The Psychedelic Science 2025 conference, hosted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), concluded on June 20, 2025 in Denver, drawing a diverse and influential crowd to the Colorado Convention Center. Over 7,000 attendees from all 50 U.S. states and 39 countries engaged in a rich blend of five days of programming that included more than 500 expert speakers, spanning fields such as therapy, ethics, safety, plant medicine, and cultural discussions.
Colorado’s trailblazing legalization of adult-use psychedelics has laid the groundwork for a thriving ecosystem of licensed therapy centers and wellness startups. The state began issuing licenses for healing centers and treatment providers this spring, aligning with MAPS’s vision to normalize and responsibly regulate psychedelic-assisted therapies. During the event, over 20 state and federal lawmakers participated—including guided tours of licensed therapy facilities—reflecting escalating institutional support and broadening policy interest.
Industry analysts project that the U.S. psychedelic market could scale to between $3.6 billion and $10 billion by 2030, propelled by mental health applications and wellness programming. Estimates vary: North American market valuations range from $1.45 billion in 2024 to potentially $3.6 billion by 2032, with global figures reaching from $3.8 billion to as high as $10.75 billion by the end of the decade, depending on research scope and methodology.
The conference highlighted how psychedelic medicine is moving into the mainstream. In addition to scientific and therapy-focused tracks, the event included discussions on policy, ethics, business, culture, and indigenous wisdom. Its Business Track offered deep dives into investment trends, commercialization strategies, provider training, and market pathways—underscoring the sector’s shift from research to commercial readiness.
Academic and clinical involvement was extensive. Institutions represented included Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCSF, several VA research centers, among others, featuring sessions on next-generation brain imaging, neuroplasticity, and late-stage clinical trials.
The presence of medical professionals, policymakers, and licensed practitioners working side by side and exploring real-world therapy sites marks a critical inflection point. Colorado is emerging as a test-bed for how regulated psychedelic therapy can be scaled. Proponents highlighted realistic approaches to safety and efficacy—emphasizing that while psychedelics offer promise, expectations should be grounded in rigorous standards for treatment, integration, and oversight.
By hosting the world’s largest psychedelic conference, the movement reflected a broader shift: psychedelics are no longer fringe substances but are being redefined as part of a modern mental-health ecosystem. Academic rigor, policy attention, business readiness, and therapy implementation are converging, supported by Colorado’s model.
Many insiders see Colorado’s approach as a blueprint for national implementation—one that balances patient care, public safety, commercial sustainability, and cultural respect. As legalization discussions continue nationwide, Psychedelic Science 2025 demonstrated that psychedelics now occupy a central place in conversations about healthcare innovation, regulatory reform, and bio-entrepreneurship.
With attendance from global practitioners, substantial institutional backing, and market projections in the billions, Denver’s event underscored the economic promise of psychedelic-assisted therapy—not only as a mental health revolution, but as a growing industry offering high-value jobs, startup opportunities, and therapeutic advancements.
