Facing mortality can rock your world.
When the future feels uncertain, a guided psilocybin experience can help you meet the unknown.
Have you experienced a life impacting diagnosis?
We understand the struggle.
You may be:
Worrying about the future & the unknown
Grieving the life you expected
Facing overwhelming medical decisions
Questioning the meaning of life
Feeling numb or unable to process your emotions
Trying your best to stay positive
Seeking ways to make the most of the time you have
We can help.
By making space for fear & grief and opening the door to transformative experiences of awe, connection, wonder and insight, a well guided psilocybin experience can provide you with the tools to meet your life with grace and courage.
A guided psilocybin experience can help you meet the unknown.
The Palliative Psilocybin Project is at the forefront of this revolutionary care, introducing psilocybin therapy into integrative medicine and palliative services to help individuals and families meet this chapter of life with….
A profound sense of meaning
A deeper connection to your loved ones
A new relationship with fear & mortality
A renewed connection to the beauty and mystery of existence.
What is Psilocybin?
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found in certain mushrooms, known for their psychoactive properties.
When ingested in a supportive, therapeutic environment, they can facilitate deeply connected, impactful and healing experiences. -
Research shows that psilocybin-assisted therapy significantly reduces anxiety and depression in terminal patients. Clinical trials, including landmark studies by Johns Hopkins and NYU, have demonstrated lasting improvements in emotional well-being, with many patients experiencing reduced death anxiety and enhanced life meaning.
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Psilocybin therapy doesn’t just alleviate fear—it facilitates a transformative process.
Participants report feelings of connection to others, a sense of peace, and a release of the anxiety surrounding their mortality. It allows them to approach their life - and death - in a new way.
Psilocybin can help with
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Existential distress is the deep emotional and psychological suffering that arises when someone confronts their mortality— it manifests as fear of death, loss of identity, unfinished business, and the search for meaning.
Psilocybin offers a profound shift in perspective, having the potential to dissolve fear, deepen acceptance, and reveal a sense of connection beyond the self.
Many emerge from the experience with newfound clarity and a sense of peace about what lies ahead.
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Psilocybin can help individuals revisit their lives and find meaning. This "life review" often helps people reframe their perspectives on their mortality, leading to a renewed sense of purpose and fulfillment in their life.
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Participants commonly experience emotional release, supporting the grieving process and leading to resolving feelings and lightening the load they are carrying.
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One of the most profound effects of psilocybin is the sense of interconnectedness it creates. Many participants describe experiences of feeling "one" with nature, others, or even the universe. This feeling of connection can ease feelings of isolation and loneliness that often accompany serious disease and life-limiting illness.
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Through its effects on serotonin receptors in the brain, psilocybin has been shown to have lasting antidepressant and anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects, leading to a reduction in both depression and anxiety.
Oregon’s Opportunity
Oregon’s groundbreaking Psilocybin Services Act created the first legal pathway in the U.S. for facilitated psilocybin therapy—offering a safe, supported way for individuals, including those facing serious and life-limiting diagnoses, to access transformative care.
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In 2020, Oregon made history by passing Measure 109, creating the first legal framework in the U.S. for psilocybin use in therapeutic settings. This groundbreaking legislation offers a regulated pathway for individuals to access psilocybin in licensed service centers, under the guidance of trained facilitators.
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The Oregon model is unique in that it gives a framework for licensed facilitators to work with adults 21 and older to access psilocybin in a safe, supported environment, without requiring a medical diagnosis.
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For those facing serious, recurrent or life-limiting disease, Oregon’s legal framework creates an unprecedented opportunity to integrate psilocybin therapy into integrative medicine approaches and palliative care treatment.
Licensed facilitators can now partner with healthcare teams to offer psilocybin sessions that help their patients have a profound and life-changing experience.
The Palliative Psilocybin Project
We are an organization dedicated to:
Those living with serious illness and their families.
