Takeaway: As more and more research comes out around psychedelic therapy, many people are interested in it. However, psychedelics can still be difficult to access for a number of reasons. In this post, we'll cover what exactly psychedelics are, what they can help with, and how to find psychedelics in Denver.

Psychedelics 101: What you need to know

Psychedelics are a group of substances that produce hallucinogenic effects. This means that they can change how you feel and think. As a provider of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Colorado, I’ve seen firsthand how life-changing this can be.

According to the National Institute of Health, there are two main types of psychedelics (also known as hallucinogens): classic hallucinogens and dissociative drugs. Both types can alter your perception.

However, dissociative psychedelics also produce a feeling of being outside of your body or being detached from yourself. This can help people gain insight into their own thoughts and experiences in a way that might be difficult otherwise.

There are many natural psychedelic substances that have been used by indigenous peoples all over the world for thousands of years. More recently, experts have discovered that psychedelics can be helpful for medical use, as well as for mental health conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Types of psychedelic substances

There are many different kinds of psychedelics. Some are synthetic, or made by scientists in a lab. There are also plant-based psychedelic substances, such as the psychedelic compounds found in so-called magic mushrooms. Here are a few examples of the types of psychedelics that exist.

Naturally-occurring psychedelics

LSD (also called "acid")
Psilocybin mushrooms (also called "magic mushrooms" or "psychedelic mushrooms")
Peyote
DMT (the substance found in ayahuasca tea)
Salvia
THC (one of the substances found in cannabis)

Synthetic psychedelic drugs

Synthetic peyote
Synthetic DMT
PCP
Ketamine
MDMA (also called "ecstasy")

What psychedelic substances are used for

As I touched on earlier, psychedelic substances have been used by indigenous cultures for centuries, namely for spiritual or ceremonial purposes. Some people may also use psychedelics for recreational or personal use.

In recent decades, there have been a number of clinical trials for the medical use of psychedelics. According to one analysis, there have been studies that explore if and how psychedelics can be used to effectively treat conditions such as:

Chronic pain
Inflammatory bowel disease
Sickle cell disease
Cancer
Degenerative diseases
Headache disorders

Experts have also investigated how psychedelics can impact mental health issues. According to the National Institute of Health, there have been studies that explored the effects of psychedelic substances on:

PTSD
Depression
Substance abuse, such as alcohol, opioid, nicotine, and cocaine use disorders
Anxiety
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Bipolar disorder

While more studies are needed to determine how psychedelics can affect different medical and mental health conditions, current research shows promising results.

What's the legal status of psychedelics? Did the Natural Medicine Health Act legalize psilocybin mushrooms in Colorado?

The legal status of psychedelics varies depending on the specific type of substance and the state in which you live. Currently, ketamine is the only psychedelic that is legal on a federal level. It has been used for years as a surgical drug and is now being used off-label for its mental health benefits. The nasal spray, Spravota (esketamine) is an FDA-approved treatment for depression.

Following Oregon, Colorado is a pioneer in the legalization of other psychedelics. In November 2022, Colorado voters approved the Natural Medicine Health Act, which was created to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms. The Act also included the potential to decriminalize other psychedelic substances including DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline in a few years.

Decriminalization means that adults over the age of 21 are allowed to possess and cultivate psychedelic mushrooms for personal use without facing criminal penalties. However, there's no infrastructure for legally purchasing these substances—at least not yet.

In early 2023, Governor Polis appointed a Natural Medicine Advisory Board with experts from a variety of fields. The state's Department of Regulatory Agencies will consult with the group when deciding how to move forward with healing centers, where psychedelics will be legally available.

While details are yet to come on what a licensed healing center will look like, they may offer services like psilocybin-assisted therapy and other ways to safely consume these substances. The structure for retail sales is yet to be determined as well.

How to find legal psychedelics in Denver (& beyond)

Since psychedelics aren't available for retail sale in Colorado or elsewhere in the United States, accessing these substances can prove challenging. However, there are ways that you can safely and legally use them.

Where to access safe & legal psychedelics

Interested in trying psychedelics but not sure where to start? Hopefully, access will expand as more research is done and more states pass decriminalization measures. For now, these are the places where you can access them.

Therapeutic settings

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is available for residents of Colorado and beyond. Currently, this typically takes the form of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy since ketamine is a federally legal psychedelic. In psychedelic-assisted therapy, you'll receive a prescription for ketamine and process your experience with the support of a mental health professional.

Clinical trials

There is ongoing research around if and how other psychedelics can be used to treat medical and mental health issues. MDMA, psilocybin mushrooms, and LSD are all being used in the context of clinical trials.

Healing centers and retreats

Some psychedelics are legal in other countries. For example, Costa Rica and Jamaica both offer psychedelic retreats where people can use psychedelics under the supervision of a local guide.

Tips for using psychedelics safely

While I encourage using legal psychedelics in a supervised setting, I recognize that this isn't always realistic or desired for everyone. If you choose to use psychedelics for personal, private use (legal or not), there are strategies you can use to do so in a safer way.

Psychedelic testing kits can help you know exactly what substance you're using and whether it's tainted or mixed with something else. It's also safest if you don't use substances alone, so make sure that you have a trusted, sober person with you.

Tap into the power of psychedelics with the support of a therapist

Interested in accessing the positive effects of psychedelics? I offer ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in Colorado for men struggling with anxiety, depression, and issues of fatherhood and identity. I've seen firsthand how transformative psychedelics can be, especially alongside a supportive therapeutic relationship.

To learn more about my approach or start the process, I encourage you to reach out. I offer free consultations so you can ask questions and see whether we might be a good fit for each other. I look forward to hearing from you.

How to Find Psychedelics in Denver