Our organization offers so much more than what we will discuss here in the FAQs, so please explore the website to learn more. The section is for people who have questions about the Mushroom Ceremonies, since that is where the most questions come up. We have community events, classes, spiritual counseling and Ceremony services. Although you will read about mushrooms a lot here in the FAQ, this is really just one part of what we do. Overall, our work is about offering people the opportunity to look at their lives through a Shamanic lens, to revive the lost connection to true spirituality, and to provide the tools needed to maintain both. Our work is about reconnecting people to themselves, to each other, and to this place we find ourselves inhabiting at this moment in time. You can find our community calendar and events here: https://www.meetup.com/sacred-heart-medicine-sanctuary-vancouver-portland/ If you want to work with Nadia privately, you can find more information about her here: https://www.nadiadoe.com/

Absolutely not. Our doors are open to everyone and we encourage you to schedule with us or join a meetup just to check things out. We will not try to convert you or convince you of our viewpoint. Shamanism isn't like other religions, its more like a way of being, and it's something we just want to share. It is also connected to the foundation of all religions. If what we do calls to you, even if you don't understand why, we recommend you answer that call because there is something here for you to learn, gain or experience.

Session with Nadia are non-refundable and can be rescheduled with 48 hours notice. All Ceremony payments are refundable with at least 30 days notice of cancellation, minus a 3% processing fee. If you cancel within 30 days of your Ceremony date, there is no refund or rescheduling available. After this date, significant energy and medicine has already been exchanged and will not be refunded. We also do not provide refunds if you don't receive the outcome you expected. Please be sure to read our FAQ section about medications and contraindications before signing up for Ceremony. There is no refund for Special Events or other Ceremonies that are documented as "no refund" in the booking page.

First, it is worth saying that we are a place of healing. People do not come to sit in our Ceremonies to get sick, they come to heal. Therefor, we do not back down at the hint of illness, that is indeed when it is time for us to step forward. Beyond that, we honor everyone's personal decision regarding how they handle any current COVID climate. We do not feel it is necessary or appropriate to inquire about vaccinations on either side. We believe that everyone working with us is a mature adult that can make their own decisions about their health. If you are very concerned about COVID, or if you are experiencing a lot of fear and anxiety around it, we recommend not sitting in Ceremony at this time. Additionally, we find it to be very common that people get ill right before Ceremony. This may be at the time they book the Ceremony, two weeks beforehand, or the week that leads up to the Ceremony. This is part of the healing process and things are being cleared from your energetic/physical body in advance of the Ceremony. It is perfectly normal and happens more often than not!

First we want to address the matter of our non-profit status. We are indeed a registered 501(c)3, which allows us to take donations that can be tax-deductible. We love that for anyone who wants to donate strictly out of the goodness of their heart. However, since we accept money in exchange for services, they are not considered donations. This means we also pay taxes on those fees! In fact, any money exchanged for a service is not considered a donation and cannot be marketed as such (legally). A donation can only be a donation when a person doesn't get something in return for the donation. I know other "churches" do not follow this rule, but we think it's important. Our Group Ceremonies are typically a flat rate that varies depending on the size and location. You can find out more about what this includes on the Group Ceremony page. Nadia offers her services privately at a rate of $125 an hour. We have an abundance of free, low cost and donation based events on our meetup here. There are a number of spots in both Ceremony and Nadia's schedule to accommodate sliding scale and barter opportunities for those in need. If you want to discuss that, please email Nadia with inquiries and specific details about your circumstances at Nadia@sacredheartmedicine.us. If you are a good fit for this work, we are happy to navigate that with you.

It is challenging to get an abundance of reviews due to the nature of this work. There are many people, including doctors, lawyers, police officers and other professionals who sit in Ceremony with us from all over the Country. Since Psilocybin work is still illegal in many places and is a firable offense, it takes great courage to openly leave a review. That being said, we do have quite a few anyway! You can find reviews on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/sacredheartmedicinesanctuary You can find reviews on Google here: https://g.page/r/CRCKRbqZ7DlvEBA Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sacred-heart-medicine-sanctuary-vancouver

In general, we have found the Group Ceremony to be quite fruitful for people working with Plant Medicine in a Shamanic Ceremony setting. Very few of us know what it is like to feel a deep connection to other people or how to share experiences and vulnerable moments within a group setting. Very few of us know how to accept love from others when we need it most. There is also a profound level of healing and connection that happens when you play the role as witness to others and allow others to be a witness for you. This Ceremony offers these crucial experiences, and so much more. We believe one of the biggest things missing from the Western Lifestyle is a sense of community support and connection, and the Group Ceremony shows us what that can look like on a very tangible level. On a Shamanic level, Group Ceremony is also where collective-level healing takes place. If you are interested in a 1:1 Ceremony with Nadia, please discuss this with her in a private session. The process for preparation will look different, as will the cost.

