There are theories that the internet is dividing people, making them lonelier than ever while seemingly more connected. This is supported by polls showing that collective loneliness is growing. It only makes sense with stats like this that people are seeking connection in new, unprecedented ways. One has turned to plant medicine– microdosed magic mushrooms, to be specific.
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Plant Magic Collective, a Denver, Colo. plant medicine center, hosts a magic mushroom speed dating meetup every other month. This joins a handful of plant medicine parties and gatherings offered at the space. The speed dating events kick off after everyone has taken a small amount of psilocybin.
Director of marketing and event programming Kryss Dutt believes the shroom inclusion can deepen connections at that first meeting.
“There can be so many jitters with meeting someone new, and you’re kind of in your head,” Dutt told Westword. “This allows them to let go of their preconceived notions about themselves and what dating can look like, and be in their body a little bit more.”
Magic mushroom speed dating
The festivities start with a 45-minute mixer where guests can get comfortable and lift off. This is followed by 40 minutes of speed dating before closing with a rock-paper-scissors tournament. Tournament winners will receive a gift basket with plant medicine chocolate and a gift card to the associated Plant Magic vegan cafe.
Mushrooms are not included in the event ticket price, but are considered a private ministerial service of Plant Magic Collective. Gifting, cultivating, and possessing psilocybin is legal in Colorado. Selling magic mushrooms, however, remains a felony there.
Event coordinators provide prompts and questions during the dating portion so that guests can stay focused on the task at hand: getting to know each other. The goal is to go deeper than the surface-level conversations that can plague many first dates.
The shroom dating event is a part of the Dose Denver campaign, an initiative to spread plant medicine throughout the Mile High City. This effort is coupled with the impending regulated psilocybin space in the state. Those who missed the April speed dating event can catch the next one in the summer months.
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Psilocybin has many uses
This experience marks a new age in psilocybin freedom, expanding out of the direct therapy model to unlock the shroom magic. Both are valid, but one remains far less explored in a public context. As cities, states, and countries legalize or widen access to psilocybin, these creative applications are bound to expand along with people’s minds.
