Amsterdam Smart Shops

Smart shops are scattered throughout Amsterdam and peddle a variety of “herbal enhancers” and hallucinogens. Do not take more than one dose at a time—many first-time users take too much because they don’t feel anything immediately. A bad trip will occur if you mix hallucinogens with each other, marijuana, or alcohol. Don’t be ashamed to tell someone if you have a bad trip. You won’t be arrested, and locals have seen it all before.

Conscious Dreams, Kerkstr. 119 (☎020 626 6907; www.consciousdreams.nl). Offers an extensive variety of herbs, vitamins, “dream extracts,” and herbal ecstasy. Don’t hesitate to ask the staff for help. Herbal ecstasy €12 for 2 servings. Open daily 11am-10pm. AmEx/MC/V for purchases over €25.
Conscious Dreams Kokopelli, Warmoesstr. 12 (☎020 421 7000). Perhaps the best place to begin with psychedelic experimentation. Books, gifts, pipes, and lava lamps available alongside an overwhelming selection of oxygen drinks, fertility elixirs, vitamins, herbs, sex toys, cacti, aphrodisiacs, and chocolate body paint. A staff with background in neurobiology and botany on hand. Herbal XTC €9. Salvia €36 per g. NRG €10. Discuss all drugs’ intensity and safety with the staff first. Open daily 11am-10pm.
Magic Valley, Spuistr. 60 (☎020 320 3001). Small, colorful shop vends sex stimulants. Ask for help from the well-versed staff. Small back section that sells bongs and souvenirs. Open M-Th and Su11am-10pm, F-Sa 10am-10pm. AmEx/MC/V.