1. Introduction: Psychedelics Are Going Mainstream in Conservative Country
In the past few years psychedelics have gone from the fringes of society to mainstream consciousness and it’s not just happening in liberal or progressive cities; it’s happening in the heartland of America and in conservative areas.
Colorado is at the forefront of this shift and has been making waves with progressive policies around decriminalizing psilocybin. Thanks to Colorado voters approving Proposition 122 in 2022, psilocybin mushrooms have been decriminalized, enabling unique initiatives like Colorado's first psychedelic church, which focuses on community healing and mental health. This isn’t just a place of worship; it’s a microcosm of cultural change and is sparking new conversations around what role psychedelics might play in spiritual practices, wellness and community.
The church opening in a conservative area represents the growing societal shift towards alternative healing and spiritual exploration. But it’s also a flashpoint for tension as it challenges long held cultural and moral views in these areas. What does this church and the acceptance of psychedelic experiences mean for the broader future of psychedelics, mycology and wellness integration?
The Psychedelic Church: History, Mission, Vision with Pastor Dave Hodges
At first glance a psychedelic church may seem like a radical departure from traditional religious practice. But using mind altering substances as sacraments isn’t new. Peyote, ayahuasca and psilocybin mushrooms have been used by indigenous cultures for thousands of years as a means of spiritual awakening, healing and connection with the divine.
The new church in Colorado is part of this tradition with a modern twist. Born in a small rural town, the church’s philosophy is based on the belief in the therapeutic and spiritual power of entheogenic plants – especially psilocybin, also known as “magic mushrooms”. This is a unique house of worship where entheogenic plants, including cannabis and magic mushrooms, are not seen as recreational drugs but as sacred sacraments to induce deep experiences of healing, interconnectedness and personal transformation.
2.1 Indigenous Roots and Modern Innovation
Drawing from the traditions of indigenous cultures in Mesoamerica and South America the church aims to revive ancient practices while combining them with modern knowledge of the psychological and spiritual benefits of psychedelics. Indigenous peoples have used psilocybin in ceremonial contexts not just for personal pleasure but as a community-oriented practice that fostered collective wellness and a profound communal experience.
Influenced by this lineage the church is a safe space for people from all walks of life to participate in structured, supervised experiences that combine ritual with entheogenic (psychedelic) substances. For those seeking alternative paths to psychological healing, deep spiritual revelation or even existential purpose and a rebirth of connection – to the earth and to oneself.
2.2 A Place of Personal Growth
While many attend religious services for comfort and community, churches like this go further: They facilitate deep inward journeys of self discovery through psychedelic assisted therapy. The church curates experiences based on intentionality so people can confront trauma, overcome emotional blockages and experience enlightenment – all under the support of a community. In this context psychedelics are not just recreational drugs but divine tools of existential confrontation and healing.
3. Local Reactions: Psychedelic religion in a conservative area
The opening of a psychedelic church in a conservative part of Colorado is more than just a new place of worship – it’s a sociopolitical lightning rod. The establishment of a church in this conservative community has sparked controversy and raised questions around legality, morality and societal acceptance of altered states of consciousness. Additionally, it has opened up discussions about the potential benefits of psychedelics in treating mental health disorders.
3.1 Deep seated fears and misconceptions
Much of the push back comes from deep seated fears and misconceptions around psychedelics. For generations psilocybin and LSD have been demonized, often unfairly lumped in with hard drugs like heroin and methamphetamine. In rural conservative communities the long held view is that these substances “destroy the youth” or lead to addiction, mental illness or societal decay. These fears are compounded by association with the counterculture of the 1960s which many rural Americans view with suspicion.
3.2 Legal and Safety
There are also legal hurdles. Despite growing calls for decriminalization psilocybin is still a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level meaning it has no recognized medical use and a high potential for abuse. While Denver has decriminalized psilocybin, the state is still in uncharted legal territory for the inclusion of psychedelic sacraments in religious practices.
And safety concerns. Critics ask if participants in these psychedelic ceremonies are trained, guided or protected. While psychedelics have shown promise in therapeutic settings they can also be intense or troubling if not handled responsibly – raising questions around oversight, mental health support and ethical practice in this religious context.
