Portland Psychedelic Society

Reflections on the High Tea: A Letter to Our Community & A Call to Step Forward Together

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 10:47:48 GMT

COMMUNITY PRIDE FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

As I sit with everything we experienced at Saturday’s High Tea on December 6th, I feel immense gratitude for this community. Whether you joined us in person or sent your support from afar, I want to share with you some reflections from the afternoon—and a look ahead at where we’re going together.

During the event, I spoke about the impact the Portland Psychedelic Society is making in people’s lives. But it was the voices of our community members—their lived stories—that reminded us all why this work is so urgently needed.

Two testimonials in particular stayed with me.

One community member shared how they arrived at their first PPS integration circle feeling lost and unsure, carrying a psychedelic experience they didn’t know how to process. They described being welcomed with openness and zero judgment, and said that PPS helped them “find a place to breathe again.”

Another spoke about navigating their psychedelic journey entirely alone—until they found PPS. They told us that this community became their anchor, offering grounding, education, and relational support they didn’t know existed outside of clinical settings.

These stories weren’t just touching—they clarified something essential:
This work changes lives. It changes what people believe is possible for themselves and their healing.

And that is only possible because of the community standing behind PPS.

A Beautiful Afternoon of Connection & Purpose

This year’s High Tea was a celebration of what makes Portland Psychedelic Society so special: warmth, curiosity, connection, beautiful food and tea, and a shared sense of responsibility for the future we’re creating.

Throughout the afternoon, we explored transformative questions that will shape our chapter ahead:

Why Portland? Why Now?

Portland is at the leading edge of psychedelic policy, experimentation, and public interest. But as we discussed at the event, policy change alone isn’t enough. Without education, community support, and safe places for integration, the promise of this moment remains hollow.

Right now— in this exact window of cultural emergence —Portland has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to become a model for what a psychedelic-integrated city can look like: grounded, inclusive, compassionate, and community-led.

Why Portland Psychedelic Society?

Because PPS is the only community-centered psychedelic organization in the city doing this work at scale.

We’re not a clinic.
We’re not a company.
We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit devoted to education, connection, and integration —the human infrastructure that makes everything else possible.

Over the past year, PPS has:

Expanded integration circles, gatherings, and community events
Built new partnerships across Oregon
Grown our Board from 9 to 15 members
Launched a membership program
Created new branding and a new website
Hosted our own Portland Psychedelic Symposium
Hired our first full-time Executive Director
Engaged deeply with the evolving policy landscape toward the 2026 Portland Psychedelic Health Act

These milestones are building the foundation for an organization that will serve Portland for decades to come.

A Tremendous Achievement: Over $31,000 Raised at High Tea!

I’m thrilled to share that thanks to the generosity of our attendees, we raised over $31,000 in donations and pledges at the event!

This puts us within reach of our year-end goal of $40,000 —a goal that will allow PPS to:

Expand educational programming
Grow and support integration circles
Build community-led psychedelic resources
Strengthen organizational infrastructure
Continue engagement around the 2026 ballot initiative

This is an extraordinary accomplishment, and a testament to what this community can do when we come together.

But we’re not at the finish line yet.

Help Us Reach Our $40,000 Goal by December 31

To sustain our momentum and step into 2026 with confidence, we need broad support across our community.

If PPS has supported your journey, inspired your learning, or helped you feel more connected— now is the time to give back.

�� Make a tax-deductible year-end contribution:

DONATE TODAY

Every gift strengthens this movement. Every dollar helps ensure that Portland leads the nation not just in psychedelic policy, but in psychedelic community health, safety, and integration.

Looking Ahead

The High Tea reminded me of something powerful:

We’re building more than an organization. We’re building a culture.

A culture grounded in connection, curiosity, and care.
A culture that honors lived experience and community wisdom.
A culture that can guide Portland—and Oregon—into the future of psychedelic healing with integrity and heart.

Thank you for being part of this community.
Thank you for believing in this work.
And thank you for helping us move into 2026 stronger than ever.

With gratitude,

Max Kelemen
Executive Director
Portland Psychedelic Society

This Giving Tuesday: Help Keep Oregon at the Forefront of Psychedelic Healing

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:33:28 GMT

Dear Friends & Fellow Psychonauts,

Today is Giving Tuesday , a global day dedicated to generosity, community, and the collective future we choose to build. For the Portland Psychedelic Society (PPS), today also marks the official launch of our Year-End Campaign to raise $40,000 by December 31st —funds that will directly sustain the education, community support, and integration spaces that thousands across the city and state rely on.

And we need you with us!

�� Make your Giving Tuesday gift now!

Over the next month, we’ll be sharing real stories from our community—stories of people whose lives have changed because they finally found a place to feel safe, grounded, and connected. Stories of healing that didn’t come from a single psychedelic experience, but from the community that helped those insights take root. Your support makes these stories possible—and we can’t wait to share them with you.

Why Now? Why Oregon? Why PPS?

Oregon is not just participating in the psychedelic movement— we are shaping it. Every day, our state becomes home to new breakthroughs in psychedelic therapy, integration support, and community-centered healing. We are setting precedents for the rest of the country and the world.

But progress is not guaranteed.
Not here, not nationally.

To keep Oregon at the forefront of safe, ethical, community-based psychedelic healing, we must invest—not someday, but now, while this movement is still being defined.

And that is exactly where PPS comes in.

PPS: A Community Rising to Meet the Moment

For over a decade, the Portland Psychedelic Society has been the heart of Oregon’s psychedelic community—offering education, integration circles, workshops, and advocacy that make psychedelic healing accessible, safer, and rooted in connection.

Behind every statistic is a human being: someone who walked through our doors carrying anxiety, grief, curiosity, trauma, or hope—and found a community ready to hold them.

This year alone, PPS:

Supported hundreds through peer-led integration circles, workshops, and community events
Expanded our membership program and community infrastructure
Organized volunteers contributing over 6,000 hours —equivalent to three full-time staff
Hosted educational programs, a new symposium, and dozens of monthly meetups
Connected healers, researchers, practitioners, and community members in ways that reduce stigma and expand access
Played a leading role in policy conversations about safe, equitable psychedelic access in Portland and beyond

PPS is becoming the model for what a community-based psychedelic ecosystem can look like.

The Science Is Clear: Connection Is Medicine

Psychedelics alone are not enough.
Integration alone is not enough.

Healing is sustained through belonging.

Peer-led community support has been shown to reduce depressive symptoms by 25–40%
Simple connection models like the Friendship Bench decreased depression and suicidality by 80%
The WHO reports that social connection improves health outcomes and reduces early mortality

People heal when they feel seen, supported, and part of something larger. This is the heart of our work.

Your Gift Today Fuels Our Three Strategic Priorities

1. Education — Turning Curiosity into Competence

Your support helps us deliver trusted, inclusive, evidence-based education on psychedelic healing, harm reduction, and ancestral knowledge.

2. Community Building — Integration at the Center

Your contribution expands integration circles, trains peer group hosts, and helps us build toward a central community space for healing, learning, and celebration.

3. Organizational Excellence — Building a Sustainable Movement

Your investment strengthens our standard of excellence, builds leadership, systems, and stability needed to support thousands of people for years to come.

This is the moment to invest in a future worth building.

Here’s what your Giving Tuesday gift can fuel:

$100 funds an education workshop
$250 expands access for underserved communities
$500 supports new group host trainings
$1,000+ strengthens our infrastructure so PPS can serve Oregon for decades

Every contribution is tax-deductible and makes an immediate impact.

A Movement Rooted in Community, Not Profit

In a time of deep division, loneliness, and cultural fragmentation, we believe that healing does not happen in isolation. It happens in community— where insight meets belonging, and knowledge meets care.

Imagine a Portland where everyone seeking personal, communal, or spiritual healing through psychedelics has access to a supportive, knowledgeable community and trusted pathways for integration.

Imagine Oregon leading the world in showing how psychedelic healing can be woven into the fabric of culture, creativity, and community well-being.

This is the vision we are building together.

The time is now. We need you with us.

As we begin our year-end effort to raise $40,000 by December 31st, your Giving Tuesday gift sends a powerful message:

Oregon deserves a psychedelic movement rooted in connection, equity, and community care.

Thank you for helping us build a model of healing and connection worthy of this moment in history.

With gratitude,

Max Kelemen
Executive Director
Portland Psychedelic Society

Growing Together! Introducing Our New Leadership Team Members

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 07:54:46 GMT

A New Era of Growth for PPS

Portland Psychedelic Society is entering an exciting new chapter, shaped by growth, collaboration, and renewed vision.

As our community continues to expand, so does our need for diverse perspectives and shared leadership. We’re delighted to announce that PPS has welcomed an incredible group of new leaders who embody the curiosity, compassion, and commitment that define our mission.

This expanded leadership team brings together a wide range of experience, from education and community organizing to research, integration, and creative expression. Together, they will help guide PPS into its next era: strengthening our programs, deepening outreach, and cultivating opportunities for connection and learning across our city and beyond.

This milestone represents more than an organizational shift. It’s a reflection of the vibrant, growing community that continues to shape PPS’s evolution.

Meet our new leaders →

Austin

Gillespie

Director of Governance & People Ops

Aspiring clinical psychologist and researcher dedicated to holistic, culturally grounded approaches to mental health and integration therapy. Leader of PPS's BIPOC Integration Circle.

Michael

Hyp

Marketing Director

Founder of OUTER - The Creative Agency For Psychedelic Endeavors with 20+ years in design and brand marketing, connecting psychedelic culture with arts, music, and community.

Yelena

Belikova

Volunteer Director

Software engineer with a neuroscience background, passionate about immigrant advocacy, healing, and fostering connection through psychedelics.

Danny

Brown

Education & Programs Director

Neuroscience PhD candidate studying psychedelic-induced brain states and the transformative potential of awe and self-transcendence.

Drew

Didway

Events Pod Lead

Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator, Veterans Advocate, and Peer Wellness Counselor with experience in social services program development and process improvement.

Tamara

Greenwell

Education & Programs Pod Lead

Psychedelic Facilitator and cancer survivor with a background in social work, communications, and nonprofit leadership, focused on healing, equity, and community resilience.

Sean

Teisher

Director of Systems & Tech

IT professional driven by curiosity and compassion, weaving personal growth, healing, and a fascination with consciousness into community work.

Ed

Schoch

Fundraising Director

Mental health and psychedelics advocate dedicated to supporting healing from grief, addiction, and trauma.

Mary

Secretary

Clinical Psychologist dedicated to fostering inclusivity, self-exploration, and open-mindedness, inspired by psychedelics and a deep connection to nature.

With this amazing group of leaders at the helm, the future of PPS is brighter than ever. We can’t wait to see the creativity, energy, and heart they bring not only to our programs, events, and community connections, but also to strengthening our internal framework, systems, and capacity for growth.

Reflections from Psychedelic Science 2025: Community, Connection, and Co-Creation

max.kelemen@portlandpsychedelic.org (Max Kelemen) — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 18:47:32 GMT

Hello Friends and Fellow Psychonauts,

Wow, I can’t believe it’s already the middle of July! Summer in the PNW seems to really move quickly with lots of energy. For me, it’s the feeling of “soaking it all up” after the long rainy winter. This city and region certainly comes to life when the sun comes out. There are so many opportunities and ways to get out and play. (Perhaps too many opportunities for those with FOMO ��). Part of that summer fun for me this year was the opportunity to travel out to Denver last month to represent Portland Psychedelic Society (PPS) at the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference hosted by MAPS —the largest psychedelic conference in the world.

This was the first time Portland Psychedelic Society has participated in this conference in an official capacity. I was joined by a couple members of the PPS leadership team, Keith Gilmore and Brie Leagjeld, along with a wonderful group of volunteers who traveled out to Denver to help represent PPS in the Expo Hall. I want to give a special thanks to Tamara Greenwell, Chris Larkin, Buddy Borcherding, Anders Leagjeld, and Jessie Russell for holding it down at the PPS table throughout the conference. I’d also like to give a shoutout to Jason Burdge and his team of volunteers from the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for inviting PPS to co-create the booth space. It was truly heartwarming to witness you all connect with and inform people from all over the world about the work we’re doing here in Portland to create community through psychedelic education and integration.

With such a massive gathering, there was so much to see, learn, and experience, so it was impossible to do it all. The conference featured close to twenty “tracks” covering topics areas like science, therapy, studies, society, policy, community - to name a few. Under the same roof there were doctors, lawyers, politicians, advocates, artists, entrepreneurs, therapists, musicians, and many other professions and disciplines convening to share their experience and knowledge. A true multidisciplinary movement blending the best of psychedelic science, art, music, and culture. And that was just what was going on inside the Colorado Convention Center! The city of Denver truly became “psychedelic” for the week with countless networking events, concerts, workshops, and social gatherings commemorating the magnitude of the moment, including a very surreal and fun late night takeover of Meow Wolf.

Naturally, I was drawn to the sessions that focused on community, society, and policy. The range and depth of topics being explored in these areas gave me inspiration and excitement to bring back to our own city and community. The recurring themes that stood out the most focused on the continued importance of public education, harm reduction, social justice, ethics, and safety with psychedelics in our communities. This feels critically important as more and more people are becoming further curious and aware of psychedelics’ potential benefits (and potential pitfalls). From a policy and cultural perspective, we are still in the early stages of the work to create safer, informed, and equitable access to psychedelics in our communities.

One of the most moving parts of the conference was seeing so many familiar faces from Oregon—colleagues, collaborators, and friends—each representing different parts of our psychedelic ecosystem. It reminded me just how strong and visionary our local community really is. We may be a small state in population, but Oregon continues to play a significant role in shaping the future of this movement. I say that with both humility and pride. We are fortunate to have so much talent and wonderful souls right here in our own backyard.

As the psychedelic field continues to grow and mature, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the future of this movement depends on authentic community building. While research, clinical models, and policy reform remain essential pillars, it is our local communities that will ultimately hold the container for safe, informed, and meaningful psychedelic experiences. This was echoed in a wonderful gathering hosted by the Global Psychedelic Society—a kind of mini “leadership summit” where organizers from around the world came together to share stories, strategies, and visions for integrated, supportive communities.

There’s a collective shift happening that centers relationship, care, and grassroots support. As we navigate complex challenges like access, equity, and public education, it’s clear that real progress will require strong, trusted community networks to help individuals heal, grow, and connect.

It was also incredibly affirming to hear from many peers and leaders in the psychedelic space who acknowledged the work we’re doing at PPS. It can be easy to get lost in the day-to-day hustle, but this experience reminded me that what we’re building together here in Portland is meaningful and recognized beyond our city limits. Your contributions—whether as volunteers, members, donors, or participants—are making a difference.

To top it all off, we had some exciting milestones while in Denver. After nearly a month of being erroneously banned, our Instagram account was miraculously reinstated—just in time to help us connect with the global community again. We also launched our beautiful new website, featuring clearer information, new resources, and photos that reflect the heart and soul of our community. Huge shout out to our Creative Director, Brie Leagjeld, for your hard work and vision on that project! Check it out .

So what’s next for Portland Psychedelic Society?

We’re entering an exciting new phase of growth. This year, we’re expanding our leadership team, formalizing new volunteer roles, and building out a stronger organizational backbone to sustain our community-led work. We’re laying the foundation for a future physical space in Portland that can serve as a hub for psychedelic healing, culture, and connection. We’re also continuing our advocacy efforts in preparation for the Portland Psychedelic Health Act this fall, deepening partnerships across sectors, and offering more integration circles, workshops, and storytelling events to support those navigating their psychedelic journeys. In all of this, our goal remains the same: to cultivate a safe, informed, and inclusive psychedelic community that can serve as a model for other cities and regions.

Coming out of this experience, we’re feeling deeply inspired and ready for the next chapter. And we want you to be a part of it.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Become a Member: Membership helps sustain our programs and grow our impact. Learn more and sign up here: www.portlandpsychedelic.org/become-a-member
Join us at our Leadership Open House:

�� Tuesday, August 19, 2025
�� 6:00 PM
�� Bridgespace – 133 SE Madison St, Portland, OR

We’re expanding our Board of Directors and launching new volunteer-led committees (Pods) to help steward this work with more clarity, collaboration, and care.

This open house is an invitation to explore how you might contribute your energy and gifts to this evolving movement. Follow this link for more info!

We’re honored to be on this journey with you. Let’s continue co-creating a culture of healing, connection, and transformation—together.

With deep gratitude,

Max Kelemen
Executive Director
Portland Psychedelic Society

CALL TO ACTION! PPS Instagram account banned!

Fri, 30 May 2025 18:42:00 GMT

�� Urgent: Our Instagram Got Shut Down! Here’s How You Can Help

This week we found out that our Instagram account @portlandpsychedelic was permanently disabled! Along with over 50 other psychedelic organizations, PPS has been targeted for no legitimate reason(s). There are collective actions currently being organized across these organizations to address the widespread issue directly with Meta. (More on that later). But right now, we need your help to get it restored!

Instagram has been an active channel for PPS to build community, share events, and reach new people interested in psychedelic education, integration, and advocacy. Losing it right now—mid-fundraising campaign and with events ahead—hurts.

Here’s how you can help right now:

�� Submit a quick report to Instagram

This takes under 2 minutes and could make a real difference.

How to do it:

Open Instagram and go to your profile.
Tap the menu (≡) in the top right.
Choose Settings > Help > Report a Problem > Report Problem Without Shaking
Tap “Include and Continue”
Paste the message below and hit send:

"Hello! I follow Portland Psychedelic Society (@portlandpsychedelic), a nonprofit that educates on psychedelic harm reduction, policy, and community. Their account was disabled in error. They adhere to community guidelines and provide invaluable content. Please review and restore their account. Thank you."

Other ways to support in the meantime:

�� Spread the word

Share this info across your own IG or socials. Tell folks what PPS & psychedelics means to you

�� Promote our next event coming up on June 11th

Help us fill the house for our upcoming event with comedian & psychonaut Shane Mauss on June 11th at Cinema 21. Share the event with friends or in your stories: Event Details & Copy Here

�� Sign up for our newsletter & share it

Our newsletter is now the best way to stay in the loop.

�� Email Newsletter Sign-up

We’re hopeful that with your help, we’ll be back on IG soon. Until then, thank you for rallying around us. This community is the movement.

Need a good laugh?

***GET YOUR TIX & SPREAD THE WORD!***

Portland Psychedelic Society is proud to present:

‘Trips’ by Shane Mauss

Wednesday, June 11th

Doors at 6:30 pm; Show at 7pm

Cinema 21 - 616 NW 21st, Portland, OR

We are beyond delighted to be teaming up again with comedian Shane Mauss for a special sneak peek of his two-part psychedelic comedy special, Trips, set to release later this year. Fresh from post-production, Shane is returning to his old stomping ground, Portland, for this one-night-only event before shopping the special to major streaming platforms.

The evening will include an exclusive screening, a Q&A, and a Meet & Greet with Shane , all in support of Portland Psychedelic Society, a community dedicated to exploring the mind, expanding consciousness, and building connections to empower personal, community and societal healing.

More about Shane Mauss at www.shanemauss.com

GET TICKETS

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT! PPS Memberships Are Here!

Thu, 22 May 2025 00:29:00 GMT

We are overjoyed to share that we’re launching the PPS Membership Program ! Keep reading to learn more, how to sign-up, and why now.

For years, Portland Psychedelic Society has been holding space for curiosity, healing, and connection. We’ve grown from a tiny Meetup into a thriving hub of integration circles, educational events, and community-led support. But as psychedelics move further into the mainstream, it’s more important than ever to ensure these spaces are safe, informed, and inclusive.

That’s why are inviting you to be one of our founding members!

This spring, we’re raising the funds and energy to build a more sustainable future for this work. Memberships will help us keep our programs accessible, expand what we offer, and continue building a community where people don’t have to navigate psychedelic experiences alone.

If this mission speaks to you, now’s the time to jump in. Let’s grow this movement — together.

Join by June 15 and get 20% off your first year

(plus 2 months free with an annual plan!)

��Membership Benefits��

What’s Included & How It Works

Here’s what you’ll get as a PPS member:

�� Free access to our donation-based monthly programs

�� Discounts to PPS signature events & community partners

�� Member-only content & events

�� Access to the membership community directory

�� Swag and “first-look” access (top tier levels)

But most importantly, you’ll be helping to:

Keep our programs free and accessible to those with limited means
Amplify community-led support for psychedelic healing and civil liberties
Create a culture of safety, education, and integration in Portland

Plus many more exciting benefits to come!

This is our next step. This is your invitation.

This is more than just a membership. It’s a movement. Join us in shaping the future of psychedelics in Oregon — one membership at a time.

Become a member today

With love and appreciation,

Max Kelemen

Executive Director,

Portland Psychedelic Society

Blurring the Lines Between Inner and Outer Worlds: A Creative Journey by Radmila Snegach, aka Roving Stars

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 18:48:00 GMT

For as long as I can remember , I've been fascinated by the connection between our inner worlds and the reality around us. This curiosity intensifies when I create art, as if the act of creation itself blurs the lines between my inner and outer worlds.

Over the years, I've come to recognize that my creative process taps into something larger than just my personal expression. This realization has deeply influenced both my art and how I navigate daily life. Through practices like lucid dreaming and meditation, I've found ways to explore layers of reality that often go unnoticed. These techniques have become essential tools in my quest to understand the intricate, ever-changing web of existence.

Since I was 10 years old, Lucid Dreaming has been my gateway to vivid and meaningful worlds that feel more real than reality itself. In these dreams, I'm fully aware that I'm dreaming, which gives me the freedom to create and explore constantly shifting landscapes. Many of my artistic ideas are born in these dreamscapes. But beyond the creativity and freedom, these experiences marked the beginning of a shift in the way I perceive reality.

When I wake up from these dreams, I often find myself in a state of heightened awareness. It serves as a bridge between the dream world and reality. At this point, I turn to Meditation to harness that energy and channel it into my art. This has become essential to my creative process. Beyond simply brainstorming ideas, Meditation allows me to step aside from my own mental constraints. I no longer view my role as that of a creator in the traditional sense, but as an instrument through which art manifests itself.

