Psychedelics have definitively entered mainstream global society in an unprecedented way. The era of Western societies associating LSD use with long-haired, anti-establishment hippies and magic mushrooms with unacculturated Indigenous tribes while persecuting both has been superseded by positive topline data coming out of clinical trials conducted by the world’s leading academic institutions, a wave of ‘psychedelic tourism’ to places like Jamaica and Peru, and major celebrity endorsements of ‘psychedelic science.’
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Beyond regular primetime news coverage and billion-dollar company valuations, a psychedelic industry conference circuit has emerged in the Global North. From events hosted at the prestigious New York Academy of Medicine to the 12,000-person Psychedelic Science conference in Denver last year, a revolving door of resident psychedelic industry experts regularly take to the stage and showcase the latest in clinical research, development, and investment opportunities.
These conferences have played an invaluable part in helping advance the normalization of psychedelic medicine and science in global mainstream culture; luminaries like Andrew Huberman and Jaden Smith, politicians like Rick Perry and Jared Polis, and major funders like billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen and Blake Mycoskie of Toms Shoes have publicly invested their star power, bipartisan political acumen, and philanthropic dollars into the psychedelic space.
But as the power players on the international stage finally begin to socially accept and value non-ordinary states of consciousness that have traditionally been the purview of Indigenous peoples and marginalized cultural demographics, an opportunity exists to build a bridge between the many and varied stakeholders around the globe who all deserve their perspectives accounted for in the process of psychedelic mainstreaming. Even the label ‘psychedelic’ itself has been called into question by Indigenous activists and aging psychonauts alike; I have heard numerous activists and stakeholders take issue with the catch-all signifier that is currently stretched to its limitations to respectively describe ancient indigenous entheogenic medicine, 21st Century lab derived chemicals, and prescription pharmaceuticals alike.
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The requirements of traveling internationally and budgeting thousands of dollars between airfare, accommodation, and conference admission critically limits who can have a seat at the table in the psychedelic conference circuit, and the result is that we often find the same well-capitalized companies and perspectives represented at these types of events. One of the fundamental aims of this conference is to platform unsung activists, researchers, and cultural figures from countries and territories outside of the Global North alongside a consortium of established industry stakeholders and ‘big names’ in the psychedelic field.
Global Psychedelic Week is an online conference launching in November of 2025 to fill the gap in communication and diplomacy among the global psychedelic community. This online conference is focused on curating truly international and cutting-edge programming and globalizing the psychedelic conversation in real-time. The following is a breakdown of the core constituents of the week’s programming:
Online events
A seven-day virtual gathering showcasing expert speakers, facilitating interactive discussions, and providing insights into global psychedelics.
In-person events
Locally organized events worldwide, conducted in collaboration with our local partners, uniting communities to celebrate and explore psychedelics.
Advisory program
Dedicated support from industry experts to empower underdeveloped psychedelic communities globally and drive meaningful progress.
Global platform
A global platform for the psychedelic community to communicate daily, exchange ideas, share knowledge, and foster innovation.
Our vision for Global Psychedelic Week 2025 is to create a world where the benefits of psychedelics are widely understood, accepted, and integrated into mainstream society. We envision a global network where individuals and organizations collaborate seamlessly, leading to breakthroughs in mental health treatment, scientific research, and personal development.
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In the two weeks since Global Psychedelic Week publicized a call for speakers, 92 applicants from 18 countries have thrown their hat in the ring. Applicants from The Netherlands, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Argentina, Ecuador, Spain, Italy, and Peru have all registered their interest in participating in the programming.
The call is open until January 31st, and Global Psychedelic Week anticipates further interest in the coming weeks. We welcome you to apply here.
Global Psychedelic Week is also interested in partnering with sponsors who want to reach a truly global audience in what is shaping up to be the most prolific and international online psychedelic conference in the world. The conference anticipates over 2000 attendees and has existing partnerships with top-tier organizations and public figures within the growing psychedelic industry; custom sponsorship packages are available, and interested parties can contact the organizers here.
Global Psychedelic Week is all about global connection, learning, and growth. We’re creating an inclusive, dynamic space where passionate individuals from all corners of the psychedelic realm can come together, share their knowledge, and inspire each other. Expect engaging discussions, insightful presentations, and opportunities to forge meaningful connections. Whether you’re an expert or just curious, join us in celebrating and advancing the psychedelic movement with a spirit of openness, curiosity, and collaboration. Together, we can build a vibrant, interconnected global community that champions the safe, ethical, and informed use of psychedelics, ultimately contributing to a healthier, more enlightened world.
*This article was submitted by a guest contributor. The author is solely responsible for the content.
