diff --git a/src/api/client_server/keys.rs b/src/api/client_server/keys.rs
index 9fd00897..4af8890d 100644
--- a/src/api/client_server/keys.rs
+++ b/src/api/client_server/keys.rs
@@ -339,17 +339,19 @@ pub(crate) async fn get_keys_helper<F: Fn(&UserId) -> bool>(
 
     let mut failures = BTreeMap::new();
 
-    let back_off = |id| match services()
-        .globals
-        .bad_query_ratelimiter
-        .write()
-        .unwrap()
-        .entry(id)
-    {
-        hash_map::Entry::Vacant(e) => {
-            e.insert((Instant::now(), 1));
+    let back_off = |id| async {
+        match services()
+            .globals
+            .bad_query_ratelimiter
+            .write()
+            .await
+            .entry(id)
+        {
+            hash_map::Entry::Vacant(e) => {
+                e.insert((Instant::now(), 1));
+            }
+            hash_map::Entry::Occupied(mut e) => *e.get_mut() = (Instant::now(), e.get().1 + 1),
         }
-        hash_map::Entry::Occupied(mut e) => *e.get_mut() = (Instant::now(), e.get().1 + 1),
     };
 
     let mut futures: FuturesUnordered<_> = get_over_federation
@@ -359,7 +361,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn get_keys_helper<F: Fn(&UserId) -> bool>(
                 .globals
                 .bad_query_ratelimiter
                 .read()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .get(server)
             {
                 // Exponential backoff
@@ -428,7 +430,8 @@ pub(crate) async fn get_keys_helper<F: Fn(&UserId) -> bool>(
                 device_keys.extend(response.device_keys);
             }
             _ => {
-                back_off(server.to_owned());
+                back_off(server.to_owned()).await;
+
                 failures.insert(server.to_string(), json!({}));
             }
         }
diff --git a/src/api/client_server/membership.rs b/src/api/client_server/membership.rs
index 5c78a1c2..bc84b262 100644
--- a/src/api/client_server/membership.rs
+++ b/src/api/client_server/membership.rs
@@ -26,9 +26,10 @@ use ruma::{
 use serde_json::value::{to_raw_value, RawValue as RawJsonValue};
 use std::{
     collections::{hash_map::Entry, BTreeMap, HashMap, HashSet},
-    sync::{Arc, RwLock},
+    sync::Arc,
     time::{Duration, Instant},
 };
+use tokio::sync::RwLock;
 use tracing::{debug, error, info, warn};
 
 use crate::{
@@ -212,24 +213,28 @@ pub async fn kick_user_route(
             .globals
             .roomid_mutex_state
             .write()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .entry(body.room_id.clone())
             .or_default(),
     );
     let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-            content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some(body.user_id.to_string()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &body.room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some(body.user_id.to_string()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &body.room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     drop(state_lock);
 
@@ -276,24 +281,28 @@ pub async fn ban_user_route(body: Ruma<ban_user::v3::Request>) -> Result<ban_use
             .globals
             .roomid_mutex_state
             .write()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .entry(body.room_id.clone())
             .or_default(),
     );
     let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-            content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some(body.user_id.to_string()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &body.room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some(body.user_id.to_string()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &body.room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     drop(state_lock);
 
@@ -334,24 +343,28 @@ pub async fn unban_user_route(
             .globals
             .roomid_mutex_state
             .write()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .entry(body.room_id.clone())
             .or_default(),
     );
     let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-            content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some(body.user_id.to_string()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &body.room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some(body.user_id.to_string()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &body.room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     drop(state_lock);
 
@@ -489,7 +502,7 @@ async fn join_room_by_id_helper(
             .globals
             .roomid_mutex_state
             .write()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .entry(room_id.to_owned())
             .or_default(),
     );
@@ -680,7 +693,7 @@ async fn join_room_by_id_helper(
             .iter()
             .map(|pdu| validate_and_add_event_id(pdu, &room_version_id, &pub_key_map))
         {
-            let (event_id, value) = match result {
+            let (event_id, value) = match result.await {
                 Ok(t) => t,
                 Err(_) => continue,
             };
@@ -710,7 +723,7 @@ async fn join_room_by_id_helper(
             .iter()
             .map(|pdu| validate_and_add_event_id(pdu, &room_version_id, &pub_key_map))
         {
-            let (event_id, value) = match result {
+            let (event_id, value) = match result.await {
                 Ok(t) => t,
                 Err(_) => continue,
             };
@@ -784,12 +797,16 @@ async fn join_room_by_id_helper(
         let statehash_after_join = services().rooms.state.append_to_state(&parsed_join_pdu)?;
 
         info!("Appending new room join event");
-        services().rooms.timeline.append_pdu(
-            &parsed_join_pdu,
-            join_event,
-            vec![(*parsed_join_pdu.event_id).to_owned()],
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .append_pdu(
+                &parsed_join_pdu,
+                join_event,
+                vec![(*parsed_join_pdu.event_id).to_owned()],
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         info!("Setting final room state for new room");
         // We set the room state after inserting the pdu, so that we never have a moment in time
@@ -902,18 +919,23 @@ async fn join_room_by_id_helper(
         };
 
         // Try normal join first
-        let error = match services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-                content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some(sender_user.to_string()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            sender_user,
-            room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        ) {
+        let error = match services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some(sender_user.to_string()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                sender_user,
+                room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await
+        {
             Ok(_event_id) => return Ok(join_room_by_id::v3::Response::new(room_id.to_owned())),
             Err(e) => e,
         };
@@ -1109,7 +1131,7 @@ async fn make_join_request(
     make_join_response_and_server
 }
 
-fn validate_and_add_event_id(
+async fn validate_and_add_event_id(
     pdu: &RawJsonValue,
     room_version: &RoomVersionId,
     pub_key_map: &RwLock<BTreeMap<String, BTreeMap<String, Base64>>>,
@@ -1125,24 +1147,26 @@ fn validate_and_add_event_id(
     ))
     .expect("ruma's reference hashes are valid event ids");
 
-    let back_off = |id| match services()
-        .globals
-        .bad_event_ratelimiter
-        .write()
-        .unwrap()
-        .entry(id)
-    {
-        Entry::Vacant(e) => {
-            e.insert((Instant::now(), 1));
+    let back_off = |id| async {
+        match services()
+            .globals
+            .bad_event_ratelimiter
+            .write()
+            .await
+            .entry(id)
+        {
+            Entry::Vacant(e) => {
+                e.insert((Instant::now(), 1));
+            }
+            Entry::Occupied(mut e) => *e.get_mut() = (Instant::now(), e.get().1 + 1),
         }
-        Entry::Occupied(mut e) => *e.get_mut() = (Instant::now(), e.get().1 + 1),
     };
 
     if let Some((time, tries)) = services()
         .globals
         .bad_event_ratelimiter
         .read()
-        .unwrap()
+        .await
         .get(&event_id)
     {
         // Exponential backoff
@@ -1157,15 +1181,10 @@ fn validate_and_add_event_id(
         }
     }
 
-    if let Err(e) = ruma::signatures::verify_event(
-        &*pub_key_map
-            .read()
-            .map_err(|_| Error::bad_database("RwLock is poisoned."))?,
-        &value,
-        room_version,
-    ) {
+    if let Err(e) = ruma::signatures::verify_event(&*pub_key_map.read().await, &value, room_version)
+    {
         warn!("Event {} failed verification {:?} {}", event_id, pdu, e);
-        back_off(event_id);
+        back_off(event_id).await;
         return Err(Error::BadServerResponse("Event failed verification."));
     }
 
@@ -1191,7 +1210,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn invite_helper<'a>(
                     .globals
                     .roomid_mutex_state
                     .write()
-                    .unwrap()
+                    .await
                     .entry(room_id.to_owned())
                     .or_default(),
             );
@@ -1312,34 +1331,38 @@ pub(crate) async fn invite_helper<'a>(
             .globals
             .roomid_mutex_state
             .write()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .entry(room_id.to_owned())
             .or_default(),
     );
     let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
-                membership: MembershipState::Invite,
-                displayname: services().users.displayname(user_id)?,
-                avatar_url: services().users.avatar_url(user_id)?,
-                is_direct: Some(is_direct),
-                third_party_invite: None,
-                blurhash: services().users.blurhash(user_id)?,
-                reason,
-                join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
-            })
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
+                    membership: MembershipState::Invite,
+                    displayname: services().users.displayname(user_id)?,
+                    avatar_url: services().users.avatar_url(user_id)?,
+                    is_direct: Some(is_direct),
+                    third_party_invite: None,
+                    blurhash: services().users.blurhash(user_id)?,
+                    reason,
+                    join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
+                })
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     drop(state_lock);
 
