Info
What you need to know
Participating in our retreat programs is an investment of your time, energy, and money. We understand you will have many questions about our work. So would we. We encourage you to get informed and do your own research.
That being said, we condensed some useful information here for you. In case you should have further questions, please do not hesitate to schedule a call with our team.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
ON psilocybin-truffles & Altered states of consciousness
We would like to highlight that taking psilocybin-containing truffles is not the primary goal and intention of our development programs. Rather, we perceive psychedelics and altered states of consciousness as an instrument for insight and development, an extraordinarily powerful “consciousness technology”. Given the right mindset, ceremonial setting, preparation and integration, psychedelic experiences can catalyze profound development.
Experiences outside of everyday consciousness (altered states of consciousness, ASC) are particularly effective to promote development, not least because they help disintegrate or “melt” rigid mental or behavioural structures temporarily and thus create new options for thinking, behaving and being in the world. Under ASC there is an increased openness to experience and thus to change in the system (on a brain level we would say there is enhanced neuroplasticity). So we harness the power of ASC and peak experiences in our personal development programs to catalyse profound change and growth.
We induce altered states of consciousness (ASC) using a diverse methodological toolkit. However, our primary technology constitutes legal psilocybin-containing truffles (colloquially called “magic truffles”). These truffles provide a reproducible and safe way to induce ASC.
In addition, we use techniques such as breathwork, bodywork, and meditation to provide you the opportunity to see yourself from a “different-than-normal” perspective.
To induce a deep state of altered consciousness, our participants consume legal, psychoactive psilocybin truffles (colloquially called “magic truffles”) on the day of their guided psychedelic ceremony.
The truffles we use for ceremony contain the psychedelic molecules psilocin and its phosphorylated counterpart psilocybin. Once ingested, psilocybin is metabolized by the body into psilocin, and then unfolds its serotonergic effect – what people usually refer to as “the trip”. Clinical evidence shows that psilocybin is a physiologically safe substance with no known addictive effects and virtually no toxicity (e.g. see here).
We maximize your safety by the right assessment, preparation, facilitation, and integration.
Assessment:
We undertake a physical / mental health screening via an online questionnaire and a screening call to minimize the risk of any potentially adverse health-related outcome.
Preparation:
Participants will learn about a responsable approach to working with psilocybin-containing truffles (risk and harm reduction). Latest scientific evidence will be presented about the potential upsides and downsides of using psychedelics. In addition, they will receive guidance in how to navigate during states of altered consciousness. You will receive 1-on-1 coaching to get the best possible preparation.
Facilitation:
The psychedelic ceremonies with psilocybin-containing truffles we offer are guided by world-class, experienced facilitators. Our experts give you enough freedom to make your own steps and will be always at your side in case you need their support.
Integration:
Psychedelic experiences with psilocybin-containing truffles can be very profound and feel seismic. Journeyers can go through intense emotions days and weeks after their ceremony. This is why we crafted an integration program that will help you incorporate your insights into your life in a sustainable manner. You will receive 1-on-1 coaching to get the most out of your journey.
In the Netherlands, psychedelic psilocybin-containing truffles are legal. In contrast, psychedelic mushrooms were classified as a scheduled substance in 2007. The legal truffles we use are sourced from authorized and quality-controlled manufacturers in the Netherlands.
Because we want to maximize your safety, we require all applicants to fill out a screening questionnaire on their mental and physical health as well as to perform a screening call prior to admission. While we adhere to the best known practices and professional standards, we currently do not treat mental illnesses nor offer any form of therapy. This is why we do not admit participants with diagnoses of depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or anxiety disorders.
ON THE RETREAT PROGRAMME
We designed the EVOLEAD program for people who are aware of their potential to influence others / their environment / the state of the world and want to responsibly act upon it. People who strive for personal and professional growth and are willing to undergo transformation.
While many of our clients have a leading role in their organizations (C-level, team leads, directors, founders), we judge the appropriateness of our applicants not by their job title but by their willingness and potential to assume responsibility for themselves and for others. Our clients must be willing to enter into an honest and sometimes challenging dialogue with themselves and with others.
This is why, prior to final admission, we have individual video / phone calls with every applicant to ensure participant-program fit
We conduct our ceremonies in groups of up to 10 participants in a safe, comfortable, and privacy-ensuring indoor space.
You will be assisted by experienced facilitators during your truffle journey for maximum impact and safety.
We craft a unique and unforgettable atmosphere with appropriate music, lighting, and aromas to stimulate all your senses.
We honour plant medicine traditions that have been used for centuries and skillfully combine them with best-practices inspired by modern clinical research.
We require our program participants to participate in the preparation program before being admitted to the on-site immersion in the Netherlands. We also strongly encourage our clients to take part in the integration program for maximum impact.
In case you should, at short notice, opt for not consuming psychedelic truffles during the on-site immersion, you are always free to do so. We will have alternative content for you. We will always offer you the chance to discuss your decision with our facilitators so that we can make sure that this decision is for your best.