Those who want to ease anxiety and reconnect with what matters.
People all along the spectrum of disease - from pre-palliative early diagnosis to palliative care to individuals facing their final chapter, and those who love them.
Our hope is to transform the experience of serious illness through compassionate, evidence-based psilocybin care for individuals facing life-impacting, recurrent and life-limiting disease, and the grief of those who have lost dear ones.
Our model brings together a palliatively trained RN and experienced Licensed Psilocybin Facilitators, with the option for participants to have both present during their psilocybin experience. The RN serves as an optional support person, available upon request to provide an additional layer of care for those who are more medically complex.
Our vision includes fostering a community of skilled facilitators through:
A robust apprenticeship model
Ongoing peer support
Continuing education opportunities
In partnership with palliative care teams, cancer centers and resident physician training programs, we nurture education and advocacy through thoughtful resources, workshops, and training to weave psilocybin therapy into the fabric of traditional care.
How does psilocybin work?
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One of the most powerful effects of psilocybin is its ability to induce ego dissolution—a temporary reduction of the rigid boundaries between the self and the world. This can lead to profound feelings of interconnectedness, where the individual no longer feels separate from others or from nature.
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Many psilocybin participants report deeply spiritual or mystical experiences characterized by feelings of unity, timelessness, and profound peace. These transcendent encounters can help us see from a broader perspective, providing a sense of sacredness and a deeper understanding of life's journey.
Research, including studies by Griffiths et al. (2016), shows that the depth of these experiences strongly correlates with lasting reductions in anxiety and depression.
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Whether we have a timeline or not, all of us are mortal. Rather than avoiding thoughts of death, individuals can face these fears in a safe, supported space, welcoming the feelings of grief, anger and fear and moving through them to experience feelings like awe, wonder, love and gratitude.
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By lowering psychological defenses, psilocybin allows suppressed emotions like fear and unresolved grief to surface, enabling participants to process past trauma, regrets, and relational issues. Such emotional release can lighten the psychological burden that amplifies anxiety.
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Psilocybin often leads to deep insights into life’s purpose and personal values. This newfound understanding provides a sense of meaning, reducing existential distress and leading participants to reframe their life. Rather than focusing on loss, many individuals report feeling a renewed sense of purpose.
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Psilocybin works by enhancing brain connectivity, promoting neuroplasticity, and disrupting negative, habitual thought patterns common in anxiety and depression. This increased cognitive flexibility helps participants break free from fear-based loops related to dying, enabling more adaptive, positive ways of thinking.
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One of the most profound effects of psilocybin is the deep sense of connection it fosters. Participants often report feeling overwhelming love, unity, and belonging—not only with other people but with the universe or nature itself. This sense of interconnectedness can alleviate feelings of isolation and existential loneliness that are so common in those facing serious and life-limiting illness.
Meet our Founders
Meet our team, Anat and Julie.
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Anat is a warm and gifted healer, with nearly 20 years of experience healing through expanded states. An interfaith chaplain, an intrepid explorer, and a lover of the tender underbelly of the human heart. She will hold your unfolding with presence and deep care.
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Julie is a warm hearted healer, an experienced intensive care and palliative nurse, with deep compassion for those at the end of life. She will hold your experience with grace.
Get involved.
Join us in transforming traditional care with the power of psilocybin-assisted therapy. Whether you’re a patient, healthcare professional, a patient advocate, or someone inspired by this work, there are many ways to get involved.
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Support the responsible integration of psilocybin into integrative and palliative care by advocating for patient access to this groundbreaking therapy. Together, we can ensure that individuals facing health challenges have access to meaningful, transformative care.
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We are passionate about equipping healthcare professionals with the tools they need to include psilocybin therapy as part of a holistic and integrative approach to cancer treatment and palliative care.
Book an educational presentation with our team to learn about clinical evidence, best practices, and how psilocybin can transform your care.
