Since 2023, it has been legal to go to Oregon for a psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”) experience with a licensed facilitator. In fact, over 8,500 individuals have participated in the program with immense success.1 Psilocybin therapy will become an option in Colorado in 2025, too (and many other states are working on similar programs).
Let’s dive into exactly how this process works.
Pre-journey
Do research
First thing’s first. You want to learn about psilocybin and make sure you are ready to sign up. Here are some resources we’ve put together to answer common questions:
- FAQs about Magic Mushrooms
- Is Psilocybin Dangerous?
- Are Magic Mushrooms Legal in the US?
- Does Psilocybin Treat Depression?
If you have specific questions or would like to speak to an expert or someone who has gone through this, we can help. Reach out to us to set up some time to chat.
Pricing
One key aspect we hear about is pricing. Pricing varies but you can expect that a legal psilocybin journey will be in the $1000 – $3000 ballpark. While that may seem like a lot, you do get a lot as part of the package. Here’s the three main parts of that cost:
- Facilitator Fee: Your facilitator will be putting in hours of work (minimum 8 hrs) to support your journey. They are professionals and integral to the success of your experience.
- Center Fee: To have an experience, it needs to be at a licensed center. Once you and your facilitator decide on where it will be, there will be a cost for reserving that space for the administration of psilocybin.
- Product: Lastly, the psilocybin. This is the smallest part of the cost equation. This is handled as a cash payment on the day of administration.
If you are ready for a psilocybin journey, but cost is holding you back, let us know. We can help you figure out how to navigate that hurdle – there are funding sources available to try to make legal psychedelic experiences more accessible.
Find a facilitator
The person facilitating your psilocybin experience is probably one of the most, if not the most, important factor in accomplishing your goals. They help you prepare for the journey with the right mindset, design the setting in which you’ll journey (“set and setting”), and guide you through integration afterwards. You will have the best experience with a facilitator you have a strong rapport with and with whom you trust while you’re in a vulnerable state.
Check out this post for an in-depth look at finding the right facilitator. It walks you through questions to ask a potential facilitator to find the right match. When you’re ready, we can help match you with a facilitator who fits your preferences.
Ready to find a facilitator? Complete this intake questionnaire.
Set a date and plan your trip
Now it’s time for the logistics. You’ll want to find your way to Oregon (and soon, Colorado) ahead of the journey. Work with your facilitator to set a date for the journey and then look into travel. Many facilitators and service centers will have a host of options and recommendations for getting there and where to stay. In fact, some offer their own accommodations.
A psilocybin journey can last many hours, and it’s important to be rested ahead of time and also to have at least a day after to gather yourself. Many people find that you have an afterglow after the experience and that its best to take that time slow before throwing all of life’s complexities back at you. Plan your travel accordingly so that you aren’t dealing with travel immediately before or after your journey.
Components of a Legal Journey
Preparation Session(s)
Preparation is all about getting you ready. As part of a regulated journey, you’ll meet with your facilitator at least once to prepare (sometimes more often).
During this time, you’ll go over a multitude of things:
- What administration day will look like (dosage, type of mushroom, intentions, music, setting, time, etc.)
- Filling out the necessary Oregon Health Authority (OHA) forms
- Review any relevant mental or medical health history to ensure safety
- Answer any and all questions about what a journey is like
- Discuss logistics for the journey day
- Set intentions for what you hope to get out of the journey
Administration Session
On the day of the journey, you’ll arrive at the Service Center, meet your facilitator, and purchase the psilocybin. You’ll be able to take this as dried mushrooms, in capsules, or in tea (you’ll have already covered this decision with your facilitator). You’ll pay for the mushrooms, and then move to your administration room. From there, you’ll get comfortable (maybe use the restroom), and then settle in for the experience.
When I went through this, as we were getting settled, we reviewed intentions for the day and had a small ceremony to prepare ourselves and the space for the journey ahead. After that, I drank the tea, covered my eyes, laid back, and waited for the experience to take hold.
Generally, you begin to feel the effects within 20 – 40 minutes but this can vary. Your facilitator will be checking in with you throughout to see if you are feeling it, if you need any more, and if you need anything in general. They call it ‘coming up’ when you first begin to experience the effects of the drug. This period can be a bit overwhelming, so its best to remain calm and patient as you’re getting started.
Depending on dosage, the experience can last around 4 – 6 hours. You’ll notice waves of effects rolling over you throughout. You’ll feel the psilocybin ebbing and flowing, and you’ll notice changes in the experience over time. You’ll experience a range of emotions, visions, thoughts and ideas throughout. This part is what varies uniquely for each individual. Each person’s journey is highly specific, not only to them, but to that exact moment and place.
Your facilitator will be there every step of the way to ensure you are having the best experience possible. Though they are there, they will not get in the way. They’ll take a non-directive approach – being there only for assistance. This isn’t their first rodeo, so they’ll know when and how to intervene or stand back to best help. Should you ever need them, just ask.
By the end, you’ll be coming out of your dream-like state and notice a return to reality. Slowly, you’ll regain your senses and begin wrapping up the experience. You may be thirsty or hungry. You may want to get up and move around if you’ve been lying down, or lie down if you’ve been active. Your guide will help you properly come down from the trip.
Once it’s all said and done and you are ready to go on your merry way, you’ll sign a release waiver and then follow the transportation plan you and your facilitator agreed upon during preparation (part of the OHA forms). Your facilitator will give you some guidance on how to approach the rest of the day.
Integration: the real work begins
After administration, you’ll have at least one hour-long integration session with your facilitator. This is really where the work begins: understanding and integrating the experience you had. After a psilocybin journey, the brain has higher neuroplasticity for several weeks.2 This is a great time to learn from your experience and to integrate any desired changes into your life.
Your facilitator will help you make sense of your experience. They won’t tell you exactly what everything meant, but they’ll offer guidance where they see fit. It’ll be up to you to make sense of your experience, but your facilitator has seen a lot of journeys and can help guide you through that process for better understanding.
Depending on your travel plans, the integration may happen in person or after you’ve traveled back home. The plan for this will be agreed upon during the preparation phase.
Post-Journey
After integration, the legal facilitated program is all done, but the journey isn’t over. If you were working with a mental health professional prior, re-integrating this work into that therapy can be helpful. For others, finding integration communities to discuss your experience can be extremely beneficial and rewarding. For yet others, they’ll want to find community with people who have had shared experiences to connect with. These are all great options. Personally, I like to journal about my experiences and continually find ways to learn and integrate that learning into my life.
So many people who have had a psilocybin journey say that it was one of the most significant experiences in their life. Combining psilocybin with therapy (working with a facilitator) makes the experience all the more rewarding, safe, and effective. Hopefully, this summary gives you the details you need to help you take the next step if you’re curious.