This answer depends on the Ceremony and on the Facilitators! Each Facilitator has a different way of conducting themselves in Ceremony. Nadia does a significant amount of laying on hands during the Ceremonies, as well as channeling, communicating with guides, and performing soul retrieval. The other Facilitators may be sitting quietly in meditation/prayer, using the appropriate tools to clear or move energy, or offer various levels of support or guidance to you through the Ceremony. They may sing, play an instrument, draw, chant, dance, rattle, or do other very active things. In Shamanic ceremonies, anything can happen!

Each Ceremony is different and there are hundreds of things you might experience. Some of the most common experiences are as follows: Cascading geometric forms and colors Expansion or contraction of linear time Being in a different body of either sex or the experience of androgyny Becoming an animal, plant or microorganism Experiencing your own birth Experiencing your own death Revisiting your childhood memories or experiences Revisiting repressed memories - typically in a manner that allows you to objectively observe them, not relive them Intense somatic experiences, such as shaking, vibrating, rocking or crying Emotional release Purging Deep feelings of connection and understanding Sense of physical healing or reconnection of neural pathways Exorcism or release of other energies that occupy your body or energy You will have control over your body most of the time and will be able to get to and from the bathroom, drink water, lightly talk or stretch as you like. This is not about shooting you into a different universe, it is about being grounded and present during the experience so you can connect to the Divine through connecting to yourself.

Look over the website, blog and FAQ page. Get a feel for us as a group and make sure working with us is the right fit for you. Become active in our meetup group if you live locally. This will help with preparation and community support around all Shamanic work. Schedule a session with Nadia here to discuss your history, intentions, and any preparation work specifically needed for you. More than one session may be required depending on where you are in your spiritual journey. You are provided with a link to book Ceremony. You attend the Ceremony on the agreed upon date. You have an virtual recap session approximately 7-21 days after Ceremony with the rest of the group. You integrate your experience into your life to move forward, often in ways you never knew possible. You come back to sit in Ceremony with us (or elsewhere) when the time calls to you. You continue to participate in the community if you live locally or join one near you.

We have quite a few suggestions on this one and instructions will be emailed to each person who schedules a Ceremony. Keep in mind that Plant Medicine energy can begin to visit you the moment you sign up for a Ceremony, but can intensify in the one to two weeks before you are scheduled to sit in your Ceremony. To make this time easier and more productive, we recommend the following in those two weeks before Ceremony: It is highly recommended to work with Nadia to receive prep instructions specifically for you based on her observations and experience. Clarify and/or release your personal preconceptions about psychedelics and entheogenic experiences in general. Have a clear intention for the Ceremony and resolve to come to Ceremony with the additional intention to be completely open and ready for whatever the plants are here to show you. Write down your intention and meditate with it as often as you are able to do so leading up to the Ceremony. Journal about what is coming up for you personally or around the Ceremony intention. Take the day off before and (if you can) several days after Ceremony, things will need time to settle. Spend ample time in meditation, in nature, and doing some bodywork, such as yoga, in the two weeks that lead up to Ceremony. Do your best to eat intuitively . Stop the use with cannabis and any other plants or synthetic substances discussed in the consultation. We suggest refraining from masturbation, pornography, and sex in the 14 days before and after Ceremony. It is important to disclose all medications and supplements to Sacred Heart and work with your doctor to come off of any that you have been asked to stop taking. Please note: while your doctor or google may tell you certain medications are ok to take with Psilocybin, Nadia may have requirements beyond what is indicated by research due to her experience as a Facilitator over the years. There are certain things that shouldn't cause interactions, yet always do. All requirements are for your safety and ours - they are non-negotiable and able to be discussed during your consultation.

One thing that you will find that is different about Sacred Heart is that our Facilitators are trained through doing their own work in Medicine Ceremony, Apprenticeship and 1:1 Personal Development work. This means Facilitators sit in their own (supervised) Ceremonies before facilitating in them, they have been identified as having the ability to hold a Medicine Container properly, they are trained in a hands-on way in the Medicine Space by multiple teachers, and they are 100% held accountable for their own personal work. All of our Facilitators pursue various forms of training outside of Sacred Heart that they bring into their Medicine Space as well. This includes, but is not limited to, training in traditional shamanic studies, integration, tantra, Reiki, Hypnosis, bodywork, trauma-informed care, etc. We believe it is important that each Facilitator does their own personal work before coming to help others, this prevents them from projecting onto and unintentionally harming others in the Medicine Space. We also believe that there is no substitute for proper apprenticeship/hands-on training when working with these powerful Plant Medicines. We do not necessarily agree with certification classes, courses or other trainings that "certify you as a Shaman" or "Psilocybin Facilitator Training". We do not believe that it's ok to buy your way into this role, though we don't discourage additional training as desired. All training with us is done through mentoring and hands-on apprenticeship.

