In June 2025, Denver hosted the much-anticipated Psychedelic Science, gathering around 8,000 attendees including notable figures like Colorado Governor Jared Polis and psychedelic research luminary Paul Stamets at the Colorado Convention Center.
This year’s conference focused on the theme “The Integration,” emphasizing the blending of science, policy change, and spirituality amidst a backdrop of recent setbacks within the psychedelic field.
Notably, MAPS founder Rick Doblin opened the event by addressing the challenges the psychedelic movement has faced since the previous gathering in 2023.
Unlike the vibrant 2023 event that boasted a crowd of 12,000, this year saw a more subdued atmosphere, according to MAPS, with 4,000 fewer participants.
Several factors weighed heavily on the discussions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) rejection of a MAPS-sponsored application to legalize MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD stood out as a significant disappointment.
Despite previously being designated as a “breakthrough therapy” by the FDA in 2017, this rejection highlighted ongoing regulatory challenges.
In addition to this setback, the failure of a recent Massachusetts ballot measure to legalize natural psychedelics for therapeutic use further amplified concerns about the progress of psychedelic therapies.
The conference theme of integration sought to address these hurdles, aiming to unify various dimensions of the psychedelic experience to foster growth.
Despite the gravity of these topics, a sense of whimsy permeated the event, as attendees showcased their eclectic style, including mushroom-shaped hats.
The “Deep Space” area provided a creative escape featuring face painting and an interactive booth by Dr. Bronner’s, encouraging attendees to craft their own costumes.
Outside the main conference, local parties thrived, with vibrant events such as a Meow Wolf takeover showcasing DJs and an enormous geodesic dome arts installation.
Central to the discussions was Colorado’s pioneering stance on natural psychedelics, as Governor Polis announced the pardon of state-level convictions related to psilocybin.
Colorado became a noteworthy pioneer, being the only state to have both decriminalized natural psychedelics and established a legal framework for accessing psychedelic therapy.
Polis expressed a commitment to serving as a model for other states, underlining the importance of progressive policy in the realm of natural medicine.
The announcement of pardons, which affected four individuals charged with psilocybin use or possession, received enthusiastic approval from the audience.
However, it should be noted that most psilocybin-related convictions occur at the municipal level, meaning that the state’s action may not directly impact the local legal landscape.
Exchange among leaders at the conference revealed divergent views on how to utilize psychedelics effectively in therapeutic contexts.
MAPS advocates a combined approach of psychedelic substances and psychotherapy, which complicates regulatory approval processes for new treatments, as evidenced by the already fraught FDA approval experience.
Some pharmaceutical companies attending the conference, like Cybin and Compass Pathways, are striving for approval of synthetic psychedelics independent of therapy components.
Doblin voiced concerns over this trend, reflecting the conference’s prevailing sentiment that therapeutic integration is essential to the merits of psychedelics.
As discussions progressed, attention shifted towards Colorado’s ongoing development of psychedelic-assisted therapy programs, which recently received authorization to operate with psilocybin mushrooms.
Currently, about 100 licenses have been issued to therapists, along with permits for two holistic healing centers and mushroom cultivators.
Governor Polis also hinted at the state’s aspirations to explore ibogaine, a potent psychedelic compound known for its extensive therapeutic potential.
With growing interest in its ability to address addictions and mental health issues, ibogaine is being positioned as a future priority for research and treatment in Colorado.
The state is particularly interested in its promise for veterans dealing with PTSD and addiction, coinciding with a recent $50 million investment from Texas aimed at researching ibogaine’s efficacy.
As discussions around ibogaine intensified, it became clear that Colorado is poised to become a test case for the broader application of this psychedelic in the United States.
Through the blending of research, policy reform, and cultural engagement, this year’s Psychedelic Science reaffirmed Denver’s role as a pivotal hub in the rapidly evolving field of psychedelics.
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