Creating through this intuitive flow has opened my eyes to a fundamental truth about the nature of existence. I’ve realized the concept of “self” is an illusion. In moments of deep awareness, there is no "me”; there is only the consciousness, flowing through and experiencing itself. Every thought, action, and breath of “mine” is the Universe unfolding in its infinite forms. The art that emerges through me is a reflection of an endless flow of energy. Everything is connected. The boundary between creator and creation vanishes. What remains is the Universe learning, evolving, and transforming itself through every moment. There is no separation—only the pure experience of being.

These insights and the resulting evolution of my art have sparked curiosity in others. Many have asked if my experiences are influenced by psychedelic substances, given the surreal nature of my work. I've always been open to these conversations, eager to understand their perspectives and share my own journey of dreams and meditation. While I haven't personally used psychedelics on my journey, I share a deep understanding with those who have used them to explore expanded states of consciousness. We're all tapping into the same truth; that we're not separate from the universe—but a part of it—actively participating in its unfolding through our thoughts, actions, and creativity.

In sharing my journey and the concepts behind my art, I've found a common thread among us all—an inherent curiosity about the nature of our existence. This shared quest for understanding has created a sense of unity and connection that transcends the boundaries of individual experiences. Through my art, I offer a glimpse into the deeper dimensions of reality. I encourage everyone to explore their own way—be it through psychedelics, spiritual practices, or a personal creative journey. I want my art to remind people that we are the Universe experiencing itself, and through our exploration we’re all part of this continuous unfolding of existence.

Celebrate the splendor of the natural world with an exclusive "Nature's Embrace" t-shirt by Roving Stars for PPS - a captivating tribute inspired by Illuminating Visions.

Available exclusively at the 2024 Portland Psychedelic Symposium .

Connect with Roving Stars:

www.rovingstars.com

instagram.com/roving.stars

Portland Psychedelic Society Welcomes Max Kelemen as First Executive Director

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:14:00 GMT

Hello, friends and fellow adventurers!

I am beyond thrilled to share that, as of September 14, 2024, I've officially stepped into the role of the first-ever Executive Director of Portland Psychedelic Society (PPS). This opportunity feels like a culmination of my journey, passions, and dedication to the psychedelic movement, and I couldn’t be more excited to lead PPS into its next chapter of growth and impact.

A Little About Me and My Journey

For those of you who don’t know me, my curiosity and experience with psychedelics go back over 20 years. (Ask me about my psychedelic “origin story” sometime. I’d love to hear yours too). This path has been deeply intertwined with my career in nonprofit leadership, outdoor education, drug policy reform, and public education policy. With over 12 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, I’ve had the privilege to work with various communities, leading initiatives that promote inclusivity, experiential learning, and positive policy change.

After moving to Oregon in 2017, I became more outspoken about psychedelics and their immense potential for personal growth, healing, and community connection. It wasn’t long before I discovered Portland Psychedelic Society, attending my first “book club” event and the 2018 conference. This introduction to PPS felt like finding my people—a community that shared my passion and belief in the transformative power of psychedelics. Soon after, I joined the Board of Directors and served in various capacities, including President. Now, stepping into the role of Executive Director, I feel honored to lead this amazing organization.

My Professional Background and Commitment to Community

My journey has been shaped by my work with various non-profit organizations such as the Northwest Outward Bound School, SOS Outreach, New Vision Wilderness, and Colorado Succeeds where I served as a guide, facilitator, and administrator. These roles allowed me to gain invaluable experience in program development, fundraising, community engagement, strategic planning, and mentoring volunteers. I’ve developed a unique approach that blends mind-body-spirit practices, empowering individuals and groups to cultivate awareness, resilience, and compassion.

My work has always centered around creating inclusive spaces and advocating for those whose voices are often overlooked. From leading outdoor education programs for underrepresented youth to advocating for education policy reform and drug policy change, my mission has remained clear: to create opportunities for growth, connection, and transformation for everyone. An ethos that I will certainly carry with me into this role.

Looking Forward: The Future of Portland Psychedelic Society

This is an incredibly exciting time for PPS as we continue to grow as a community leader in the psychedelic movement. With our collective vision, I see countless opportunities for us to create impactful community events, partnerships, and, perhaps one day, a physical space in the heart of Portland where the psychedelic community can gather, connect, and thrive. As we move forward together, my goal is to build upon the amazing foundation that PPS has already established and explore innovative ways to foster a safe, connected, creative, and well-healed psychedelic community.

The journey ahead is filled with possibilities, and I am eager to explore them with all of you. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to this beautiful movement. Let’s create something extraordinary together!

With gratitude and excitement,

Max Kelemen

Executive Director, Portland Psychedelic Society

PPS Is Searching For An Executive Director!

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 20:35:00 GMT

Portland Psychedelic Society:

Executive Director Job Description

Overview : Portland Psychedelic Society is embarking on an exciting new chapter as we seek to hire our first Executive Director after 10 years of a successful run as an all-volunteer organization. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of our organization as a leader in Portland (Ore.), one of the major hotspots of the global psychedelic renaissance.

We are looking for a passionate and visionary leader to provide strategic direction, build strong relationships, and ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of our organization.

About us : Portland Psychedelic Society (PPS) is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that exists to create inclusive space for psychedelic integration, education, and community building. We envision a world in which individuals have the freedom and support to explore consciousness through psychedelics. We view traditional plant medicines and other psychedelics as opening a door to the sacred within ourselves and to the interconnectedness we have with each other and with the living world. We feel the potential for healing, both on an individual and on a societal level, is profound and urgently needed.

PPS is uniquely positioned to make Portland a national model for integrating psychedelics into society and transforming the global culture. PPS is recognized as the leading psychedelic community development and education organization in the Pacific Northwest. We host over thirty regular monthly meetings that serve diverse groups to assist in healing, integration, education, and community building. PPS actively educates the general public through social media (with tens of thousands of followers across different platforms), in-person public events (including advocacy), and large-scale conferences.

With the paradigm shift now occurring in humankind’s relationship to psychedelics, PPS is poised to make Portland a model for responsible, educated, and effective psychedelically-informed culture.

Responsibilities (breakdown for the initial 6-12 months)

Fundraising and Financial Sustainability 40%:

Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to secure financial support for the organization's programs and operations.
Bring the passion and skills to effectively tell our story and cultivate relationships with donors, foundations, and other funding sources, identifying opportunities for partnership and support, and raising our profile among the funder community in the psychedelics sector.
Monitor and manage the organization's budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency.
Organizational Management 25%:

Oversee day-to-day operations, including program development, implementation, and evaluation.
Build and manage a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
Ensure effective utilization of resources and sound financial management practices.
Strategic Leadership 15%:

Develop and implement a strategic plan to guide the organization in fulfilling its mission and objectives.
Lead organizational development efforts, establishing policies, procedures, and structures to support growth and effectiveness.
Inspire and empower staff, volunteers, and stakeholders to work towards common goals.
Support building/growing statewide network of members and volunteers.
External Relations and Community Engagement 10%:

Serve as a primary spokesperson and ambassador for the organization, representing its interests to the public, media, and stakeholders.
Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations and other stakeholders to advance the organization's mission.
Advocate for issues relevant to the organization's mission and constituency, promoting awareness and driving change.
Board Development and Governance 10%:

Work closely with the Board of Directors to provide leadership, guidance, and support in fulfilling their governance responsibilities.
Facilitate board development activities, including recruitment, orientation, and training of new board members.
Provide regular updates and reports to the Board on organizational performance, progress towards goals, and key challenges.

