Track 6 of 7 · 4 min read · Updated
Magic truffles in the Netherlands, from mild to strong, and the law elsewhere
Why fresh magic truffles are legal in the Netherlands, how a truffle trip runs, a choice guide from mild to strong, and the law in the UK, Germany and US.
In the Netherlands, fresh magic truffles are legal and sold in smartshops, while magic mushrooms themselves are banned. Truffles contain the same active compound, psilocybin, and produce a trip with much the same course. For a visitor, that makes truffles the legal way to have the experience described on this site, as long as they are bought and used in the Netherlands. In the UK, Germany and the United States, psilocybin itself is a controlled substance, so truffles are no legal route there.
Why truffles are legal in the Netherlands
Magic truffles are sclerotia: hard, nut-like lumps that some Psilocybe species grow underground to store nutrients. They are not mushrooms, and that is the legal point. Jellinek summarises the Dutch rules like this:
- Psilocybin and psilocin as pure substances are on List I of the Opium Act.
- Since December 2008, mushrooms containing psilocybin or psilocin are banned through List II of the Opium Act. Dried, they fall under List I.
- Because truffles are not mushrooms, fresh truffles do not fall under the Opium Act, and smartshops sell them freely. The Dutch Supreme Court recorded in April 2026 that truffles can be grown and traded freely (Hoge Raad, ECLI:NL:HR:2026:450).
- The status of dried truffles has not been settled in law; the Jellinek classes them as List I.
- Taking part in traffic after use is forbidden.
Psilocybin content in truffles is lower per gram than in many dried mushrooms. An Italian lab analysis found 59.3 to 167.8 micrograms of psilocybin per 100 milligrams of fresh sclerotia, roughly 0.6 to 1.7 mg per gram (Pellegrini et al. 2013).
How a truffle trip compares to a mushroom trip
Jellinek describes mushrooms and truffles together: an onset after 30 to 60 minutes, the most intense part in the first two hours, a wave-like course and an end after four to six hours. Dutch-Smart's own product pages give somewhat shorter figures for its truffles: for Tampanensis and Hollandia, first effects after 20 to 45 and 20 to 40 minutes, and a total of 3 to 5 hours on average. The timeline covers the phases in detail.
The practical rules are the same. Dutch-Smart advises against combining truffles with alcohol or other substances, and states that taking them on an empty stomach gives the strongest and most predictable effect. The shop also offers tea as an option for people prone to nausea.
Choosing a strength: from mild to strong
Dutch-Smart grades its truffles by potency. The scale below uses the shop's own descriptions from its product pages, in order from mild to very strong. Each product page includes the shop's dosage calculator, which is where to check the amount for your situation.
| Step | Truffle | How Dutch-Smart describes it | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexicana | "Mild, the most accessible entry-level strain"; mild, uplifting effects with virtually no visual effects at a normal dose | A first trip |
| 2 | Pajaritos | "Mild to moderate, slightly stronger than standard Mexicana"; cheerful and warm, mild visuals | A first or second trip |
| 3 | Tampanensis | "Mild to moderate, suitable as an entry-level strain"; introspective | A first trip with a reflective character |
| 4 | Atlantis | "Moderate to strong, significantly stronger than Mexicana or Pajaritos"; best not as an absolute first introduction | Some experience |
| 5 | Utopia | "Strong, higher potency than standard Atlantis"; not recommended as a first introduction | Experienced |
| 6 | Hollandia | "Very strong, suitable for users with some experience"; can be overwhelming for inexperienced users | Experienced |
Single · Dutch-Smart
Pajaritos Magic Truffles
Shop rating: mild to moderate
€14.95View at Dutch-Smart
Single · Dutch-Smart
Tampanensis Magic Truffles
Shop rating: mild to moderate
€14.95View at Dutch-Smart
Single · Dutch-Smart
Atlantis Magic Truffles
Shop rating: moderate to strong
€14.95View at Dutch-Smart
If you have never tripped before, the shop's advice points to the bottom of the scale: Mexicana, Pajaritos or Tampanensis. Dutch-Smart notes that sharing a 15 gram pack of Mexicana between two people gives a mild to pleasantly moderate experience for most people. Whatever you choose, the rules from set and setting apply: a calm place, a sober sitter, no second portion.
Buying truffles in the Netherlands
- Truffles are sold to adults only. Dutch-Smart sells exclusively to people aged 18 and over.
- Buy them for use during your stay, in a private, calm place. Public parks, crowded city centres and festivals are hard settings for a trip.
- Store them in the fridge until you use them; Dutch-Smart gives 2 to 4 °C for unopened packs.
- Do not drive, cycle in busy traffic or swim during or after a trip.
The law outside the Netherlands
Checked on 14 October 2026. Laws change; check the current rules where you are.
| Country | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Fresh truffles legal, outside the Opium Act. Mushrooms with psilocybin banned since December 2008 (Opium Act List II); dried mushrooms under List I; the Jellinek also classes dried truffles as List I. | Jellinek |
| United Kingdom | Magic mushrooms are a Class A drug. Possession can bring up to 7 years in prison, supply up to life. | FRANK |
| Germany | Psilocybin and psilocin are listed in Annex I of the Narcotics Act (BtMG), the category of narcotics that may not be traded. | BtMG Annex I |
| United States | Psilocybin and psilocin are Schedule I substances under federal law. | 21 U.S.C. 812 |
| Oregon (US) | A state-licensed psilocybin services programme, set up after Measure 109 (2020); service centres opened in 2023. Federal law still applies. | Oregon Health Authority |
Never take truffles across a border. What is legal in a Dutch smartshop can be a serious offence once you leave the country, including in your luggage or by post. Buy them in the Netherlands, use them there and leave nothing over for the way home.