Oregon Ran an Unprecedented Experiment. Now There Are Numbers.
The first study tracking safety and mental health outcomes in Oregon's state-regulated psilocybin program is now published in JAMA Network Open. PIPS co-founder Jason Luoma breaks down what the numbers show, and what they don't.
How Should We Measure Safety and Quality in Supervised Psilocybin Services?
How do we know if supervised psilocybin services are safe, ethical, and helpful? A new study from the OPEN research network develops consensus measures for tracking quality, safety, and outcomes in community-based psilocybin services.
Making Informed Consent Safer in Psilocybin Services: What Experts Recommend
What does truly informed consent look like in psilocybin services? A new qualitative study offers expert recommendations on trust, boundaries, risk communication, and why consent should be an ongoing process; not just a signature.
How Psychological Flexibility Can Support Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
How does psychedelic-assisted therapy create lasting change? A paper explores how the psychological flexibility model, the foundation of ACT, may provide a framework for understanding preparation, sessions, and integration.
A Closer Look at Exposure Therapy in MDMA-Assisted Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder
A new case report from Portland Psychotherapy researchers examines how MDMA-assisted therapy integrated with exposure therapy created powerful expectancy violations, and lasting change, for a client with social anxiety disorder.
When Therapy Falls Short After Challenging Psychedelic Experiences
When standard therapy falls short after challenging psychedelic experiences, what helps? A new qualitative study explores psychedelic-informed therapy, nonjudgmental support, and why recovery isn't always linear.
Who Are Oregon's First Legal Psilocybin Facilitators? An Early Survey, Two Years On
Who were Oregon's first legal psilocybin facilitators? Two years on, a follow-up to the original survey reveals insights on training, costs, access, and what the field needs now.
Ethical Touch in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Moving From Theory to Practice
As psychedelic-assisted therapy expands, ethical touch requires clearer guidelines. A new article proposes distinctions between consent and assent, four categories of touch, and practical steps for clinician training and research.
Can MDMA Make Exposure Therapy More Effective for Social Anxiety?
Can MDMA make exposure therapy more effective for social anxiety? A new article from Portland Psychotherapy researchers explores four pathways, from reducing avoidance to strengthening expectancy violations, that may enhance CBT for social anxiety disorder (SAD).
What Shapes Psychologists’ Attitudes Toward Psychedelics? A Closer Look at the Data
What shapes psychologists' views on psychedelic-assisted therapy? A new study finds that knowledge and personal experience matter more than demographics. Learn what predicts openness, and what doesn't.
A New Clinical Trial Explores MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder
A new clinical trial from Portland Psychotherapy researchers is exploring MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety disorder (SAD). The study examines mechanisms like shame, self-compassion, and social threat perception. Learn about the protocol and what makes this approach distinct.
Mindset Over Molecule: How Psychedelics, MDMA, and Cannabis Compare in Producing Mystical Experiences
Does the substance matter more than your mindset? A new study from PIPS researchers finds that psilocybin, MDMA, and cannabis differ, but psychological context predicted up to 58% of mystical experiences, compared to less than 10% for the substance alone.
How Do Social Workers, Psychiatrists, and Psychologists Differ in Their Views on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy?
A new study of 856 licensed clinicians reveals differences in how social workers, psychiatrists, and psychologists view psychedelic-assisted therapy. Psychologists showed the most support, while social workers expressed more reservations. Learn what these differences mean for the future of PAT.
Why accurate beats impressive in psychedelic-assisted therapy research for PTSD
A new review in Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry identifies three reporting patterns that can overstate the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy for PTSD. PIPS Director of Research Jason Luoma, PhD, breaks down the critique and explains why credibility, not impressive findings, ultimately serves the field best.
A National Survey Reveals Sobering Rates of Physical/Sexual Violence During Psychedelic Use
A new national survey reveals sobering rates of physical and sexual violence during psychedelic use: 1 in 10 people reported harm, with 7.5% experiencing physical violence and 7.2% forced sexual advances. Researchers identify higher-risk groups and call for harm reduction tailored to psychedelic contexts.
Should Psychedelic Facilitators Have Personal Experience? What Experts Are Saying
Should psychedelic facilitators have personal experience with the medicines they guide? A new qualitative study gathers insights from 38 experts with over 15 years of experience, revealing strong support for lived experience, ethical concerns about mandating it, and a clear call for more research.
Now Welcoming Clients: Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy at PIPS
PIPS now offers psilocybin-assisted therapy in Oregon with licensed clinicians, providing structured preparation, supervised sessions, and evidence-based integration. We've started taking referrals. Learn how our three-phase approach can support anxiety, depression, trauma, and more.
The Importance of Touch in MDMA-Assisted Therapy: Insights from Recent Research
A first-of-its-kind study from PIPS researchers introduces the Touch Outcomes Measurement Inventory (TOMI), a new self-report tool designed to assess client perceptions of touch in MDMA-assisted therapy. Learn how this measure aims to balance therapeutic benefits with ethical safety.
Exploring the Therapeutic Role of Ayahuasca: A Focus on Psychological Flexibility
A new study from PIPS researchers finds that ayahuasca ceremonies produced lasting improvements in psychological flexibility, cognitive reappraisal, and mood, with gains sustained three months later. Learn how ayahuasca may facilitate enduring emotional healing.
Building Safer Psychedelic Services: What Experts Say About Setting Standards of Care
A new qualitative study gathers expert perspectives on psychedelic care standards, revealing urgent needs for safety oversight, culturally responsive care, community-based support, and navigating legal gray areas. Learn what must change to make psychedelic services safer and more inclusive.