Smartshop products at Dutch-Smart

What is a smartshop?

A smartshop sells legal psychoactive products of natural origin. Herbs, extracts, seeds, supplements: all substances that affect your mood, energy or consciousness. The word "smart" originally referred to cognitive enhancers, but it now covers a much wider range.

The first Dutch smartshop opened in 1993. It was a direct result of a curious legal argument: at the time, the Dutch Opium Act banned the active substances, but not the plants that contain them. That reasoning went back to a ruling by the Dutch Supreme Court on fresh khat leaves, and was later applied to mushrooms containing psilocybin. For years, smartshops sold fresh magic mushrooms completely legally, until a series of incidents involving tourists in 2006 and 2007 put an end to that. On 1 December 2008, minister Ab Klink banned the sale of all hallucinogenic mushrooms. But the legal text explicitly mentioned "mushrooms", not the fungal organism as a whole. Truffles (sclerotia), which contain the same substances but are technically not mushrooms, therefore fell outside the ban. So did grow kits, because the mycelium inside does not yet contain psilocybin.

That legal nuance still shapes the range of every Dutch smartshop today, including ours. At Dutch-Smart we combine that tradition with up-to-date knowledge about safe use. All our products are handled according to HACCP guidelines, under the supervision of the NVWA (the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority). On Webwinkelkeur we score 9.2 out of more than 1,800 reviews.

Our smartshop range

More than 1,500 products, selected for quality, safety and effectiveness. Below are the main categories, with information you won't find anywhere else in this combination.

Mescaline cacti

Our collection of mescaline cacti includes Peyote (Lophophora williamsii), San Pedro (Trichocereus pachanoi) and Peruvian Torch. The active substance is mescaline, a phenethylamine alkaloid that indigenous peoples in Central and South America have used for at least 5,700 years. Pharmacologically, mescaline acts as a serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonist. The effects last a long time: six to twelve hours.

We only sell live cacti for growing purposes. Peyote grows extremely slowly, sometimes less than a centimetre a year, which makes it more of a collector's item than anything else. San Pedro and Peruvian Torch grow considerably faster. Important: preparing or consuming mescaline-containing cacti is a criminal offence under the Dutch Opium Act. Keeping the live cactus as an ornamental plant is allowed.

Psychedelic herbs and extracts

The psychedelics category contains herbs with mind-altering properties. Hawaiian Baby Woodrose (Argyreia nervosa) and Morning Glory (Ipomoea tricolor) both contain LSA, or d-lysergic acid amide, a substance structurally related to LSD. The effects are milder. The nausea is not: with LSA it is actually stronger, especially in the first half hour. Start with 3 to 5 Hawaiian Baby Woodrose seeds on an empty stomach. Chewing them instead of swallowing them whole improves absorption.

Banisteriopsis caapi is in a different league. This vine from the Amazon contains harmine and harmaline, powerful MAO inhibitors that form the basis of ayahuasca. That also makes it one of the products you need to be most careful with: MAO inhibitors interact with dozens of foods and medicines. Elsewhere in the range: extracts such as Sinicuichi and formulas such as Trip-E by Happy Caps.

Energizers and stimulants

Guarana, catuaba, yerba mate. The energizers in our range combine plant-based ingredients like these into capsules that increase alertness without the crash of synthetic caffeine pills. Dance-E, Party-E and Energy-E by Happy Caps are designed for a night out: they work for 4 to 6 hours. Stacker 2 and Herbal Speed are aimed more at sustained energy during the day.

The difference between these products lies not so much in what they do, but in how long and how intensely. Sensitive to caffeine? Then start with the lowest recommended dose and give your body time to respond.

Relaxing herbs

Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) contains the alkaloids apomorphine and nuciferine. Together they produce a mildly euphoric, calming effect. Make tea from it (5 to 10 grams per cup, steep for 15 minutes) or use it in a vaporizer.

