Oregon is pioneering the treatment of hallucinogenic drugs but is expecting nationwide demand
Stressed hedge fund managers and parents struggling to deal with their children leaving home are driving an “outrageous demand” for newly legal hallucinogenic drugs in Oregon.
The US state is the first to allow people over 21 to take “magic mushrooms” amid a growing body of research suggesting it is an effective treatment for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Nate Howard is among those preparing to treat patients when the first licensed venues open later this year, and says interest in the drug has been nationwide.
“The demand (for future services) is actually outrageous,” he said, describing the flood of emails he has received since Oregon started issuing licences.
Potential clients come from all walks of life. One couple got in touch inquiring about help for their daughter who had just been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder when the service is legalised; another was a “totally depressed” hedge fund manager; others were empty-nesters suffering from a “loss of identity”.
“Whatever it is, people want to come to Oregon and see if this will offer some insight,” he said. Mr Howard said his personal experience with psilocybin had taught him to come to terms with “toxic habits” and burnout after years of working in local politics in Oregon.
The west coast state approved the use of psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in so-called “magic mushrooms”, on Jan 1 – but with strict parameters.
The drug can only be consumed in a licensed venue under the supervision of a “facilitator” who has been state-certified.
These modern day, state-approved practitioners act as guides for users through their drug-induced journeys, which can last five or six hours. A single session is likely to cost hundreds of dollars.
While they have been compared to ancient "shamans", Mr Howard is wary of applying the term to himself, a self-described "young white dude who's never left Portland".
Many of these guides have trained at InnerTrek, a Portland-based centre which offers a $7,900 (£6,350) six-month course.
Mr Howard, director of operations at InnerTrek, hopes to be among the first cohort of certified shamans when the state approval process is completed by the summer or early autumn.
The experience is likely to be far removed from the recreational cannabis tourism in states that have legalised weed.
Thrill-seekers are required to fill out a 10-page form and then have a preparatory session with their guide before they are given psilocybin.
For some, that might include equine therapy, for those who enjoy being around animals or nature.
For others, it might be an ecstatic dance or creative art session, or a drum circle. “It’ll really run the gamut,” according to Mr Howard.
There is flexibility in how the actual drug consumption occurs too. Some users may choose to sit on a sofa, others may want to hug a cuddly toy.
There are options to consume the drug outside and inside, one-to-one or in a group session, as ancient shamans did in spiritual rituals.
Guides place an emphasis on giving clients the freedom to explore whatever emotions emerge during their trip.
Mr Howard says he has been trained to deal with a variety of responses while people are on a trip.
He said: “You can be sitting with somebody for eight hours, and they barely move. There’s also the other side of the coin, where you are working with someone who may want to yell, or scream.”
Mr Howard says he sees parallels between these modern day “facilitators” and their ancient predecessors and claims there are enormous benefits for those using psilocybin under the supervision of a tutor.
He believes those consuming the drug alone can only “get a small sliver of what’s possible” from the psychedelic.
