Live from Psychedelic Science 2025: My 50-year journey through prohibition

Reporting live from the world's largest psychedelic gathering in Denver, where I'm taking the stage tomorrow (Thursday)

Dear friends,

As I write this from the Denver Convention Center, I'm surrounded by nearly 10,000 people from around the world—all here at Psychedelic Science 2025 for what can only be described as a tribal gathering dedicated to advancing psychedelic medicine. Tomorrow (Thursday) at 12 noon Mountain Time, I'll be speaking on the Doblin Stage alongside my heroine, Dr. Mariavittoria Mangini, presenting "The Legacy of the Psychedelic Elders."

This Renaissance, as I call it, represents something entirely new. The intense government crackdowns of the 1970s drove psychedelic research underground for decades. Now, with government-sanctioned research resuming, we're witnessing a convergence of science, medicine, and ancient wisdom. But beneath the excitement at this conference, critical questions emerge that demand our attention.

The Underground Reality

Here's the stark truth being discussed in conference hallways but not always on main stages: despite all this scientific progress, 98% of psychedelic-assisted therapy happening in America is still underground.

With only Oregon and Colorado offering legal access, the vast majority of people seeking this medicine must navigate unregulated territory. As I've been warning in my recent programs, this creates a dangerous "caveat emptor" situation—buyer beware. The overcharging is real. The risk of encountering unqualified guides is significant. The legal jeopardy remains serious in 48 states.

Yet people continue seeking these experiences because the potential benefits can be profound. My own life has been positively impacted by psychedelic medicines, though I want to be clear—I don't promote anything other than clean food and vegetables that come out of the ground. What I advocate for is rigorous science, more research, and complete transparency so the public can understand which substances work for what conditions, whether they're safe, and what the real side effects are.

Walking through the convention center, you can feel the tension between two camps: those who want to sell psychedelics as standalone pharmaceuticals, and those who insist these substances must be paired with professional psychotherapy. This will determine how millions of people access these treatments in the coming years. From my decades of experience, I believe we need both approaches, carefully matched to individual needs and circumstances.

Dr. Mariavittoria Mangini and I represent a generation of elders who risked careers, livelihoods, and freedom to learn about these substances during what I call the Dark Age. Mariavittoria has been a Family Nurse Midwife for 35 years and worked for 24 years with Dr. Frank Lucido, one of the pioneers of the medical cannabis movement. Their practice was among the first to implement California's Compassionate Use Act of 1996. She's also a founder of the Women's Visionary Council and has written extensively on how psychedelic experiences shaped the lives of our generation.

During the government's War on Drugs—which we now know was designed to disrupt certain communities rather than protect public health—a small contingent of intrepid researchers undertook to heal and transform themselves through illegal psychedelics while working behind the scenes to change their legal status. People like Rick Doblin, founder of MAPS, led this underground resistance that has brought us to today's Renaissance.

Having written four books on psychedelic medicine, including Psychedelic Wisdom and Psychedelic Medicine at the End of Life, I've documented both the remarkable healing potential and the real risks of these substances. The most important lesson from those underground years?

Respect the power of these substances.

They're not party drugs. They're not magic bullets. They're powerful tools that can heal or harm, depending on how they're approached.

We need more research. We need better data. We need to understand which substances work best for which conditions, what the real side effects are, and how to optimize safety protocols. The public deserves complete transparency—something the pharmaceutical industry has consistently failed to provide.

If you're drawn to explore psychedelic medicine, remember that location matters. Legal access exists in Oregon and Colorado, but comes with significant costs. In underground settings, guide selection is critical—research credentials thoroughly. Most importantly, approach these substances with the respect they deserve.

Our talk tomorrow represents a passing of wisdom from those who walked this path when it was truly dangerous to do so. In the 1960s and 70s, we were pioneers operating without institutional support, often risking our careers and freedom. Today's researchers and practitioners benefit from our trials and errors, our discoveries and our warnings.

The real work lies in the careful, methodical process of integration into mainstream medicine. It's in training qualified practitioners and developing safety protocols that protect vulnerable individuals. Most importantly, it's in maintaining the scientific rigor and ethical standards that will ensure this Renaissance doesn't collapse under the weight of hype, commercialization, or regulatory backlash.

This conference buzzes with optimism, and rightfully so. We're witnessing the emergence of new treatment modalities that could help millions suffering from depression, PTSD, addiction, and existential distress. But as someone who's seen multiple waves of enthusiasm and backlash in this field, I urge caution alongside celebration.

If you're attending the conference, find us tomorrow (Thursday, June 19th) at 12 noon Mountain Time on the Doblin Stage. Together, we'll explore how the wisdom of elders can guide this movement toward its full healing potential while avoiding the pitfalls that have plagued other medical revolutions.

From the Denver Convention Center, surrounded by fellow travelers on this remarkable journey, I'm reminded that good health is indeed worth fighting for.

Golden light,

Dr. Richard Louis Miller

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Work with Me

After six decades as a practicing psychotherapist, I'm offering limited opportunities to work directly with me. I bring extensive experience addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, addiction, and psychedelic integration.

1. One-to-one sessions - Individual therapy tailored to your specific needs and goals. To request an appointment, email DrRichardLMiller@gmail.com with subject line "Contact Request." Include what you hope to accomplish and your phone number.

2. Group Therapy (waitlist) - Join a small, curated group dedicated to personal growth. You’ll tap into community support, learn from others’ experiences, and develop practical tools for lasting transformation. Reserve your spot.

3. Mind Body Health Seminars (waitlist) - A comprehensive 10-week program blending experiential practice with foundational teachings on mind-control techniques. You’ll build a complete toolkit for mastering your internal experience. Reserve your spot.

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Now Available: Psychedelic Medicine at the End of Life

You can now order my latest book, Psychedelic Medicine at the End of Life: Dying Without Fear. This work represents a culmination of my decades-long journey as a clinical psychologist, exploring how psychedelics can transform our approach to death and dying.

The book examines how substances like LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin can be powerful tools in confronting our fears of mortality, ultimately leading to richer, more fulfilling lives. I'm honored to include insights from renowned experts in the field, as well as my own experiences.

Here's what some esteemed colleagues are saying:

James Fadiman, Ph.D., calls it "a deeply uplifting, clear, and compassionate guide to dying and how psychedelics, used correctly, diminish our fears about approaching the door that opens at the end of our life."

Charles S. Grob, M.D., describes it as "a masterful overview of an area of vital importance to our modern world... a valuable resource and contribution to the growing field of psychedelic medicine."

Julie Holland, M.D., notes that "Psychedelics may offer a mini-death rehearsal, offering a glimpse of spiritual oneness, enabling us to be less afraid at the end of our lives."

I hope this book will inspire meaningful conversations and new perspectives on how we approach the end of life.

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My Books:

• Psychedelic Medicine at the End of Life: Dying Without Fear (release date: November 5)

• Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out

• Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances

• Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca

• Integral Psychedelic Therapy (co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)