Daily Archives: July 19, 2023

Will Psychedelics Be Rescheduled After FDA Approval? – Harris Bricken

Posted: July 19, 2023 at 1:15 pm

A handful of entities are in various stages of the FDA approval process for MDMA and psilocybin drugs (seehereandhere for some of our prior analysis of the issues). FDA approval could happen in the next few years.

But theres a catch: psilocybin and MDMA are both schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). And schedule I narcotics are essentially off limits for prescription. So, how will this new system work?

In order for physicians and medical professionals to prescribe and administer FDA approved MDMA and psilocybin formulations, the federal government has to reschedule them. One question I get frequently is whether this would mean a categorical rescheduling of MDMA and psilocybin. In other words, would the government move psilocybin and MDMA, as a whole, to a lower schedule.

The answer to this question is almost certainly no. In all likelihood, the federal government will reschedule the FDA approved drug formulations and leave MDMA and psilocybin on schedule I. There is precedent for this. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (or GHB) is a schedule I depressant under the CSA. Drug manufacturers have gotten FDA approval for drugs that contain formulations of GHB for example, XYWAV, and according to that link:

XYWAV is a Schedule III controlled substance. The active moiety of XYWAV is oxybate, also known as gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a Schedule I controlled substance. Abuse of illicit GHB, either alone or in combination with other CNS depressants, is associated with CNS adverse reactions, including seizure, respiratory depression, decreases in the level of consciousness, coma, and death. The rapid onset of sedation, coupled with the amnestic features of GHB particularly when combined with alcohol, has proven to be dangerous for the voluntary and involuntary user (eg, assault victim). Physicians should carefully evaluate patients for a history of drug abuse and follow such patients closely.

Indeed, if you take a look at the DEAs CSA regulations, youll see right there under schedule III: Any drug product containing gamma hydroxybutyric acid, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, for which an application is approved under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Translated into English: if a drug containing GHB gets FDA approval, it is a schedule III drug.

All signs point to something similar happening for both MDMA and psilocybin. Theres virtually no way the federal government will loosen up CSA restrictions for non-approved formulations, so well likely see carveouts for those FDA approved drugs on schedule II or III. That will allow a regulated medical market while giving the DEA wide enforcement powers for everyone else.

I should also point out here that the expected rescheduling wont effect the service center market in places like Oregon or Colorado. Those service centers will use psilocybin produced in state-regulated manners, not FDA approved formulations. So none of the benefits of, say, moving a drug to schedule III and getting rid of 280E risks, are going to happen.

Make sure to stay tuned to the Psychedelics Law Blogfor more updates on the psychedelics industry.

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The Psychedelic Preparedness Scale: A Tool to Optimize Trip … – Filter

Posted: at 1:15 pm

The journey itself is only one part of the psychedelic experience. But while many people are now recognizing the need for integrationprocessing, interpreting and incorporating what happened during your tripfewer are focused on what happens before it starts.

Preparation is just as crucial as integration, if not more so, believes Rosalind McAlpine, a PhD candidate at University College London. Most studies and trials include a preparation stage, but there are no established standards for what that entails, and the people designing and leading research often dont have firsthand experience. Its why she helped create the first Psychedelic Preparedness Scale (PPS): Based on feedback from people who actually use psychedelics, it measures the degree to which a person is prepared for a trip.

In societies where plant medicine is part of everyday life, many aspects of what we might call preparedness are often woven into the fabric of the culture, and the community itself acts as a container, McAlpine told Filter. But in the Global North, this is a relatively new construct [and] theres an active need to make time and space for adequate preparation.

Anything we can do before going in to increase the likelihood of having a safe, meaningful and potentially transformative experience should be exposed.

In a presentation at Breaking Convention 2023, she likened it to a day trip to Paris: You dont have to pack, research, or plan a route; youll still have an experience. But youll probably end up missing a lot of what you hoped to encounter, and you might even end up in an unsafe situation.

Psychedelics, too, will bring you an experience no matter whatbut without familiarizing yourself with the possibilities, you could not only miss the benefits, but potentially suffer real harms.

