Scientifically, psilocybin interacts primarily with serotonin receptors in the brain, especially the 5‑HT2A receptor, which plays a role in mood, cognition, and perception. This interaction can temporarily increase neural plasticity — the brain’s ability to form new connections and reorganize existing patterns. This increase in flexibility may help disrupt entrenched cycles of negative thinking, fear responses, and trauma‑related patterns that can be difficult to shift through talk therapy alone.

Studies in clinical research settings (e.g., treatment‑resistant depression and PTSD) have shown that psilocybin‑assisted therapy can produce rapid and sustained improvements in mood and well‑being, sometimes lasting months to a year after a single session. These effects are typically strongest when psilocybin is paired with skilled therapeutic support that helps integrate psychological insights into meaningful change.

While the bulk of research to date has focused on depression, anxiety, end‑of‑life distress, and obsessive‑compulsive symptoms, emerging scientific interest is exploring psilocybin’s potential to help with trauma‑related conditions. Preliminary evidence from clinical trials and pilot studies suggests that psilocybin may aid psychological flexibility, reduce fear conditioning, and support the reprocessing of emotionally charged memories — mechanisms that are highly relevant to trauma recovery.

Notably, even in early research on PTSD and trauma‑associated distress, participants have shown improvements in emotional regulation and reductions in avoidance behaviors when psilocybin is used within a structured, therapeutic context.

During a psilocybin session, participants ingest a carefully measured dose of the medicine in a secure, private space. Trained facilitators are present throughout to provide support, safety, and compassionate presence. Participants typically wear eyeshades and listen to music through headphones, which helps focus attention inward. The experience can involve vivid imagery, emotional processing, physical sensations, or deep insight. After the session, there is space for rest and initial reflection, followed by guided integration the next day.

You may encounter emotional material related to your trauma, but psilocybin generally does not force you to relive it in a way that overwhelms. Instead, it often presents emotional patterns or memories in a new, more spacious light—one where insight and compassion can arise. You will not be alone. However, it is important to know that very intense experiences are possible; yet, even these are powerful opportunities for healing. Skilled facilitators will be present to offer grounding and emotional support. Many people find they are more connected to their inner resources than they expected during the journey itself.

Yes, this experience is conducted in a medically licensed, legally sanctioned setting in Oregon. All participants will undergo two layers of screening: first with Dr. Jake Porter, and then with a licensed medical team through Odyssey. This ensures that your mental health history, current medications, and emotional readiness are all carefully assessed. For many individuals with a trauma history or prior depression/anxiety, psilocybin has been shown in research settings to offer powerful healing opportunities—especially when combined with structured therapy and integration.

This is not a recreational experience, nor is it a purely spiritual retreat. Psilocybin is used here as a clinical tool, in the context of licensed therapy, skilled preparation, and structured integration. The setting is professional, ethical, and intentionally trauma-informed. You will be accompanied by people who are trained to support emotional regulation, memory processing, and meaning-making. While many participants describe their experience as deeply spiritual, it unfolds in the service of therapeutic healing—not escapism or entertainment.

Psilocybin is not a magic pill. It will not erase pain or skip the necessary work of healing. However, it can create a powerful opening—one where grief can move, defenses can soften, and parts of you long frozen in betrayal can come back online. Many people describe it as a “catalyst” or “accelerant” in their process. Our goal is not to replace your healing journey, but to support and deepen it—especially if you’ve reached a plateau and are longing to reconnect with the parts of yourself you feel have been lost.