DENVER—Psychedelic Science 2023, the largest psychedelic conference on record, unfolded at the 2.2 million-square-foot Colorado Convention Center from June 19-23. Produced by Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) in collaboration with Momentum Events, the five-day symposium took 18 months to plan and attracted 12,300 attendees and 500 educators from 52 countries. Attendees could experience 400 panels and over 30 workshops focused on educating on the power and promise of psychedelics in cultural, medical, and traditional environments. Additionally, 250 exhibitors joined the mass meeting in both the expo hall and throughout various nooks of the spacious venue.
Activist and MAPS founder Rick Doblin gave an inspiring opening keynote address at the Bellco Theatre Wednesday morning.Photo: Courtesy of Psychedelic Science 2023
Following two days of workshops, the conference kicked off Wednesday morning with welcome keynote addresses by MAPS founder Dr. Rick Doblin, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry. In addition to three full days of programming, there were two on-site dinners—with Wednesday night honoring Roland R. Griffiths, Ph.D., for his contributions to psychedelic and consciousness research, and Thursday night’s Healing Our Heroes: A Dinner Honoring Veterans and First Responders.
Various important conversations emerged surrounding the role psychedelics play in veteran and first-responder trauma and PTSD treatment, mental health integration, and Indigenous communities, as well as supporting LGBTQ+ advocacy, harm reduction, and destigmatization in the space.
Dr. Bronner's, which co-produced "Deep Space," set up a pop-up shop to honor its six cosmic principles, “from soapmaking to peacemaking.” The wellness brand gifted attendees with its full line of organic, fair-trade chocolate bars, along with bottles of 18-in-1 Hemp Peppermint Pure-Castille Soap. The brand also produced special pro-psychedelic and magic-themed labeling for the gifted products.Photo: Ernesto Borges
Additionally, investors and donors utilized the space to network and support. On Wednesday, TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie announced a $100 million commitment to investing in psychedelic research, while wellness brand Dr. Bronner's—which has donated more than $20 million to drug policy advocacy and organizations in the psychedelic space—co-produced "Deep Space," a 105,000-square-foot, multisensory Burning Man-inspired exhibit utilizing an entire exhibition hall (more on the trippy production below). CEO David Bronner was also in attendance Wednesday to speak about advocacy pathways and policy strategies.
Plus, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers discussed how psychedelics enhanced his performance; Paul Stamets spoke about tryptamines and neurogeneration; and various vendors on the expo floor educated on how to cultivate, inoculate, harvest, and dry psilocybin for research purposes. Still, dozens of psychedelic-assisted therapy clinics, tech products, and brands spotlighting everything from cactuses to ayahuasca held significant space throughout the gathering.
For more of a behind-the-scenes look at how everything was executed, from the Psychedelic Science 2023 Business Lounge, we chatted with Gina Vensel, director of marketing for both Psychedelic Science 2023 and Momentum Events.
Full Canopy Mycology partnered with Wonderbags to produce the Mushroom Gallery. They held classes and demonstrations covering sterile technique, cultivation of gourmet and psilocybin mushrooms, genetic processes, different tryptamines, and how to dry research specimens.Photo: Courtesy of Psychedelic Science 2023
I think it was probably one of the considerations to make sure that the people here would be safe in case they did misunderstand the rules. We also put together a kit on our website that explains the rules of the state because we have international people traveling here, and it can be confusing to folks what the laws really mean. And so, right now, psilocybin is decriminalized in Colorado, which made it enticing to the team when they were considering what places to bring Psychedelic Science to next.
With 250 exhibitors and plenty of overlap, how do you envision the evolution of the psychedelic expo floor?
I think this is a learning experience for our community to see how we can come together, and with these collaborations, maybe the activations moving forward may look different and may actually be larger, because more companies and organizations can potentially combine forces and work together in the future.
San Diego-based Stacy D’Aguiar brought a massive traveling heart to "Deep Space." According to the artist, the traveling art piece has been all over the country, painted in different ways. The rainbow was painted live at the conference to represent love and oneness.Photo: Ernesto Borges
There are just so many friends of this organization over the years. MAPS utilized the relationships that they had, and with Dr. Bonner's support, we were able to bring that piece to life. Being able to go from such intense talks, sometimes, to then be able to go sit in a tea lounge and take your shoes off, or be able to lie in one of those meditation beds, that's the type of experience we wanted.
It's the whole health and wellness aspect, that this is a mental health conference wrapped up in us discussing these psychedelics, but it's really about us taking care of ourselves better, and in all the different ways that we can do that. And I think art and music are a big piece of that. We didn’t want to forget about that in all of this and wanted to make sure that was still represented as an important part of the culture that's behind psychedelics and this movement.
I’m told there was a lot of Burning Man influence in "Deep Space," too.
You can't forget where you come from, and I feel like so many of the psychedelic elders were a part of Burning Man—and still are—and you know it would feel remiss not to have that be displayed in some capacity at the conference, and I was just in awe when I saw it all come together myself.
Within "Deep Space" and on the expo floor, there are several tech-infused therapies that simulate trips exhibiting with interactive sessions. How and why did your team select those specific companies, and why is their presence from the tech space important to the conference?
The movement is moving so quickly, and there's going to be a lot of technology introduced here and in the biotech space. I've met with companies that are trying to take the psychedelic out of psychedelics. And what does that even really mean, right? But many people can't even take psychedelics. They can literally create the experience in these other ways. A lot of folks use psychedelics as a tool to help get deeper, but not something that's done all the time. Maybe this could be something to do in between those journeys to keep yourself balanced and in a wholesome place.