Challenging experiences are often the most transformative parts of psychedelic journeys, but these can be incredibly intense: from encounters with death or otherworldly entities, to repressed memories resurfacing. People need tools to navigate these moments when they arise.

Blogs and articles provide blanket advice; retreat centers give attendees guidelines; but none of this is standardized or geared toward the clinical setting, and little of what users and practitioners are doing is documented, McAlpine said.

The PPS aims to change that. From the perspective of harm reduction, she said, anything we can do before going in to increase the likelihood of having a safe, meaningful and potentially transformative experience, reducing the risks involved and potentiating challenging experiences as growth opportunities rather than traumatic events should be exposed.

The team gathered items for the scale based on feedback from both learned experience experts and lived experience experts.

McAlpines team defines psychedelic preparedness as a state preceding the session that is conducive to a safe and personally meaningful experience. The state will allow the participant to be psychologically, physically, and socially ready for the content and consequences of the experience, and will most likely involve a variety of extra-pharmacological factors.

The team gathered items for the scale based on feedback from both learned experience experts in psychiatry, philosophy and psychedelic research and, uniquely, lived experience experts undergoing psychedelic healing, whose perspective is often missing from scientific literature.

The intention was to include patient and public involvement [or PPI], throughout the whole process, McAlpine said, from creating the scale to implementing and optimizing it, in order to reflect not only the rigorous, hard-science framework, but also the voices of those people who would most benefit. PPI aims to bring accountability, transparency, and relevance to scientific studiesdefined by the authors of a paper that inspired the team as research performed with or by patients and members of the public, rather than to, about, or for them.

The scale was built in a three-study process. This involved collecting feedback through focus groups and interviews to determine which measures should be included; exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to gauge which measures most impacted preparedness; and preliminary implementation. The scale was then validated by two online samples of psychedelics users (516 and 716 people, respectively), and tested on 46 people attending psilocybin retreats at partnering centers, tracking preparedness levels and outcomes.

Preparedness elements defined by the PPS fall into four categories. These include knowledge expectations, meaning the person had an understanding of the substance itself and what the experience might be like; support and planning, meaning they felt the substance was safe to take and had a supportive physical environment; and psychophysical readiness, or being prepared for the whole range of emotional experiences, from bliss to horror, as well as physical possibilities, like vomiting or urination.

Across the board, participants with higher levels of preparedness had significantly better outcomes than those with lower levels.

The final category was intention preparation, involving measures like journaling, breathwork, and meditationrated most important by participants. McAlpines team plans to pilot a meditation-based preparedness intervention at UCL.

Through meditation, one participant said, I was able to enter the psychedelic state with a more open and receptive mindset. It helped me shed some of my preconceptions and allow the experience to unfold organically, without trying to control it or impose my own expectations.

Another noted, [Meditation] allowed me to approach the experience with a sense of curiosity and exploration, rather than fear or resistance.

Measures of participants outcomes included emotional breakthrough; mystical experience; challenging experience; post-psychedelic growth; the centrality of the event (whether, and how, the experience became central to their identity and a turning or reference point for their life story); wellbeing; relationship attachment style; extraversion; altered states of consciousness (gauging the acute experience); and depression, anxiety, and stress.

The scale doesnt prevent difficult things from happening, but it can point you in the right direction to reduce harm and maximize benefit.

Across the board, participants with higher levels of preparedness had significantly better outcomes than those with lower levels. High preparers had higher scores on positive measures such as unity, spiritual experience, blissful state, and insightfulness than low preparers; they also showed significantly greater reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress. When high preparers did have challenging moments in a trip, they were more likely to turn them into growth opportunities, and they were also more likely to experience positive changes in wellbeing after the experience.

The scale doesnt prevent difficult things from happening, but it can point you in the right direction to reduce harm and maximize benefit, McAlpine said. If one went into those experiences with no idea that was going to happen, it can be an unnecessary challenge Even a little bit of psychoeducation [and] expectation management can go incredibly far.

The PPS could serve as a valuable screening tool to identify individuals who may require additional preparation or support prior to undergoing psychedelic interventions, thereby functioning as a pre-intervention assessment to pinpoint areas of preparedness that necessitate attention, the researchers wrote. Furthermore, the PPS could serve as an outcome measure to evaluate the effectiveness of psychedelic preparedness interventions or to compare the efficacy of different preparation protocols.