@@ -1407,7 +1430,7 @@ pub async fn leave_room(user_id: &UserId, room_id: &RoomId, reason: Option<Strin
                 .globals
                 .roomid_mutex_state
                 .write()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .entry(room_id.to_owned())
                 .or_default(),
         );
@@ -1443,18 +1466,22 @@ pub async fn leave_room(user_id: &UserId, room_id: &RoomId, reason: Option<Strin
         event.membership = MembershipState::Leave;
         event.reason = reason;
 
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-                content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            user_id,
-            room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                user_id,
+                room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
     }
 
     Ok(())
diff --git a/src/api/client_server/message.rs b/src/api/client_server/message.rs
index 0952092b..89f33591 100644
--- a/src/api/client_server/message.rs
+++ b/src/api/client_server/message.rs
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ pub async fn send_message_event_route(
             .globals
             .roomid_mutex_state
             .write()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .entry(body.room_id.clone())
             .or_default(),
     );
@@ -73,19 +73,23 @@ pub async fn send_message_event_route(
     let mut unsigned = BTreeMap::new();
     unsigned.insert("transaction_id".to_owned(), body.txn_id.to_string().into());
 
-    let event_id = services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: body.event_type.to_string().into(),
-            content: serde_json::from_str(body.body.body.json().get())
-                .map_err(|_| Error::BadRequest(ErrorKind::BadJson, "Invalid JSON body."))?,
-            unsigned: Some(unsigned),
-            state_key: None,
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &body.room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    let event_id = services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: body.event_type.to_string().into(),
+                content: serde_json::from_str(body.body.body.json().get())
+                    .map_err(|_| Error::BadRequest(ErrorKind::BadJson, "Invalid JSON body."))?,
+                unsigned: Some(unsigned),
+                state_key: None,
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &body.room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     services().transaction_ids.add_txnid(
         sender_user,
@@ -126,12 +130,11 @@ pub async fn get_message_events_route(
         .as_ref()
         .and_then(|t| PduCount::try_from_string(t).ok());
 
-    services().rooms.lazy_loading.lazy_load_confirm_delivery(
-        sender_user,
-        sender_device,
-        &body.room_id,
-        from,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .lazy_loading
+        .lazy_load_confirm_delivery(sender_user, sender_device, &body.room_id, from)
+        .await?;
 
     let limit = u64::from(body.limit).min(100) as usize;
 
diff --git a/src/api/client_server/profile.rs b/src/api/client_server/profile.rs
index 8fb38b59..9e6b277d 100644
--- a/src/api/client_server/profile.rs
+++ b/src/api/client_server/profile.rs
@@ -77,18 +77,17 @@ pub async fn set_displayname_route(
                 .globals
                 .roomid_mutex_state
                 .write()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .entry(room_id.clone())
                 .or_default(),
         );
         let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-        let _ = services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            pdu_builder,
-            sender_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        );
+        let _ = services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(pdu_builder, sender_user, &room_id, &state_lock)
+            .await;
 
         // Presence update
         services().rooms.edus.presence.update_presence(
@@ -212,18 +211,17 @@ pub async fn set_avatar_url_route(
                 .globals
                 .roomid_mutex_state
                 .write()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .entry(room_id.clone())
                 .or_default(),
         );
         let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-        let _ = services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            pdu_builder,
-            sender_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        );
+        let _ = services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(pdu_builder, sender_user, &room_id, &state_lock)
+            .await;
 
         // Presence update
         services().rooms.edus.presence.update_presence(
diff --git a/src/api/client_server/redact.rs b/src/api/client_server/redact.rs
index 21da2221..f0603f4b 100644
--- a/src/api/client_server/redact.rs
+++ b/src/api/client_server/redact.rs
@@ -24,28 +24,32 @@ pub async fn redact_event_route(
             .globals
             .roomid_mutex_state
             .write()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .entry(body.room_id.clone())
             .or_default(),
     );
     let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-    let event_id = services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomRedaction,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomRedactionEventContent {
-                redacts: Some(body.event_id.clone()),
-                reason: body.reason.clone(),
-            })
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: None,
-            redacts: Some(body.event_id.into()),
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &body.room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    let event_id = services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomRedaction,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomRedactionEventContent {
+                    redacts: Some(body.event_id.clone()),
+                    reason: body.reason.clone(),
+                })
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: None,
+                redacts: Some(body.event_id.into()),
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &body.room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     drop(state_lock);
 
diff --git a/src/api/client_server/room.rs b/src/api/client_server/room.rs
index 20409a28..5d4cbe8a 100644
--- a/src/api/client_server/room.rs
+++ b/src/api/client_server/room.rs
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ pub async fn create_room_route(
             .globals
             .roomid_mutex_state
             .write()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .entry(room_id.clone())
             .or_default(),
     );
@@ -174,42 +174,50 @@ pub async fn create_room_route(
     }
 
     // 1. The room create event
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCreate,
-            content: to_raw_value(&content).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCreate,
+                content: to_raw_value(&content).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // 2. Let the room creator join
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
-                membership: MembershipState::Join,
-                displayname: services().users.displayname(sender_user)?,
-                avatar_url: services().users.avatar_url(sender_user)?,
-                is_direct: Some(body.is_direct),
-                third_party_invite: None,
-                blurhash: services().users.blurhash(sender_user)?,
-                reason: None,
-                join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
-            })
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some(sender_user.to_string()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
+                    membership: MembershipState::Join,
+                    displayname: services().users.displayname(sender_user)?,
+                    avatar_url: services().users.avatar_url(sender_user)?,
+                    is_direct: Some(body.is_direct),
+                    third_party_invite: None,
+                    blurhash: services().users.blurhash(sender_user)?,
+                    reason: None,
+                    join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
+                })
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some(sender_user.to_string()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // 3. Power levels
 
@@ -246,30 +254,14 @@ pub async fn create_room_route(
         }
     }
 
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
-            content: to_raw_value(&power_levels_content)
-                .expect("to_raw_value always works on serde_json::Value"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
-
-    // 4. Canonical room alias
-    if let Some(room_alias_id) = &alias {
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
             PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCanonicalAlias,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomCanonicalAliasEventContent {
-                    alias: Some(room_alias_id.to_owned()),
-                    alt_aliases: vec![],
-                })
-                .expect("We checked that alias earlier, it must be fine"),
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
+                content: to_raw_value(&power_levels_content)
+                    .expect("to_raw_value always works on serde_json::Value"),
                 unsigned: None,
                 state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
                 redacts: None,
@@ -277,64 +269,100 @@ pub async fn create_room_route(
             sender_user,
             &room_id,
             &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        )
+        .await?;
+
+    // 4. Canonical room alias
+    if let Some(room_alias_id) = &alias {
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCanonicalAlias,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomCanonicalAliasEventContent {
+                        alias: Some(room_alias_id.to_owned()),
+                        alt_aliases: vec![],
+                    })
+                    .expect("We checked that alias earlier, it must be fine"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                sender_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
     }
 
     // 5. Events set by preset
 
     // 5.1 Join Rules
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomJoinRules,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomJoinRulesEventContent::new(match preset {
-                RoomPreset::PublicChat => JoinRule::Public,
-                // according to spec "invite" is the default
-                _ => JoinRule::Invite,
-            }))
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomJoinRules,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomJoinRulesEventContent::new(match preset {
+                    RoomPreset::PublicChat => JoinRule::Public,
+                    // according to spec "invite" is the default
+                    _ => JoinRule::Invite,
+                }))
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // 5.2 History Visibility
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomHistoryVisibility,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomHistoryVisibilityEventContent::new(
-                HistoryVisibility::Shared,
-            ))
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomHistoryVisibility,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomHistoryVisibilityEventContent::new(
+                    HistoryVisibility::Shared,
+                ))
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // 5.3 Guest Access
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomGuestAccess,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomGuestAccessEventContent::new(match preset {
-                RoomPreset::PublicChat => GuestAccess::Forbidden,
-                _ => GuestAccess::CanJoin,
-            }))
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomGuestAccess,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomGuestAccessEventContent::new(match preset {
+                    RoomPreset::PublicChat => GuestAccess::Forbidden,
+                    _ => GuestAccess::CanJoin,
+                }))
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // 6. Events listed in initial_state
     for event in &body.initial_state {
@@ -353,47 +381,54 @@ pub async fn create_room_route(
             continue;
         }
 