A refuge from the day, attendees took off their shoes to enter the "Deep Space" tea lounge to enjoy relaxation, connection, and (of course) tea service.Photo: Courtesy of Psychedelic Science 2023
Just the importance of not leaving our Indigenous communities behind. Staying true and honoring the history and the roots of so many different groups of people. Because what's going to happen if we colonize these medicines? We have to honor them.
What are you hoping attendees take away from Psychedelic Science 2023?
That there is something truly special about bringing this community together. And a big piece within our community is doing the integration afterward and really giving yourself time and space to process and unwind after this, because it is a lot. From just the information that we're collecting to the various types of people and conversations that we have and the different businesses that we talk to, it can become so overwhelming for people. Even if they had a great experience, if you don't take time to process it and be good to yourself, you can almost get lost. So I hope that folks will, in the coming weeks, realize so many different things that come to light that they really enjoyed.
Keep scrolling below to check out the highlights from BizBash's trip to Psychedelic Science 2023, along with the after-hours fun following the close of the conference each day...
RoXiva set up several stations trialing its hypnagogic light machine, stimulating audiovisual brainwaves to induce a deeply relaxing or profoundly inspiring state of mind. Like several other immersive therapies at the conference, RoXiva promoted its experience as a drug-free psychedelic trip.Photo: Courtesy of Psychedelic Science 2023
Near the expo, the business lounge offered a comfortable refuge with refreshments and snacks, various seating areas, and Therapod stations for those in need of pop-up work areas.Photo: Courtesy of Psychedelic Science 2023
Colorado-based Ballen Medical & Wellness, which centers on holistic treatments to promote well-being and performance, attracted guests with its “We Love Ketamine” neon signage set on a greenery wall. The South Denver clinic combines talk therapy with ketamine treatment.Photo: Courtesy of Psychedelic Science 2023
With the help of Dapper Event Design, supporting sponsor Apollo Neuro curated a multisensory, Burning Man-inspired geodesic dome with elements of light, sound, scent, and touch. The wellness wrist wearable helps relieve stress by partnering with the parasympathetic nervous system. The team explained how to apply the device to a psychedelic experience to help navigate a trip and rewire the stress response and sold the wearables on site.Photo: Courtesy of Psychedelic Science 2023
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and bestselling author and psychonaut Aubrey Marcus discussed “How Psychedelics Can Unlock Elite Performance” on Wednesday afternoon.Photo: Courtesy of Psychedelic Science 2023
On Tuesday night, The Nowak Society hosted the Colorado Welcome Party and Psychedelic Drag Bingo at two-story restaurant and lounge Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox. Emcee drag artist Jessica L'Whor ran the show alongside drag ballroom family House of LaBeija. The fundraiser collected donations through bingo card purchases to share with the Harm Reduction Action Center and local queer and trans advocacy organizations, including Out Boulder County and Youth Seen, in honor of Pride Month. Players could win up to $1,000 in cash prizes.Photo: Tracy Block
Alex and Allyson Grey treated guests to a live painting of their 35- by 8-foot “Stargazers” work at Tuesday’s Shroomski Night with the Greys. The Greys were contributing artists in the second edition of the new psychedelic-themed print magazine. During the event, Alex autographed magazine copies for event attendees. Following a private dinner, Shroomski welcomed all for festivities with fire dancers, glass blowers, lounge areas, and whimsical mushroom decor that transformed the venue.Photo: Sam Silkworth
On Wednesday night, activism and social impact organization Propeller hosted the multisensory “Enter the PORTAL” event at Temple Nightclub, which featured different audiovisual activations, as well as a lineup of DJs. “PORTAL exists as an initiative of Propeller to destigmatize the responsible use of psychedelics,” shares Propeller founder and CEO Brandon Deroche. Portland-based ambient-indie pop artist East Forest (pictured) performed an event ceremony.Photo: Courtesy of Propeller
Aliens and otherworldly creatures mingled with guests on the dance floor.Photo: Courtesy of Propeller
Taylor Bratches treated listeners to a silent disco DJ set at a booth backed by decorative vines and neon Propeller logo signage.Photo: Courtesy of Propeller
On Thursday night, Good Trip Studios and AEG Presents Rocky Mountains curated “Have a Good Trip: A Benefit Concert for MAPS” at Mission Ballroom. Reggie Watts first greeted the crowd before Eric André performed an interactive comedy bit.Photo: Nikki Rae
Various artists were commissioned to paint live at the event, and some finished their works at the Colorado Convention Center on Friday.Photo: Nikki Rae
The Flaming Lips pulled out all stops for their headlining production, which featured a performance of the 2002 album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots in full, accompanied by four massive inflatable pink robots, confetti-filled balloons bouncing (and popping) in the crowd, lasers, and more.Photo: Nikki Rae
Following the benefit concert Thursday night, guests of the show made their way to Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station. The immersive art multiverse welcomed concert ticket holders with discounted admission so they could explore the exhibition after dark. The dance floor in The Perplexiplex (Meow Wolf’s state-of-the-art concert venue) was fully functional and brimming with MAPS organizers and enthusiasts. DJs Chris Holmes, Fascinated by Everything, and Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith were on hand to facilitate the best vibes. Customized for the evening, “Have a Good Trip” and psychedelic lighting projections filled the exploratory space.Photo: Nikki Rae
