Denver Speed Dating Event Has Singles Microdose Magic Mushrooms First

A new Denver event wants to take the stress and anxiety out of first dates, one microdose at a time.

Plant Magic Cafe hosts a Mushroom Matchup every other month, where dozens of singles participate in a mixer and speed dating session after taking small doses of psychedelic mushrooms.

"The plant medicine component allows folks to experience connection on a different level," says Kryss Dutt, director of marketing and programming at Plant Magic. "There can be so many jitters with meeting someone new, and you're kind of in your head. ...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."

The next Mushroom Matchup dating event is on Friday, April 18, at the cafe located at 925 East 17th Avenue.

It is legal to consume, possess and share psilocybin mushrooms in Colorado, but not to sell them. Microdoses are not included in the cost of admission for the event, though they can be provided to those who carry a free membership to Plant Magic's private ministerial association. (Anyone over age 21 can sign up as a member ahead of the event.)

The festivities begin with a 45-minute mixer, followed by forty minutes of speed dating, rotating the couples every two minutes. Afterward, a rock-paper-scissors tournament serves as the closing ceremony, as eight contestants compete for a gift basket including a plant medicine chocolate bar and gift cards to Plant Magic, a vegan restaurant and a spa.

"There are questions and prompts to get to know people more deeply more quickly, rather than the surface-level stuff that tends to happen with coffee shop dates," says Nicci Jay, vice president of strategy and programming director at Plant Magic. "We're really looking for people to dive in and get to know each other in a space where your heart is open and you're available for deeper connection and conversation."

Mushroom Matchup is part of the Dose Denver campaign led by Plant Magic's private ministerial association, the Entheosacrament Association. The campaign includes several events themed around microdosing, such as sharing circles and morning mimosa fundraisers, but the dating event has been a long-term goal for the group.
"This is something I've been wanting to do since we opened the doors," says Meaghan Len, executive director of Plant Magic. "The larger vision of Plant Magic is to create awareness around plant medicines and community and how both of them work together for integration of the ceremonial experience. The core is community."

Fostering community is a core intention of the speed dating event, as well. While organizers hope participants will find romantic connections, they say the project is really about gathering like-minded people to connect as friends and neighbors over their shared affinity for psychedelics.

Microdosing entails taking a small fraction of a typical dose of psilocybin. So the participants aren't intended to become intoxicated or hallucinate as they might on a full dose; rather, the goal is for them to "drop into the moment" and be more open emotionally, Dutt says. Plant Magic members can partake in their house blend microdose capsules (a mushroom medley of 125 milligrams of Hillbilly Pumpkin psilocybin, 250 milligrams of Lion's Mane and 250 milligrams of Cordyceps). Chocolate bars are available for premium members.

The April 18 event will be Plant Magic's second speed dating endeavor. The first one in February sold out, with forty people purchasing tickets. It resulted in "some love stories created and a couple of platonic friendships," Jay says. "Second dates, third dates are happening."

"I was grinning ear to ear the whole time it was happening," Len adds. "From my own experience, I enjoyed multiple conversations that really helped me see the love that's in our community and how excited people are to meet each other. It gave me a lot of joy in figuring out a way to bring an event to a space that cultivates deeper connections. Something beyond happy hour."

The inaugural Mushroom Matchup was for participants of all sexualities, while the upcoming event is limited to male-female pairings. Plant Magic is partnering with Pitch-a-Friend to host an LGBTQ+ dating event in the near future, Dutt says.

Around half of the forty slots are already full, though they are considering expanding into two sessions depending on demand.

"We're telling folks to show up as their authentic selves," Dutt says. "Experience dating on a new level."

Mushroom Matchup is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 18, at the Plant Magic Cafe located at 925 East 17th Avenue in Denver. Tickets are $28.52 and available at eventbrite.com.