Denver is gearing up to host a major conference focused on psychedelic substances, featuring a lineup of notable speakers including NFL star Aaron Rodgers. The event, organized by a psychedelic advocacy group, comes months after Colorado decriminalized psychedelic mushrooms.
Rodgers, a Super Bowl champion and four-time NFL MVP, has been open about his personal experience with ayahuasca. He'll join other prominent figures like rapper Jaden Smith and former Texas Governor Rick Perry, who has advocated for research into the potential benefits of psychedelics for veterans with PTSD.
The conference, organized by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), is expected to draw a significant crowd, highlighting the growing public interest in these substances. MAPS, considered the largest psychedelic advocacy organization in the U.S., previously held a conference in Oakland, California, six years ago with around 3,000 attendees. This year's Denver event is anticipated to attract at least 10,000 people.
While proponents suggest psychedelics may help with conditions like PTSD and alcoholism, many medical experts emphasize the need for more research to fully understand the potential benefits and risks. This cautious perspective is echoed by the American Psychiatric Association, which has not endorsed the use of psychedelics for treatment, pending a final determination from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Despite the FDA designating psilocybin, the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms, as a "breakthrough therapy" five years ago, which typically expedites the development and review process, a final decision has yet to be reached.
The conference's promotional nature has drawn some criticism. Nicolas Langlitz, a historian of science, expressed concern that the event could overhype the potential benefits of psychedelics, potentially skewing research towards positive results. While psychedelics remain federally illegal in the U.S., several states have enacted their own laws as research into their potential therapeutic applications expands.
Other notable speakers at the Denver conference include former NHL player Daniel Carcillo, Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen, comedians Reggie Watts and Eric Andre, podcaster Andrew Huberman, and Columbia University psychology department chair Carl Hart.