Just because a study is conducted in a scientific setting doesnt mean its safe, as evidenced by allegations of abuse and misconduct in some of the MDMA trials conducted by MAPS. There needs to be more investigation and reporting of whats going on in those preparation sessions, specifically within the context of clinical psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, McAlpine said.

While the PPS was co-created with people who use psychedelics, the studies behind it focused on clinical settings, limiting researchers to including only people who could legally disclose their psychedelic usethose who had participated in research studies, clinical trials, or retreats. (Only clinical-trial participants contributed to the creation of the scale items.)

The last thing we want is to be like, Were the scientists, were right.

Obviously, this misses a massive swath of the user base, as McAlpine lamented, and vastly underrepresents the Indigenous people who are the original keepers of the largest body of knowledge on the subject. It also impacts the demographic makeup of their samples: The academic contributors, unsurprisingly, were predominantly white men. The lived-experience experts were more diverse by gender and nationality (data on sexual and gender identity were not collected). But respondents were still largely white, educated and well-off, hailing from the United Kingdom (mostly) and other European countries.

The PPS is open-access, and McAlpine encourages everyone to use it. She now calls upon others to pick up where her teams research left off, capturing a broader scope of lived experience. The scale is currently being used in a DMT neuroimaging study at University College London, and organizations such as the Institute of Psychedelic Therapy have used it for therapist training.

The aim is to keep it iterative and intuitive, learning from as many sources as possible to shed light on what works and what doesnt, McAlpine said, [while] giving voice to people who dont always get it. The last thing we want is to be like, Were the scientists, were right.

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How to Test Psychedelics for Adulterants with Testing Kits – Psychedelic Spotlight

Posted: at 1:15 pm

As interest in psychedelic substances grows, ensuring the safety and purity of these substances is an increasingly important thing to practice. One of the most effective ways to mitigate risks associated with drug use is through the use of testing kits. Organizations like DanceSafe.org offer testing kits that allow individuals to analyze the composition of various psychedelic drugs, helping identify potential adulterants or contaminants.

Before delving into the specifics of testing various psychedelic drugs, it is essential to comprehend the purpose and benefits of testing kits. These kits are designed to provide users with crucial information about the contents of a particular substance. By analyzing the presence of adulterants, such as harmful chemicals or other drugs, testing kits help individuals make informed decisions and reduce the risks associated with substance use.

Testing your psychedelics is very easy and only takes 5 minutes. You should never skip testing your psychedelics, specially if buying from strangers or new dealers. Even if you have a reputable seller, always test your drugs, as you never know if their supply has changed.

If you are afraid that testing your drugs will be expensive, fear not. Testing kits are affordable. The LSD and ketamine kits are only $20 each, while the MDMA one is $50 (since it includes 3 reagents). Plus, each kit can perform between 50-75 tests. That should be enough to last you a long while.

To begin testing a psychedelic substance for adulterants, it is important to choose a suitable testing kit. DanceSafe.org is a reputable organization that offers a range of testing kits specifically designed for different types of substances which has become drug users favorite go-to brand. Their kits often utilize reagent tests, which involve adding small amounts of the substance being tested to a reagent chemical and observing color reactions to determine its composition. Additionally, DanceSafe.org provides detailed instructions and resources on how to use their testing kits effectively. (This is not a sponsored post. They are just the most popular, affordable testing kit manufacturer).

There are different types of reagent tests that can be utilized for testing a variety of drugs. The common reagent tests you can find are: Marquis, Simons, Froehde, Liebermann, Morris, Ehrlichs, Mandelin, Mecke, and Folin. Lets break down what the purpose of each is. Each link will take you to the corresponding kit page on DanceSafe.

Marquis: The Marquis reagent is a reagent that is used to test for the purity of MDMA and cocaine. It effectively reacts with amphetamines. The Marquis reagent cannot be used alone and should be with at least another reagent to confirm the purity of a substance. It is the first step in testing MDMA and second step in testing cocaine.