Group dynamics can be an essential factor in facilitating self-exploration, trust-building, reciprocity, and emotional and behavioural intelligence. The feelings of companionship and emotional connectedness to others are important constituents of the benefit of deep inner work.
Research shows that group dynamics during a psychedelic retreat can lead to better outcomes for individuals.
Group dynamics are a very important factor for a powerful and long-lasting retreat experience. This is why we put great importance to admitting the right participants to our exclusive leadership retreats. We strive to collect people whom you can regard as your peers – people with the potential or track-record of being decision makers and leaders: executives, senior managers, entrepreneurs and founders, creatives, just to name a few. People who are at a similar point in life and who can understand your longings, aspirations, and struggles.
During our program, participants will dive deeply into their minds and hearts. This requires that each individual feels safe in the group and does not feel held back by other participants.
Our loved ones can sometimes help us move through difficulties, but can also exert influence and pressure.
Reach out to us to discuss your individual case and we can find a solution that will ensure you get most of our program.
While we adhere to the best known practices and professional standards, we currently do not treat mental illnesses. This is why we do not admit participants with diagnoses of depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or anxiety disorders. None of the services we offer shall replace professional medical care. In doubt, always seek out a medical professional.
On retreat Bookings
The price for the EVOLEAD 5-week leadership development program is EUR 5.900. This includes all costs for the entire program (1-on-1 coaching sessions, ceremony, curated content, facilitators and coaches) as well as accommodation, food, and drinks.
We charge that amount because we believe in the added value and quality of our work. Our highest aim is to provide a safe environment for profound self-exploration and transformation. It is an investment into your personal development and probably a “once in a lifetime” experience.
For more price information on our customized programs for organizations (Evolute ORG), please contact us directly. Discounted prices might be available, please contact us directly.
If you can no longer attend the retreat you booked, we offer the following options:
a) If you notify us up to 6 weeks (=42 days) prior to the beginning of the program:
- We are happy to transfer you to another retreat date (at no additional cost).
- If you are not sure yet when you will be available for the next retreat, we can use your payment as credit to be used for a retreat in the future (at no additional cost). Your credit has no expiry date.
- If you no longer want to participate at our retreat at all, we offer you a full refund minus the non-refundable deposit (EUR 1000).
a) If you notify us up until 30 days prior to the beginning of the program:
- We are happy to transfer you to another retreat date (at no additional cost).
- If you are not sure yet when you will be available for the next retreat, we can use your payment as credit to be used for a retreat in the future (at no additional cost). Your credit has no expiry date.
- If you no longer want to participate at our retreat at all, we offer a 50% refund minus the non-refundable deposit (EUR 1000) and refund any remaining paid amount.
b) If you notify us less than 30 days prior to the beginning of the program, no refunds can be offered.
We take your concerns about Covid seriously and we do our best to minimize Covid-related risks. We require all our participants to complete a Covid rapid antigen test before starting their travel to the retreat and upon arrival on-site. Moreover, we will daily offer free rapid-testing on-site to our participants.
We developed a hygiene protocol that will be handed out to participants prior to their departure for the on-site retreat.
Because certain exercises during our on-site retreat require seeing each other’s faces and physical touch (e.g. holding hands), masks cannot always be worn and the 1.5 meter distance not always be respected (e.g. during the truffle ceremony).
If you are no longer able to attend due to COVID-19 health, safety or travel restrictions, we will keep your full paid amount as credit towards a future retreat. This credit will not expire. We ask that you provide official documentation of your positive test result by a licensed test facility or your country’s travel restrictions.
If you are forced to cancel your place on a retreat, it is your obligation to notify us as soon as possible via [email protected].
If you cannot participate in the retreat because you have tested positive for Covid less than 14 days before the on-site retreat or when being tested positively upon arrival at the retreat, we will transfer you to a retreat in the future or store your full payment amount as credit towards a future retreat (at no additional cost). This credit will not expire.
We know very well how important privacy is to most of our clients. We will never share any sensitive information about our clients publicly or to any third-party. We will never post photos of participants from our retreats without the prior explicit written approval from the affected participants.
We process personal data (e.g. name, email address) in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (“GDPR”).
If you have any further questions regarding any aspect of our program, please do not hesitate to contact us here. We will be more than happy to get in touch with you.
On Logistics
The 4-day on-site retreat of EvoLead will take place in a comfortable and exclusive retreat center situated around 80 car minutes from Amsterdam.
The facilities offer a relaxing and private atmosphere with ideal conditions for deep work.
We offer our retreat programs at different locations in the Netherlands.
We will get in touch with you regarding your logistics as soon as you have been admitted to EVOLEAD.
All participants will be housed in simple but high-quality private or shared rooms based upon availability.
You will receive a detailed list of items to bring. In general, please bring enough comfortable clothes for physical activities such as yoga & meditation, the truffle ceremony as well as warm clothes and shoes for outdoor walks.
You may bring a small personal object (e.g. a family photo) that you might want to take with you to the ceremony.
Notepads and pencils as well as all workshop material will be provided.