Psychedelic Science Gathers Community to Integrate the Field’s New Realities

Thousands of researchers, clinicians, activists, and curious minds will gather in Denver next month for Psychedelic Science 2025: The Integration, a week-long conference exploring the future of psychedelics in medicine, policy, and culture.

Hosted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), the event will run from June 16 to 20 at the Colorado Convention Center. This year’s theme, The Integration, emphasizes the merging of science and spirituality, traditional wisdom and modern medicine, and research and real-world practice.

“It’s time to unite and integrate the insights, progress, and passion that have defined the psychedelic movement,” said MAPS representatives in a statement.

Changing Times, Broad Perspectives

The event comes amid a rapidly shifting landscape in both public perception and legal policy surrounding psychedelics. Compounds such as MDMA and psilocybin are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential in treating conditions such as PTSD, depression, and addiction, while also being restricted under existing federal drug laws. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration rejected the MAPS spin-off company Lykos Therapeutics’s New Drug Application for MDMA-Assisted Therapy, dashing the hopes raised at Psychedelic Science 2023 that the treatment would be legal and scaling by now. This year’s conference acknowledges that setback and gathers the community to look towards what comes next.

Colorado is an increasingly fitting backdrop for such a gathering. The state’s Natural Medicine Health Act, passed in 2022, decriminalized certain psychedelics and established a regulated framework for psilocybin services — a legal model second only to Oregon, which has already facilitated over 10,000 sessions. “These bold and creative policy models are already changing what’s possible in the future of the psychedelic ecosystem — they are blueprints for the future,” organizers said.

More than 500 speakers are expected to attend the gathering, serving an audience of “scientists, therapists, policymakers, advocates, entrepreneurs, funders, educators, cultural influencers, spiritual leaders, activists, and the psychedelic-curious,” said MAPS.

Keynote Speakers and Thought Leaders

The conference boasts a broad lineup of speakers from a range of disciplines, including:

Rick Doblin, Ph.D., founder and president of MAPS, who has been a pivotal figure in psychedelic research and advocacy.
Rep. Jack Bergman, a U.S. Congressman advocating for veterans’ access to psychedelic therapies
Kyrsten Sinema – Former United States Senator, Arizona
Tim Ryan – Former United States Congressman, Ohio; President & CEO, Celtic Consulting
Harriet de Wit – Researcher and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago
Robin Carhart-Harris – Neuroscience & Psychopharmacology Researcher, Carhart-Harris Lab at UCSF
Marcela Ot’alora – Co-Founder, Memoru Center for Visionary Healing Arts; Former Principal Investigator, Lykos’ MDMA-assisted therapy research
David Nutt – Neuropsychopharmacologist, Imperial College London; Founder, Drug Science
Monnica Williams – Clinical Psychologist; Professor & Research Chair, University of Ottawa
Christine Diindiisi McCleave – Indigenous Rights Activist; Former CEO, National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition

These speakers represent a cross-section of disciplines, emphasizing the conference’s commitment to interdisciplinary dialogue. A full list of speakers is available at the conference website.

Panels & Programming

Psychedelic Science 2025 offers nearly 200 programs across more than 10 multiple tracks, beginning on Wednesday, June 18, including:

Therapy: Discussions on best practices, ethics, and integration strategies for clinicians.
Plant Medicine: Exploration of traditional and contemporary uses of ethnobotanical psychedelics.
Studies and Clinical Trials: Presentations on the latest research findings and methodologies.
Policy and Statewide Initiatives: Panels on legislative developments and state-level regulatory frameworks, with a focus on Colorado and Oregon’s pioneering models.
Veterans: Sessions dedicated to the use of psychedelics in treating PTSD and other conditions among veterans and first responders.
Business and Society: Insights into the commercialization of psychedelics, societal impacts, and community engagement.

In addition to the conference programming, Psychedelic Science 2025 will also host two days of pre-conference workshops on June 16 and 17. These workshops provide full-day deep dives into topics related to therapy, law, diversity, neuroscience, chemistry, religion, and harm reduction with experts such as Bessel van der Kolk, William Richards, Dick Schwartz, and Michael and Annie Mithoefer leading sessions.

A full list of programs is available at the conference website.

Psychedelic Exhibitions

The Expo Hall at Psychedelic Science 2025 will feature over 100 exhibitors, offering attendees a comprehensive view of the current landscape in psychedelic research, therapy, and culture. The exhibitor lineup includes leading pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, therapy providers, advocacy organizations, and technology firms.

