The Church of Gaia in Spokane, Washington, is at the forefront of a unique intersection between spirituality and psychedelics. This religious organization holds regular gatherings where members participate in ceremonies involving ayahuasca, a psychedelic substance known for inducing profound spiritual experiences, albeit sometimes accompanied by physical discomfort. “This is a purely spiritual practice,” stated Connor Mize, the church’s ceremonial leader. “It’s not a thing you do just for fun.”
Psychedelics are classified as schedule 1 substances in the United States, making their use illegal in most contexts. However, a handful of religious organizations have successfully navigated the legal landscape, securing exemptions to use these substances as sacraments. The Church of Gaia made history earlier this year by becoming the first psychedelic church to gain such an exemption through a petition to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), rather than through litigation, which has been the norm for others.
Legal Milestones and Emerging Trends
Since the early 2000s, only four organizations have received legal protections for psychedelic use after extensive legal battles with the DEA. The Church of Gaia’s exemption represents a significant breakthrough, as noted by Sean McAllister, an attorney specializing in psychedelic law. He remarked, “Three new psychedelic practices have been recognized in the last year, which is more than half of all the ones ever recognized.”
The legal history of psychedelic churches dates back to the early 2000s when authorities seized 30 gallons of ayahuasca tea from a New Mexico-based religious group. A landmark case in 2006 saw this church successfully sue the DEA under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), setting a precedent for the use of psychedelics in religious contexts. Following that, a similar victory in Oregon in 2009 further solidified this emerging legal framework.
Recent settlements in 2024 and 2025 have seen churches in Arizona and California also gain legal protections for their use of psychedelics. This trend coincides with a growing societal acceptance of alternative spiritual practices, as more Americans are exploring paths outside traditional religions. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, four in ten US adults reported becoming more spiritual over their lifetimes, while only 24% indicated an increase in religious affiliation.
The Risks and Future of Psychedelic Churches
Despite the growing acceptance, operating a psychedelic church carries inherent risks. Many organizations still function underground, facing significant logistical challenges, including securing insurance and property, while also being wary of law enforcement crackdowns. For instance, Bridger Jensen, founder of the religious group Singularism in Provo, Utah, experienced a police raid last November when officers posing as prospective members infiltrated the church. The raid resulted in the confiscation of psilocybin mushrooms used in their ceremonies.
Jensen’s case exemplifies the ongoing legal struggles faced by these churches. After the raid, Singularism sued, leveraging Utah’s state-level RFRA to halt criminal proceedings against Jensen and recover the seized substances. Should they succeed, Singularism would become the first mushroom church recognized in the US, potentially paving the way for broader acceptance of various psychedelic practices.
While the Church of Gaia focuses on ayahuasca, underground churches experiment with a variety of substances, raising questions about the future legality of multi-sacrament groups. Jeffrey Breau, who leads a psychedelics and spirituality program at Harvard’s Center for the Study of World Religions, highlighted the diversity in practice. “As far as I’m concerned, we would not ask the Catholic Church to choose between the bread and the wine,” he noted.
With the Church of Gaia’s legal status now secured, plans are underway to expand its operations. Mize aims to obtain visas for Peruvian teachers and construct a circular, mat-filled building to host ceremonies for its nearly 70 members. These gatherings will involve hours-long rituals where participants consume ayahuasca, engage with traditional Amazonian songs, and deepen their spiritual practices.
As legal experts observe a shifting attitude within the federal government towards psychedelics, there may be increased opportunities for similar organizations. Some analysts speculate that the administration under Donald Trump may exhibit a more lenient approach toward religious freedoms, particularly concerning plant medicine. McAllister noted, “There is probably in this administration some desire to be a little looser on religious freedom for plant medicine.”
While the number of psychedelic churches in the US is estimated to exceed 500, Jensen cautions that the journey toward broader recognition is fraught with challenges. He expressed concern that other groups might attempt to replicate Singularism’s legal strategy without adequate safeguards, potentially leading to legal repercussions. “Will there be more practices getting recognition after this? Absolutely, but it won’t be without tremendous casualties as well,” he stated.
As the landscape of spiritual practice continues to evolve, the rise of psychedelic churches reflects a broader cultural shift. These organizations are not only redefining the boundaries of religious expression but also challenging existing laws, paving the way for future discussions about the intersection of spirituality and psychedelics in modern society.