3.3 Spiritual and Cultural Misalignment
And then there’s the cultural fit. Living in conservative communities often means traditional Christian values of sobriety, personal responsibility and suspicion of anything unorthodox. For these people a psychedelic church is not just controversial but offensive – challenging their core beliefs around spirituality, morality and behaviour. Yet despite the controversy there is growing interest – so even in these communities curiosity around alternative healing is on the rise.
4. Psychedelics in Spirituality and Wellness
Psychedelics have a long history of use in spiritual practices across many cultures and the new psychedelic church in Colorado is continuing that tradition. But why do psychedelics – especially psilocybin – play such a big role in the search for spiritual enlightenment and as a form of natural medicine?
4.1 The Neuropsychology of Psychedelics
Psychedelics work by targeting specific serotonin receptors in the brain – the most well known being the 5-HT2A receptor. When these receptors are engaged they modify the brain’s normal operating mode, dissolve the ego and allow for what is often called “ego death”. This forces the individual to step out of their everyday sense of self and reality and into a space where insights that transcend logic and conscious understanding can occur. The breakdown of the ego followed by profound insights about life, existence and self is what people in these spiritual settings call “awakening” or “enlightenment”, often experienced during a psychedelic trip.
4.2 Mental Health Benefits
Research into psychedelics is backing up claims that compounds like psilocybin can induce deep psychological healing. Some studies are showing that psilocybin under controlled conditions can reduce symptoms of depression, PTSD, anxiety and addiction by 50-80%. The FDA has even granted “breakthrough therapy” status to psilocybin – a designation for drugs showing promise in treating serious mental health conditions – so the path to approval may be faster than we thought.
So many are finding the combination of spirituality and psychedelics compelling for emotional healing and experiencing something bigger than themselves. The intensity of these experiences can often lead users to reframe their whole understanding of life and their place in it – and long term psychological benefit and a sense of connection to something bigger than themselves.
4.3 Ceremonial vs Recreational Use
A key distinction here is the difference between recreational and ceremonial use of psychedelics. While mainstream media portrays psychedelics as hippie culture, trance festivals or recreational escape, ceremonial use is different. The difference is in the intention. In ceremonial settings psychedelics are framed within ritual, infused with spiritual significance and consumed with purpose – whether that purpose is healing, transformation or divine connection.
5. Colorado’s Psychedelic Movement: Mycology Meets Wellness
Colorado has been a battleground state for psychedelic decriminalization for several years. In 2019 Denver became the first US city to decriminalize psilocybin and a wave of local and state reforms followed. Now Boulder and other municipalities are considering similar measures putting Colorado at the forefront of the psychedelic movement, including the use of psilocybin mushrooms and other psychedelics.
But why is Colorado such a hotbed for the psychedelic movement? The answer may lie in its well established wellness tourism industry, its progressive values and growing interest in mycology – the branch of biology that studies fungi.
5.1 Mycology in the Broader Wellness Movement
While psilocybin containing mushrooms (“magic mushrooms”) get all the attention in the psychedelic conversation, mycology – the broader science of fungi – plays a crucial role in both the psychedelic and wellness movements. Non-psychedelic medicinal mushrooms like lion’s mane, reishi and chaga are becoming essential tools for health conscious individuals seeking holistic wellness through alternative means. Additionally, dried psilocybin mushrooms are used in settings like a psychedelic church in Colorado Springs, where they are part of communal wellness initiatives aimed at healing and community connection.
Mycology has a two fold impact: First it enhances the health outcomes of those who are exploring different types of mushrooms for anti-inflammatory, cognitive improvement or immune support. Second it provides a natural gateway for those curious about psychedelic effects – creating a broader understanding of fungi’s role in physical and mental well being. The blending of sacred (entheogenic) and non-sacred fungi is deepening our appreciation for fungi in general and showing us how even “ordinary” mushrooms serve a higher purpose in our lives.