Notable pharmaceutical exhibitors include:

Lykos Therapeutics: Formerly known as MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, Lykos is developing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD and continues to advance its clinical programs despite recent regulatory challenges.
Atai Life Sciences: A Berlin-based company working on a diverse pipeline of psychedelic compounds, including arketamine and ibogaine derivatives, aimed at treating various mental health conditions.
Cybin: A Canadian firm progressing its deuterated psilocybin analog, CYB003, through Phase 3 clinical trials, focusing on major depressive disorder.
Tactogen: A public benefit corporation developing novel entactogens designed to offer therapeutic benefits similar to MDMA with improved safety profiles.
Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals: An early-stage company exploring a range of psychedelic-inspired compounds targeting depression and other psychiatric disorders.
Eleusis: A UK-based company investigating the anti-inflammatory properties of psychedelics, particularly in ophthalmological applications.

In addition to developers of psychedelic therapies, Psychedelic Science 2025 will host exhibits from organizations dedicated to therapy training, harm reduction, policy advocacy, and community building. The expo hall will also be a hub for community connections featuring an expo stage with programs from community partners and talks, plus scientific poster presentations and a psychedelic bookstore.

Attendees can also explore interactive installations, including visionary art exhibits and immersive experiences, reflecting the conference’s theme of integration across disciplines and cultures. The expo hall will be open to attendees from June 18 to 20, providing ample opportunity to engage with exhibitors and explore the multifaceted world of psychedelics.

Gatherings & Entertainment

Psychedelic Science 2025 will host an eclectic lineup of community-led events across Denver, blending art, music, mindfulness, and cultural celebration. Attendees can also join the Black Psychedelic Juneteenth Dinner, psychedelic leaders’ meetups, dance and embodiment workshops, and integration circles. These gatherings enrich the conference’s themes of connection and cultural inclusion. Highlights include:

Music & Concerts

Flying Lotus w/ Reggie Watts – June 17, Mission Ballroom | 8:00 PM
Tycho – June 18, Ogden Theatre | 8:00 PM
Drive-By Truckers – June 20, Ogden Theatre | 7:00 PM
Blind Melon – June 19, Cervantes | 7:00 PM
LSZEE – June 19, 20, 21 & 22, Mission Ballroom | 7:00 PM (each night)

Wellness & Movement

Sunset Skyline Rooftop Yoga with Live Music – June 18, Catbird Hotel | 6:30–8:30 PM
Mat Pilates on Tap – June 17, Bierstadt Lagerhaus | 6:30–7:30 PM
[Women Only] Plants, Yoga and Beer – June 22, Bierstadt Lagerhaus | 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
Bunny Yoga – June 21, Great Divide Barrel Bar | 12:00–2:00 PM
Friday Night Yin – June 20, The Source Chiropractic | 6:30–7:45 PM
Ecstatic Dance –June 21, Denver Ecstatic Dance | 10:00–1:00 PM

Parties & Social Events

Sasha Shulgin’s 100th Birthday Celebration – June 17, The Kirk of Highland | 6:00–11:00 PM
Psychedelic Assembly: PS2025 Unofficial Welcome Party – June 17, Meow Wolf 1338 1st St., Denver 7:00–12:00 midnight
Psychedelic Playhouse – June 17 (Plant Magic Café) & June 18 (Jonas Brothers Building) | 7:00 PM–1:30 AM both nights
The Colorado Community Kickoff & Drag Speed Friending–June 18, Raices Brewery | 6:00-9:00 PM
It’s a PRATI Party! – June 18, Town Hall Collaborative | 7:00 PM–12:00 AM

Community & Healing

Black Psychedelic Juneteenth Dinner – June 17, Mirus Gallery | 7:30 PM–9:30 PM
Operation Inner Peace: A Gathering for Veterans, First Responders & Allies – June 19, Wynkoop Brewing Company | 6:00–9:00 PM

A complete listing of conference entertainment can be found at the conference website.

Community Integration

The broad range of topics, programs, events and activities presented at Psychedelic Science make the event “a living, breathing tapestry of ideas, disciplines, and people,” says MAPS. “In the way that integration can transform the insights from psychedelic experiences into lasting change and personal growth, we invite our community to collectively integrate our journey thus far…and enter the next phase together.”

For more information and to reserve your tickets to Psychedelic Science 2025, please visit the conference website.

Use the code LN15 when registering for the event for a 15% discount.