Scientific Research
Advancing Psychedelic Science: Research at the Portland Institute for Psychedelic Science
The Portland Institute for Psychedelic Science (PIPS) is at the forefront of psychedelic research. Our multidisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians is dedicated to exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and advancing our understanding of their effects on the human mind and body.
Current Research Projects
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Project SAMATI is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigating the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for social anxiety disorder (SAD) in adults.
The study enrolled 20 participants to receive MDMA in conjunction with psychotherapy sessions.
By focusing on understanding the mechanisms through which this treatment operates, we hope to contribute to the development of targeted and efficient interventions for those struggling with social anxiety.
This study is currently in the long term follow up phase with 24 month follow up data being collected.
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Project RISE examines the psychological effects of psilocybin-assisted group retreats for breast cancer survivors. In collaboration with The Survivorship Collective, the study follows participants attending a 4-day retreat in Oregon, where they receive psilocybin in a supportive group setting at a licensed service center.
Cancer survivors often face lasting challenges—anxiety, depression, fear of recurrence, and loss of meaning—that conventional care may not fully address. Early research suggests psilocybin may help reduce distress and improve quality of life in people facing serious illness.
Participants complete surveys before the retreat and at follow-up points measuring anxiety, depression, belonging, and meaning in life. The study also explores aspects of the psychedelic experience and includes qualitative interviews.
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PROS-2 examines the effects of psilocybin on participants attending a 7-day retreat in the Netherlands, where they had two guided experiences with legal psilocybin-containing truffles. By assessing changes in psychological functioning, well-being, and the role of psychological flexibility, this study aims to further our understanding of the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in a supportive retreat setting.
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STEP is designed to characterize the nature of self-transcendent emotions and experiences induced by MDMA, psilocybin, and cannabis. By comparing the subjective effects of these substances and investigating the role of contextual factors, such as set and setting, this study will provide valuable insights into the phenomenology of psychedelic-induced self-transcendence and its potential implications for mental health and well-being.
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This qualitative study focuses on identifying the most common challenges therapists face when helping clients integrate psychedelic experiences and strategies they employ to address these challenges. By gathering the perspectives of experienced psychedelic integration therapists, Project PITCH aims to inform the development of best practices and training programs for mental health professionals working in this emerging field.
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Portland Institute for Psychedelic Science (PIPS) is serving as the clinical site for a pilot feasibility study evaluating psilocybin-assisted therapy for chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women. Led by Principal Investigator Lynne Shinto, ND, MPH at OHSU, the study will enroll 15 women with CPP who have not fully responded to conventional treatments. Participants will receive a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin combined with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-informed preparation and integration sessions. The primary aim is to establish the feasibility and safety of this approach, with exploratory outcomes examining changes in pain, mental health, and quality of life. This will be the first study to evaluate psilocybin for chronic pelvic pain in women, and findings will inform the design of a larger clinical trial.
Our Scientific Approach
We employ a range of research methodologies, including randomized controlled trials, qualitative studies, and naturalistic observational studies, to investigate the subjective effects, therapeutic mechanisms, and clinical outcomes associated with psychedelic use. Our studies are designed with the utmost regard for participant safety, ethics, and scientific rigor.
Collaborations and Partnerships
PIPS actively seeks collaborations with leading research institutions, nonprofit organizations, and industry partners to advance our shared goals of expanding psychedelic science and improving mental health care. Our current collaborators include:
We also have ongoing collaborations with faculty at institutions around the world including Oregon Health Sciences University, the University of Colorado, University College London, and more.
Publications involving PIPS authors
Our team regularly publishes peer-reviewed articles in leading scientific journals and presents our findings at national and international conferences.