First, we wish to say that we are not medical providers. Our work is not clinical in any way, nor are we trained or able to give medical advice. Second, we always recommend discussing this work with your therapist, psychiatrist or doctor if you are taking medications or working with a serious health condition. With that being said, we wish to share a few things about working with Psilocybin. As far as we have experienced and researched, there are no major risks involved with Psilocybin work. However, if you are on a number of medications, or taking medications that specifically impact your brain chemicals, this can make things complicated chemically. Certain medications may put you at risk of Serotonin Syndrome or heart complications and seizures. You should discuss options with your doctor about coming off of some or all of your medications with their guidance prior to working with us. This is something we will discuss further during a consultation and a liability waiver will be signed prior to your Ceremony. Additionally, we may have requirements that your doctor may not. We have been doing this work for years and have found some significant medication interactions over that time that technically shouldn't be a problem according to the research and pharmacology. The bottom line is that we will not automatically turn you away if you are on medications, it largely depends on the individual person and their current state of mental stability, medical history, doctor involvement, interest in stopping medications, etc. While this work is very safe in the right setting, it can exacerbate symptoms and that is a risk you may or may not be interested in taking. Sacred Heart's official policy is that you must come off of the medications listed below to sit in full Ceremony with Nadia, as well as some others that are not listed, for 3-6 weeks before Ceremony, depending on the medication. This is non-negotiable, even if your doctor says it "should be ok" to stay on the medication. If you are not prepared to come off, please contact us in the future when you are ready. Citalopram (Celexa, Cipramil) Escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex) Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) Fluvoxamine (Luvox, Faverin) Paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat) Sertraline (Zoloft, Lustral) Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq, Khedezla) Duloxetine (Cymbalta) Levomilnacipran (Fetzima) Milnacipran (Ixel, Savella) Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) Bifemelane (Alnert, Celeport) Caroxazone (Surodil, Timostenil) Isocarboxazid (Marplan) Metralindole (Inkazan) Moclobemide (Aurorix, Manerix) Phenelzine (Nardil) Pirlindole (Pirazidol) Selegiline (Eldepryl, Zelapar, Emsam) Tranylcypromine (Parnate) Toloxatone (Humoryl) Amineptine (Survector, Maneon) Amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep) Amitriptylinoxide (Amioxid, Ambivalon, Equilibrin) Amoxapine (Asendin) Clomipramine (Anafranil) Desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane) Dibenzepin (Noveril, Victoril) Dimetacrine (Istonil) Dosulepin (Prothiaden) Doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan) Imipramine (Tofranil) Lofepramine (Lomont, Gamanil) Maprotiline (Ludiomil) Melitracen (Dixeran, Melixeran, Trausabun) Mianserin (Tolvon) Mirtazapine (Remeron) Nitroxazepine (Sintamil) Nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventyl) Noxiptiline (Agedal, Elronon, Nogedal) Opipramol (Insidon) Pipofezine (Azafen/Azaphen) Protriptyline (Vivactil) Setiptiline (Tecipul) Tianeptine (Stablon, Coaxil) Trimipramine (Surmontil) Atomoxetine (Strattera) Bupropion (Wellbutrin) Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) Reboxetine (Edronax) Teniloxazine (Lucelan, Metatone) Viloxazine (Vivalan) Trazodone (Desyrel) Vilazodone (Viibryd) Vortioxetine (Trintellix) Almotriptan (Axert) Rizatriptan (Maxalt) Sumatriptan (Limitrex) Zolmitriptan (Zomig) Granisetron (Kytril) Metoclopramide (Reglan) Droperidol (Inapsine) Ondanestron (Zofran) Other meds that are completely contraindicated: Lithium Ketamine Stimulants - Prescribed or otherwise Adderall 5HTP St Johns Wort Buspirone (Buspar) Linezolid (Zyvox) Meperidine (Demerol) Fentanyl (Duragesic) Tramadol (Ultram) Dextromethorphan (Delsym, Mucinex DM, Robitussin DM, etc.) Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) Carbamazepine (Tegretol) Valproate (Depakote) Rizatriptan (Maxalt) and potentially other Migraine medications Benzodiazepines Antipsychotics Proton Pump Inhibitors