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            pdu_builder,
-            sender_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(pdu_builder, sender_user, &room_id, &state_lock)
+            .await?;
     }
 
     // 7. Events implied by name and topic
     if let Some(name) = &body.name {
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomName,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomNameEventContent::new(name.clone()))
-                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            sender_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomName,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomNameEventContent::new(name.clone()))
+                        .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                sender_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
     }
 
     if let Some(topic) = &body.topic {
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomTopic,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomTopicEventContent {
-                    topic: topic.clone(),
-                })
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            sender_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomTopic,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomTopicEventContent {
+                        topic: topic.clone(),
+                    })
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                sender_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
     }
 
     // 8. Events implied by invite (and TODO: invite_3pid)
@@ -523,7 +558,7 @@ pub async fn upgrade_room_route(
             .globals
             .roomid_mutex_state
             .write()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .entry(body.room_id.clone())
             .or_default(),
     );
@@ -531,22 +566,26 @@ pub async fn upgrade_room_route(
 
     // Send a m.room.tombstone event to the old room to indicate that it is not intended to be used any further
     // Fail if the sender does not have the required permissions
-    let tombstone_event_id = services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomTombstone,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomTombstoneEventContent {
-                body: "This room has been replaced".to_owned(),
-                replacement_room: replacement_room.clone(),
-            })
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &body.room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    let tombstone_event_id = services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomTombstone,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomTombstoneEventContent {
+                    body: "This room has been replaced".to_owned(),
+                    replacement_room: replacement_room.clone(),
+                })
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &body.room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // Change lock to replacement room
     drop(state_lock);
@@ -555,7 +594,7 @@ pub async fn upgrade_room_route(
             .globals
             .roomid_mutex_state
             .write()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .entry(replacement_room.clone())
             .or_default(),
     );
@@ -613,43 +652,51 @@ pub async fn upgrade_room_route(
         ));
     }
 
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCreate,
-            content: to_raw_value(&create_event_content)
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &replacement_room,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCreate,
+                content: to_raw_value(&create_event_content)
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &replacement_room,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // Join the new room
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
-                membership: MembershipState::Join,
-                displayname: services().users.displayname(sender_user)?,
-                avatar_url: services().users.avatar_url(sender_user)?,
-                is_direct: None,
-                third_party_invite: None,
-                blurhash: services().users.blurhash(sender_user)?,
-                reason: None,
-                join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
-            })
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some(sender_user.to_string()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &replacement_room,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
+                    membership: MembershipState::Join,
+                    displayname: services().users.displayname(sender_user)?,
+                    avatar_url: services().users.avatar_url(sender_user)?,
+                    is_direct: None,
+                    third_party_invite: None,
+                    blurhash: services().users.blurhash(sender_user)?,
+                    reason: None,
+                    join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
+                })
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some(sender_user.to_string()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &replacement_room,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // Recommended transferable state events list from the specs
     let transferable_state_events = vec![
@@ -676,18 +723,22 @@ pub async fn upgrade_room_route(
                 None => continue, // Skipping missing events.
             };
 
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: event_type.to_string().into(),
-                content: event_content,
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            sender_user,
-            &replacement_room,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: event_type.to_string().into(),
+                    content: event_content,
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                sender_user,
+                &replacement_room,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
     }
 
     // Moves any local aliases to the new room
@@ -721,19 +772,23 @@ pub async fn upgrade_room_route(
     power_levels_event_content.invite = new_level;
 
     // Modify the power levels in the old room to prevent sending of events and inviting new users
-    let _ = services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
-            content: to_raw_value(&power_levels_event_content)
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &body.room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    let _ = services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
+                content: to_raw_value(&power_levels_event_content)
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &body.room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     drop(state_lock);
 
diff --git a/src/api/client_server/state.rs b/src/api/client_server/state.rs
index 174282a1..e62aa013 100644
--- a/src/api/client_server/state.rs
+++ b/src/api/client_server/state.rs
@@ -227,24 +227,28 @@ async fn send_state_event_for_key_helper(
             .globals
             .roomid_mutex_state
             .write()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .entry(room_id.to_owned())
             .or_default(),
     );
     let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-    let event_id = services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: event_type.to_string().into(),
-            content: serde_json::from_str(json.json().get()).expect("content is valid json"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some(state_key),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    let event_id = services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: event_type.to_string().into(),
+                content: serde_json::from_str(json.json().get()).expect("content is valid json"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some(state_key),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     Ok(event_id)
 }
diff --git a/src/api/client_server/sync.rs b/src/api/client_server/sync.rs
index 76b48d10..c510f5f5 100644
--- a/src/api/client_server/sync.rs
+++ b/src/api/client_server/sync.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 use crate::{
     service::rooms::timeline::PduCount, services, Error, PduEvent, Result, Ruma, RumaResponse,
 };
+
 use ruma::{
     api::client::{
         filter::{FilterDefinition, LazyLoadOptions},
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ pub async fn sync_events_route(
         .globals
         .sync_receivers
         .write()
-        .unwrap()
+        .await
         .entry((sender_user.clone(), sender_device.clone()))
     {
         Entry::Vacant(v) => {
@@ -147,7 +148,7 @@ async fn sync_helper_wrapper(
                 .globals
                 .sync_receivers
                 .write()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .entry((sender_user, sender_device))
             {
                 Entry::Occupied(o) => {
@@ -302,11 +303,11 @@ async fn sync_helper(
                     .globals
                     .roomid_mutex_insert
                     .write()
-                    .unwrap()
+                    .await
                     .entry(room_id.clone())
                     .or_default(),
             );
-            let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().unwrap();
+            let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().await;
             drop(insert_lock);
         }
 
@@ -434,11 +435,11 @@ async fn sync_helper(
                     .globals
                     .roomid_mutex_insert
                     .write()
-                    .unwrap()
+                    .await
                     .entry(room_id.clone())
                     .or_default(),
             );
-            let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().unwrap();
+            let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().await;
             drop(insert_lock);
         }
 
@@ -577,11 +578,11 @@ async fn load_joined_room(
                 .globals
                 .roomid_mutex_insert
                 .write()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .entry(room_id.to_owned())
                 .or_default(),
         );
-        let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().unwrap();
+        let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().await;
         drop(insert_lock);
     }
 
@@ -599,12 +600,11 @@ async fn load_joined_room(
         timeline_users.insert(event.sender.as_str().to_owned());
     }
 
-    services().rooms.lazy_loading.lazy_load_confirm_delivery(
-        sender_user,
-        sender_device,
-        room_id,
-        sincecount,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .lazy_loading
+        .lazy_load_confirm_delivery(sender_user, sender_device, room_id, sincecount)
+        .await?;
 
     // Database queries:
 
@@ -797,13 +797,17 @@ async fn load_joined_room(
 
                 // The state_events above should contain all timeline_users, let's mark them as lazy
                 // loaded.
-                services().rooms.lazy_loading.lazy_load_mark_sent(
-                    sender_user,
-                    sender_device,
-                    room_id,
-                    lazy_loaded,
-                    next_batchcount,
-                );
+                services()
+                    .rooms
+                    .lazy_loading
+                    .lazy_load_mark_sent(
+                        sender_user,
+                        sender_device,
+                        room_id,
+                        lazy_loaded,
+                        next_batchcount,
+                    )
+                    .await;
 
                 (
                     heroes,
@@ -884,13 +888,17 @@ async fn load_joined_room(
                     }
                 }
 
-                services().rooms.lazy_loading.lazy_load_mark_sent(
-                    sender_user,
-                    sender_device,
-                    room_id,
-                    lazy_loaded,
-                    next_batchcount,
-                );
+                services()
+                    .rooms
+                    .lazy_loading
+                    .lazy_load_mark_sent(
+                        sender_user,
+                        sender_device,
+                        room_id,
+                        lazy_loaded,
+                        next_batchcount,
+                    )
+                    .await;
 
                 let encrypted_room = services()
                     .rooms
diff --git a/src/api/server_server.rs b/src/api/server_server.rs
index 1ba2edc0..f946feaf 100644
--- a/src/api/server_server.rs
+++ b/src/api/server_server.rs
@@ -51,9 +51,10 @@ use std::{
     fmt::Debug,
     mem,
     net::{IpAddr, SocketAddr},
-    sync::{Arc, RwLock},
+    sync::Arc,
     time::{Duration, Instant, SystemTime},
 };
+use tokio::sync::RwLock;
 
 use tracing::{debug, error, warn};
 
