The Psychedelic Science 2025 conference returns to Denver this week to celebrate a culture that’s fully emerged from the shadows.
The big picture: Hosting the five-day event in Colorado, where adults can legally use psychedelics recreationally, is a chance to showcase a state that’s “living” the kind of policy many advocates want to see, Ismail Lourido Ali tells us.
- Ali is interim co-executive director at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), the conference organizer, which has long advocated for legalizing the use of psychedelics.
Why it matters: With psychedelics now firmly mainstream, the conference offers a chance to further legitimize the research, policies, treatment potential and culture behind these substances.
Catch up quick: Colorado started issuing licenses for healing centers and treatment providers for its psychedelic therapy programs this spring after years of planning.
- People 21 and older can use DMT, ibogaine, mescaline, psilocybin and psilocin recreationally.
By the numbers: More than 7,000 people are expected to attend the event, which boasts 500-plus speakers on topics including therapy, ethics, safety and plant medicine…