Qualifications

Authenticity and a strong ability to communicate from both heart and head.
Minimum of 4 years of experience in a leadership role, preferably in the non-profit sector or a related field, such as Operations/Human Resource and management positions.
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans, manage organizational growth, and build strong teams.
Proven track record in fundraising, including grant writing, donor cultivation, and stewardship.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate a compelling vision and engage diverse stakeholders.
Experience with CRM/organizing data and internal and external communications.
Passion for the organization's mission and a commitment to serving the community.
Experience, creativity, and interest in developing burgeoning and new areas of work and projects that support the overall mission of the organization.
Have a strong commitment to integrity, transparency and the democratic process.
Experience working with a board of directors and knowledge of non-profit governance practices.
Worked/have strong connections with the psychedelic movement/national networks.
Issues-based political campaign experience a plus, but not required.
Meaningful personal experience with psychedelics

Location/Working Conditions:

This is currently a remote position, with occasional travel to meetings and conferences. The Executive Director should live in the greater Portland area. Some evening meetings and/or weekend events will be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Portland Psychedelic Society is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work. We value a diversity of life experiences and perspectives on our team. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Salary

This is a full - time (1.0 FTE) position. As the starting salary, we are able to offer $55K - $85K per year. The PPS Board of Directors envisions the Executive Director to raise enough funds to substantially increase their salary in the future.

To Apply

Using this link https://www.dropbox.com/request/OcKMnEfzwoIE0GElgHpY please upload two PDF files:

1. A short resume titled "DoeJane_resume.pdf" (substitute Jane Doe with your own name)

2. A one-page cover letter titled "DoeJane_letter.pdf" with your contact information, outlining why you feel you are a good fit for this position.

The Priority Deadline for submission is May 20, 2024.

Thank you!

A PPS Volunteer Story

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 18:24:00 GMT

A PPS Volunteer Story

by Tashia Lange, Portland Psychedelic Society Volunteer Chair

A month or two after getting laid off from my cushy WFH tech sales job, I see a Portland Psychedelic Society Volunteer Open House announced on Meetup. I take it as a sign that I should finally get involved with PPS after lurking on Meetup the last couple years. I click “Attend,” and add it to my calendar.

Although an introvert, I am but a mere human so I crave connection and I need community. Without fellow humans to interact with and be accountable to, lethargy sets in and idle inertia virtually sedates me. The pandemic, working remotely, and moving across the country deconstructed any sense of community I had going into 2020.

Of course I still have ride or die friends and family forever in my corner. But I find myself intrinsically motivated to seek out more of my people, preferably in person. I know they’re out there. And I know they’re doing cool stuff I want to do too!

So I go to this Volunteer Open House with an open mind. Board members introduce themselves. I observe with intrigue and imagine it would be cool to be on the board of Portland Psychedelic Society. And during this psychedelic renaissance?! Unspeakably rad.

Attendees introduce ourselves in small groups. Everyone seems so cool, all with unique stories. Yet we all showed up for similar reasons - we care about the psychedelic movement and want to build community with likeminded people.

My people!

This is my first PPS event and I feel right at home. The mission and the vibrations in the room resonate with the core of my beingness. I can’t wait to sign up to volunteer for an upcoming movie event at Clinton Street Theatre.

I start attending bimonthly Event Committee Meetings. I sub in for the Event Committee Secretary to take meeting minutes a couple times. I move into that role fully when the former secretary joins the board. I go to volunteer mixer events and get to know other volunteers and board members. I go to monthly Meetup groups and get to know community members. I cannot get over how cool and kind and interesting everyone is. And genuinely caring. I make friends.

Side note: making friends as an adult, especially an introverted adult, is a miracle as stunning as existence itself.

I get more involved with planning events and contributing to more strategic conversations.

At one meeting, I raise my hand to help fill a need on the volunteer development team. I work with creative and intelligent people to learn what has been done in the past and brainstorm what can be done in the future. I collaborate with fellow volunteers and board members to create initiatives and processes to better serve volunteers.

I am nominated and interview for the Volunteer Development Chair position on the PPS board of directors. I’m voted in. At my first board retreat, I get to witness firsthand the development and evolution of this organization. I vote on things that are phenomenally exciting for PPS and the psychedelic community at large. I pinch myself. This is indeed happening.

I continue to collaborate, ask questions, brainstorm, strategize, develop, hone, try, fail, start over, try again. I join meetings and attend events that keep opening up new opportunities and possibilities, and introduce me to more and more cool humans. I go outside my comfort zone and learn new things about myself and about the psychedelic and nonprofit communities.

I meet new and prospective volunteers regularly. Most of them tell me the same thing - they care about the psychedelic movement and want to build community with likeminded people.

My! People!

I’m very grateful to PPS for providing space and structure conducive for community building and friend making.

I’m also grateful to, and proud of, myself for doing what I set out to do. And then some. Since getting involved with PPS, I have surrounded myself with wonderful humans and beautiful souls who embrace my weirdness, expand my mind, and exercise compassion.

Connecting with lovely people while serving a meaningful mission has been revelatory in this transitory season of life. My self esteem is through the roof and I am more motivated and energized than I have been in a long while.

All this goodness from volunteering is spilling over into the rest of my life. In building the community I need, I’m finding the power within myself to create the life I want. It’s freakin exhilarating and I highly recommend it to all beings.

If you’re looking for community or a meaningful sense of purpose, go volunteer for something you care about. Your people are there and ready for you to join them!

TLDR - Volunteering: 10/10 would recommend. Bonus if with PPS (:

The next PPS Volunteer Mixer meets Tuesday, April 23rd at 5:30 pm!

April 19, 1943: The First Bicycle Day Self-Experiment

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 18:19:00 GMT

Below is an excerpt from Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann's memoir, LSD, My Problem Child: Reflections on Sacred Drugs, Mysticism and Science, recounting the day he first experimented with the psychic effects of LSD.

4/19/43 16:20: 0.5 cc of 1/2 promil aqueous solution of diethylamide tartrate orally = 0.25 mg tartrate. Taken diluted with about 10 cc water. Tasteless.

17:00: Beginning dizziness, feeling of anxiety, visual distortions, symptoms of paralysis, desire to laugh.

Supplement of 4/21: Home by bicycle. From 18:00- ca.20:00 most severe crisis. (See special report.)

Here the notes in my laboratory journal cease. I was able to write the last words only with great effort. By now it was already clear to me that LSD had been the cause of the remarkable experience of the previous Friday, for the altered perceptions were of the same type as before, only much more intense. I had to struggle to speak intelligibly. I asked my laboratory assistant, who was informed of the self-experiment, to escort me home. We went by bicycle, no automobile being available because of wartime restrictions on their use.

On the way home, my condition began to assume threatening forms. Everything in my field of vision wavered and was distorted as if seen in a curved mirror. I also had the sensation of being unable to move from the spot. Nevertheless, my assistant later told me that we had traveled very rapidly. Finally, we arrived at home safe and sound, and I was just barely capable of asking my companion to summon our family doctor and request milk from the neighbors.

In spite of my delirious, bewildered condition, I had brief periods of clear and effective thinking—and chose milk as a nonspecific antidote for poisoning.

The dizziness and sensation of fainting became so strong at times that I could no longer hold myself erect, and had to lie down on a sofa. My surroundings had now transformed themselves in more terrifying ways. Everything in the room spun around, and the familiar objects and pieces of furniture assumed grotesque, threatening forms. They were in continuous motion, animated, as if driven by an inner restlessness. The lady next door, whom I scarcely recognized, brought me milk—in the course of the evening I drank more than two liters. She was no longer Mrs. R., but rather a malevolent, insidious witch with a colored mask.

