This Speed Dating Event Has Singles Microdosing Psilocybin Before Meeting

Dating can be awkward, nerve-wracking, and sometimes a little too surface-level to make a real connection. But what if you could ease into it — literally — with a tiny dose of something to open your heart and calm your nerves?

Enter Mushroom Matchup, a unique event hosted every other month by Plant Magic Cafe in Denver, Colorado. It’s a blend of speed dating and psychedelic microdosing, designed to help singles connect in a deeper, more relaxed way. 

Removing Preconceived Notions About Dating

“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.”

So how do these events shake out a Plant Magic’s cozy spot on East 17th Avenue?

Well, the evening kicks off with a 45-minute mixer, followed by 40 minutes of speed dating, where participants rotate every two minutes. Things wrap up with a lighthearted rock-paper-scissors tournament, where the final eight compete for a prize basket stocked with goodies — including a plant medicine chocolate bar and gift cards to Plant Magic, a local spa, and a vegan eatery.

Psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms and truffles) is legal to consume, possess, and share in Colorado, though selling it is still prohibited. Microdoses aren’t included in the ticket price, but if you’re a member of Plant Magic’s private ministerial group, the Entheosacrament Association, you can access the fungi. Membership is free for anyone 21 and up and can be arranged before the event.

What’s A Microdose? (A Little Refresher)

So, what exactly is a microdose? Think of it as just a whisper of a trip. Attendees take a fraction of a normal psychedelic dose — not enough to hallucinate, but just enough to feel more grounded and emotionally open. If you’ve dabbled in microdosing before, you’ll know the drill! Plant Magic’s signature capsules include 125mg of Hillbilly Pumpkin psilocybin, plus 250mg each of Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps mushrooms. Premium members can opt for mushroom-infused chocolate bars.

“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.”

Dreaming of Psychedelic Romance

Mushroom Matchup is part of the Dose Denver campaign, a series of microdosing-themed gatherings organized by the Entheosacrament Association. Events range from morning mimosa fundraisers to community sharing circles — but the dating event has been a dream project from the start.

“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.”

The Event Encourages Connection of All Kinds

While romantic matches are definitely encouraged, the heart of the event is connection — whether that turns into a date, a friendship, or just a good conversation.

The first Mushroom Matchup, held in February, sold out with forty attendees. According to Jay, it sparked a few love stories and several budding friendships.

“Second dates, third dates are happening,” she says.

“I was grinning ear to ear the whole time it was happening,” adds Len. “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 April edition is geared toward male-female pairings, but Plant Magic is teaming up with Pitch-a-Friend to organize an LGBTQ+ version soon. Half of the forty available slots have already been claimed, and the team is considering adding a second session to meet demand.

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

Psssst! If this sounds familiar to the eagle-eyed among you, it might be because in 2022 we published an April Fool’s day article proclaiming “Dating Show Where Contestants Are On Shrooms To Launch This Summer”. While it was tongue-in-cheek at the time, the fact that life has begun to imitate art truly shows how far we’ve come in terms of psychedelic acceptance, with organisations like Plant Magic leading the charge.

(It’s also pretty funny!) ????