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Recently, I was one of 13,000 advocates for psychedelic therapies who convened in Denver for Psychedelic Science 2023, the largest gathering of its kind.

Scientists, mental health practitioners, medical professionals, celebrities, artists, politicians, cultural leaders and supporters gathered from around the globe for five days of workshops, lectures, dinners, networking, a “Deep Space” immersion experience, and a sponsor fair featuring hundreds of booths offering information and products, ranging from ketamine clinics and biofeedback devices to harm reduction, mushroom grow kits to university programs.

The conference was organized by the nonprofit Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, founded by Rick Doblin, which states it has been “changing the way people think of, talk about, and consume psychedelics through research, education, and advocacy” since 1986.

MAPS has been advocating for the FDA to approve MDMA for PTSD and recently concluded a Phase 3 study. These and other breakthrough therapies were the basis for bills at this year’s legislative session that would establish a committee to study how such therapies could be implemented here in Hawaii.
Doblin opened the conference by welcoming attendees in the packed auditorium to the “psychedelic 20s.”

I attended a plethora of talks on everything from scientific studies of psychedelics in mental health treatment to the spiritual awareness study participants experienced while undergoing psilocybin therapy. I had the opportunity to discuss with experts how these therapies can help those suffering from PTSD, alcoholism, depression, anxiety and chronic pain.

Some of the conference highlights include:

• a talk by journalist and award-winning author Michael Pollan, on the debt owed to pioneering research dating back more than half a century;
  
• psychologist and author James Fadiman, Ph.D., discussing psilocybin dosing protocols;
  
• Stanford Medical School neuroscientist and podcast host Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., explaining why his views have changed on psychedelics;
  
• Roland Griffiths, Ph.D., the Founding Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, speaking about how psychedelics and meditation have helped him accept a terminal diagnosis;
  
• mycologist Paul Stamets sharing slides from a recent trip to Egypt where he viewed hieroglyphs depicting medicinal mushrooms; and
  
• Psychiatrist Stan Grof, M.D., discussing “The Way of the Psychonaut,” a documentary about his life’s work with filmmaker Susan Hess.

The collective energy, enthusiasm and excitement I experienced throughout the week was remarkable. Being with so many people who have experienced the life-changing benefits of these medicines was inspirational.

I attended the conference to learn more about alternative treatments for my own mental health issues.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, I’m one of the 57 million Americans, or 1 in 5, who have suffered from mental illness, depression in my case.

Where Hawaii Comes In

It’s undeniable that we’re in the midst of a mental health crisis in our community, and the way we treat these curable disorders has too often been ineffective. The emergence of psychedelic therapies holds real promise for the millions who need more than talk therapy and haven’t found relief in current treatments.

I’m grateful the psychedelic resurgence is on a fast-moving, upward trajectory. In 2023, Oregon became the first state to legalize psilocybin for therapy under the supervision of a licensed facilitator. Over the past several years, several cities, including Denver, Berkeley, Santa Cruz and recently, Seattle, have decriminalized psilocybin.

In July, Australia became the first country to legalize psilocybin and MDMA for treating mental health conditions. Colorado also recently passed legislation to legalize therapeutic uses of psilocybin, with healing centers scheduled to open as early as 2024.

How this psychedelic revival of substances that have been used by indigenous people for millennia for healing unfolds in Western society in the coming years will depend on how state government responds. The commercialization of these indigenous medicines was brought to light one more than one occasion during the conference, with activists interrupting Doblin’s closing speech.

The reality is that the conference wasn’t cheap, access to these alternative therapies is restricted by income, and there are safety concerns that will need to be addressed.

This past legislative session, Hawaii advanced to conference committee, which would have provided a foundation for psychedelic therapy in the state. The bill provided for a committee to evaluate U.S. Food and Drug Administration designated breakthrough therapies (currently MDMA and psilocybin). Unfortunately, the bill died because of disagreement on which state department would house the committee.

Nevertheless, it was encouraging to witness the support the bill received. I’m grateful to the 50 representatives and 24 senators who voted in favor of the bill and for Clarity Project Hawaii championing the measure. After hearing the testimony supporting HB 1340, detailing the experiences of therapists, doctors, veterans and those suffering from PTSD, alcoholism and severe depression in our community, I’m encouraged Hawaii may soon participate in this paradigm shift to improved mental health treatments.

I believe everyone knows someone who is suffering and could benefit from access to therapeutic plant medicines, whether a veteran, a family member facing the end of life, an individual with a debilitating illness or someone who has experienced trauma.

Hopefully, during the next session, we can join other states that have passed legislation expanding mental health treatment options for thousands of individuals struggling to find relief.