Dr. Hicks holds a doctorate in naturopathic medicine, a master of science in clinical research, and a certificate in psychedelic-assisted therapy and research. He is a Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Psychiatry and is a member of the Formulary Counsel of the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine and the Chair of the Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board. He is the founder and president of Synaptic Institute, a non-profit ketamine-assisted therapy clinic and entheogenic medicine training program, and conducts psychedelic research at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon.