Safety, Risks, and Contraindications of Psychedelics
Psychedelics require careful consideration
Psychedelics can open up profound, valuable, and sometimes even life-changing experiences. At the same time, they are powerful substances that can amplify deep psychological and emotional processes. Like any powerful tool, psychedelics also come with risks and require careful preparation and attention to context.
In today’s media landscape, I often notice a one-sided narrative in which psychedelics are presented as a quick fix for personal growth or a standalone solution for deep psychological suffering.
That is not how I view them, and it is not how I work.
Psychedelics are not a quick fix
About my approach in practice
Psychedelics can offer valuable insights and shifts in perspective, but they are not a quick or standalone solution for psychological, emotional, or existential challenges.
The quality of an experience is strongly influenced by preparation, context, and integration. Without this supportive framework, an experience can feel confusing or overwhelming, or it may feel meaningful in the moment without leading to lasting change in everyday life. It is precisely this framework that I focus on.
I always work within a carefully structured process that, depending on the person, can span several weeks or even months.
This means that in my practice:
- I always begin with an introductory call and screening to assess suitability
- I exclusively work with (legally available in the Netherlands) psilocybin truffles
- I do not offer standalone truffle sessions, only full guided processes
- I dedicate significant attention to preparation before the session
- I am transparent about what I can and cannot offer as a guide
- I do not present my services as therapy
- I prioritise emotional safety during the experience
- I always conclude the process with an integration session
- I work in a trauma-informed and culturally aware way, with attention to safety, context, and each person’s unique background
How safe are psilocybin truffles?
Physically
In healthy individuals without relevant medical or psychological contraindications, psilocybin is considered physically low-risk. The substances are not addictive and differ fundamentally from stimulants or depressants.
Stress response
Psychedelics can temporarily have an intense effect on perception and the stress response. In some cases, this may involve an increased heart rate or physical tension, especially when feelings of anxiety or overwhelm arise.
For this reason, I do not work with individuals who have serious or unstable cardiovascular conditions, or a history of epileptic seizures.
Psychological vulnerability
The main risks of psychedelics are not so much physical, but psychological in nature.
Therefore, I do not work with individuals with severe or complex psychological vulnerability, such as PTSD or early childhood trauma, severe mood or anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, psychotic vulnerability, a history of psychosis, or a strong family history of psychotic disorders. In such cases, psychedelics may become too overwhelming or may exacerbate existing symptoms.
The period after a psychedelic experience also requires careful support and integration. When there are more complex psychological vulnerabilities present, this aftercare can become more intensive and may require specialised therapeutic frameworks. As I do not work within a clinical framework, I am not able to offer guidance in these situations.
Although truffles are small, they carry a remarkable power
Contraindications for the use of truffles
and for the independent use of the Toolkit
In my practice, safety is always central. This means I carefully assess what is and is not appropriate for each person, including through a prior intake and screening process.
In some cases, this means I may advise against working with psychedelics (for now) and cannot offer guidance.
This is not a rejection of the person, but a conscious decision rooted in responsibility — both for the safety of the individual and for the careful and ethical stewardship of this field. Working with psychedelics in a guided context in the Netherlands is a unique privilege, but it also calls for care, respect, and sensitivity due to its delicate nature.
During the intake and screening, it is assessed whether participation is appropriate and safe. When one or more of the following factors are present, it may mean that I cannot offer guidance and that independent use of the Toolkit is also not recommended:
- use of psychiatric medication (such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilisers)
- a personal or family history of psychosis, schizophrenia, or other severe psychiatric or dissociative disorders
- a history of epileptic seizures
- severe or untreated anxiety or mood disorders
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- a history of cardiovascular disease
- severe liver or kidney problems
- neurological conditions affecting sensory or information processing
- periods of acute stress, grief, or emotional dysregulation
- an unstable or unsafe living environment
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
If you are using any form of medication, for any reason, it is important to consult a medical professional in advance about potential risks and interactions with psychedelics.
Age & physical resilience
In psychedelic experiences, physical and mental resilience always play an important role. Psychedelics can temporarily increase sensitivity to bodily sensations and intensify the experience of emotions and the stress response. This may affect, among other things, heart rate, blood pressure, emotional intensity, and overall physiological load.
For participants aged 65 and older, I therefore always request a medical statement from a physician confirming that there are no objections to participation and that physical resilience is sufficient for such an intensive experience. It is not necessary to go into detail about the nature of the session; what matters is a general assessment of overall health and suitability for a temporary, intensive psycho-physical experience.
This is not a value judgment about age, but a precaution to ensure that the body can safely handle this form of psycho-physical stress.
This page is intended to provide clarity about what safe and responsible work with psychedelics means in my practice.
If you are unsure whether this is right for you, I am happy to explore this together during a free introductory call.
