Launching Real-World Research in Oregon
In just short of two years, more people have gone through Oregon’s psilocybin therapy program than have gone through all the world’s psilocybin clinical trials combined.
Based on currently available data, our team estimates that more than 9,000 people have utilized psychedelic healing in Oregon, and reviews of their experiences demonstrate that even one session can leave clients with a renewed sense of hope. Yet we also know anecdotal reports are not enough—to scale the state-regulated psychedelic healing model to new states and new populations we will need research data. That’s why Healing Advocacy Fund is finalizing work with partner organizations on a series of Community Impact Pilots (CIPs) in Oregon, real-world research projects tracking the impacts of psilocybin therapy on key communities and populations. Our first CIP will study the benefits of psilocybin therapy for people suffering from alcohol use disorder and binge drinking.
With our partners People Science (designing and conducting research) and InnerTrek (delivery of psilocybin services), HAF is helping to track individuals who struggle with alcohol use, who will receive screening, preparation, administration, and integration sessions in both individual and group settings. These cohorts will respond to surveys over time and researchers will evaluate the impacts of psilocybin therapy on their substance use, the preliminary results of which will be reported out in the fall of this year for the benefit of the psychedelic field, researchers, policymakers and most importantly, potential clients.
And we’re not stopping there. Following the alcohol use pilot, our coalition is planning additional Community Impact Pilot research looking at how psilocybin care can help address the psychological distress felt by palliative care patients and the trauma carried by those who were formerly incarcerated in the justice system.
Our goal: demonstrate the measurable impacts of psilocybin therapy for the kinds of psychological distress so heartbreakingly prevalent in our world today. We hope these pilots can help make the case to policymakers and the healthcare community that psychedelic therapy works—and works well—to address a wide range of mental health and health challenges.
As always, thank you for your support of HAF’s work as we move forward together.
Taylor West
Executive Director
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Oregon’s First Service Center Focused on Traumatic Brain Injuries Opened by Former NHL Player
From the Service Center: “Experience Onward is a 10-room licensed service center, located just 20 minutes from the Portland International Airport. The center provides a welcoming and comforting environment for transformative experiences. Our center is 4600 square feet with a large group space and 10 breakout rooms where we focus on group and individual experiences.
“Our community focused approach resonates with athletes, executives, veterans, and individuals recovering from concussions and mental health challenges, as well as those new and curious about the experience.”
The service center was founded by Daniel Carcillo, who himself battled with severe post-concussion syndrome, depression and other mental health challenges following ten seasons in the National Hockey League, including two Stanley Cup wins. The search for real, transformative relief eventually led Daniel to psychedelic therapy, which provided him life-changing healing.
Today, Daniel is a committed advocate for alternative brain and mental health therapies, working alongside researchers, healthcare professionals, and veterans’ organizations to bring these options to more people.
UPDATES
Oregon: Up to Date Numbers on Psilocybin Services Program Licensing
These numbers are updated periodically by OHA and are subject to change. Last updated February 24, 2025.
Colorado: Up to Date Numbers on Natural Medicine Program Licensing
Access DOR's licensee lookup tool for more information about applications submitted in Colorado, and read about some of the first approved business owner licensees in the Denver Post.
Colorado Allows Psilocybin Administration Sessions at Healthcare Facilities and Private Residences for Eligible Clients
In addition to licensed healing centers, individual psilocybin administration sessions for certain clients in Colorado can now occur at healthcare facilities separately licensed by the state, as well as clients homes. HAF advocated for the inclusion of these off-site sessions to ensure more equitable access for clients.
Clients are eligible for psilocybin administration sessions at their homes or a healthcare facility if they are in hospice, receiving palliative care, homebound or living with a disability.
