From the Road to PS25

As a membership association, we, at the National Psychedelics Association (the NPA), are always looking for ways to advocate for our members and reduce the stress they carry.

We like to Connect

In a world dominated by screens and Zoom calls, we felt a strong pull to connect face-to-face, to step out from behind the technology and build real relationships. So, to wrap up 2024, our team at the NPA alongside our partners at Homecoming, hit the road.

We traveled across Oregon, visiting at least a dozen of our member service centers from Hood River to Ashland. It was more than a road trip, it was a reconnection. Meeting the trailblazers who are pioneering legal Psychedelic-Assisted Care (PAC) filled us with inspiration. We saw firsthand the spaces where healing happens, and listened to stories of transformation. We met with facilitators face-to-face. We heard their stories of resilience, and community.

As we listened, one thing became clear: the service center operators in Oregon are holding a wealth of wisdom.

Oregon’s Hidden Treasure

Oregon is the first state to roll out legal, regulated psilocybin care services. That means the operators, facilitators, and staff there are the very first in the country to learn, by doing, what it really takes to run a psychedelic healing center.

They’ve made mistakes. They’ve found solutions. They’ve developed workflows, created client care strategies, and navigated complex regulatory compliance requirements. They’ve seen what works and what doesn’t, and they’re already adapting, improving, and growing.

But perhaps the most striking part was this: no-one outside of Oregon has really heard these stories.

We realized this knowledge shouldn’t stay in Oregon, it would be most powerful if it reached the broader Psychedelic-Assisted Care (PAC) ecosystem. Other states, soon to follow, can benefit tremendously from the lessons learned in Oregon.

So, to Psychedelic Science 2025

We needed a platform. A place where our members could share their experiences, their lessons, their learning, and do so in a way that would benefit practitioners, operators, and advocates across the country (and beyond). Psychedelic Science 2025 would be the perfect platform to amplify their insights.

When we heard there would be poster displays at PS25, we knew it was the ideal opportunity. Poster sessions are a chance to share real-world findings, practitioner insights, and emerging best practices with a global audience. They’re focused, digestible, and most importantly, human. We brought the idea to our members, and they loved it. Now, several of our Oregon service provider, NPA members, will be with us in Denver, presenting their hard-earned wisdom to the global psychedelic community.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about Oregon. It’s about creating momentum. By platforming the voices of those who’ve already walked the path, we can shorten the learning curve for others. We can help future service centers avoid costly mistakes, implement systems that work, and understand the heart-centered challenges of holding space in this unique and sacred work.

In short: We can all grow faster, and with more integrity, as a community.

Will you be there?

So, if you are attending the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference this week in Denver, Colorado, keep an eye out for the NPA member poster sessions on the expo floor during Psychedelic Science 25 in Denver. You can check the Psychedelic Science 25 Agenda for any updates to their programming. Stop by, say hello, and hear directly from the people who’ve been on the front lines of progressive care. Their stories, insights, and lessons are invaluable as we build this movement together. The future of Psychedelic-Assisted Care (PAC) is being shaped by what’s happening now, and these are the pioneers that are leading the way.

Thank you, and see you there too.