Yes and no. From our personal experience, and from the research available, the risks are quite rare and non-life threatening. The only known risks we have found are exacerbation of symptoms, temporary mental instability and medication contraindications. Please refer to the other question regarding "who should not sit in Ceremony" for further advice on some of that. Out of the hundreds of people we have worked with, this temporary mental instability has only happened twice. On one occasion, the person fully recovered within one week and felt better than they did before we started working together. We remained in close contact to offer support and guidance. In the other occasion, it was found that the person was not honest with us about their condition and ended up needing further support in the months that followed. It should be noted that if a person is extremely emotionally or mentally unstable, Ceremony is not advised. This work is not good for those in crisis. If you have high blood pressure you should also consider addressing this with your doctor before sitting in Ceremony. Your blood pressure will be taken before Ceremony and monitored (if needed) during the Ceremony. If it is higher than 140/90, you may not be able to participate. We say this not to scare you, but to be completely honest and transparent. If you are ready to work with Psilocybin Mushrooms in a Ceremony setting, it will be a very beautiful and life-changing experience. If you are in crisis, or can be considered mentally unstable, it can be a less pleasant experience that also carries some considerable risk. Honestly, in our experience, your biggest risk is wanting to quit your 9-5 when we are done.

Absolutely not. This is one of the few things that we stand by firmly. If a person is forced, overly encouraged, or told by a family member that they must come to Psilocybin Ceremony to "heal", we will not accept the booking. If you have found us for them and you are doing the research to "help them", plan to pay for the experience, trying to get them signed up, etc., please know that this person is likely not ready to sit in Ceremony. If you are a parent, we will not accept your child unless you are also willing to be heavily involved with your own spiritual healing first. If an individual does not come to this type of Ceremony on their own, or if they are not ready break whatever cycle they are stuck in - such as depression, addiction or other "undesirable symptom", this Ceremony experience will likely either be traumatic. We know it may be hard to see a family member or partner hurting, but in rescuing them we are taking away their opportunity to rescue themselves. This is an important aspect of healing. If you think your partner or child needs this experience, we suggest you come sit in Ceremony for yourself as well and before you encourage them to come. What we think other people need is often a reflection of what we ourselves need. Additionally, when there is one person in the family unit who is the "identified patient", also known as the child that has all the mental illness or behavioral problems, it is actually the entire family that must engage in healing work for it to be beneficial. Please know that everyone must attend their consultation alone. If you need further clarification or want to discuss your individual situation, please email us.

Integration is an important part of the Shamanic path. But what is it really? Integration is when you take all the new pieces, perspectives and messages you received during your training, healing, or Ceremony and begin applying them to your life. If this is done, you often do not need to come back to Ceremony very frequently because you will bring Ceremony into your own life and you will know which path you are to go down next! This is a huge part of Shamanism. If you don't spend time in integration, you end up coming back to Ceremony over and over again without really moving forward or finding your purpose. Integration is often said to be the hardest part of Shamanic Plant Medicine Work. We will have a group zoom session following your Ceremony and it is included in our price. This session will include a recap of the Ceremony, as well as what is needed moving forward and any homework that may be recommended by your Facilitator, the plants or spirit. If additional support is needed within the first two weeks, that will be supplied at no additional cost. In terms of what integration looks like specifically, that depends on the person. You may have some childhood trauma to unpack, in which case you will need to find a therapist. You may have specific homework, such as to begin yoga or setting boundaries at work. These steps are up to you to take. Most people do not need a great amount of support, but more need to allow themselves time and patience as these things unfold. You have lived your whole life the way you are now and change takes time! After you connect with you true self in Ceremony, most details about how to proceed or move forward in your life are quite clear. Important: We do no specialize in integration or any type of therapy. Our focus and skillset is on Ceremony services, shamanic tools and shamanic perspective exclusively. We advise that you set up work with a therapist or life coach following Ceremony with Sacred Heart if you need additional support. We are here to facilitate Ceremony and help you understand and/or follow a Shamanic path. Please see a list of our recommended practitioners here.

