Over 10 years of Growth, Discovery, and Connection
Empowering Communities
PPS provides a space for people to come together and support one another on their journeys. We work to foster informational, social, and advocacy events that facilitate an informed and conscious community.
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Large-Scale Conferences
1,600+
Community Gatherings
12,000+
Members & Attendees
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Hearts Connected
Impactful Programs
PPS hosts regular workshops, seminars, and discussions featuring local experts, including indigenous healers, researchers and psychedelic facilitators.
We offer meetings both online and in person that are accessible to everyone, and work towards strengthening equity and inclusion within the psychedelic community, providing educational access for all regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, financial situation, or ability.
Since our inception, PPS has:
Built a Supportive Integration Network
PPS has established numerous integration circles, providing safe, accessible spaces for connection, sharing, and growth. Offering peer-led circles, professional referrals help individuals process and integrate their experiences meaningfully and maximize the long-term healing potential of these medicines.
Educated Thousands
Through community events and online platforms, we've reached large and diverse audiences, fostering a deeper understanding of psychedelic medicines, and reducing the harmful societal stigma.
Crafted Model Policy
In 2024, PPS founded a 501(c)(4) nonprofit to craft an initiative that recognizes the right to cultivate, prepare, possess, and gift natural psychedelic substances for personal use, community healing, and religious or spiritual practice. The initiative aims to increase safety, education, and best practices in the city, statewide, and beyond.
Assembled a Coalition of Advocates
With active community engagement, Portland Psychedelic Society has built and maintained a diverse coalition - including healers, academics, legal experts, doctors, teachers and enthusiasts - prepared to engage in advocacy for our campaign.
The Heart of Our Mission
"I made 6 important contacts to create the community I was hoping to connect with. I felt welcome and I shared vulnerably and enjoyed others sharing. I will go to more events by PPS."
Lynetta
“Very welcoming group, it was great to get so many different perspectives, will be attending again!"
Bret
"Loved attending this event! Wonderful, intelligent, engaging people. Would love to see or help facilitate more of these."
Duncan
"We had a group of interesting people whom I liked. I don’t often do well at such events but this was a free atmosphere and everyone shared their equally interesting experiences."
Hank
Our Initiatives in Action
Watch, learn, and discover the impact we’re making. See the history of our programs through our YouTube videos, from early beginnings to exciting new developments.
PPS History, Notable Events & Speakers
December 2014
Helen Daring hosts first ever Meetup group Neurons to Nirvana. The group grew quickly, and was renamed to PEERS (Portland Entheogenic Exploration & Research Society).
Summer 2017
After attending the 2017 MAPS Psychedelic Science 2017 conference in Oakland, PEERS joined the Global Psychedelic Network and renamed Portland Psychedelic Society (PPS).
Autumn 2017
PEERS (dba PPS) files Articles of Incorporation as a non-profit entity with the State of Oregon, and receives 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status through the IRS.
September 2018
PPS welcomes Paul Stamets, along with Tom & Sheri Eckert of the Oregon Psilocybin Society, to speak on the 2020 Psilocybin Service Initiative.
October 2018
PPS hosts its sold-out inaugural one-day conference at Alberta Abbey, featuring keynote speaker Dennis McKenna, Albert Garcia-Romeu and local Portland speakers.
January 2019
PPS gathers its first BIPOC integration circle at ENSO Winery in SE Portland.
October 2019
With 550 enthusiastic attendees, PPS presents its 2nd one-day conference at Revolution Hall. Keynote speaker: Dr. James Fadiman, plus Kilindi Iyi, Rachel Harris, & many more visionary leaders.
March 2020
PPS, along with the world, moves events online using Zoom and YouTube livestreams to host monthly integration circles, workshops, & online social networking in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
November 2020
Oregon becomes first state to legalize psilocybin-assisted therapy (Measure 109) and decriminalize possession of small amounts of all drugs (Measure 110).
July 2021
PPS celebrates its first in-person event in over a year since the start of the pandemic with its “Find the Others: Picnic in the Park,” an outdoor social event.
June 2022
After a 3 year hiatus, PPS reboots its conference series, with the two-day Portland Psychedelic Symposium. Hanifa Nayo Washington is welcomed as keynote speaker at Alberta Abbey.
August 2022
PPS features a series of info sessions with some of the newly formed psilocybin facilitator training program options offered in the State of Oregon.
March 2023
PPS introduces “Discovering Psychedelics: An Intro & Community Forum” featuring 4 local experts highlighting the fundamentals of psychedelics, enjoyed by a sold out crowd at the Clinton Street Theater in SE Portland.
September 2023
Former board members Evan Segura & Allison Holmes are featured in the short docuseries: OPB’s Superabundant - focused on the growing landscape surrounding psilocybin mushrooms in Oregon.
May 2024
PPS takes the leap into political organizing and advocacy by establishing the Portland Psychedelic Society Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization.
September 2024
PPS welcomes its first ever Executive Director, Max Kelemen, made possible through a generous philanthropic grant from Dr. Bronner’s All-One! Soapmakers.
October 2024
PPS hosts the 3-day 2024 Portland Psychedelic Symposium with the theme Illuminating Visions. With two days in-person plus a full day of virtual speakers and panelists, PPS' 4th conference includes such notable experts as Rick Strassman, Acacea Lewis, Dr. Sunil Aggarwal, plus many more local and national speakers and vendors.