@@ -137,7 +138,7 @@ where
         .globals
         .actual_destination_cache
         .read()
-        .unwrap()
+        .await
         .get(destination)
         .cloned();
 
@@ -290,7 +291,7 @@ where
                         .globals
                         .actual_destination_cache
                         .write()
-                        .unwrap()
+                        .await
                         .insert(
                             OwnedServerName::from(destination),
                             (actual_destination, host),
@@ -740,7 +741,7 @@ pub async fn send_transaction_message_route(
                 .globals
                 .roomid_mutex_federation
                 .write()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .entry(room_id.to_owned())
                 .or_default(),
         );
@@ -1409,7 +1410,7 @@ pub async fn create_join_event_template_route(
             .globals
             .roomid_mutex_state
             .write()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .entry(body.room_id.to_owned())
             .or_default(),
     );
@@ -1579,7 +1580,7 @@ async fn create_join_event(
             .globals
             .roomid_mutex_federation
             .write()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .entry(room_id.to_owned())
             .or_default(),
     );
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index 66d0c57c..70c6f373 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ mod database;
 mod service;
 mod utils;
 
+// Not async due to services() being used in many closures, and async closures are not stable as of writing
+// This is the case for every other occurence of sync Mutex/RwLock, except for database related ones, where
+// the current maintainer (Timo) has asked to not modify those
 use std::sync::RwLock;
 
 pub use api::ruma_wrapper::{Ruma, RumaResponse};
diff --git a/src/service/admin/mod.rs b/src/service/admin/mod.rs
index f6e52f7a..d99be878 100644
--- a/src/service/admin/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/admin/mod.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use std::{
     collections::BTreeMap,
     convert::{TryFrom, TryInto},
-    sync::{Arc, RwLock},
+    sync::Arc,
     time::Instant,
 };
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ use ruma::{
     EventId, OwnedRoomAliasId, OwnedRoomId, RoomAliasId, RoomId, RoomVersionId, ServerName, UserId,
 };
 use serde_json::value::to_raw_value;
-use tokio::sync::{mpsc, Mutex, MutexGuard};
+use tokio::sync::{mpsc, Mutex, RwLock};
 
 use crate::{
     api::client_server::{leave_all_rooms, AUTO_GEN_PASSWORD_LENGTH},
@@ -215,27 +215,6 @@ impl Service {
             .expect("@conduit:server_name is valid");
 
         if let Ok(Some(conduit_room)) = services().admin.get_admin_room() {
-            let send_message = |message: RoomMessageEventContent,
-                                mutex_lock: &MutexGuard<'_, ()>| {
-                services()
-                    .rooms
-                    .timeline
-                    .build_and_append_pdu(
-                        PduBuilder {
-                            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMessage,
-                            content: to_raw_value(&message)
-                                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                            unsigned: None,
-                            state_key: None,
-                            redacts: None,
-                        },
-                        &conduit_user,
-                        &conduit_room,
-                        mutex_lock,
-                    )
-                    .unwrap();
-            };
-
             loop {
                 tokio::select! {
                     Some(event) = receiver.recv() => {
@@ -248,16 +227,30 @@ impl Service {
                             services().globals
                                 .roomid_mutex_state
                                 .write()
-                                .unwrap()
+                                .await
                                 .entry(conduit_room.to_owned())
                                 .or_default(),
                         );
 
                         let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-                        send_message(message_content, &state_lock);
-
-                        drop(state_lock);
+                        services()
+                            .rooms
+                            .timeline
+                            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                                PduBuilder {
+                                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMessage,
+                                    content: to_raw_value(&message_content)
+                                        .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                                    unsigned: None,
+                                    state_key: None,
+                                    redacts: None,
+                                },
+                                &conduit_user,
+                                &conduit_room,
+                                &state_lock,
+                            )
+                            .await.unwrap();
                     }
                 }
             }
@@ -425,11 +418,7 @@ impl Service {
                 Err(e) => RoomMessageEventContent::text_plain(e.to_string()),
             },
             AdminCommand::IncomingFederation => {
-                let map = services()
-                    .globals
-                    .roomid_federationhandletime
-                    .read()
-                    .unwrap();
+                let map = services().globals.roomid_federationhandletime.read().await;
                 let mut msg: String = format!("Handling {} incoming pdus:\n", map.len());
 
                 for (r, (e, i)) in map.iter() {
@@ -543,7 +532,7 @@ impl Service {
                 }
             }
             AdminCommand::MemoryUsage => {
-                let response1 = services().memory_usage();
+                let response1 = services().memory_usage().await;
                 let response2 = services().globals.db.memory_usage();
 
                 RoomMessageEventContent::text_plain(format!(
@@ -556,7 +545,7 @@ impl Service {
                 RoomMessageEventContent::text_plain("Done.")
             }
             AdminCommand::ClearServiceCaches { amount } => {
-                services().clear_caches(amount);
+                services().clear_caches(amount).await;
 
                 RoomMessageEventContent::text_plain("Done.")
             }
@@ -797,7 +786,7 @@ impl Service {
                                 .fetch_required_signing_keys(&value, &pub_key_map)
                                 .await?;
 
-                            let pub_key_map = pub_key_map.read().unwrap();
+                            let pub_key_map = pub_key_map.read().await;
                             match ruma::signatures::verify_json(&pub_key_map, &value) {
                                 Ok(_) => RoomMessageEventContent::text_plain("Signature correct"),
                                 Err(e) => RoomMessageEventContent::text_plain(format!(
@@ -913,7 +902,7 @@ impl Service {
                 .globals
                 .roomid_mutex_state
                 .write()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .entry(room_id.clone())
                 .or_default(),
         );
@@ -932,164 +921,202 @@ impl Service {
         content.room_version = services().globals.default_room_version();
 
         // 1. The room create event
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCreate,
-                content: to_raw_value(&content).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCreate,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&content).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // 2. Make conduit bot join
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
-                    membership: MembershipState::Join,
-                    displayname: None,
-                    avatar_url: None,
-                    is_direct: None,
-                    third_party_invite: None,
-                    blurhash: None,
-                    reason: None,
-                    join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
-                })
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some(conduit_user.to_string()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
+                        membership: MembershipState::Join,
+                        displayname: None,
+                        avatar_url: None,
+                        is_direct: None,
+                        third_party_invite: None,
+                        blurhash: None,
+                        reason: None,
+                        join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
+                    })
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some(conduit_user.to_string()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // 3. Power levels
         let mut users = BTreeMap::new();
         users.insert(conduit_user.clone(), 100.into());
 
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomPowerLevelsEventContent {
-                    users,
-                    ..Default::default()
-                })
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomPowerLevelsEventContent {
+                        users,
+                        ..Default::default()
+                    })
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // 4.1 Join Rules
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomJoinRules,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomJoinRulesEventContent::new(JoinRule::Invite))
-                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomJoinRules,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomJoinRulesEventContent::new(JoinRule::Invite))
+                        .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // 4.2 History Visibility
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomHistoryVisibility,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomHistoryVisibilityEventContent::new(
-                    HistoryVisibility::Shared,
-                ))
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomHistoryVisibility,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomHistoryVisibilityEventContent::new(
+                        HistoryVisibility::Shared,
+                    ))
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // 4.3 Guest Access
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomGuestAccess,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomGuestAccessEventContent::new(GuestAccess::Forbidden))
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomGuestAccess,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomGuestAccessEventContent::new(
+                        GuestAccess::Forbidden,
+                    ))
                     .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // 5. Events implied by name and topic
         let room_name = format!("{} Admin Room", services().globals.server_name());
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomName,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomNameEventContent::new(room_name))
-                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomName,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomNameEventContent::new(room_name))
+                        .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomTopic,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomTopicEventContent {
-                    topic: format!("Manage {}", services().globals.server_name()),
-                })
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomTopic,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomTopicEventContent {
+                        topic: format!("Manage {}", services().globals.server_name()),
+                    })
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // 6. Room alias
         let alias: OwnedRoomAliasId = format!("#admins:{}", services().globals.server_name())
             .try_into()
             .expect("#admins:server_name is a valid alias name");
 