5.2 Psychedelics and Medicinal Mycology: Two Sides of the Same Coin?
It’s no surprise that mycology and psychedelics have intersected in unexpected ways. Enthusiasts realize that the intersection of medicinal and psychoactive fungi is a synergy when it comes to mind-body health. Where medicinal mushrooms like lion’s mane or reishi work on physical wellness – improving cognition, memory or immune function – psychedelics often provide the deep psychological or emotional breakthroughs that support mental health.
Working together sacred and non-sacred fungi create a holistic picture of wellness. It’s common for those who are committed to long term wellness practices to work with both psychoactive and medicinal fungi, seeing them as complementary tools for overall health.
6. Mushrooms at the Center of It All: Sacred and Medicinal Fungi
Whether sacred in ritual or mundane in medicine, fungi are becoming one of the most popular and celebrated elements in wellness culture and spiritual practice. The concept of 'pack life' emphasizes community, healing, and connectivity through spirituality and psychedelics, fostering a supportive environment where individuals unite to explore personal and communal growth, particularly through the use of mushrooms for therapeutic purposes.
6.1 Psilocybin Mushrooms: Sacred, Hallucinatory Tools
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for spiritual purposes for thousands of years, dating back to indigenous Mesoamerican societies including the Aztecs and Mazatec. They were referred to as “teonanácatl” meaning “flesh of the gods”. The ritual consumption of psilocybin mushrooms has historically allowed users to experience visions, higher states of consciousness and a sense of oneness with the universe.
Today these psychoactive fungi have potential not just for personal mystical experiences but also for self discovery and emotional healing. When consumed in a sacred ceremony the effects are not limited to visual distortions or euphoria; they can give rise to meaningful insights that resonate in one’s emotional and psychological life long after the experience is over.
6.2 Non-Psychedelic Mushrooms: Adaptogens to Cognitive Enhancers
Not all mushrooms are psychedelic – some are becoming staples of wellness regimens around the world for their medicinal properties. Lion’s mane, turkey tail, reishi and cordyceps are just a few examples of fungi that have entered the public eye for their many evidence based health benefits. These mushrooms are considered adaptogens – a class of natural substances that help the body resist stressors of all kinds, physical, chemical or biological.
For example lion’s mane mushrooms are known to improve cognitive function and memory and reishi mushrooms are known for their immune system boosting properties. This fungal renaissance – and consequently fungal cultivation – reflects humanity’s recognition of fungi as a key part of health and spiritual balance.
7. Mycology and the DIY Mushroom Cultivation Movement
As mycology gains attention for mental and physical wellness more people are heading into the lab (or garden) to grow mushrooms at home. While interest in the medicinal properties of mushroom species grows an equally enthusiastic following of mycology hobbyists are growing fungi for personal use or to learn more about nature’s fungi.
7.1 Mushroom Growing Kits: For Beginners and Experts
For these amateur mycologists mushroom growing kits are a way to get hands on with mycology. Suitable for everyone these kits can introduce medicinal mushrooms into your home environment and give you opportunities for personal health experiments and self cultivation practices.
Grow kits like these focus on non-psychedelic mushrooms like lion’s mane, shiitake or oyster mushrooms and require minimal space or resources. Although psilocybin cultivation is still illegal in most regions the act of cultivating medicinal mushrooms has become a meditative practice – a nature based hobby with real health benefits.
7.2 The Therapeutic Act of Mushroom Cultivation
For many cultivating mushrooms isn’t just about physical wellness – it becomes a form of therapy in itself. The slow, deliberate process of caring for fungi, watching them grow and flourish and then harvesting them can be like personal growth – mushroom cultivation becomes part of your self care routine.
Along with the psychedelic movement this practice has become part of many spiritual rituals with home cultivators reporting that the journey of growing mushrooms increases their own mindfulness, patience and connection to natural cycles.
8. Connecting The Dots: Psychedelic and Non-Psychedelic Mushrooms in Wellness
Sacred and non sacred fungi offer different paths to wellness but in practice they often work together reflecting a broader trend in mind-body healing.