Chwyl, C., Bazinet, A., Wilson-Poe, A. R., Hoffman, K., Pertl, K., Wolf, R. C., Korthuis, P. T., & Luoma, J. B. (2026). Ethical complexities and best practices in informed consent processes for psilocybin services: A qualitative study. Neuroethics, 19, Article 21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12152-026-09645-5
Guy Simon, Nir Tadmor, Jules Evans et al. When Therapy Falls Short: A Qualitative Study of Psychotherapy After Challenging Psychedelic Experiences, 14 May 2026, PREPRINT https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9695196/v1
Chwyl, C., Spata, A., Lucas, W., & Luoma, J. B. (2025) Mindset Over Molecule: Comparing Self-Transcendent and Mystical Experiences Across Recreational Psilocybin, MDMA, and Cannabis Use. BMC Psychology.
Chwyl, C., Ladka, M. S., Black, J. C., Rockhill, K. M., Dart, R. C., Luoma, J. B., & Monte, A. A (2025). Prevalence and predictors of sexual and physical violence during psychedelic use in a US population-based study. World Psychiatry.
Lear, M.K. and Luoma, J.B. (2025), A Case Study on Transforming Shame: The Role of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Fostering Psychological Flexibility and Self-Compassion. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 81: 878-887. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23810
Chwyl, C., Wilson-Poe, A. R., Hoffman, K. A., Bazinet, A., Pertl, K., Luoma, J. B., des Jarlais, D., Bielavitz, S., & Korthuis, P. T. (2025, August 12). Building standards of psychedelic care: Qualitative examination of expert perspectives on safety, inclusion, and accountability. International Journal of Drug Policy.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104938
Luoma, J. B., Lear, M. K., & Pilecki, B. (2025, July). MDMA as a means of augmenting exposure therapy in the context of social anxiety disorder. The Behavior Therapist, 48(5). https://digitaleditions.sheridan.com/article/5011622/849688/article.html
Luoma, J. B., Hoffman, K., Wilson-Poe, A. R., Levander, X. A., Bazinet, A., Cook, R. R., McCarty, D., Pertl, K., Bielavitz, S., Gregoire, D., Wolf, R. C., Des Jarlais, D. C., Harrison, H. V., Stauffer, C. S., & Korthuis, P. T. (2025). Oregon's emerging psilocybin services workforce: A survey of the first legal psilocybin facilitators and their training programs. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 1-11.
Herbert, M. S., Blanco, B. H., Perivoliotis, D., Luoma, J., Fernandes-Osterhold, G., Bismark, A., & Woolley, J. D. (2025). MDMA-Assisted Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Rationale for a New Approach. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 32(3), 329–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2025.01.001
Luoma, J. B., Kati Lear, M., Yi, K., & Pilecki, B. (2025). Utilizing in Vivo and Imaginal Exposure in the Context of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Case Report. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 32(3), 351–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2025.02.002
Korthuis, P. T., Hoffman, K. A., Wilson-Poe, A. R., Luoma, J. B., Bazinet, A., Pertl, K., Morgan, D. L., Cook, R. R., Bielavitz, S., Myers, R., Wolf, R. C., McCarty, D., & Stauffer, C. S.. Developing the Open Psychedelic Evaluation Nexus consensus measures for assessment of supervised psilocybin services: An e-Delphi study. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 2024;38(8):761-768. doi:10.1177/02698811241257839
Wilson-Poe, A. R., Hoffman, K. A., Pertl, K., Luoma, J. B., Bazinet, A., Stauffer, C. S., McCarty, D., & Korthuis, P. T. (2024). Personal psychedelic experience as a training qualification for facilitators: A thematic analysis of qualitative interviews with psilocybin experts. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.
Armstrong, S. B., Levin, A., Xin, Y., Horan, J., Luoma, J., Nagib, P., ... & Davis, A. (2024). Acceptability of Psychedelic Therapy Differs Among Social Workers, Psychiatrists, and Psychologists in the United States. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 260, 110443.
Luoma, J.B., & LeJeune, J.T., (2024). From Theory to Practice: The Importance of Operationalizing and Measuring Ethical Touch in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. American Journal of Bioethics. https://doi.org/10.1080/15265161.2024.2433425
Pilecki, B., Luoma, J., & Lear, K. M. (2024). A pilot study of the effect of group-administered psilocybin on psychological flexibility and outcomes. Journal of Psychedelic Studies.