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCanonicalAlias,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomCanonicalAliasEventContent {
-                    alias: Some(alias.clone()),
-                    alt_aliases: Vec::new(),
-                })
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCanonicalAlias,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomCanonicalAliasEventContent {
+                        alias: Some(alias.clone()),
+                        alt_aliases: Vec::new(),
+                    })
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         services().rooms.alias.set_alias(&alias, &room_id)?;
 
@@ -1125,7 +1152,7 @@ impl Service {
                     .globals
                     .roomid_mutex_state
                     .write()
-                    .unwrap()
+                    .await
                     .entry(room_id.clone())
                     .or_default(),
             );
@@ -1137,72 +1164,84 @@ impl Service {
                     .expect("@conduit:server_name is valid");
 
             // Invite and join the real user
-            services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-                PduBuilder {
-                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
-                        membership: MembershipState::Invite,
-                        displayname: None,
-                        avatar_url: None,
-                        is_direct: None,
-                        third_party_invite: None,
-                        blurhash: None,
-                        reason: None,
-                        join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
-                    })
-                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                    unsigned: None,
-                    state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
-                    redacts: None,
-                },
-                &conduit_user,
-                &room_id,
-                &state_lock,
-            )?;
-            services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-                PduBuilder {
-                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
-                        membership: MembershipState::Join,
-                        displayname: Some(displayname),
-                        avatar_url: None,
-                        is_direct: None,
-                        third_party_invite: None,
-                        blurhash: None,
-                        reason: None,
-                        join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
-                    })
-                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                    unsigned: None,
-                    state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
-                    redacts: None,
-                },
-                user_id,
-                &room_id,
-                &state_lock,
-            )?;
+            services()
+                .rooms
+                .timeline
+                .build_and_append_pdu(
+                    PduBuilder {
+                        event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                        content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
+                            membership: MembershipState::Invite,
+                            displayname: None,
+                            avatar_url: None,
+                            is_direct: None,
+                            third_party_invite: None,
+                            blurhash: None,
+                            reason: None,
+                            join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
+                        })
+                        .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                        unsigned: None,
+                        state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
+                        redacts: None,
+                    },
+                    &conduit_user,
+                    &room_id,
+                    &state_lock,
+                )
+                .await?;
+            services()
+                .rooms
+                .timeline
+                .build_and_append_pdu(
+                    PduBuilder {
+                        event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                        content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
+                            membership: MembershipState::Join,
+                            displayname: Some(displayname),
+                            avatar_url: None,
+                            is_direct: None,
+                            third_party_invite: None,
+                            blurhash: None,
+                            reason: None,
+                            join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
+                        })
+                        .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                        unsigned: None,
+                        state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
+                        redacts: None,
+                    },
+                    user_id,
+                    &room_id,
+                    &state_lock,
+                )
+                .await?;
 
             // Set power level
             let mut users = BTreeMap::new();
             users.insert(conduit_user.to_owned(), 100.into());
             users.insert(user_id.to_owned(), 100.into());
 
-            services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-                PduBuilder {
-                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
-                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomPowerLevelsEventContent {
-                        users,
-                        ..Default::default()
-                    })
-                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                    unsigned: None,
-                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                    redacts: None,
-                },
-                &conduit_user,
-                &room_id,
-                &state_lock,
-            )?;
+            services()
+                .rooms
+                .timeline
+                .build_and_append_pdu(
+                    PduBuilder {
+                        event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
+                        content: to_raw_value(&RoomPowerLevelsEventContent {
+                            users,
+                            ..Default::default()
+                        })
+                        .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                        unsigned: None,
+                        state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                        redacts: None,
+                    },
+                    &conduit_user,
+                    &room_id,
+                    &state_lock,
+                )
+                .await?;
 
             // Send welcome message
             services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
@@ -1220,7 +1259,7 @@ impl Service {
             &conduit_user,
             &room_id,
             &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        ).await?;
         }
         Ok(())
     }
diff --git a/src/service/globals/mod.rs b/src/service/globals/mod.rs
index f7822940..22dc6959 100644
--- a/src/service/globals/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/globals/mod.rs
@@ -31,11 +31,11 @@ use std::{
     path::PathBuf,
     sync::{
         atomic::{self, AtomicBool},
-        Arc, Mutex, RwLock,
+        Arc, RwLock as StdRwLock,
     },
     time::{Duration, Instant},
 };
-use tokio::sync::{broadcast, watch::Receiver, Mutex as TokioMutex, Semaphore};
+use tokio::sync::{broadcast, watch::Receiver, Mutex, RwLock, Semaphore};
 use tracing::{error, info};
 use trust_dns_resolver::TokioAsyncResolver;
 
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ pub struct Service {
     pub db: &'static dyn Data,
 
     pub actual_destination_cache: Arc<RwLock<WellKnownMap>>, // actual_destination, host
-    pub tls_name_override: Arc<RwLock<TlsNameMap>>,
+    pub tls_name_override: Arc<StdRwLock<TlsNameMap>>,
     pub config: Config,
     keypair: Arc<ruma::signatures::Ed25519KeyPair>,
     dns_resolver: TokioAsyncResolver,
@@ -68,8 +68,8 @@ pub struct Service {
     pub servername_ratelimiter: Arc<RwLock<HashMap<OwnedServerName, Arc<Semaphore>>>>,
     pub sync_receivers: RwLock<HashMap<(OwnedUserId, OwnedDeviceId), SyncHandle>>,
     pub roomid_mutex_insert: RwLock<HashMap<OwnedRoomId, Arc<Mutex<()>>>>,
-    pub roomid_mutex_state: RwLock<HashMap<OwnedRoomId, Arc<TokioMutex<()>>>>,
-    pub roomid_mutex_federation: RwLock<HashMap<OwnedRoomId, Arc<TokioMutex<()>>>>, // this lock will be held longer
+    pub roomid_mutex_state: RwLock<HashMap<OwnedRoomId, Arc<Mutex<()>>>>,
+    pub roomid_mutex_federation: RwLock<HashMap<OwnedRoomId, Arc<Mutex<()>>>>, // this lock will be held longer
     pub roomid_federationhandletime: RwLock<HashMap<OwnedRoomId, (OwnedEventId, Instant)>>,
     pub stateres_mutex: Arc<Mutex<()>>,
     pub rotate: RotationHandler,
@@ -109,11 +109,11 @@ impl Default for RotationHandler {
 
 pub struct Resolver {
     inner: GaiResolver,
-    overrides: Arc<RwLock<TlsNameMap>>,
+    overrides: Arc<StdRwLock<TlsNameMap>>,
 }
 
 impl Resolver {
-    pub fn new(overrides: Arc<RwLock<TlsNameMap>>) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(overrides: Arc<StdRwLock<TlsNameMap>>) -> Self {
         Resolver {
             inner: GaiResolver::new(),
             overrides,
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ impl Resolve for Resolver {
     fn resolve(&self, name: Name) -> Resolving {
         self.overrides
             .read()
-            .expect("lock should not be poisoned")
+            .unwrap()
             .get(name.as_str())
             .and_then(|(override_name, port)| {
                 override_name.first().map(|first_name| {
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ impl Service {
             }
         };
 
-        let tls_name_override = Arc::new(RwLock::new(TlsNameMap::new()));
+        let tls_name_override = Arc::new(StdRwLock::new(TlsNameMap::new()));
 
         let jwt_decoding_key = config
             .jwt_secret
diff --git a/src/service/mod.rs b/src/service/mod.rs
index f85da788..8f9fb0a5 100644
--- a/src/service/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/mod.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 use std::{
     collections::{BTreeMap, HashMap},
-    sync::{Arc, Mutex},
+    sync::{Arc, Mutex as StdMutex},
 };
 
 use lru_cache::LruCache;
+use tokio::sync::Mutex;
 
 use crate::{Config, Result};
 
