It was an absolute honour to attend and film the world’s largest gathering of the psychedelic science community: Psychedelic Science 2025 in Denver, Colorado. We are grateful to the many outstanding scientists, healers, and activists who shared their wisdom with us — Watch our videos to learn more!
The renewed wave of scientific, medical, and cultural interest in psychedelic substances in the 21st century is often referred to as the Psychedelic Renaissance. After a long “dark age” under the war on drugs, rigorous research has paved the way to rediscovering their immense potential in many fields — especially mental health care, where the need for new treatment options is more urgent than ever.
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), which will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year, has played a crucial role in bringing these substances into the spotlight of public attention. Last year, decades of advocacy and research culminated in MDMA reaching the threshold of becoming an approved, legal treatment for treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition that leaves millions debilitated. And then came the cold shower: after some questionable methodological and ethical criticisms, the FDA declined to approve this treatment.
Is this a major backlash or a minor setback? Opinions differ. Some investors wavered and withdrew their money. But if you attended the Psychedelic Science conference in Denver, you could see that the spirit and enthusiasm of the movement remain very much alive. You can’t put the genie back in the bottle. The thousands of people who came from all over the world still firmly believe that psychedelics have a place under the sun. We interviewed some of the key torchbearers of the movement — including Rick Doblin, Bill Richards, and Bessel van der Kolk, as well as many other researchers, activists, and healers — to capture the state of psychedelic science in 2025.
Where Beautiful Visions Come to Life — Inside the Psychedelic Science 2025 Exhibition Hall
Drugreporter also visited the vibrant exhibition hall at PS25, to talk to researchers, therapists, community organizers, and entrepreneurs about the medical, spiritual, and social roles of psychedelics.
We discussed how ayahuasca, psilocybin, or ketamine can support treatment for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, as well as how community experiences and spiritual traditions contribute to healing. The video highlights initiatives that provide support for veterans and their families, alongside organizations focused on harm reduction and policy reform. It portrays the vibrant atmosphere of the conference and shows how the psychedelic renaissance is at once a scientific, cultural, and political movement.
Special thanks to MAPS and Psychedelic Science!
Reporter: Péter Sárosi
Videos: István Gábor Takács
