Empire State Review Contributor 
Denver, CO – The Colorado Convention Center became the epicenter of the psychedelic research movement from June 16 to 20, culminating in a packed final day on June 20, as more than 7,000 attendees gathered for Psychedelic Science 2025. Hosted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), this five-day event underscored the rapid shift of psychedelics from fringe curiosity to legitimate, evidence-based tools in mental health care.
The conference boasted an extensive program, featuring over 500 presenters across disciplines such as clinical science, ethics, cultural studies, and policy reform. Speakers included therapists, neurologists, researchers, ethicists, and cultural practitioners. A standout feature was the comprehensive Policy Track, which brought together public officials, legal experts, veterans’ advocates, and Indigenous leaders to discuss drug rescheduling, regulatory frameworks, and equitable access. Interim MAPS Co-Executive Director Ismail Lourido Ali noted that this year’s edition focused on responsible integration, emphasizing safety, cultural respect, and justice alongside scientific insight.
Colorado, having pioneered adult-access legalization of natural psychedelics and the licensing of healing centers, served as the perfect host state. Over 20 state and federal legislators participated, with some touring a licensed therapeutic facility—a first of its kind in the United States. This visit highlighted the state’s emerging regulatory landscape: as of spring 2025, Colorado had issued licenses to at least 15 healing centers, supported by nine cultivators, four manufacturers, and a testing lab, paving the way for formal treatment settings. Among these, The Center Origin in Denver was the first to open under full license, offering psilocybin-assisted therapy alongside complementary services like breathwork, yoga, and meditation.
An especially historic moment occurred on June 19, when Governor Jared Polis used a keynote slot at the conference to announce a sweeping pardon for all prior state-level convictions related to psilocybin and psilocin—actions now protected under Proposition 122, approved by voters in 2022. This move was hailed by advocates as a step toward restorative justice and de-stigmatizing psychedelic treatment.
Even as the event celebrated reform milestones, organizers underscored a cautionary ethos. They emphasized the need to balance optimism with realistic, ethically grounded practices, such as rigorous patient assessment, integration support, and highly trained facilitators. As noted by Ali and guest speakers throughout the policy sessions, recognizing psychedelic therapy’s potential should go hand-in-hand with sober transparency about its limitations and the need for robust research .
Beyond policy, the conference showcased scientific breakthroughs such as MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, LSD and psilocybin research for end-of-life anxiety, and ibogaine studies targeting opiate dependence. The FDA has already received a New Drug Application from MAPS and partner Lykos Therapeutics for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, signaling potential shifts in federal approval. These developments attracted broad interest in the Drug Policy, Science, and Therapy tracks that dominated sessions from June 18 onwards .
Cultural programming added depth to the conference. Meditation and music events filled open hallways, while art exhibitions and community networking parties brought vibrancy to downtown Denver. Exhibitor booths nearly filled a city-block space, featuring nonprofits, start-ups, academic institutions, traditional medicine practitioners, and art installations—all emblematic of a multidisciplinary “psychedelic city” unfolding across Denver.
The energy at Psychedelic Science 2025 reflects broader momentum. Colorado’s pioneering status—becoming the first state to both decriminalize psychedelics and license therapeutic centers—offers a template for other jurisdictions. Yet, MAPS attendees were reminded of persistent hurdles: inconsistent laws across states, an awaiting FDA verdict on MDMA therapy, infrastructure needs for trained providers, and ongoing efforts to ensure diversity and community equity in access .
By the final day, attendees spoke of Psychedelic Science 2025 as a watershed moment. The mingling of legislators, clinicians, scientists, therapists, veterans, and tribal leaders marked a realignment—from underground experimentation to mainstream, regulated systems. While precise metrics were pending, organizers estimated over 7,000 participants from 39 countries—making this the largest turning point since the event’s inception in 2017 .
Denver’s hosting of Psychedelic Science underscores a pivotal shift: psychedelics are no longer niche, but emerging elements in healthcare, legislation, and culture. As other states and nations take note, Colorado’s combination of research rigor, policy innovation, and community engagement offers a working model. The conference’s organizers and attendees hope that as science advances, public trust will follow—and with it, the safe, equitable transformation of mental health treatment.
This transformative gathering did not just end on June 20—it was a launchpad. The collaborations, data, reform momentum, and emerging treatment protocols set the stage for the next wave of psychedelic science, policy, and care
