | Fresh truffles, dried mushrooms, chocolate bars with ground mushrooms |
| Shops selling magic mushrooms | Smart shops, souvenir shops, The Magic Mushroom Gallery |
| Precautions | Retailers provide warnings in English about the use of magic mushrooms |
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What You'll Learn
- Magic mushrooms were previously sold in Amsterdam's smart shops
- Magic truffles are still legal and sold in Amsterdam
- The Magic Mushroom Gallery sells truffles and raw chocolate
- Tolerance to the psychedelic effects of mushrooms develops rapidly
- Amsterdam coffeeshops sell a huge variety of cannabis strains
Magic mushrooms were previously sold in Amsterdam's smart shops
The Dutch government's decision to ban magic mushrooms may have been influenced by concerns about their potential harm. Forensic physicians in Amsterdam reported 30-36 lock-ins at police stations related to magic mushroom intoxications annually. However, the majority of incidents involved foreign tourists rather than Dutch users. The Dutch National Criminal Intelligence Service found no evidence of public nuisance or criminal acts related to the sale or use of magic mushrooms.
While magic mushrooms are now illegal in the Netherlands, other psychedelic substances like magic truffles, cacti, and 5-MeO-DMT are still widely available in smart shops. The country's liberal drug policy is also reflected in the annual Psy-Fi psychedelic music and arts festival in Leeuwarden, where psychedelics are openly promoted and sold.
Despite the previous availability of magic mushrooms in Amsterdam's smart shops, the prevalence of their use in the Netherlands was already declining before the ban in 2008. This decline continued after possession and use became illegal, suggesting that factors beyond legal status influence the demand for these substances.
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Magic truffles are still legal and sold in Amsterdam
Although the sale and use of magic mushrooms were banned in the Netherlands in 2008, magic truffles are still legal and sold in Amsterdam. Magic truffles, like magic mushrooms, are psychedelic and contain psilocybin. They are often consumed orally, and users describe their experience as a trip.
In Amsterdam, magic truffles can be purchased from 'smart shops', which also sell other psychedelic drugs such as cacti, 5-Meo-DMT, iboga, and more. One such shop is The Magic Mushroom Gallery, which sells magic truffles and provides advice on where to go and what to do while tripping in Amsterdam.
The Dutch government has a more liberal view of drugs compared to most countries, and the country has a national drug testing system called the Drug Information and Monitoring System, which tests around 18,000 samples annually. Despite the liberal drug policy, the Dutch government has taken steps to address the downsides of Amsterdam's increasing popularity among tourists, especially those seeking drugs.
It is important to note that while magic truffles are legal in the Netherlands, psilocybe cubensis mushrooms (aka magic mushrooms) are currently illegal, as are pure extractions (e.g. psilocine, mescaline, DMT) and ayahuasca, even for religious use.
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The Magic Mushroom Gallery sells truffles and raw chocolate
The Magic Mushroom Gallery in Amsterdam sells magic truffles, including the Atlantis 25g variety, and magic truffles Mexicana. The Magic Truffles cost €15 - €20 per portion, depending on their strength. The shop also sells raw chocolate, priced at €27.50.
Reviews of the shop are mixed. Some customers have complained that the raw chocolate does not seem to contain mushrooms, while others have praised the truffles for providing a "mind-blowing" experience. One customer reported that the truffles had no effect on them, even though they followed the instructions carefully. However, the shop's management responded to this review, asking the customer to get in touch via email so that they could find a solution.
The Magic Mushroom Gallery's staff are described as friendly and informative, taking the time to explain things carefully to customers. The shop provides directions for using their products, and some reviews suggest that customers follow these instructions carefully to avoid a bad experience.
The Magic Mushroom Gallery is located in Amsterdam's bustling city centre, with convenient access to sightseeing, shopping, and street life. The Royal Palace, the quaint shops of Haalremmerdijk, and popular neighbourhoods such as the Red Light District and the Canal Ring are all within walking distance.
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Tolerance to the psychedelic effects of mushrooms develops rapidly
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are psychedelic drugs that contain psilocybin and psilocin—hallucinogens that alter a person's thinking, sense of time, emotions, and state of consciousness. They are often consumed orally, either dried and mixed with food or drinks, or fresh.
Tolerance to the psychedelic effects of psilocybin develops rapidly with continued use, meaning that with regular use, a person will need larger doses of the drug to achieve the same effect. This can be especially risky with shrooms, as consuming a large amount can result in overdose symptoms, including tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, nausea, and vomiting. It is important to note that discontinuing use for about a week will generally return individuals to their normal tolerance levels.
While magic mushrooms are not considered physically or psychologically addictive, and there is little evidence of physical withdrawal symptoms, some psychological effects, such as depression, may occur when stopping use. In addition, some people who regularly use magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks, or "hallucination hangovers," involving a previous magic mushroom experience. These flashbacks can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience is recalled, and can be triggered by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise.
In Amsterdam, magic mushrooms were previously sold in smart shops, souvenir shops, and online, attracting many young tourists seeking to use them. However, since 2008, possession and use of magic mushrooms have been illegal in the Netherlands. Despite this, some retailers continue to sell products containing magic truffles, which are generally fresh and thus less potent than dried mushrooms.
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Amsterdam coffeeshops sell a huge variety of cannabis strains
Amsterdam's "coffeeshops" are famous worldwide for selling a wide variety of cannabis strains. These shops have been part of Dutch life and culture since the early 1970s. Although you can still get tea, coffee, and snacks at these shops, it is widely understood that cannabis is the core of their sales.
The cannabis menu at these shops is likely to be long, with a huge variety of strains, nearly all of it grown locally. You may see items with names that imply they've come from overseas, such as a "Thai" joint, but these strains are almost certainly still Dutch-grown. The hashish, however, is mostly imported from Morocco.
Some of the popular cannabis strains available at Amsterdam's coffeeshops include Candy Kush, Gelato 41, Gorilla Glue #4, and Lemon Haze. Each strain has a unique flavour profile and effect, ranging from sweet and mellow to energetic and heady highs.
It is important to remember that while cannabis is decriminalized in the Netherlands, coffeeshops still operate on a quasi-legal basis and it is important to consume it responsibly and in moderation.
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Frequently asked questions
No, magic mushrooms are currently illegal in the Netherlands. Possession and use became illegal in December 2008.
Yes, magic mushrooms were previously available to buy in Amsterdam. Tourists would visit the Netherlands specifically to use them, and they could be purchased in smart shops, souvenir shops, and online.
Magic mushrooms are illegal in Amsterdam, so they are not available to buy in shops. However, some retailers may sell similar products, such as magic truffles, which are legal.
The physical and psychological dependence potential of magic mushrooms is low, and the Dutch National Criminal Intelligence Service found no evidence of public nuisance as a result of their sale or use. However, forensic physicians in Amsterdam have registered 30-36 lock-ins at police stations related to magic mushroom intoxications per year.