Simons: This is a secondary test that is almost always used alongside another reagent for confirmation. It is one of the three reagents used to test MDMA. Simons helps differentiate between MDMA and MDA, as well as methamphetamine and amphetamine.

Froehde: This is a reagent also used in testing MDMA but can produce unique color reactions with substances such as 2C-B, mescaline, and some cathinones.

Liebermann: This reagent is helpful for identifying possible cocaine adulterants like levamisole. It is also useful for testing substances like amphetamines, ketamine, and more unusual drugs.

Morris: This testing kit that can distinguish ketamine from DCK, 2-FDCK, and other novel dissociatives. It can also be used to determine the presence of cocaine.

Ehrlichs: This reagent is used to test the purity of LSD to ensure it is not adulterated with substances like 25I-NBOMe.

Mandelin: The Mandelin reagent is used as an additional layer of testing for a variety of drugs. This test provides more information when other reagents do not go as expected. It can react with amphetamines, certain cathinones, cocaine, ketamine, 2C-B, 2C-I, mescaline, PMA, PMMA, oxycodone, heroin, aspirin, and sugar.

Mecke: Similar to the Mandelin reagent, the Mecke test is used to perform more specialized and complete testing. It can help confirm the identity of substances such as entactogens, cathinones, 2C-B, 2C-I, mescaline, oxycodone, heroin, and sugar.

Folin: This last reagent is useful for detecting a class of drugs called piperazines, which include BZP and TFMPP.

LSD is commonly sold on blotter paper or in liquid form. To test LSD for adulterants, carefully cut a small portion of the blotter or gel tab and place it on a white, ceramic plate. It is important that it is white, as it will facilitate seeing the color.

Candies, purple- or blue-dyed blotters, and gel tabs can be difficult to test. Although sometimes possible, the reaction can be hard to read. Gel tabs may take longer to dissolve.

Hold the reagent bottle an inch or two above the sample and squeeze one drop of Ehrlichs reagent, and observe the color reaction over the next five minutes. A violet hue indicates the presence of LSD. Once you observe the color reaction, dispose of the small piece of the blotter. Do not consume a tested blotter. Consuming Ehrlichs reagent can be fatal.

If Ehrlichs doesnt turn purple, you definitely do not have LSD. Drugs like 25I-NBOMe do not react with Ehrlich, so it is possible the LSD sample is adulterated. Do not consume an adulterated LSD tab.

If Ehrlichs turns purple, there is a high chance you have LSD. It may be reacting with another indole, but you are not getting an immediate red flag that something is wrong.

LSD will show up purple on an Ehrlich's reagent test. No reaction indicates an adulterated substance. Source: DanceSafe

MDMA is often found in pill or powdered form. To test MDMA, you will require three different reagents: Marquis, Simons, and Froedhe. All three are required for a comprehensive analysis of the sample. To test MDMA, scrape a small amount of the pill or powder onto a testing plate. You will need enough for three different reactions.

Place a drop of the marquis reagent on your MDMA sample. In the presence of MDMA, Marquis will quickly turn black, or you will see purple at first.

This step will help you differentiate between MDMA and MDA. Simons turns blue in the presence of MDMA and will not react or turn a dark grey with a hint of green in the presence of MDA. Place a drop on another clean sample.

Lastly, this step will help test for the very rare occasion that you were sold drugs called APBs under the guise of MDMA. This reagent is most useful for testing something that was sold to to you as an APB. It can be hard to differentiate between an MDMA/MDA reaction and an APB reaction, so do not assume you have an APB reaction unless theres very, very clear purple in it. Pleace a drop on another clean sample. Do not test on previously tested samples.

Ketamine has risen in popularity in the past couple of years, especially in the club, rave, and gay scenes. With more demand for ketamine, there is the possibility of manufacturers cutting corners and adulterating it to reduce costs. There are an increasing number of drugs that are being sold under the guise of ketamine presently, and these can include ketamine analogs, PCP analogs, novel dissociatives. Because ketamine is often sold in a white powder form, it is also possible it can be adulterated with cocaine or fentanyl. To test for ketamine, Morris reagent is used. Other tests can be used to further analyze the drug such as those testing for cocaine or fentanyl. The Morris reagent is a two-part process that comes in two bottles: a pink one (Morris A) and a green one (Morris B)

Use at least 5-10mg of material to get an accurate reading. On a white ceramic plate, put a drop of the pink bottle (Morris A) that comes with the Morris testing kit onto your sample.

