Oregon psilocybin centers follow safety protocols, study finds

A study of licensed psilocybin centers in Oregon indicates that facilities are adhering to state-mandated safety protocols. Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Missouri conducted phone outreach to 15 of the state’s 22 active centers, posing as prospective clients with depression.

The findings, published in Health Affairs Scholar, revealed that none of the centers permitted unsupervised consumption or dosing without a prior psychiatric assessment. Facilitators were noted for engaging in thoughtful conversations, inquiring about psychiatric history, medications, and risk factors before recommending services.

While the regulated model appears clinically cautious, the study highlighted economic barriers to access. Sessions cost approximately $1,900 on average, and no centers accepted insurance, which may limit the scalability and availability of the treatment. This research follows a separate cohort study which found that serious adverse reactions among 346 Oregon clients were uncommon.