The relaxing herbs category also includes Valerian, a herb that was already used against sleep problems in Greek and Roman antiquity. Wild Dagga (Leonotis leonurus, "lion's tail") comes from South Africa, where it is traditionally smoked for mild euphoria. And then there is Damiana (Turnera diffusa): relaxing, mildly aphrodisiac, and drunk as a tea in Mexico for centuries. Four very different plants that have one thing in common: they help you calm down.

Aphrodisiacs and sex stimulants

Muira Puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) has been used in Brazil for generations as a nerve tonic and to support libido. Catuaba, another ingredient from the same Amazon region, contains alkaloids that promote blood flow. Our aphrodisiacs section brings these traditional ingredients together in products such as Spanish Fly, Venicon and Camagra. No synthetic substances such as sildenafil or tadalafil, everything is plant-based.

One nuance. Aphrodisiacs offer support, they are not medicine. If you have persistent erection problems or a low libido, see a doctor.

Exotic seeds for growing

For the hobby gardener we stock a range of exotic seeds. Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a small South African succulent, compact and fairly easy to grow in the Netherlands as long as you keep it frost-free and water it sparingly. Salvia divinorum is a different story: it is difficult to grow from seed, which is why we sell rooted cuttings. The plant needs tropical humidity, especially in the first few weeks.

Khat seeds (Catha edulis) germinate best at around 25°C. But note: khat is on List II of the Dutch Opium Act. Growing the plant is allowed, using the leaves is not. We also supply Banisteriopsis caapi seeds and growing supplies such as the Propagator Pro.

Other categories

In our kratom shop you'll find powder, extracts and tinctures in every vein colour. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an interesting plant because its effect changes with the dose: at 1 to 3 grams stimulation dominates, at 5 to 8 grams sedation. The alkaloids responsible, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, act on mu-opioid receptors and adrenoceptors. Red vein varieties are usually the most calming, white vein the most stimulating, with green vein in between. The vein colour refers to the colour of the veins in the kratom leaf and correlates with the ratio of the alkaloids present. Maeng Da, regardless of vein colour, is considered one of the strongest varieties. If you are trying kratom for the first time, it is best to start with green vein at a low dose.

Our magic mushroom grow kits and magic truffles are legal in the Netherlands. Truffles contain psilocybin and psilocin, the same substances found in mushrooms. The effects start after 30 to 60 minutes and last four to six hours. Mexicana is mild. Valhalla and Hollandia are definitely not. Choose your strength based on experience, not curiosity. If you'd rather grow your own, we have grow kits from several brands and strains, complete with instructions. Most kits produce their first harvest within two to three weeks, and with good care a single kit can give several flushes.

And then there is our CBD range: oils, capsules, cosmetics. Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid from industrial hemp. It won't get you high, but many users experience a calming effect. All CBD products in our range contain less than 0.2% THC and comply with Dutch law. CBD has become hugely popular in recent years, including among people who otherwise have nothing to do with a smartshop. That fits a broader shift: more and more consumers are looking for plant-based alternatives to synthetic products, whether for sleep support, stress reduction or skin care.

Besides the smartshop and herb range, we also have a complete headshop with smoking accessories, grinders, bongs, rolling papers and incense. And a sex shop with erotic products you can combine with our natural aphrodisiacs.

How are smartshop products used?

How you take something determines everything. Speed of absorption, intensity, duration. Most products are taken orally, as a capsule, as tea or eaten raw. Through the stomach to the small intestine, into the blood. Have you just eaten? Then it can take 45 to 90 minutes before you notice anything. On an empty stomach it is faster.

Making tea is one of the oldest and most accessible methods of preparation. The method is simple: pour hot (not boiling) water over the plant material and let it steep for 10 to 20 minutes. Boiling water can break down certain alkaloids, so a temperature of 80 to 90°C is usually better. For kratom, tea works very well as an alternative to swallowing the powder, which many people find unpleasant because of the bitter taste. With Blue Lotus, steeping longer noticeably strengthens the effect. Capsules are the most standardised option: you know exactly how much you are taking, there is no taste, and the dose is consistent.

