Synaptic Institute

Synaptic Institute is a non-profit integrative clinic and training institute in Portland, Oregon, run by naturopathic physicians, Chinese medicine practitioners and psychotherapists. Its psychedelic work covers ketamine-assisted therapy, Spravato and psilocybin services within Oregon’s licensed programme.

Approach

It was founded by Dr Matthew Hicks, ND, an Army veteran who chairs the Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board and draws on Buddhist psychology, Internal Family Systems and Hakomi in his therapy. Ketamine is given by intramuscular injection, often alongside psychotherapy, and a physician stays in the room for the whole session. Care moves through an evaluation, preparation, the ketamine session and integration, and a plan can also take in nutrition, sleep, herbal medicine, acupuncture or medication. Psilocybin is facilitated by the clinic’s dual-licensed doctors at a partnering service centre, because Oregon’s rules do not allow a clinic to host the sessions.

Who it is for

The clinic offers ketamine for depression, including treatment-resistant depression, as well as anxiety, PTSD, OCD and chronic stress, and Spravato for adults with treatment-resistant or major depression. Psilocybin services are open to adults aged 21 and over.

Practical details

Ketamine therapy costs $180 to $240 an hour, with scholarships, a limited sliding scale and some coverage through Enthea. Psilocybin facilitation costs $1,000 to $2,000 a session depending on household income, plus a service centre room fee of $600 to $800 and the mushrooms, paid in cash. Naturopathic and Chinese medicine visits can be billed to insurers, and a free consultation comes first.

Care and safety

Every ketamine client is medically screened by a physician and has two to three preparation visits, and clients commit to a minimum of two ketamine sessions. For psilocybin the clinic requires at least two preparation visits, one more than the state minimum, with integration one to seven days after the session.