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Do you know someone who could benefit from psilocybin-assisted therapy? Send patients our way to explore this life-changing option.
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Help us bring this vision to life. Your donations directly support our work, from training facilitators to providing access to therapy for underserved patients. Every contribution helps pave the way for a compassionate future in palliative care.
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If you’re a hospice or palliative RN, or a licensed psilocybin facilitator looking to gain experience in integrative and palliative psilocybin work, reach out to inquire about the status of our apprenticeship program.
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Curious about the healing potential of psilocybin? Have a personal experience and witness firsthand its capacity to open hearts, deepen meaning, and bring clarity. Whether for palliative treatment, personal growth or professional insight, participating in a session can be transformative.
Honoring this medicine’s Lineage
We, at the Palliative Psilocybin Project walk with psilocybin in deep reverence for the Indigenous and First Nation peoples who have stewarded this sacred medicine for hundreds of generations.
Their ceremonies, songs, culture and wisdom traditions were violently suppressed by colonial and religious oppression, and we recognize that as white persons engaging in this work, on unceeded indigenous land we carry both privilege and responsibility.
We do not claim ownership of this medicine—but hold a commitment to right relationship. That means listening deeply, honoring cultural roots, contributing to reparative efforts and accessibility for marginalized communities and continuously examining how we show up.
We believe these medicines are gifts of the Earth, here for the healing of all beings—but that healing must unfold in ways that respect the histories and people from whom these medicines come.
Our work is guided by humility, accountability, and the longing for collective healing.
FAQs
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Of course! Anyone seeking a profound and transformative experience can participate, regardless of their diagnosis. Psilocybin therapy offers deep healing and insight for a wide range of individuals, not just those with life-limiting illnesses.
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1. 30 minute Consult call (free)
2. Intake form and $50 deposit (this will go toward your cost should you participate)
3. Consultation with an MD who is familiar with Psilocybin work (we have referrals or you can use your own)
4. Conversation about going forward
5. Scheduling your session
6. Preparation zoom calls for relationship building (1-3 sessions)
7. Legal forms (there are quite a few)
8. Session!
9. Post session Integration
10. Return home and continuing integration
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Psilocybin journeys during chemotherapy require careful consideration, but we’ve had good experiences with individuals in between chemo rounds or even during their treatment protocol.
While there are no known direct interactions, chemo can affect how the body processes substances, and its side effects (like fatigue or nausea) may influence the experience.
Planning your session for a time in your protocol when you feel the strongest and least impacted by the side effects can support a more comfortable journey.
We recommend consulting with your doctor and speaking with one of our experienced facilitators to determine the best approach for your unique situation. -
Palliative care is specialized medical support for individuals facing serious or life limiting illness, focused on the whole person and improving quality of life, alongside curing disease.
Palliative teams get involved while patients are still pursuing curative treatment but could benefit from symptom management and to address not just physical symptoms like pain and fatigue, but also the emotional, psychological, and spiritual distress that often accompanies challenging health issues.
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You will ingest psilocybin in a safe, supportive setting with trained facilitators. The experience will be musically curated and as interactive as you need to feel safe and supported. The session lasts 6-8 hours, during which you will be held with care and presence by a licensed facilitator (and a trained RN by request).
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Psilocybin is generally safe physically, but is not suitable for everyone. There are some contraindications and there is a possibility that you could meet powerful psychological material and emotions.
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If you have a challenging experience during a psilocybin session, rest assured that you're in a safe, supportive environment with experienced guides. Difficult moments can arise, but they often provide valuable insights or emotional release.
Our facilitators are trained to help you navigate intense feelings and help you integrate the experience afterwards, ensuring you leave with a sense of understanding and peace. Remember, challenging moments can be part of the healing process.
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Psilocybin can induce vivid imagery and altered perception, but it does not cause a loss of control. The experience varies, often bringing emotional and spiritual insights and experiences rather than traditional "hallucinations."
