At Vital Reset, we often hear a version of the same question: Why are psilocybin services so expensive?
The truth is—of course we wish they weren’t. But the reality is that offering legal, safe, and professional psilocybin journeys in Oregon comes with unique costs that most businesses never face.
Staffing, Training, and Licensing
Our biggest expense is our people. Every journey involves licensed facilitators who bring years of training, personal experience, and professional skill. They dedicate hours—not just during your session, but in preparation and integration support before and after. Most of our facilitators will spend 16–20 hours with you. We also have full-time staff in the office anytime a psilocybin journey is happening.
Becoming a licensed facilitator in Oregon is a serious investment:
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Training programs cost $8,000 to $12,000.
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Annual facilitator licensing is $2,000.
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Most of our facilitators are enrolled in ongoing advanced training throughout the year to expand their skills and better serve clients.
On top of facilitator licensing, our Oregon psilocybin service center license costs $10,000 every year—compared to a medical doctor’s Oregon license, which is $314 a year.
Specialized Spaces and Landlord Challenges
Finding a place to host psilocybin sessions is surprisingly difficult. Because of how psilocybin is regulated, we must lease spaces that meet strict security and access rules. The building must be in a commercial zone, at least 1,000 feet from any K–12 school, and landlords can’t comfortably rent to us unless they own the building outright—otherwise their bank could call in their loan because psilocybin is still illegal at the federal level.
This severely limits our options and often drives rent higher than average because landlords feel they are taking a bigger risk and know we have few alternatives.
Regulatory Compliance and Privacy Protections
We must comply with nearly 200 pages of Oregon administrative rules, some of which require additional staffing. We also use a HIPAA-compliant cloud storage system to securely manage client information—something we pay for each month. Each facilitator also pays for their own HIPAA-compliant account to ensure privacy is maintained at every step.
Banking, Credit Cards, and Professional Services
Psilocybin businesses pay significantly higher banking and credit card processing fees than other industries. We also need specialized accountants and attorneys who understand the complexities of psilocybin law and taxation—services that come at a premium.
The Tax Problem: 280E
Under federal tax code 280E, we are not allowed to deduct normal business expenses. That means we are taxed on our gross income—not what’s left after paying staff, rent, insurance, or any other bills. This is the same tax treatment applied to federally illegal drug traffickers, and it greatly increases our costs.
Insurance Coverage
Right now, no insurance companies cover psychedelic treatment—including psilocybin journeys. Because psilocybin is still classified as a Schedule I substance by the DEA, insurers cannot legally reimburse for it.
That may change in the future. If psilocybin is removed from Schedule I, insurance companies will have the opportunity to evaluate the long-term cost savings. For many people, psilocybin journeys can lead to significant improvements—or even the resolution—of depression in just one or two sessions. That’s far less expensive than paying for ongoing therapy, prescriptions, and other interventions for years or decades. We hope that, when the legal landscape changes, insurers will see the value and begin offering coverage.
Advertising and Digital Tools
Because most online platforms limit or ban psilocybin advertising, we have to find creative, alternative ways to reach people—often at higher rates than standard advertising. On top of that, we invest in essential business tools like website security, advertising channels, Spotify for playlists, ChatGPT for content creation, and Mailchimp for email newsletters. These ongoing costs add up.
Individual vs. Group Journeys
We offer group experiences, but we’ve been cautious about promoting them. So far, there hasn’t been strong research showing that group experiences are as effective as individual ones. One study is underway, and the early signs are positive—but in real-world practice, group sessions can be unpredictable.
Many facilitators have been in or led groups where one person became loud or distressed, requiring most of the facilitator’s attention. While groups can foster a sense of connection, if you only work together once, that community is often temporary. Still, for some people, the lower cost of a group journey and the opportunity to share the experience with others make it a good choice—and yes, we do offer groups.
Researchers Face Even Higher Costs
We’ve talked with several researchers at OHSU and other universities about their expenses. They report having to budget $25,000 to $50,000 per psilocybin journey for participants in clinical studies. While our costs aren’t that high, it underscores just how resource-intensive safe, legal psilocybin work really is.
Making Journeys Accessible
We understand cost can be a barrier, and we don’t want anyone to be turned away for financial reasons. That’s why we offer a sliding scale for those who qualify—people with means pay more so people without can pay less.
We also provide a special benefit to our facilitators: each month, they may bring in one low-income client (someone receiving SNAP benefits) without paying a facility fee.
You can see details about pricing and financial assistance on our pricing page.
We believe deeply in the value of this work and are committed to making it as accessible as possible while ensuring our facilitators and staff are supported and able to thrive. Your investment doesn’t just pay for a session—it supports a safe, legal, and professional framework for life-changing experiences.
