Smartshops sell legal herbal products and magic truffles. Here is what they are, how truffles differ from mushrooms, and how to stay safe.

What a smartshop is

A smartshop is a store that sells herbal products, supplements, and, in the Netherlands, magic truffles. It is different from a coffeeshop, which sells cannabis. Smartshops are separate businesses with their own rules and staff.

Truffles and mushrooms

Magic truffles contain psychoactive compounds like magic mushrooms do. In the Netherlands, mushrooms have been banned since 2008, but truffles, which are the underground part of the fungus, remain legal to sell. The law can change, so check current information.

What to expect

  • Effects vary widely between people and doses.
  • They can last for several hours and include changes in perception and mood.
  • They can be intense, and an unpleasant experience is possible.

Staying safe

  • Take a small amount if you are new, and follow the guidance in the shop.
  • Do not mix with alcohol or cannabis.
  • Choose a safe, quiet place, and never use them alone.
  • Do not use them if you have a mental health condition or a family history of one.
  • Do not go out on the street, cycle or drive.
  • Plan to stay in for the rest of the day.

Buying

Shops usually ask for ID and have staff who explain the products. Ask questions, and do not feel pressured. Prices and stock vary.

Travelling

Do not take truffles out of the country. Rules elsewhere can be strict, and carrying them across a border is likely to be illegal.

Get help

If you feel very unwell, frightened or confused, tell someone nearby and call 112 if it is an emergency. For cannabis basics, read the rules for visitors.

This is general information and not medical or legal advice.