Under Colorado’s program, safety is paramount. With that in mind, psilocybin administration sessions held in authorized locations (healthcare facilities or participant homes) require:
Either two facilitators present, or a video recording of the session
Safety checks prior to the session and no one under 21 is present during the session
Facilitators must complete at least 50 administration hours at licensed healing centers before they can facilitate sessions at authorized locations, unless they hold specialty certifications in palliative or hospice care
Facilitators must be affiliated with a healing center or hold a Natural Medicine Business Owner license in order to facilitate at authorized locations
Group sessions are not allowed at authorized locations
Microdosing Sessions Added as an Option at Colorado Licensed Healing Centers
Licensed facilitators can now offer microdosing sessions to clients, as HAF recommended Colorado regulators adopt rules for microdosing following the lead of Oregon. Colorado’s program allows for one-hour sessions for doses up to 2mg of total psilocin, with ratios of up to 8 clients to 1 facilitator. This gives clients the opportunity to gauge their responses to extremely low doses before deciding to move up to a higher dose.
> Read the final rules
Support Advocacy Efforts for Oregon’s Psilocybin Program
In the 2025 Oregon legislative session, Healing Advocacy Fund is supporting HB 2387 (the Psilocybin Program Improvement bill) and a legislative budget request for the Oregon Health Authority in order to fund the program and maintain current program licensing fees. If you are interested in participating in the legislative process, please reach out to the Healing Advocacy Fund team for resources and information.
> Contact us for more information
EVENTS
Nuts & Bolts: CO Natural Medicine Business Webinar
Are you considering applying for a natural medicine business license in Colorado, or have you already applied? If so, it’s time to start asking the hard questions about liability insurance, 280E and tax implications of federal illegality, banking options for your business, local zoning rules and other considerations.
Join Healing Advocacy Fund for a webinar on March 6th to dive into the nuts and bolts of starting a business in Colorado’s new state-regulated program.
> Register
Colorado Healing Center/Facilitator Virtual Mixer
Join Healing Advocacy Fund for a virtual networking opportunity on Monday, March 31. Meet with facilitators and healing center applicants from across the state, and learn about their visions for their healing centers. There will also be time for Q&A with the HAF team and breakout rooms to get to know facilitators and healing centers in your region.
> Register
RESOURCES
Oregon Residents: Do You Struggle with Alcohol Use or Binge Drinking? Curious About Psilocybin Services?
You may be eligible for participation in a research study. Sign up to learn more if you are 21 or older, live in the Portland area, struggle with alcohol use, and are curious about psilocybin therapy. Compensation may be available.
> Learn more
IN THE NEWS
How Does Psilocybin Alter the Brain? We Talked to a Scientist to Find Out
CPR News
This story is part of The Trip, a CPR News series on Colorado’s new psychedelic movement.
Early research indicates that the psilocybin found in psychedelic mushrooms could be beneficial in treating mental-health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, addiction and perhaps even previous traumas such as abuse or assault.
But how does it work? To put it simply, it’s still too early to tell but scientists in labs around the world are attempting to find out.
> Read the full story
Medical Psilocybin Bill Shown Unanimous Support
KUNM
New Mexico could become only the third state to fully legalize supervised medical psilocybin, the main psychoactive component of magic mushrooms, to treat a variety of medical conditions.
> Read the full story
U.S. Veterans with PTSD Take a Psychedelic Journey in Mexico
60 Minutes
60 Minutes joined U.S. veterans with PTSD as they attend a week-long psychedelic retreat in Mexico. Nearly a year later, most of the vets say the experience with psilocybin was life-changing.
> Watch the full story
Local Motion: Legal Psychedelics in Colorado (Part 1)
KVNF
We go down the rabbit hole in this two part series on the burgeoning world of legal psychedelics in Colorado. In Part 1 (of 2) we explore the Natural Medicine Health Act in Colorado and the state of the science around the effects of these substances.
In 2022 Colorado voters approved Proposition 122 legalizing the use and possession of 5 different psychedelics. Just this January it became legal for facilitators to provide psilocybin to paying clients. There is so much to cover that this week on Local Motion we have a two part series and we are going all the way down the rabbit hole as we explore the burgeoning world of legal psychedelics in Colorado.
> Listen to part 1 of the story