Odyssey

Odyssey runs legal psilocybin retreats and private psilocybin sessions in Oregon and Colorado, with Bend, Oregon, among its bases. It opened in September 2023 and says it held the first legal psilocybin retreat in the United States.

Approach

Founder Gabe Charalambides, a Stanford-trained aerospace engineer, built Odyssey around screening, preparation and dosing modelled on clinical trials. Doses usually range from 25 to 40 mg of lab-tested psilocybin from licensed manufacturers, with an optional booster of about half the first dose after roughly 90 minutes. State rules require sessions to take place at licensed service or healing centres with a trained facilitator, and a session lasts six to eight hours. On retreats the group travels to a nearby centre on the dosing day, except at Fernlove in Oregon, which is itself licensed.

Who it is for

Odyssey presents its work for people dealing with depression or anxiety, major life changes or a sense of being stuck despite treatment, and for those seeking personal growth. It recommends private sessions for people with deep trauma or a complex mental health history, and some retreats are themed for women, men, grief, leaders or healthcare professionals.

Practical details

Private sessions take three to four days on flexible dates, include one or two psilocybin sessions and start at $2,950, without accommodation. Group retreats last four to six days for six to ten people, are all-inclusive and start at $3,500, at venues including the Lookout Lodge near Bend and Onward Ranch in Colorado. Insurance and Medicaid do not cover the services, but a financial aid programme exists.

Care and safety

Intake runs through an optional consultation call, a matching form with a health screening and a fit call with a facilitator, and usually takes one to two weeks. Private sessions are best booked a month ahead.