Luoma, J., Allen, L. R., Gold, V., & Stauffer, C. (2024). Getting in Touch with Touch: The Importance of Studying Touch in MDMA-assisted Therapy and the Development of a New Self-report Measure. Psychedelic Medicine. Download Here
Lear, M. K., Smith, S. S., Pilecki, B., Stauffer, C., & Luoma, J. B. (In Press). Social Anxiety and MDMA-Assisted Therapy Investigation (SAMATI): A novel clinical trial protocol. Frontiers in Psychiatry, Psychopathology. Download Here
Pilecki, B., Luoma, J., & Lear, K. M. (2024). A pilot study of the effect of group-administered psilocybin on psychological flexibility and outcomes. Journal of Psychedelic Studies. Download Here
Armstrong, S. B., Levin, A. W., Xin, Y., Horan, J. C., Luoma, J., Nagib, P., Pilecki, B., & Davis, A. K. Differences in attitudes and beliefs about psychedelic-assisted therapy among social workers, psychiatrists, and psychologists in the United States. Journal of Psychedelic Studies. Download Here
Agin-Liebes, G., Zeifman, R., Luoma, J. B., Garland, E. L., Campbell, W. K., & Weiss, B. (2022). Prospective examination of the therapeutic role of psychological flexibility and cognitive reappraisal in the ceremonial use of ayahuasca. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 36(3), 295–308. Download here.
Luoma, J.B. (2022). MDMA-Assisted Therapy as a Means to Treat Social Anxiety Disorder. MAPS Bulletin.
Luoma, J.B., Pilecki, B., Davis, A.K., Smith, S.M. (2022). Predictors of attitudes toward psychedelics among psychologists in the USA. Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy. Find Here
Yaden, D. B., Earp, D., Graziosi, M., Friedman-Wheeler, D., Luoma, J. B., Johnson, M. W. (in press). Psychedelics and Psychotherapy: Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches as Default. Frontiers in Psychology. Download here.
Davis, A., Agin-Liebes, G., Espana, M., Pilecki, B., & Luoma, J.B. (2021). Attitudes and beliefs about the therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs among psychologists in the United States. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 1-10. Download here.
Luoma, J.B. Shahar, B., Lear, M.K., Pilecki,B., & Wagner, A. (2021). Potential Processes of Change in MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder During Acute Dosing: Enhanced Memory Reconsolidation, Self-Transcendence, and Enhanced Therapeutic Relationship. Human Psychopharmacology, e2824. Download here.
Pilecki, B., Luoma, J.B., Bathje, G.J., Rhea, J., & Fraguada Narloch, V. (2021). Ethical and Legal Issues in Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration Therapy. Harm Reduction Journal, 18, 40. Download here.
Luoma, J.B., Chwyl, C., Bathje, G.J., Davis, A. K., & Lancelotta, R. (2020). A Meta-Analysis of Placebo-Controlled Trials of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 12, 1-11. Download pre-print here.
Luoma, J.B., Davis, A. K., Watts, R., & McCracken, L. (2020). Integrating contextual behavioral science with research on psychedelic-assisted therapy: introduction to the special section. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 15, 207-209. Download preprint here.
Watts, R., & Luoma, J.B. (2020). The use of the psychological flexibility model to support psychedelic-assisted therapy. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 15, 92-102. Download here.
Luoma, J.B., Subucedo, P., Eriksson, J., Gates, N., & Pilecki, B. (2019). Toward a contextual psychedelic-assisted therapy: contextual behavioral science and the third wave of psychedelic research. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 14, 136-145. Download pre-print here.
Get Involved
If you are interested in participating in one of our research studies, collaborating with our team, or learning more about our education and training programs, please contact us at pips@portlandpsychotherapy.com or visit our clinical trials website for more information.