Smoking or vaporising is a second route. For Salvia divinorum extracts it is practically the only sensible method, because salvinorin A is poorly absorbed orally. The difference in speed is dramatic: when smoked, the effects appear within 30 seconds. They last 5 to 15 minutes, but the intensity is not comparable to oral products. Herbs such as Blue Lotus and Wild Dagga also work when smoked or vaporised. A vaporizer heats the plant material to just below combustion temperature, so the active substances evaporate without harmful combustion products being formed. We sell both portable and tabletop vaporizers.

The third method is nasal, specifically for rapé. This finely ground mixture of tobacco and plant ash from the Amazon is blown into the nostrils with a kuripe (self-applicator) or tepi (applied by someone else). Immediate effect. Intense. A cleansing sensation followed by clarity and alertness.

Active substances: what is in smartshop products?

Behind every product is a molecule that interacts with receptors in your nervous system. That knowledge isn't academic, it is practical: it helps you judge what to expect and which combinations to avoid.

After ingestion, psilocybin is converted into psilocin. That molecule binds to serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the prefrontal cortex and changes perception, mood and thought patterns. Research by Johns Hopkins University and Imperial College London points to therapeutic potential for depression, addiction and PTSD. In the Netherlands these treatments have not yet been clinically approved.

Mitragynine, the main alkaloid in kratom, acts on mu-opioid receptors and adrenoceptors. Half-life: about 3.5 hours. Interactions with MAO inhibitors and benzodiazepines have been documented and are potentially dangerous. If in doubt, consult a doctor.

Mesembrine in kanna acts as an SSRI and a PDE4 inhibitor at the same time. That is an unusual combination that sets kanna apart from almost all other natural mood enhancers. The Khoisan chewed the fermented plant for centuries. Today it is available as powder, extract and capsules.

And then there is salvinorin A. A molecule that does everything differently. No serotonin, no dopamine. It is a selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist, and that explains exactly why a salvia experience differs so fundamentally from any other psychedelic substance: users describe shifts in gravity, a doubling of consciousness, brief but overwhelming dissociation. Salvia extracts are available in strengths from 5X to 80X. The X indicates how many times the salvinorin A content has been concentrated compared with unprocessed leaf.

Safe use of smartshop products

Responsible use starts with information, and we provide it with every product: dosage, duration of effect, possible side effects. Everything in our smartshop is intended exclusively for people aged 18 and over.

Low dose first. Always. The effects differ from person to person depending on body weight, tolerance, sensitivity and what is in your stomach. Give a product time. With truffles it can take an hour before you notice anything. With capsules sometimes longer. Taking more before the first effect has kicked in is one of the most common mistakes.

"Set and setting" is not an empty phrase. Your state of mind and your surroundings determine how an experience unfolds. Use mind-altering products in a safe, familiar environment, preferably with a sober friend present.

Combinations are the biggest risk. MAO inhibitors (Banisteriopsis caapi, Syrian rue, or pharmaceutical versions) together with serotonergic substances can cause serotonin syndrome. That is life-threatening. Kratom combined with benzodiazepines, alcohol or opioids suppresses breathing. Never combine anything without researching the interactions first.

Don't drive under the influence. Don't use anything if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking psychiatric medication. Do you take prescription medicines? Talk to your GP or pharmacist. Having an unpleasant experience despite all precautions? A so-called trip stopper, available in our health range, usually contains valerian and dextrose. It doesn't literally stop a trip, but it helps your body calm down and softens the intensity.

Legislation: what is legal and what isn't?

Most products in a Dutch smartshop fall under the Dutch Commodities Act. Legal, provided they meet food safety requirements. But there are exceptions, and you need to know them.

