Colorado’s First Psychedelic Church Opens in Colorado Springs
In the heart of Colorado Springs, a groundbreaking initiative is taking shape. Benji “Dez” Dezaval, known as Teopixqui Dez, has founded a psychedelic church that challenges conventional perceptions of spirituality and healing.
The Legalities of The First Psychedelic Church in Colorado
This church, nestled in a dimly lit basement, offers more than just spiritual guidance. It provides attendees with options like dried psilocybin mushrooms and DMT, all under the legal framework of Colorado’s Proposition 122. Passed in 2022, this law decriminalized psilocybin use for adults over 21, allowing for its communal and spiritual use. But what does this mean for the community?
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Dezaval’s church serves as a sanctuary for those seeking both connection and healing. He emphasizes that everything offered is free, describing it as an “act of wellness.” This approach ensures that experiences are accessible and respectful. Attendees are carefully screened to ensure they meet legal age requirements and are provided with dosing guides and warnings about potential interactions with medications. How does this careful approach impact the perception of psychedelics?
Read more at the Colorado Sun.
For many, the church is more than a place to access psychedelics
It is a community hub, a “third space” where people can gather outside of work or home. This inclusive environment attracts a diverse group, including veterans like Reyes Saucedo, who credits psychedelics with helping him overcome suicidal thoughts. Inspired by his experiences, Saucedo plans to start a nonprofit for veterans. How might this shift in perception influence broader societal views on psychedelics?
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As Colorado’s psilocybin industry evolves, the state is implementing regulations to ensure safety in psychedelic-assisted therapies. These rules, covering everything from waste disposal to product labeling, are part of a broader effort to make these therapies widely available by 2025. In Colorado Springs, where recreational marijuana sales are still prohibited, city leaders are cautiously observing initiatives like Dezaval’s church. What does this cautious approach mean for the future of psychedelic use in the state?
The church also aims to erase the stigma surrounding psychedelics. Attendees like Livia Demopoulous and Tori Honour, who use psilocybin to manage depression and ADHD, see the church as a place that fosters understanding and education. How does this focus on education contribute to the church’s mission?
Dezaval’s initiative marks a significant shift in how psychedelics are perceived and utilized in Colorado. While the journey is just beginning, the church’s emphasis on community, education, and safe practice could pave the way for new models of healing and spiritual exploration. What does the future hold for this pioneering church and its community?