@@ -79,17 +80,17 @@ impl Services {
                 state: rooms::state::Service { db },
                 state_accessor: rooms::state_accessor::Service {
                     db,
-                    server_visibility_cache: Mutex::new(LruCache::new(
+                    server_visibility_cache: StdMutex::new(LruCache::new(
                         (100.0 * config.conduit_cache_capacity_modifier) as usize,
                     )),
-                    user_visibility_cache: Mutex::new(LruCache::new(
+                    user_visibility_cache: StdMutex::new(LruCache::new(
                         (100.0 * config.conduit_cache_capacity_modifier) as usize,
                     )),
                 },
                 state_cache: rooms::state_cache::Service { db },
                 state_compressor: rooms::state_compressor::Service {
                     db,
-                    stateinfo_cache: Mutex::new(LruCache::new(
+                    stateinfo_cache: StdMutex::new(LruCache::new(
                         (100.0 * config.conduit_cache_capacity_modifier) as usize,
                     )),
                 },
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ impl Services {
             uiaa: uiaa::Service { db },
             users: users::Service {
                 db,
-                connections: Mutex::new(BTreeMap::new()),
+                connections: StdMutex::new(BTreeMap::new()),
             },
             account_data: account_data::Service { db },
             admin: admin::Service::build(),
@@ -118,14 +119,8 @@ impl Services {
             globals: globals::Service::load(db, config)?,
         })
     }
-    fn memory_usage(&self) -> String {
-        let lazy_load_waiting = self
-            .rooms
-            .lazy_loading
-            .lazy_load_waiting
-            .lock()
-            .unwrap()
-            .len();
+    async fn memory_usage(&self) -> String {
+        let lazy_load_waiting = self.rooms.lazy_loading.lazy_load_waiting.lock().await.len();
         let server_visibility_cache = self
             .rooms
             .state_accessor
@@ -152,15 +147,9 @@ impl Services {
             .timeline
             .lasttimelinecount_cache
             .lock()
-            .unwrap()
-            .len();
-        let roomid_spacechunk_cache = self
-            .rooms
-            .spaces
-            .roomid_spacechunk_cache
-            .lock()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .len();
+        let roomid_spacechunk_cache = self.rooms.spaces.roomid_spacechunk_cache.lock().await.len();
 
         format!(
             "\
@@ -173,13 +162,13 @@ roomid_spacechunk_cache: {roomid_spacechunk_cache}\
             "
         )
     }
-    fn clear_caches(&self, amount: u32) {
+    async fn clear_caches(&self, amount: u32) {
         if amount > 0 {
             self.rooms
                 .lazy_loading
                 .lazy_load_waiting
                 .lock()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .clear();
         }
         if amount > 1 {
@@ -211,7 +200,7 @@ roomid_spacechunk_cache: {roomid_spacechunk_cache}\
                 .timeline
                 .lasttimelinecount_cache
                 .lock()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .clear();
         }
         if amount > 5 {
@@ -219,7 +208,7 @@ roomid_spacechunk_cache: {roomid_spacechunk_cache}\
                 .spaces
                 .roomid_spacechunk_cache
                 .lock()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .clear();
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/service/rooms/event_handler/mod.rs b/src/service/rooms/event_handler/mod.rs
index 99fc2cb1..1547d406 100644
--- a/src/service/rooms/event_handler/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/rooms/event_handler/mod.rs
@@ -1,25 +1,23 @@
 /// An async function that can recursively call itself.
 type AsyncRecursiveType<'a, T> = Pin<Box<dyn Future<Output = T> + 'a + Send>>;
 
-use ruma::{
-    api::federation::discovery::{get_remote_server_keys, get_server_keys},
-    CanonicalJsonObject, CanonicalJsonValue, OwnedServerName, OwnedServerSigningKeyId,
-    RoomVersionId,
-};
 use std::{
     collections::{hash_map, BTreeMap, HashMap, HashSet},
     pin::Pin,
-    sync::{Arc, RwLock, RwLockWriteGuard},
+    sync::Arc,
     time::{Duration, Instant, SystemTime},
 };
-use tokio::sync::Semaphore;
 
 use futures_util::{stream::FuturesUnordered, Future, StreamExt};
 use ruma::{
     api::{
         client::error::ErrorKind,
         federation::{
-            discovery::get_remote_server_keys_batch::{self, v2::QueryCriteria},
+            discovery::{
+                get_remote_server_keys,
+                get_remote_server_keys_batch::{self, v2::QueryCriteria},
+                get_server_keys,
+            },
             event::{get_event, get_room_state_ids},
             membership::create_join_event,
         },
@@ -31,9 +29,11 @@ use ruma::{
     int,
     serde::Base64,
     state_res::{self, RoomVersion, StateMap},
-    uint, EventId, MilliSecondsSinceUnixEpoch, RoomId, ServerName,
+    uint, CanonicalJsonObject, CanonicalJsonValue, EventId, MilliSecondsSinceUnixEpoch,
+    OwnedServerName, OwnedServerSigningKeyId, RoomId, RoomVersionId, ServerName,
 };
 use serde_json::value::RawValue as RawJsonValue;
+use tokio::sync::{RwLock, RwLockWriteGuard, Semaphore};
 use tracing::{debug, error, info, trace, warn};
 
 use crate::{service::*, services, Error, PduEvent, Result};
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ impl Service {
                 .globals
                 .bad_event_ratelimiter
                 .read()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .get(&*prev_id)
             {
                 // Exponential backoff
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ impl Service {
                     .globals
                     .bad_event_ratelimiter
                     .write()
-                    .unwrap()
+                    .await
                     .entry((*prev_id).to_owned())
                 {
                     hash_map::Entry::Vacant(e) => {
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ impl Service {
                     .globals
                     .roomid_federationhandletime
                     .write()
-                    .unwrap()
+                    .await
                     .insert(room_id.to_owned(), ((*prev_id).to_owned(), start_time));
 
                 if let Err(e) = self
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ impl Service {
                         .globals
                         .bad_event_ratelimiter
                         .write()
-                        .unwrap()
+                        .await
                         .entry((*prev_id).to_owned())
                     {
                         hash_map::Entry::Vacant(e) => {
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ impl Service {
                     .globals
                     .roomid_federationhandletime
                     .write()
-                    .unwrap()
+                    .await
                     .remove(&room_id.to_owned());
                 debug!(
                     "Handling prev event {} took {}m{}s",
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ impl Service {
             .globals
             .roomid_federationhandletime
             .write()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .insert(room_id.to_owned(), (event_id.to_owned(), start_time));
         let r = services()
             .rooms
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ impl Service {
             .globals
             .roomid_federationhandletime
             .write()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .remove(&room_id.to_owned());
 
         r
@@ -326,11 +326,8 @@ impl Service {
             let room_version =
                 RoomVersion::new(room_version_id).expect("room version is supported");
 
-            let mut val = match ruma::signatures::verify_event(
-                &pub_key_map.read().expect("RwLock is poisoned."),
-                &value,
-                room_version_id,
-            ) {
+            let guard = pub_key_map.read().await;
+            let mut val = match ruma::signatures::verify_event(&guard, &value, room_version_id) {
                 Err(e) => {
                     // Drop
                     warn!("Dropping bad event {}: {}", event_id, e,);
@@ -365,6 +362,8 @@ impl Service {
                 Ok(ruma::signatures::Verified::All) => value,
             };
 
+            drop(guard);
+
             // Now that we have checked the signature and hashes we can add the eventID and convert
             // to our PduEvent type
             val.insert(
@@ -692,13 +691,15 @@ impl Service {
             {
                 Ok(res) => {
                     debug!("Fetching state events at event.");
+                    let collect = res
+                        .pdu_ids
+                        .iter()
+                        .map(|x| Arc::from(&**x))
+                        .collect::<Vec<_>>();
                     let state_vec = self
                         .fetch_and_handle_outliers(
                             origin,
-                            &res.pdu_ids
-                                .iter()
-                                .map(|x| Arc::from(&**x))
-                                .collect::<Vec<_>>(),
+                            &collect,
                             create_event,
                             room_id,
                             room_version_id,
@@ -805,7 +806,7 @@ impl Service {
                 .globals
                 .roomid_mutex_state
                 .write()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .entry(room_id.to_owned())
                 .or_default(),
         );
@@ -884,14 +885,18 @@ impl Service {
         debug!("Starting soft fail auth check");
 
         if soft_fail {
-            services().rooms.timeline.append_incoming_pdu(
-                &incoming_pdu,
-                val,
-                extremities.iter().map(|e| (**e).to_owned()).collect(),
-                state_ids_compressed,
-                soft_fail,
-                &state_lock,
-            )?;
+            services()
+                .rooms
+                .timeline
+                .append_incoming_pdu(
+                    &incoming_pdu,
+                    val,
+                    extremities.iter().map(|e| (**e).to_owned()).collect(),
+                    state_ids_compressed,
+                    soft_fail,
+                    &state_lock,
+                )
+                .await?;
 
             // Soft fail, we keep the event as an outlier but don't add it to the timeline
             warn!("Event was soft failed: {:?}", incoming_pdu);
@@ -912,14 +917,18 @@ impl Service {
         // We use the `state_at_event` instead of `state_after` so we accurately
         // represent the state for this event.
 
