Psychedelics at crossroads of healing, policy and education
The Aspen Psychedelic Resource Center (APRC) is hosting its third annual Aspen Psychedelic Symposium in Colorado, focusing on education, policy, and the role of psychedelics in public health, while Colorado’s regulated psychedelic program continues to evolve under the Natural Medicine Health Act. The event features panels on healthcare innovation, spirituality, and scientific research, alongside discussions on responsible regulation and youth education amid broader national psychedelic reform efforts.
The Aspen Psychedelic Resource Center (APRC) is hosting its third annual Aspen Psychedelic Symposium this weekend at the Wheeler Opera House, featuring nine panels on topics like healthcare innovation, community healing, and scientific research. The event, presented in partnership with the Healing Advocacy Fund and Aspen Public Radio, aims to address the evolving role of psychedelics in public health, following Colorado’s 2022 approval of the Natural Medicine Health Act, which established a statewide framework for psychedelic-assisted healing. Martha Hammel, co-founder of the APRC, compared psychedelic use to climbing a 14,000-foot mountain, emphasizing the need for safety, education, and guidance. Since opening in 2022, the center has hosted educational events, trained support networks, and organized national meetings on ibogaine research, particularly for treating opioid use disorder and PTSD among veterans. This year’s symposium includes keynote presentations, a resource fair, and a film screening, *A Place Called Eternity*, about a Johns Hopkins study on psilocybin and mystical experiences. The symposium aligns with Colorado’s regulated psychedelic program, which prioritizes trust in science, responsible regulation, and individual healing. Matt Grimes of the National Psychedelics Association noted that Colorado’s approach balances regulated access with decriminalized personal use, expanding opportunities while safeguarding public health. The event also responds to the 2025 MAPS Psychedelic Science symposium in Denver, with APRC adjusting its schedule to avoid overlap. Speakers include attorney Joshua Kappel on Colorado’s psychedelic access laws, physician Scott Shannon on mystical experiences, and Ismail Ali of MAPS, who will deliver the keynote. The symposium reflects Aspen’s ‘mind, body, spirit’ ethos, positioning psychedelics as a tool for holistic healing and societal reimagination. Education for youth remains a key focus amid the state’s evolving legal landscape.
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