Magic Mushroom Center to Open Doors and Minds in Hood River this July
Vital Reset is preparing to open doors and minds.
Heidi Venture and John Nelson are looking forward to opening the doors on Vital Reset. Photo Credit: Warren Morgan
By Cole Goodwin
Hood River, OR — Vital Reset, a psilocybin service center in Hood River, OR was officially licensed on Friday, June 16, 2023. The center, located in the heart of downtown Hood River at 1020 Wasco St, Suite J, hopes to open their doors by mid to late July of 2023. The center will serve clients age 21 and over who are seeking alternative treatment options for mental health, personal and spiritual growth, and end of life peace.
Owned by Gorge locals Heidi Venture and John Nelson, the establishment aims to provide safe and supervised experiences with psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms. The center will be one of the first psilocybin service centers in the country.
While psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level in the United States, recent developments have allowed for state-level decriminalization and research into its potential therapeutic applications. Vital Reset operates within the legal framework of Oregon's Measure 109, which permits the administration of psilocybin experiences by licensed facilitators in supervised settings. Clients must be aged 21 and over but no diagnosis or prescription is needed to access facilitated psilocybin experiences in Oregon.
Psilocybin-assisted therapy has gained significant attention in recent years for its potential in treating various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Clinical studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that when administered in controlled and supportive environments, psilocybin can catalyze profound shifts in perception, leading to increased self-awareness and emotional healing.
Heidi Venture, co-founder and experienced facilitator at Vital Reset, spoke passionately about their intentions, saying, "We firmly believe in the profound potential of psilocybin-assisted therapy to bring about positive change in people's lives. Our clinic offers a safe, legal, and supportive environment for individuals seeking alternative paths to healing and self-discovery."
Venture also shared that she had experienced complete remission of her depression following her experiences with psilocybin.
“Psilocybin allows your brain to become flexible again. It grows new neurons. It grows new synapses at the end of your neurons. It grows new receptors on your neurons. It’s a brain reset,” said Venture.
Venture said the applications' for psilocybin’s use in end of life processing were also incredibly eye opening.
“People who are really struggling with anxiety around their impending death–they find peace, they find connection with the world and the world beyond,” said Venture.
Venture and Nelson agreed that the spiritual component of the journey was also a common thread in many people’s journey’s
Heidi Venture and John Nelson simulate facilitation of an inward journey. Photo Credit:Warren Morgan
“It awakens you to the planet. To our intimacy with nature,” said Nelson.
Venture said that the mushrooms seem to have a way of connecting people to whatever higher power they believe in.
“It’s very dependent on the person. A person who wants to see Jesus will see Jesus. A person who wants to spend time with the Buddha will get time with the Buddha. If you want to get in touch with plants the plants are happy to stand up and talk to you,” said Venture.
For those wishing to process trauma with their experience, Venture said they should expect that there may be some anxiety but that clients will be reminded they are safe and this too shall pass.
“A lot of people have some anxiety. It’s to be expected,” said Venture.
“They say that if you see a monster, jump into its mouth,” said Venture, implying that the way out of pain is to take the inward journey instead of running from it.
In the interest of safety for clients and staff, Venture says there are some necessary precautions that are taken before the experience. The center must screen for certain health conditions that can cause adverse reactions to psilocybin and must adhere to rigorous ethical standards. Facilitators like Venture also have to have undergone extensive training and be certified to work at the center.
“We’re building a team of between 20 to 50 facilitators,” said Venture.
A screenshot from VitalReset.com
Each client will have an assessment prior to the journey which involves a health screening as well as a discussion of dosage, client intentions, goals, and the client’s transportaion plan (clients can not drive while under the influence of psilocybin). The assessment is meant to establish rapport and prepare the clients for the journey. Next up clients will spend about an hour signing numerous forms and releases before they can be cleared to journey.
On the day of the experience staff will administer the psilocybin in the form of either tea or whole mushrooms before they are shown to their sensory friendly rooms where trained facilitators will guide the clients through their individual sessions, providing support and guidance to help navigate the depths of the psychedelic experience. Experiences can range form 2 to 6 hours long.
Following the journey facilitators will help clients integrate their experience and translate it into tangible growth and positive change.
Venture said that prices would be high at first and clients should be prepared for low-dose experiences to cost between $2,500-$3,500 for individuals and $1,500-$2,000 for group experiences. Venture noted that the cost may drop in the future as their initial investment is recouped.
For more information or to join the Vital Reset waitlist visit VitalReset.com.
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