FAQ
Questions people usually have before reaching out
If you're considering this work, these are probably already on your mind.
Is This Right for Me?
Who is this for?
This is usually a good fit for people who've been dealing with something for a long time — depression, anxiety, PTSD, TBI, grief — and have already tried to work through it. People who aren't dramatic about their pain but know something hasn't shifted. It's not for people in crisis, people looking for a recreational experience, or people who haven't thought seriously about why they want to do this. The preparation process is part of how that gets sorted out.
I've never used psychedelics before. Does that matter?
No. Most people Nate works with haven't. Prior experience doesn't make a session more effective — what matters is preparation, your intentions, and whether you're in a stable enough place to engage with what comes up. The preparation sessions are designed to get you ready regardless of where you're starting from.
I'm not spiritual or into "alternative" approaches. Is this still worth considering?
Yes. Skepticism is reasonable and nothing about this process requires a particular belief system. The preparation is practical — your history, your intentions, what to expect, how to work with difficulty. Nate works with a lot of people who would describe themselves exactly the way you just did.
Are there reasons this wouldn't be a good fit?
Yes. A personal or family history of psychosis or bipolar I makes psilocybin higher risk. Certain medications — including MAOIs and lithium — are contraindications. Active suicidal crisis is not the right context for this work. These aren't exhaustive. The intake and preparation process is where the specifics get worked through, and Nate won't move forward if something gives him pause. If something doesn't feel right from a safety standpoint, Nate won't move forward.
Safety and Legality
Is this legal?
Yes. Oregon Measure 109 created the first regulated psilocybin services program in the United States. Nate is a licensed facilitator under the Oregon Health Authority, and every session takes place at a licensed service center. The About page covers the regulatory structure in more detail. The psilocybin therapy Oregon page covers what that framework means in practice.
What are the actual risks?
Psilocybin is physiologically low-risk for most people, but the experience can be psychologically intense. Difficult sessions happen — they're not inherently harmful, and they're not a sign something went wrong, but they're real. This isn't a comfortable experience by design. That's a significant part of what preparation covers. The risk profile is meaningfully different when the process is done carefully, with proper screening, in a regulated setting.
What if I'm on medication?
Some medications affect how psilocybin works or create genuine contraindications — SSRIs are the most common question, and the answer is complicated enough to warrant a real conversation. Nothing about your medication should change before you've talked to your prescriber. This gets addressed directly during preparation.
Will this show up on a drug test?
Psilocybin can be detected, but standard workplace drug panels don't test for it. If you're in a profession with specific testing requirements, it's worth knowing what your panel actually includes — that's a conversation worth having with someone who knows your situation specifically.
What to Expect
What does a session actually feel like?
Variable — and that's the honest answer. Some people move through strong emotion. Some find it quieter and more interior. Some find it more difficult than expected. It's not recreational, and it's not something most people have a real reference point for. The preparation is partly designed to help you go in with clear intentions rather than fixed expectations. The How It Works page has a fuller picture of what a session day involves.
What if I have a difficult experience during the session?
Difficult experiences happen. Nate stays with you for the entire session specifically because of this — his job is to hold steady presence through whatever comes up, not just when things are easy. The preparation covers how to work with difficulty rather than resist it. Something hard isn't a sign the session failed; often it's the opposite.
How long does the whole process take?
From discovery call to session day, typically several weeks. The preparation isn't rushed — it takes as long as it takes to do properly. A realistic window is often four to six weeks from first contact, depending on scheduling and readiness.
Do I need to do this more than once?
Some people find one session enough. Others return. There's no protocol that requires multiple sessions, and no one will push you toward a second before you've had time to integrate the first. The integration process — what you do with the experience afterward — tends to matter more than repetition.
You don't need to have it all figured out before reaching out.
If something isn't answered here, the discovery call is where to bring it.
It's a simple conversation to figure out if this makes sense for you. No pressure either way.
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