Whether you’re dealing with psychological issues or trying to optimize your physical health mushrooms – psychedelic or not – are part of the growing trend towards holistic solutions that speak to both the mind and body. For example many mycology enthusiasts who grow medicinal mushrooms at home are also interested in psilocybin’s benefits for mental well being.
The convergence of sacred and medicinal fungi is a trend with bigger implications in wellness. Wellness retreat and psychedelic therapy facilitators are using both psychedelic mushrooms and adaptogenic mushrooms along with breathwork, yoga and other integrative therapies – this is a multi faceted and fast moving movement.
9. The Legal Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities for Psychedelic Spaces
While local governments like Denver have taken the first step in decriminalizing psilocybin, full legalization is still a long way off. The gap between state and federal laws gives psychedelic spaces some cautious hope but also some very real legal hurdles.
9.1 Zoning Laws and Federal Hurdles
While the church in Colorado offers sacraments that push the boundaries of traditional religious practices it does so in a legal gray area. Even if the local government supports decriminalization federal law still prohibits the possession, distribution and use of psilocybin so there are real obstacles. Zoning laws too present challenges as communities debate whether these churches fit within their local codes and values.
This legal mess leaves psychedelic churches operating in a kind of limbo – protected by religious freedom arguments in some ways but also at risk of being shut down by state or federal authorities.
9.2 Constitutional Options
The sacramental use of psychedelics raises constitutional questions particularly around the First Amendment’s protection of religious freedom. At the heart of this is the question of whether individuals and religious groups have the right to consume psychedelics as part of their spiritual practices. While some religious protections like those given to Native American tribes for the use of peyote have set a precedent for psychedelic sacraments more legal advocacy will be needed to get protections for broader psychedelic use.
Whether through local laws or federal court cases the future of psychedelic spaces is tied to the evolving understanding of constitutional freedoms.
10. Colorado’s Psychedelic Revolution: A New Era for Wellness, Mycology and Spiritual Healing
With the launch of Colorado’s new psychedelic church it’s clear the cultural landscape around psychedelics is changing fast. While this particular church may be new it’s part of a broader, bigger movement happening not just in progressive urban areas but also in rural, conservative communities.
The Colorado psychedelic revolution shows an increasing acceptance of alternative healing modalities whether those modalities are mystical, psychological or physiological in focus. No longer limited to fringe groups mycology, psychedelic practices and medicinal fungi are being adopted by many communities as powerful tools for wellness, guided by the three universal truths.
11. The Way Forward for Psychedelics, Mycology and Holistic Health
While the future of legal psychedelic spaces is unclear the grassroots movement, wellness community and psychedelic churches are already creating a cultural earthquake.
It’s clear that whether through legal reform, more research or spiritual retreat centers psychedelics are being integrated into daily life. Mycology – both sacred and secular – may be the foundation of future wellness practices, healing tools and spiritual development programs.
The next step will be advocacy: pushing for more clarity and fairness in psilocybin decriminalization, more education on DIY mushroom cultivation and ecosystems where natural wellness and spiritual growth can coexist.
Summary
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Psychedelic Churches: A psychedelic church in a conservative part of Colorado is a sign of increasing acceptance of alternative spirituality and healing.
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Historical Context: Psychedelics – especially mushrooms – have been used for spiritual purposes for thousands of years and we’re seeing a modern religious revival of ancient practices.
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Decriminalization Movement: Colorado is a leader in progressive thinking around psychedelics and has made big strides in decriminalization which is why sacred and medicinal fungi are popping up in wellness spaces.
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Therapeutic Benefits: Scientific research is showing psilocybin is effective for mental health treatment – anxiety, PTSD, depression.
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Mycology and Wellness: Non-psychedelic medicinal mushrooms are part of holistic health practices and offer benefits from cognitive enhancement to immune system support.
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DIY Mushroom Cultivation: Growing mushrooms – medicinal and otherwise – is becoming a hobby with more and more accessibility through grow kits that allow personal engagement with mycology.
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Legal Issues: While local decriminalization is happening the psychedelic churches and spaces face big legal challenges particularly under federal controlled substances laws.