Even worse than these demonic transformations of the outer world, were the alterations that I perceived in myself, in my inner being. Every exertion of my will, every attempt to put an end to the disintegration of the outer world and the dissolution of my ego, seemed to be wasted effort. A demon had invaded me, had taken possession of my body, mind, and soul. I jumped up and screamed, trying to free myself from him, but then sank down again and lay helpless on the sofa. The substance, with which I had wanted to experiment, had vanquished me. It was the demon that scornfully triumphed over my will. I was seized by the dreadful fear of going insane. I was taken to another world, another place, another time. My body seemed to be without sensation, lifeless, strange. Was I dying? Was this the transition? At times I believed myself to be outside my body, and then perceived clearly, as an outside observer, the complete tragedy of my situation. I had not even taken leave of my family (my wife, with our three children had traveled that day to visit her parents, in Lucerne). Would they ever understand that I had not experimented thoughtlessly, irresponsibly, but rather with the utmost caution, and that such a result was in no way foreseeable? My fear and despair intensified, not only because a young family should lose its father, but also because I dreaded leaving my chemical research work, which meant so much to me, unfinished in the midst of fruitful, promising development. Another reflection took shape, an idea full of bitter irony: if I was now forced to leave this world prematurely, it was because of this Iysergic acid diethylamide that I myself had brought forth into the world.

By the time the doctor arrived, the climax of my despondent condition had already passed. My laboratory assistant informed him about my self-experiment, as I myself was not yet able to formulate a coherent sentence. He shook his head in perplexity, after my attempts to describe the mortal danger that threatened my body. He could detect no abnormal symptoms other than extremely dilated pupils. Pulse, blood pressure, breathing were all normal. He saw no reason to prescribe any medication. Instead he conveyed me to my bed and stood watch over me. Slowly I came back from a weird, unfamiliar world to reassuring everyday reality. The horror softened and gave way to a feeling of good fortune and gratitude, the more normal perceptions and thoughts returned, and I became more confident that the danger of insanity was conclusively past.

Now, little by little I could begin to enjoy the unprecedented colors and plays of shapes that persisted behind my closed eyes. Kaleidoscopic, fantastic images surged in on me, alternating, variegated, opening and then closing themselves in circles and spirals, exploding in colored fountains, rearranging and hybridizing themselves in constant flux. It was particularly remarkable how every acoustic perception, such as the sound of a door handle or a passing automobile, became transformed into optical perceptions. Every sound generated a vividly changing image, with its own consistent form and color. Late in the evening my wife returned from Lucerne. Someone had informed her by telephone that I was suffering a mysterious breakdown. She had returned home at once, leaving the children behind with her parents. By now, I had recovered myself sufficiently to tell her what had happened.

Exhausted, I then slept, to awake next morning refreshed, with a clear head, though still somewhat tired physically. A sensation of well-being and renewed life flowed through me. Breakfast tasted delicious and gave me extraordinary pleasure. When I later walked out into the garden, in which the sun shone now after a spring rain, everything glistened and sparkled in a fresh light. The world was as if newly created. All my senses vibrated in a condition of highest sensitivity, which persisted for the entire day. This self-experiment showed that LSD-25 behaved as a psychoactive substance with extraordinary properties and potency. There was to my knowledge no other known substance that evoked such profound psychic effects in such extremely low doses, that caused such dramatic changes in human consciousness and our experience of the inner and outer world.

What seemed even more significant was that I could remember the experience of LSD inebriation in every detail. This could only mean that the conscious recording function was not interrupted, even in the climax of the LSD experience, despite the profound breakdown of the normal world view. For the entire duration of the experiment, I had even been aware of participating in an experiment, but despite this recognition of my condition, I could not, with every exertion of my will, shake off the LSD world. Everything was experienced as completely real, as alarming reality; alarming, because the picture of the other, familiar everyday reality was still fully preserved in the memory for comparison.

Another surprising aspect of LSD was its ability to produce such a far-reaching, powerful state of inebriation without leaving a hangover. Quite the contrary, on the day after the LSD experiment I felt myself to be, as already described, in excellent physical and mental condition.

I was aware that LSD, a new active compound with such properties, would have to be of use in pharmacology, in neurology, and especially in psychiatry, and that it would attract the interest of concerned specialists. But at that time I had no inkling that the new substance would also come to be used beyond medical science, as an inebriant in the drug scene. Since my self-experiment had revealed LSD in its terrifying, demonic aspect, the last thing I could have expected was that this substance could ever find application as anything approaching a pleasure drug. I failed, moreover, to recognize the meaningful connection between LSD inebriation and spontaneous visionary experience until much later, after further experiments, which were carried out with far lower doses and under different conditions.

The next day I wrote to Professor Stoll the above-mentioned report about my extraordinary experience with LSD-25 and sent a copy to the director of the pharmacological department, Professor Rothlin.

As expected, the first reaction was incredulous astonishment. Instantly a telephone call came from the management; Professor Stoll asked: "Are you certain you made no mistake in the weighing? Is the stated dose really correct?" Professor Rothlin also called, asking the same question. I was certain of this point, for I had executed the weighing and dosage with my own hands. Yet their doubts were justified to some extent, for until then no known substance had displayed even the slightest psychic effect in fraction-of-a- milligram doses. An active compound of such potency seemed almost unbelievable.

Professor Rothlin himself and two of his colleagues were the first to repeat my experiment, with only one-third of the dose I had utilized. But even at that level, the effects were still extremely impressive, and quite fantastic. All doubts about the statements in my report were eliminated.

What Drug Recriminalization May Mean for Our Psychedelic Community

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 18:21:00 GMT

In 2020, Oregon voters approved Measure 110, which decriminalized the possession of small amounts of controlled substances. The penalty for such possession was reduced to the level of about a traffic ticket, which could be avoided by seeking treatment. The Measure and related efforts also expanded Oregon’s addiction treatment network.

Motivated by an opioid overdose crisis, the Measure was positioned as a way to treat addiction as a public health issue rather than as a criminal issue. It was heralded as the beginning of the end to the War on Drugs, which had wrought destruction upon Black, brown, and Indigenous communities within Oregon, the United States, and the world.

The Measure also decriminalized the possession of small amounts of psychedelic substances such as psychedelic mushrooms, LSD, and MDMA. Although psychedelics were not the Measure’s primary focus, this change came as a relief to underground psychedelic practitioners, who had been working for decades outside of legal frameworks to provide healing experiences to many struggling with ailments of the mind and spirit, including addiction.

The use of psychedelic substances to heal addiction dates back to at least the 1950s, when Bill Wilson, one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, found LSD to be highly helpful in his own recovery, years before LSD and other psychedelics were declared illegal. The underground preserved psychedelic practices through decades of persecution. For many, Measure 110 represented the dawn of an era of liberation.

This hope was further supported by Measure 109, approved that same year, which provided psychedelic practitioners with a pathway to practice within a new statewide legal framework. In light of research from leading universities which showed the healing potential of psychedelic mushrooms, Measure 109 enabled a supervised adult use model, so that psychedelic mushrooms could be administered in service centers under the supervision of trained professionals. However, in part because training and services have proven costly with minimal state support, many practitioners have remained underground.

The need for healing was becoming more urgent in 2020, as Oregon’s street supply transitioned from heroin to fentanyl, a drug whose potency made it more portable, but also more likely to cause an overdose. During a local conference on substance use, I learned from a presentation by Haven Wheelock of Outside In that people who used opioids expressed concern for their safety. To better control intake and reduce the risk of overdose, harm reductionists advised that fentanyl be smoked, not injected.