-        let pdu_id = services().rooms.timeline.append_incoming_pdu(
-            &incoming_pdu,
-            val,
-            extremities.iter().map(|e| (**e).to_owned()).collect(),
-            state_ids_compressed,
-            soft_fail,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        let pdu_id = services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .append_incoming_pdu(
+                &incoming_pdu,
+                val,
+                extremities.iter().map(|e| (**e).to_owned()).collect(),
+                state_ids_compressed,
+                soft_fail,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         debug!("Appended incoming pdu");
 
@@ -1045,17 +1054,21 @@ impl Service {
     ) -> AsyncRecursiveType<'a, Vec<(Arc<PduEvent>, Option<BTreeMap<String, CanonicalJsonValue>>)>>
     {
         Box::pin(async move {
-            let back_off = |id| match services()
-                .globals
-                .bad_event_ratelimiter
-                .write()
-                .unwrap()
-                .entry(id)
-            {
-                hash_map::Entry::Vacant(e) => {
-                    e.insert((Instant::now(), 1));
+            let back_off = |id| async move {
+                match services()
+                    .globals
+                    .bad_event_ratelimiter
+                    .write()
+                    .await
+                    .entry(id)
+                {
+                    hash_map::Entry::Vacant(e) => {
+                        e.insert((Instant::now(), 1));
+                    }
+                    hash_map::Entry::Occupied(mut e) => {
+                        *e.get_mut() = (Instant::now(), e.get().1 + 1)
+                    }
                 }
-                hash_map::Entry::Occupied(mut e) => *e.get_mut() = (Instant::now(), e.get().1 + 1),
             };
 
             let mut pdus = vec![];
@@ -1081,7 +1094,7 @@ impl Service {
                         .globals
                         .bad_event_ratelimiter
                         .read()
-                        .unwrap()
+                        .await
                         .get(&*next_id)
                     {
                         // Exponential backoff
@@ -1128,7 +1141,7 @@ impl Service {
                                 match pdu::gen_event_id_canonical_json(&res.pdu, room_version_id) {
                                     Ok(t) => t,
                                     Err(_) => {
-                                        back_off((*next_id).to_owned());
+                                        back_off((*next_id).to_owned()).await;
                                         continue;
                                     }
                                 };
@@ -1160,7 +1173,7 @@ impl Service {
                         }
                         Err(_) => {
                             warn!("Failed to fetch event: {}", next_id);
-                            back_off((*next_id).to_owned());
+                            back_off((*next_id).to_owned()).await;
                         }
                     }
                 }
@@ -1170,7 +1183,7 @@ impl Service {
                         .globals
                         .bad_event_ratelimiter
                         .read()
-                        .unwrap()
+                        .await
                         .get(&**next_id)
                     {
                         // Exponential backoff
@@ -1205,7 +1218,7 @@ impl Service {
                         }
                         Err(e) => {
                             warn!("Authentication of event {} failed: {:?}", next_id, e);
-                            back_off((**next_id).to_owned());
+                            back_off((**next_id).to_owned()).await;
                         }
                     }
                 }
@@ -1360,7 +1373,7 @@ impl Service {
 
             pub_key_map
                 .write()
-                .map_err(|_| Error::bad_database("RwLock is poisoned."))?
+                .await
                 .insert(signature_server.clone(), keys);
         }
 
@@ -1369,7 +1382,7 @@ impl Service {
 
     // Gets a list of servers for which we don't have the signing key yet. We go over
     // the PDUs and either cache the key or add it to the list that needs to be retrieved.
-    fn get_server_keys_from_cache(
+    async fn get_server_keys_from_cache(
         &self,
         pdu: &RawJsonValue,
         servers: &mut BTreeMap<OwnedServerName, BTreeMap<OwnedServerSigningKeyId, QueryCriteria>>,
@@ -1393,7 +1406,7 @@ impl Service {
             .globals
             .bad_event_ratelimiter
             .read()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .get(event_id)
         {
             // Exponential backoff
@@ -1469,17 +1482,19 @@ impl Service {
         > = BTreeMap::new();
 
         {
-            let mut pkm = pub_key_map
-                .write()
-                .map_err(|_| Error::bad_database("RwLock is poisoned."))?;
+            let mut pkm = pub_key_map.write().await;
 
             // Try to fetch keys, failure is okay
             // Servers we couldn't find in the cache will be added to `servers`
             for pdu in &event.room_state.state {
-                let _ = self.get_server_keys_from_cache(pdu, &mut servers, room_version, &mut pkm);
+                let _ = self
+                    .get_server_keys_from_cache(pdu, &mut servers, room_version, &mut pkm)
+                    .await;
             }
             for pdu in &event.room_state.auth_chain {
-                let _ = self.get_server_keys_from_cache(pdu, &mut servers, room_version, &mut pkm);
+                let _ = self
+                    .get_server_keys_from_cache(pdu, &mut servers, room_version, &mut pkm)
+                    .await;
             }
 
             drop(pkm);
@@ -1503,9 +1518,7 @@ impl Service {
                 .await
             {
                 trace!("Got signing keys: {:?}", keys);
-                let mut pkm = pub_key_map
-                    .write()
-                    .map_err(|_| Error::bad_database("RwLock is poisoned."))?;
+                let mut pkm = pub_key_map.write().await;
                 for k in keys.server_keys {
                     let k = match k.deserialize() {
                         Ok(key) => key,
@@ -1564,10 +1577,7 @@ impl Service {
                         .into_iter()
                         .map(|(k, v)| (k.to_string(), v.key))
                         .collect();
-                    pub_key_map
-                        .write()
-                        .map_err(|_| Error::bad_database("RwLock is poisoned."))?
-                        .insert(origin.to_string(), result);
+                    pub_key_map.write().await.insert(origin.to_string(), result);
                 }
             }
             info!("Done handling result");
@@ -1632,14 +1642,14 @@ impl Service {
             .globals
             .servername_ratelimiter
             .read()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .get(origin)
             .map(|s| Arc::clone(s).acquire_owned());
 
         let permit = match permit {
             Some(p) => p,
             None => {
-                let mut write = services().globals.servername_ratelimiter.write().unwrap();
+                let mut write = services().globals.servername_ratelimiter.write().await;
                 let s = Arc::clone(
                     write
                         .entry(origin.to_owned())
@@ -1651,24 +1661,26 @@ impl Service {
         }
         .await;
 
-        let back_off = |id| match services()
-            .globals
-            .bad_signature_ratelimiter
-            .write()
-            .unwrap()
-            .entry(id)
-        {
-            hash_map::Entry::Vacant(e) => {
-                e.insert((Instant::now(), 1));
+        let back_off = |id| async {
+            match services()
+                .globals
+                .bad_signature_ratelimiter
+                .write()
+                .await
+                .entry(id)
+            {
+                hash_map::Entry::Vacant(e) => {
+                    e.insert((Instant::now(), 1));
+                }
+                hash_map::Entry::Occupied(mut e) => *e.get_mut() = (Instant::now(), e.get().1 + 1),
             }
-            hash_map::Entry::Occupied(mut e) => *e.get_mut() = (Instant::now(), e.get().1 + 1),
         };
 
         if let Some((time, tries)) = services()
             .globals
             .bad_signature_ratelimiter
             .read()
-            .unwrap()
+            .await
             .get(&signature_ids)
         {
             // Exponential backoff
@@ -1775,7 +1787,7 @@ impl Service {
 
         drop(permit);
 
