How To Celebrate World Psychedelics Day 2023

A revolution of this stature should have the proper acknowledgement; so in 2021 it was decided that the 20th of June each year would be World Psychedelics Day (WPD 6-20). In 2021, this date fell exactly 50 years after President Nixon declared the ‘War on Drugs’, an observance simultaneously tongue-in-cheek but pertinent of this ‘war’ that would go on to decimate communities, and demonize substances such as psychedelics, who’s promising study was in its infancy. 

Additionally, the date’s abbreviation 6/20 falls in step with cannabis’ 4/20, and magic mushroom’s 9/20. Neat, huh?

The Psychedelic Community is Growing

Although a relatively new date, the celebrations have gathered steam — the growing psychedelic community were clearly keen for an excuse to build networks, and to say openly that psychedelics are good. Great, even. This year, for 2023, the celebrations are getting bigger and bigger. In this article we will lay out all of the events happening to observe World Psychedelics Day, as well as how you can get in on the act too. 

What is the Ethos of World Psychedelics Day?

Well, first things first you probably want to know the raison d’etre of World Psychedelics Day, straight from the horse’s mouth.

So, according to the World Psychedelics Day official website the ethos and aim of the day is;

‘… a global day of discussion and celebration dedicated to building awareness of, and respect for, the therapeutic and life-enhancing potential of synthetic psychedelics and traditional psychoactive plant medicines.”

They cite sustainability, inclusivity and diversity amongst their core values. They also center Indigenous wisdom, while using the modern tools of social media, vloggers, and influencers to spread their message. 

What Events are Happening for World Psychedelics Day 2023?

This year for World Psychedelics Day there are a range of events happening. Though most of them are taking place in the U.S, many of the events, such as lectures, can be accessed online. 

Drugs Over Dinner

A new World Psychedelics Day initiative happening this year for 2023, is Drugs Over Dinner. WPD 620, the Ethical Psychedelic International Community (EPIC), the Psychedelic Association of Canada (PAC), and Drugs Over Dinner (DOD) are inviting people around the world to attend or host ‘psychedelic discussion dinners’ on the 20th June, or another date leading up to it.

Drugs Over Dinner, the non-profit at the center of the initiative, expects hundreds of psychedelic dinner parties to be held during the period. DOD focuses “on inspiring compassionate conversations about psychedelics” through organizing dinners, lunches, or virtual gatherings to share experiences, questions, thoughts, and musings on psychedelics. This approach is exciting, placing psychedelics squarely in the daily dialogues of friends and families. Old fashioned rules about ‘traditional dinner table’ topics of conversation, be gone!

On the DOD website, you can sign up for all the prompts, guidelines, and ideas on how to organize one of these discussional dinners. They supply a selection of prompts and questions, to get the conversation flowing. These include;

If you have experienced psychedelics, either in a clinical or non-clinical setting, share what if any healing benefit you have received from the medicine or experience.

How connected do you feel to yourself? Do you feel a psychedelic experience would, or has made you feel more connected to your authentic self?

What is the difference for you between using psychedelics recreationally and clinically?

The great thing about his initiative is that it is not constrained by geography. In fact, it brings conversations about psychedelics to your, or a friends, very own home. It can be as fun and casual, or structured and thoughtful as you like. Perhaps you can even take a microdose to heighten the experience!

Psychedelic Science 2023

This year the Psychedelic Science Conference will be held in Denver, Colorado. Organized by MAPS, the event spans from the 19th-23rd of June, and will be the largest psychedelic conference ever held (at least thus far!)

The program is chock-a-block full of inspirational speakers including Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, Rick Doblin, Amanda Feilding, James Fadiman, Dr. Rowland Griffiths, Dr. Stanislav Grof, and Michael Pollan, among many others. Basically, it’s a who’s who of psychedelic legends. 

As well as the glut of illustrious speakers, there will be workshops and classes for attendees to take part in. The workshop topics range from Process of Change – Before and After Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, to What is Psychedelic Judaism? A Jewish Psychedelic Summit Workshop. There will also be an ‘Exhibition’ of over 200 vendors ‘spanning the entire psychedelic ecosystem’. Vendors will be selling everything from funky t-shirts to arts and craft products. 

Additionally, there are a host of mixer and social events planned, that we feel pretty gutted to miss out on! These include The Official Colorado Welcome Party, Mindful Movements: Get Up & Get Energized! and A Loving Roast of the Psychedelic Community. Check out the list for inspiration for your own psychedelic events! You can certainly move mindfully in the comfort of your own home. 

How You Can Celebrate World Psychedelics Day

Here are some ideas on how you can celebrate World Psychedelics Day 2023!

Discuss Drugs at the Dinner Table

Host, or attend, a Drugs Over Dinner event. As we explored above, hosting a dinner, or lunch, (or picnic if the weather is good) and discussing psychedelics with friends, family, or acquaintances, is a great way to normalize psychedelics. Maybe you don’t know much and want to learn more, from people you trust, all while sipping a glass of wine? Maybe you want to share your experience and knowledge, while tucking in to some tacos (the menu is up to you!) DOD encourages you to share images or reels of your event via #WPD620 #psychedelics #psychedelicethics #mentalhealth, #microdose, #ketaminetherapy or  #psychedelictherapy. However, you can also keep it totally private! As long as the conversation is flowing — and the appetizers too! 

Throw a Psychedelic Summer of Love Party

Throw a Summer of Love themed party. Deck yourselves out in flowery, flowy clothes. Spin some classic psychedelic tunes — think Jefferson Airplane, the Jimi Hendrix Experience or Pink Floyd. You could serve iced shroom tea (check out our recipe here) as well as delicious magic truffle chocolates. It’s sure to become a yearly tradition!

Share the Wealth

Donate to a psychedelic research organization (but only if you can afford it!). There are many to choose from, such as MAPS or the Beckley Foundation. This way you are directly helping to advance the psychedelic cause.  

Grow Your Own Entheogens

Order a magic mushroom grow kit. Much of World Psychedelic Day and the events surrounding it center natural psychedelics, or entheogens. What better time to take the plunge and become a shroom gardener yourself? There is nothing more satisfying that growing, harvesting and tripping on your own crop! Growing your own mushrooms is a way to feel extra close and connected to the psychedelic itself —  ideal for World Psychedelics Day. 

Take the Most Magical of Trips

Take a psychedelic trip! Sure, it’s an obvious one, but if it ain’t broke as they say… Check out our guide on how to make your first, or fiftieth, magic mushroom trip as awesome as it can possibly be!

Happy World Psychedelics Day!