It is known through experience that, when fentanyl is smoked, the sensation of wellness which it provides does not last long, leading one to smoke more than once per hour. Largely for that reason, public drug use became more frequent, and therefore more visible.

Authorities received complaints about street drug use, and they could have responded to these complaints in several ways. Police were typically reluctant to issue the tickets permitted by Measure 110, believing them to be ineffective. To my knowledge, the possibility of permitting and establishing supervised use sites for habit-forming drugs, such as those implemented in New York City, was not part of Oregon’s discourse.

This year, while the addiction treatment network expansion approved by Measure 110 remains under construction, Oregon’s law and policymakers have largely chosen to work toward recriminalizing drug possession.

What May Be in Store for Psychedelia

Recently, Oregon’s legislative bodies passed a bill that would recriminalize possession of small amounts of controlled substances. This past Friday, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that Governor Tina Kotek would sign recriminalization into law sometime in the next thirty days. I see two main ways in which recriminalization is likely to impact our community:

First, social stigma around the use of habit-forming drugs has lingered despite decriminalization, and recriminalization is likely to reinforce that stigma. Similar to what has long been observed by addiction professionals, people who use habit-forming drugs may feel discouraged from seeking professional psilocybin services. Even those who seek services may find it difficult to open up about their struggles with substances, potentially withholding key information needed to provide services in a safe and effective way.

Second, recriminalization may have a chilling effect upon underground practitioners, who provide healing services to many without access to payment. In part because people of color are disproportionately scrutinized by police, these practitioners have mostly been white, and recriminalization will likely further discourage entry into the practice by people of color. Further, underground practitioners have customarily limited the risk of state intervention by providing services to those within their trusted social networks, a practice with a probable side effect of limiting client diversity. Recriminalization would likely magnify the effects of these factors, further entrenching social inequity in access to healing.

In sum, recriminalization is likely to further discourage access to professional psychedelic services, while also restricting diversity among informal healers and their clientele.

Moving Through Struggle

Our psychedelic community has been treated as tangential to the conversations around Measure 110 and the possibility of recriminalization. Still, decriminalization provided welcome breathing space, which may soon vanish.

Since our community has not been centered in the discourse, it does not seem likely that we will be targeted for enforcement. All the same, our community would be well-advised to revisit our privacy-respecting practices, while bearing in mind the limitations of a digitally-connected world. Since our culture is one of independent-mindedness, the following tips are to be interpreted as suggestions.

First, on practices of naming ourselves and others. Among us there is a group that hails from twelve-step culture. Through nearly ninety years of experience, such groups have developed practices for protecting their members from judgment. In particular, they practice anonymity, by which it is meant that they customarily offer only a first name and a last initial. This practice seems to serve a dual purpose, by also buttressing a culture of humility.

Next, on recording. For the majority of meetings, handwritten or typed notes describing topics addressed and decisions made are sufficient and manageable. Sometimes, it is also pertinent to note points of discussion. Collective experience has shown that recording, whether audio, visual, or even photographical, tends to produce discomfort, constraining the conversation and stifling creativity by presenting the risk of undue scrutiny and exposure, while also producing far more information than can feasibly be managed or used. And let me be clear: there is no reason to believe that recordings stored “in the cloud” are only accessible to those in possession of the password.

On that note, it would also be wise to visit artificial intelligence settings for video-conferencing software, to ensure that any automated captions and transcripts, which may be needed by people with disabilities, expire from online storage within a reasonable period of time. Moreover, any automated summaries, which may be useful for reducing secretarial work, should be routinely checked for identifying information.

***

Among historians, the term “dark age” does not refer to an age in which no knowledge is produced, but to an age from which there are few surviving records. To be on the best possible footing, the fledgling profession of psychedelic facilitators would do well to draw upon the wealth of knowledge produced during the psychedelic dark age.

However, even under decriminalization, it has been less than easy to form collaborative networks between professionals and the underground. Up until now, I held hope that a broader legalization, an age of blissful ease and enlightenment, would soon arrive.

But now, it seems, the night grows darker once again. I am keeping faith that a daybreak may yet come. Until then, I will pray to the stars.

***

Thank you to my reviewers, who provided the encouragement I need to complete this post. This blog post was prepared by myself in my personal capacity. Any views expressed in this post are mine and do not reflect the view of Portland Psychedelic Society.

Psychedelic Free Will?

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 19:07:00 GMT

Disclaimer: All opinions are the author's own and do not represent the views of Portland Psychedelic Society.

Recently, I had a psychedelic therapy session with the help of a therapist/guide.

The guide and then I too, referred to the experience as an intentional journey, a term I had only recently encountered. The experience took place at my guide’s private home and I took ½ dose of MDMA followed by a fairly large dose of psilocybin (Omni Blue Wave or Enigma strain) followed by two subsequent booster doses. Like many, I had used psychedelic substances quite a lot in my youth for recreational purposes and actually gained a lot of insights from those experiences. But this trip was purposeful and intentional, to deal with some trauma from adolescence that was still haunting me and also address lifelong issues with poor self-esteem. The guide and I followed all of the common-sense preparation practices and I felt that I mostly achieved my goals. When I say that it was an intentional journey, I mean that I thought about it for a long time (several years), thought about what I wanted to achieve with experience, and set about to find a trusted guide and follow through on my intention. I feel like this was a conscious decision.

But Stanford neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky, author of, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will says virtually all human behavior is far beyond our conscious control. We cannot control our behavior, in the same way, that we cannot control, for example, our heartbeat, or when our cells divide and grow. Sapolsky would argue that the illusion of free will arises from our inability to see all the complex factors influencing our decisions. He would say that our hormones, childhood, biology, and the specific details of our lives come together to produce behaviors that we feel we are choosing.

Sapolsky posits a thought experiment: We observe a man pull the trigger of a gun. We can infer that the index finger muscles acted on the trigger because it was stimulated by a neuron which in turn was acted upon by the neuron next to it, which was acted upon by the neuron adjacent, etc etc. And here is where Sapolsky makes his stand: “Show me a neuron (or brain) whose generation of behavior is independent of the sum of its biological past, and for the purposes of this book, you’ve demonstrated free will.”

To turn this idea inside out, we would have a difficult time trying to show that any brain activity has not been tied to or influenced by the entire life of the person that came before that moment. This would seem to be an easier concept to swallow than “we have no free will,” yet they are very close to each other.

Sapolsky’s view is very much a minority opinion and hard for most of us to wrap our heads around. Most scientists and philosophers believe that we have at least some free

will. However, more researchers are acknowledging that the claims that he makes have some validity and there is other research pointing to the lack of agency in our conscious minds. In experiments that have been repeated and verified, researchers using fMRI brain scans were able to predict participants' decisions up to seven seconds before the participants made the decisions. You thought that you just chose chocolate ice cream rather than strawberry but it turns out your “choice” might have been a neurochemical afterthought of the decision your subconscious mind made for you. There’s a method to this madness, our brains likely take over so that we are not inundated with thousands of choices daily.

Critics (about 60% of philosophers surveyed) would say yes, of course, we have free will, just as we all feel intuitively that we are making our way through our day, one decision at a time. Others (including this author) think the “truth” is likely somewhere in the middle. We have a deterministic pathway to a great degree directed by our past but still, there is room for individual preferences. Sapolsky would say of course we make individual decisions on a day-to-day basis but the likelihood that we will choose the paths we do is probably quite predictable given our backgrounds, demographics, biology, education, etc.