With your eyes open, you may experience the visual effect of the art in the room “breathing,” or the floor gently moving.
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Many participants report significant benefits from a single session, but some may choose additional experiences to deepen exploration and integration. 1-3 sessions is the most common.
There’s no limit to the sessions you can participate in, as long as you’re giving yourself enough time in between to digest and integrate the experience.
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Sessions are designed for individual facilitation, but loved ones can be involved in preparation and integration support. You are also welcome to invite a support person to be present at the facilitation center, who we could call into your session as needed or upon your request.
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Each participant undergoes a thorough screening process to assess eligibility, medical history, and readiness for the experience. When you contact us, our team can help determine if this therapy aligns with your needs.
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Physical Health Contraindications
Cardiovascular issues: Severe heart disease (e.g., unstable angina, recent heart attack, arrhythmias) or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Neurological conditions: Epilepsy or a history of seizures not well-controlled by medication. Recent history of stroke.
Severe physical frailty: Conditions that make prolonged sitting or lying down challenging. Inability to tolerate the duration of the psilocybin session (6-8 hours).
Severe unmanaged pain
Uncontrolled nausea or vomiting: psilocybin can occasionally cause nausea and occasional vomiting for some participants. If you are struggling with this in your day to day experience and have anti-nausea meds, we can work with those.
Severe respiratory distress
Delirium or confusion
Mental Health Contraindications
Psychotic disorders: Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or other psychotic spectrum disorders. A family history of psychotic disorders may also require caution.
Bipolar disorder (specifically Bipolar II, or manic episodes or those not well-managed).
Severe anxiety or panic disorders: Active, untreated, or unmanageable symptoms that could worsen under psilocybin.
Severe depression with active suicidal ideation: Individuals at high risk for self-harm or suicide may not be suitable candidates.
Active substance abuse: active addiction to alcohol, opioids, stimulants or other substances. Palliative use of opiates are a different story but would require care to assess risks and benefits.
Medication Contraindications
Antipsychotic medications: These may interfere with the psychedelic experience and are usually contraindicated.
Benzodiazepines or sedatives: These can dampen the effects of psilocybin and affect the therapeutic process.
Stimulant medications: Can increase the risk of cardiovascular complications during the session.
Lithium: Use of lithium in combination with psilocybin has been associated with severe adverse reactions, including seizures and potential psychosis. Psilocybin therapy is contraindicated for individuals currently taking lithium.
Psychosocial/Environmental Contraindications
Lack of a safe and supportive environment at home for post-session integration.
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These medications do not have dangerous interactions but can blunt the effects of psilocybin, potentially reducing its therapeutic effect. Often this is counteracted by taking a higher dose of psilocybin, but we cannot guarantee you will not have a significant blunting effect.
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A typical session will cost anywhere from $1500 - 2,550 depending on service center location and the kind of support you need. The cost of the psilocybin is additional and generally costs between $65-150 depending on dosage.
There are scholarship options through the Psilocybin Access Fund that cover $1500 and we are actively working to create a scholarship fund through our organization through grants and donations.
We are committed to making this work accessible to all, and offer a limited amount of significantly reduced rate and pro-bono work. Please inquire. -
Our model includes:
Screening, intake and our team interfacing with your palliative doctor
1 preparation session with our licensed facilitator and RN if wanted (2 hours)
1 psilocybin session (6-8 hours) and
1 followup integration session (2 hours).
For a total of 12 in person hours with 1 or both members of our team.
Should you need more preparation time prior because of emotional or physical complexities, or more time for integration after, we would be happy to provide this for you at an hourly rate.
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Integration support is a vital part of the process. We provide resources, a follow-up session, and guidance to help individuals process and apply insights from their experience.
Our facilitators are also celebrants and end-of-life doulas, and can support you in ways that don’t include psilocybin, should you approach the end of your life and wish to include us in your process.