-        back_off(signature_ids);
+        back_off(signature_ids).await;
 
         warn!("Failed to find public key for server: {}", origin);
         Err(Error::BadServerResponse(
diff --git a/src/service/rooms/lazy_loading/mod.rs b/src/service/rooms/lazy_loading/mod.rs
index c51a57e9..e2594a0a 100644
--- a/src/service/rooms/lazy_loading/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/rooms/lazy_loading/mod.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 mod data;
-use std::{
-    collections::{HashMap, HashSet},
-    sync::Mutex,
-};
+use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet};
 
 pub use data::Data;
 use ruma::{DeviceId, OwnedDeviceId, OwnedRoomId, OwnedUserId, RoomId, UserId};
+use tokio::sync::Mutex;
 
 use crate::Result;
 
@@ -33,7 +31,7 @@ impl Service {
     }
 
     #[tracing::instrument(skip(self))]
-    pub fn lazy_load_mark_sent(
+    pub async fn lazy_load_mark_sent(
         &self,
         user_id: &UserId,
         device_id: &DeviceId,
@@ -41,7 +39,7 @@ impl Service {
         lazy_load: HashSet<OwnedUserId>,
         count: PduCount,
     ) {
-        self.lazy_load_waiting.lock().unwrap().insert(
+        self.lazy_load_waiting.lock().await.insert(
             (
                 user_id.to_owned(),
                 device_id.to_owned(),
@@ -53,14 +51,14 @@ impl Service {
     }
 
     #[tracing::instrument(skip(self))]
-    pub fn lazy_load_confirm_delivery(
+    pub async fn lazy_load_confirm_delivery(
         &self,
         user_id: &UserId,
         device_id: &DeviceId,
         room_id: &RoomId,
         since: PduCount,
     ) -> Result<()> {
-        if let Some(user_ids) = self.lazy_load_waiting.lock().unwrap().remove(&(
+        if let Some(user_ids) = self.lazy_load_waiting.lock().await.remove(&(
             user_id.to_owned(),
             device_id.to_owned(),
             room_id.to_owned(),
diff --git a/src/service/rooms/spaces/mod.rs b/src/service/rooms/spaces/mod.rs
index b0a9ed2a..981d4a37 100644
--- a/src/service/rooms/spaces/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/rooms/spaces/mod.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
+use std::sync::Arc;
 
 use lru_cache::LruCache;
 use ruma::{
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ use ruma::{
     space::SpaceRoomJoinRule,
     OwnedRoomId, RoomId, UserId,
 };
+use tokio::sync::Mutex;
 
 use tracing::{debug, error, warn};
 
@@ -79,7 +80,7 @@ impl Service {
             if let Some(cached) = self
                 .roomid_spacechunk_cache
                 .lock()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .get_mut(&current_room.to_owned())
                 .as_ref()
             {
@@ -171,7 +172,7 @@ impl Service {
                         .transpose()?
                         .unwrap_or(JoinRule::Invite);
 
-                    self.roomid_spacechunk_cache.lock().unwrap().insert(
+                    self.roomid_spacechunk_cache.lock().await.insert(
                         current_room.clone(),
                         Some(CachedSpaceChunk {
                             chunk,
@@ -265,7 +266,7 @@ impl Service {
                         }
                     }
 
-                    self.roomid_spacechunk_cache.lock().unwrap().insert(
+                    self.roomid_spacechunk_cache.lock().await.insert(
                         current_room.clone(),
                         Some(CachedSpaceChunk {
                             chunk,
@@ -289,7 +290,7 @@ impl Service {
                 } else {
                     self.roomid_spacechunk_cache
                         .lock()
-                        .unwrap()
+                        .await
                         .insert(current_room.clone(), None);
                 }
             }
diff --git a/src/service/rooms/state/mod.rs b/src/service/rooms/state/mod.rs
index c209eb5a..f6581bb5 100644
--- a/src/service/rooms/state/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/rooms/state/mod.rs
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ impl Service {
                         .spaces
                         .roomid_spacechunk_cache
                         .lock()
-                        .unwrap()
+                        .await
                         .remove(&pdu.room_id);
                 }
                 _ => continue,
diff --git a/src/service/rooms/timeline/mod.rs b/src/service/rooms/timeline/mod.rs
index b66fc645..097cc82f 100644
--- a/src/service/rooms/timeline/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/rooms/timeline/mod.rs
@@ -2,12 +2,8 @@ mod data;
 
 use std::{
     cmp::Ordering,
-    collections::{BTreeMap, HashMap},
-};
-
-use std::{
-    collections::HashSet,
-    sync::{Arc, Mutex, RwLock},
+    collections::{BTreeMap, HashMap, HashSet},
+    sync::Arc,
 };
 
 pub use data::Data;
@@ -32,7 +28,7 @@ use ruma::{
 };
 use serde::Deserialize;
 use serde_json::value::{to_raw_value, RawValue as RawJsonValue};
-use tokio::sync::MutexGuard;
+use tokio::sync::{Mutex, MutexGuard, RwLock};
 use tracing::{error, info, warn};
 
 use crate::{
@@ -201,7 +197,7 @@ impl Service {
     ///
     /// Returns pdu id
     #[tracing::instrument(skip(self, pdu, pdu_json, leaves))]
-    pub fn append_pdu<'a>(
+    pub async fn append_pdu<'a>(
         &self,
         pdu: &PduEvent,
         mut pdu_json: CanonicalJsonObject,
@@ -263,11 +259,11 @@ impl Service {
                 .globals
                 .roomid_mutex_insert
                 .write()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .entry(pdu.room_id.clone())
                 .or_default(),
         );
-        let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().unwrap();
+        let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().await;
 
         let count1 = services().globals.next_count()?;
         // Mark as read first so the sending client doesn't get a notification even if appending
@@ -395,7 +391,7 @@ impl Service {
                         .spaces
                         .roomid_spacechunk_cache
                         .lock()
-                        .unwrap()
+                        .await
                         .remove(&pdu.room_id);
                 }
             }
@@ -806,7 +802,7 @@ impl Service {
     /// Creates a new persisted data unit and adds it to a room. This function takes a
     /// roomid_mutex_state, meaning that only this function is able to mutate the room state.
     #[tracing::instrument(skip(self, state_lock))]
-    pub fn build_and_append_pdu(
+    pub async fn build_and_append_pdu(
         &self,
         pdu_builder: PduBuilder,
         sender: &UserId,
@@ -902,14 +898,16 @@ impl Service {
         // pdu without it's state. This is okay because append_pdu can't fail.
         let statehashid = services().rooms.state.append_to_state(&pdu)?;
 
-        let pdu_id = self.append_pdu(
-            &pdu,
-            pdu_json,
-            // Since this PDU references all pdu_leaves we can update the leaves
-            // of the room
-            vec![(*pdu.event_id).to_owned()],
-            state_lock,
-        )?;
+        let pdu_id = self
+            .append_pdu(
+                &pdu,
+                pdu_json,
+                // Since this PDU references all pdu_leaves we can update the leaves
+                // of the room
+                vec![(*pdu.event_id).to_owned()],
+                state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // We set the room state after inserting the pdu, so that we never have a moment in time
         // where events in the current room state do not exist
@@ -947,7 +945,7 @@ impl Service {
     /// Append the incoming event setting the state snapshot to the state from the
     /// server that sent the event.
     #[tracing::instrument(skip_all)]
-    pub fn append_incoming_pdu<'a>(
+    pub async fn append_incoming_pdu<'a>(
         &self,
         pdu: &PduEvent,
         pdu_json: CanonicalJsonObject,
@@ -977,11 +975,11 @@ impl Service {
             return Ok(None);
         }
 
-        let pdu_id =
-            services()
-                .rooms
-                .timeline
-                .append_pdu(pdu, pdu_json, new_room_leaves, state_lock)?;
+        let pdu_id = services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .append_pdu(pdu, pdu_json, new_room_leaves, state_lock)
+            .await?;
 
         Ok(Some(pdu_id))
     }
@@ -1118,7 +1116,7 @@ impl Service {
                 .globals
                 .roomid_mutex_federation
                 .write()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .entry(room_id.to_owned())
                 .or_default(),
         );
@@ -1150,11 +1148,11 @@ impl Service {
                 .globals
                 .roomid_mutex_insert
                 .write()
-                .unwrap()
+                .await
                 .entry(room_id.clone())
                 .or_default(),
         );
-        let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().unwrap();
+        let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().await;
 
         let count = services().globals.next_count()?;
         let mut pdu_id = shortroomid.to_be_bytes().to_vec();