So, while it’s easy to accept the science perhaps, and understand the experiments that show that our unconscious mind reacts before our conscious mind does – that is to say, it does sound like you could make a good argument that there’s no free will. Yet it’s still hard for each of us to shake the truth of our lived experience, where we feel like we are in control of what happens to us on any given day and time.

Was my recent psychedelic journey “intentional” or could it have been predicted from the life that preceded it? Did I make a deliberate decision to write this blog post? Sapolsky would say that many factors beyond my conscious awareness brought me to this act. Perhaps so; I have a background in writing, a history of volunteering with non-profit organizations, and have been involved with psychedelics, one way or another for many years. I also have an interest in neuroscience. With all of these correlations, it’s hard to say how much I actually “chose” to write this entry. And did you choose to read this post or was it perhaps your subconscious that decided for you? ��

***

Revell, Timothy. “Why Free Will Doesn’t Exist, according to Robert Sapolsky.” New Scientist. Oct. 18, 2023 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2398369-why-free-will-doesnt-exist-according-to-robert-sapolsky/

Reese, Hope. “Robert Sapolsky Doesn’t Believe in Free Will. (But Feel Free to Disagree.)” New York Times. Oct. 23, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/16/science/free-will-sapolsky.html?auth=login-google1tap&login=google1tap

Chun Siong Soon, Marcel Brass, Hans-Jochen Heinze & John-Dylan Haynes, (2008). Unconscious determinants of free decisions in the human brain, Nature Neuroscience, April 13.

Chun Siong Soon, Anna Hanxi He, Stefan Bode, John-Dylan Haynes, (2013). Decoding abstract intentions, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, March.

Join the Movement & Help Portland Psychedelic Society Pioneer The Future Of Psychedelic Advocacy

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT

Welcome to Portland Psychedelic Society's Blog!

I'm Derek, the new Marketing Director for PPS, and the architect behind this latest addition to our website. It's my privilege to author the inaugural post and give you an insight into our world at PPS.

Lately, psychedelics have been garnering significant attention in the media, covering topics like microdosing, macrodosing, psychedelic integration, therapeutic applications, spiritual exploration, and even recreational use. The growing body of research is revealing their potential in terms of efficacy and safety, drawing interest from a diverse range of individuals, from military veterans to public figures.

We're approaching a critical juncture in how society perceives psychedelics. Despite the positive momentum, many people remain uninformed about their potential, and there's still resistance among policymakers regarding their accessibility. PPS aims to be at the forefront of changing this narrative, educating the public on the benefits of psychedelics, and advocating for responsible adult access to these substances.

However, this endeavor requires significant effort. Our objectives include mobilizing volunteers, building alliances, educating the public, fundraising, and yes, ensuring the process is engaging and rewarding. This is your opportunity to get involved. If you're interested in psychedelics, join us at one of our Meetup events and meet others who share your interest. If you find value in our activities and wish to contribute more, let your group moderator know. We're currently seeking support in areas like social media, graphic design, event management, content creation, and more. Joining our community not only enriches your experience but also helps to demonstrate the constructive role psychedelics can play in society.

To sum it up, Portland Psychedelic Society is at a dynamic crossroads, and your involvement can significantly impact our journey forward. By joining us, whether through attending events, volunteering , donating , or simply engaging with our content on Instagram and Facebook , you become part of a movement that's reshaping perceptions and advocating for the thoughtful use of psychedelics. We encourage you to take that step, connect with our community, and be a part of this transformative journey. Together, we can broaden understanding, foster acceptance, and pave the way for a future where the potential of psychedelics is fully realized and responsibly embraced. Join us at PPS, and let's make a meaningful difference!

Derek Boyd

derek.boyd@portlandpsychedelic.org

Marketing Director

Portland Psychedelic Society

Welcome to Portland Psychedelic Society!

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 00:45:00 GMT

Welcome to Portland Psychedelic Society! As a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization, we're dedicated to creating an inclusive space for psychedelic integration, education, and community building. Our vision is a world where individuals freely and supportively explore consciousness through psychedelics.

We host a variety of events, including integration circles, picnics, movie screenings, and talks with psychedelic luminaries. If you're passionate about the psychedelic renaissance and community service, consider volunteering with us or supporting our cause through donations. Get involved and help shape the future of psychedelic exploration and education. For more details, please explore our website at Portland Psychedelic Society.

Portland Psychedelic Society

Reflections on the High Tea: A Letter to Our Community & A Call to Step Forward Together

COMMUNITY PRIDE FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

A Beautiful Afternoon of Connection & Purpose

Why Portland? Why Now?

Why Portland Psychedelic Society?

A Tremendous Achievement: Over $31,000 Raised at High Tea!

Help Us Reach Our $40,000 Goal by December 31

Looking Ahead

This Giving Tuesday: Help Keep Oregon at the Forefront of Psychedelic Healing

Why Now? Why Oregon? Why PPS?

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PPS: A Community Rising to Meet the Moment

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The Science Is Clear: Connection Is Medicine

Your Gift Today Fuels Our Three Strategic Priorities

﻿

1. Education — Turning Curiosity into Competence

2. Community Building — Integration at the Center

3. Organizational Excellence — Building a Sustainable Movement

This is the moment to invest in a future worth building.

A Movement Rooted in Community, Not Profit

The time is now. We need you with us.

Growing Together! Introducing Our New Leadership Team Members

A New Era of Growth for PPS

Austin

﻿ Gillespie

Michael

Hyp

Yelena

﻿ Belikova

Danny

﻿ Brown

Drew

﻿ Didway

Tamara

﻿ Greenwell

Sean

﻿ Teisher

Ed

﻿ Schoch

Mary ﻿

Reflections from Psychedelic Science 2025: Community, Connection, and Co-Creation

Hello Friends and Fellow Psychonauts,

So what’s next for Portland Psychedelic Society?

Here’s how you can get involved:

CALL TO ACTION! PPS Instagram account banned!

�� Urgent: Our Instagram Got Shut Down! Here’s How You Can Help

Here’s how you can help right now:

Other ways to support in the meantime:

Need a good laugh? ﻿

‘Trips’ by Shane Mauss

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT! PPS Memberships Are Here!

��Membership Benefits��

This is our next step. This is your invitation.

Become a member today

Blurring the Lines Between Inner and Outer Worlds: A Creative Journey by Radmila Snegach, aka Roving Stars

Portland Psychedelic Society Welcomes Max Kelemen as First Executive Director

Hello, friends and fellow adventurers!

A Little About Me and My Journey

My Professional Background and Commitment to Community

Looking Forward: The Future of Portland Psychedelic Society

PPS Is Searching For An Executive Director!

Portland Psychedelic Society:

Executive Director Job Description

Responsibilities (breakdown for the initial 6-12 months)

Qualifications

Location/Working Conditions:

Salary

To Apply

A PPS Volunteer Story

A PPS Volunteer Story ﻿

by Tashia Lange, Portland Psychedelic Society Volunteer Chair

April 19, 1943: The First Bicycle Day Self-Experiment

Below is an excerpt from Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann's memoir, LSD, My Problem Child: Reflections on Sacred Drugs, Mysticism and Science, recounting the day he first experimented with the psychic effects of LSD.

What Drug Recriminalization May Mean for Our Psychedelic Community

What May Be in Store for Psychedelia

Moving Through Struggle

Psychedelic Free Will?

Recently, I had a psychedelic therapy session with the help of a therapist/guide.

Gillespie

Belikova

Brown

Didway

Greenwell

Teisher

Schoch

Mary

Need a good laugh?

A PPS Volunteer Story