Magic truffles: legal. Magic mushrooms: banned since December 2008, List II of the Dutch Opium Act. Magic mushroom grow kits: legal, because the mycelium does not yet contain psilocybin. As soon as mushrooms start growing out of it, that changes legally. Mescaline cacti: you may own the live plant as an ornamental plant. Preparing or consuming it is not allowed. Khat is on List II. Growing the plant is allowed, using the leaves is prohibited.

Kratom is legal in the Netherlands. In some Scandinavian countries it is not. CBD products are permitted with less than 0.2% THC. Salvia divinorum is legal here, but banned in Belgium, Australia and several US states. Always check the law in your own country.

Never take psilocybin-containing products across a border. Psilocybin falls under the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Transporting it across borders is a criminal offence internationally, regardless of what is allowed in the Netherlands.

Why customers choose Dutch-Smart

Active since 2011. More than 1,500 products. From rare mescaline cacti to popular energizers. We have grown into one of the most complete online smartshops in the Netherlands, but for us it is about more than the size of the range.

Quality control isn't a marketing term for us. We work with regular suppliers we know personally, check every shipment for freshness, and pack live plants so they survive transport undamaged. HACCP certified, supervised by the NVWA. All orders leave in neutral packaging, exclusively via PostNL, with tracking. Ordered before 16:00 on a working day? Shipped the same day. Free shipping within the Netherlands on orders from €100.

The difference is also in what you don't see on the product page. Every product goes through an editorial process: we check dosage information against scientific sources, we mention interactions that competitors leave out, and we write from real product knowledge instead of copying manufacturer texts. The blog regularly publishes articles on current topics. Questions? Get in touch.

Microdosing and nootropics

Not everyone is looking for a full psychedelic experience. A growing group of users takes a fraction of a regular dose of psilocybin, a tenth to a twentieth, on a fixed schedule. The most widely used protocol is James Fadiman's: one day on, two days off. The goal? A subtle improvement in creativity, focus and emotional balance, without hallucinations.

Consistent dosing is crucial. A difference of 0.1 gram can be the difference between "feeling nothing" and "feeling too much". In our scales category you'll find models accurate to 0.001 gram. If you want to take your dose in capsule form, have a look at our empty capsules.

Apart from psychedelic microdosing, we also sell nootropic supplements. Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus), a medicinal mushroom, is one of the most researched nootropics. It contains hericenones and erinacines that stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF). No psychedelic effect, but growing scientific evidence for cognitive support.

Testing your substances

Everything in our range is legal and checked. But harm reduction goes beyond your own supply. In our drug tests category you'll find reagent tests, Marquis, Mecke, Ehrlich, that let you check within a few minutes whether a substance contains what you expect. That is especially relevant if you have products from other sources. In addition, the Trimbos Institute offers free and anonymous analysis through its DIMS service. The Netherlands is one of the few countries in the world where such a service exists. Use it.

An Ehrlich reagent turns purple in the presence of indole alkaloids, including psilocybin and LSA. A Marquis reagent helps identify amphetamine-like substances and opioids. None of these tests is 100% conclusive, but they give you a first indication of whether you have what you think you have. The tests are easy to use: a drop of reagent on a small amount of material, wait a few minutes, compare the colour with the chart supplied.

The Dutch smartshop tradition

There is nothing comparable anywhere else in the world. The combination of pragmatic drug policy, legal grey areas and a cultural openness towards mind-altering substances has created a unique ecosystem in the Netherlands. Smartshops are a visible part of it: legal shops that sell psychoactive products along with information about safe use.

The system isn't perfect. But it is built on the principle that people make better choices when they have access to reliable information instead of only to bans. The DIMS service of the Trimbos Institute, the detailed product information serious smartshops provide with their products, the accessibility of harm reduction advice: they all come from the same philosophy. Regulation over criminalisation. Education over moralising. Dutch-Smart has been part of that tradition since 2011, and we plan to stay that way for a long time.