First, we do want to advise you not to over-research Psilocybin outcomes or "trip reports". Our work is something far different than that of the clinical or recreational use of Psilocybin Mushrooms. Our work involves matters of the Soul and these things are not the same. If you want to get into the Plant Spirit Medicine aspect/understanding of our work, we recommend Plant Spirit Medicine by Eliot Cowan. If you want to get into more of the Shamanic foundation (not specifically Psilocybin), we recommend Awakening to the Spirit World: The Shamanic Path of Direct Revelation by Sandra Ingerman. If you are looking to research Psilocybin specifically, here are a few places to start: Personally, we loved "How to Change Your Mind" by Michael Pollan Our favorite podcasts include James Jesso's Adventures Through the Mind and Tim Ferris has a plethora of info here and on his podcast. https://www.bustle.com/wellness/magic-mushrooms-psilocybin-effects-on-brain-researchers https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/psychedelic-treatment-with-psilocybin-relieves-major-depression-study-shows https://hellomd.com/articles/psilocybin-may-be-the-answer-to-autism-and-a-healthy-microbiome-an-interview-with-scientist-and-researcher-marvin-s.-hausman-md?fbclid=IwAR2GFb4NkkRItiV4iQlbthi1ihFGF4T-uE8ayu5DWosOlfc-NukAMjwa91Y https://maps.org/research-archive/w3pb/2004/2004_Hasler_20465_2.pdf https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/johns-hopkins-scientists-give-psychedelics-the-serious-treatment/ Another book, which is not specifically about Psilocybin, but really one that nails the experience, is called DMT: the Spirit Molecule by Rick Strassman. Our Ceremony is much like that of Traditional Ayahuasca work more than it is like the trip reports you hear involving Psilocybin. This is due to the Shamanic Ceremonial nature of our work and facilitation by real Shamans. We will caution you - Don't get too wrapped up in research and potentials. This is an intuitive process and if your heart calls to the Medicine, answer it and try not to overthink what it will mean!

Who is a good fit? Most people are a good fit for Ceremony. The most important thing is if YOU feel called to it, then you should answer that call. You are also a good fit if you are looking to connect more deeply to yourself, you are seeking answers, healing, or spiritual connection. We love working with all people, truly, but want to shout out to a few demographics who may be hesitant to work with us and let you know you are welcome here. We welcome the LGBTQ+ community, people of all ethnic backgrounds, those from disadvantaged communities/families, those in recovery, former inmates, athiests and military or law enforcement veterans. We may not have all of the same experiences in life, and that's ok, but what we can do is provide you with total love and acceptance in our space. Who is not a good fit? We recommend working with Nadia through Shamanic counseling, guided microdose protocol or hands-on healing prior to booking a Ceremony if you are experiencing any of the following: Schizophrenia Recurring psychosis or extreme dissociation Active flashbacks Active self-harming behavior Dissociative Identity Disorder Epilepsy Are currently working with another intense modality like EMDR, ECT, Ketamine, neurofeedback or TMS therapy. We do not recommend sitting in Ceremony for at least 4 weeks before or after using these other modalities, possibly longer. If you are not emotionally or mentally stable, if you have extremely high blood pressure or heart conditions, other Ceremony options will need to be discussed.

No. We ask that you wait a minimum of 8 weeks after working with any other "visionary substances" before sitting in Ceremony with us and suggest you wait for 8 weeks after Ceremony as well. This is including, but not limited to, Mushrooms, Ayahuasca, Peyote, DMT, MDMA, LSD, or Bufo. We also suggest staying away from other psychedelics, TMS, EMDR, EST or any other therapy that is of high intensity for at least 4 weeks before and after your Ceremony. If you have any questions about contraindications with a specific therapy, please ask us during your intake session.

We cannot guarantee anything about your experience, except that you will be safe and cared for. Your safety is important to us, and that is why it is important that you are honest with us about the status of your mental health and any medications you are taking or health conditions you may have. First and foremost, this is not a drug experience, this is a Ceremony. You are coming to us to sit in Ceremony with a very powerful Plant Spirit (Medicine Work) and 99% of the time, that means this experience will look differently than what you expect it to look like. In fact, it will almost certainly be different than you expect. Even people who have taken mushrooms recreationally dozens of times tell us this is nothing like what they experienced before. You may have an intense physical healing experience, which means you likely won't have visions of any kind. You may have serious resistance or mental control, where your ego will override the experience and you won't even be able to even sit still. You may spend 4 hours throwing up or you may have a spontaneous exorcism. None of those things may be considered "positive" to some individuals. On the flip side of this, you may have intense visions that shed light on your entire life, you may have an ego death (or 100 of them) or have a complete heart-opening/blissful experience where you meet God. Every Ceremony is different for every person and for every occasion. The only things we guarantee are as follows: We will hold you in a loving non-judgmental space We will take good care of your physical, emotional and energetic body The Mushrooms will always give you exactly what you need The Mushrooms will never give you more than you can handle