Put a drop of the green bottle (Morris B) on the same sample. The sample should have both Morris A and Morris B on it.

Using a toothpick or the sharp point of a knife, stir the mixture for a full 30 seconds.

A ketamine sample will turn purple. Cocaine will turn bright blue, like a Jolly Rancher. DCK or 2F-DCK will turn dark blue/gray. Most other drugs will turn a dull green, meaning a negative reaction.

It is important to learn how to read a ketamine test to be sure of the authenticity of your substance. Source: DanceSafe

While shrooms do containe indole groups, Ehrlichs reagent is not recommended to be used with them, as it is only meant to test LSD. There are no current reagents that test shrooms for adulterants.

The most important harm reduction practice is triple checking that you actually bought psychedelic mushrooms and are not being sold poisonous mushrooms.

If you personally harvested mushrooms in the wild, it is very important to get them identified by a professional mycologist group, forum, individual, or association especially if you do not have much experience with foraging wild mushrooms. Galerina is a genus of mushrooms that are commonly misidentified as shrooms; this genus contains some extremely poisonous species. Identifying mushrooms is not as easy as one may think, so only do so, if you are 100% sure of your skills. Ingesting a wrongly-identified mushroom can lead to serious health consequences or death.

If you are growing mushrooms at home, ensure that the spore vendor where you bought your spores from is reputable. Do your due diligence and ask around psychedelic communities for their opinion on a vendor you are thinking of using, as many people may have had experiences with them or know of a better vendor.

Although rare, there have been instances where fentanyl has been found in certain psychedelics, such as ketamine. While there are no testing strips on the market that can detect every fentanyl analog, using a strip is still good practice to detect the presence of any analog. You can test for fentanyl on any LSD, MDMA, ketamine, cocaine, pharmaceuticals, and more.

To test for fentanyl in a sample, simply dilute a sample of the drug in water. The ratio of powder to water is 10mg / ml. Dip the testing strip in. If the testing strip has two red lines, it has no fentanyl. If it has one red line, it has fentanyl.

Do not skip on testing your substances. Responsible drug use requires testing substances every time before consuming them. Always test your drugs, even if you bought them from the same seller multiple times in the past without problems. Drug dealers may change the distributor where they get their drugs from, or may be unaware where they come from. Some drug dealers test your drugs for you and show you the results of the reagent tests before selling them, but this is not common practice.

In public spaces like concerts and festivals, it is more common for people to take drugs without testing them. It is good practice to bring a testing kit with you it only takes 5 minutes of your time. Some festivals also bring harm reduction and testing organizations to their grounds to help festival goers test their drugs, and no, the police will not get you because you use them. These organizations are there to help you.

It is also common for harm reduction organizations to exist in your city. It is more than likely that someone in your city has started a harm reduction service. There are syringe exchange programs, mobile harm reduction testing sites, and harm reduction hotlines that are available to you to test your drugs, in the case you do not want to do it yourself at home.

Do not feel pressured to take drugs you arent sure of, and always suggest testing them. Doing so helps break down stigma surrounding drug testing, too. And do not fall victim to the mindset of oh, but Im wasting product by testing. Only a minimal amount is required to test a drug, and it is better off losing milligrams of your product than losing function of your body or even losing your life.

It is crucial to remember that testing kits provide preliminary information and are not infallible. While reagent tests can detect the presence of specific substances, they cannot identify all potential contaminants. Additionally, different adulterants may produce similar color reactions, requiring further testing or professional lab analysis for confirmation. Therefore, if there is any uncertainty about the results, it is advisable to err on the side of caution and refrain from consuming the substance.

Testing kits provided by organizations like DanceSafe.org play a vital role in promoting personal safety and harm reduction within the realm of psychedelic drug use. By utilizing these kits and following proper testing procedures, individuals can gain valuable insights into the composition of their substances, helping them make informed decisions about their own well-being. Part of being a person who uses drugs is responsibly doing said drugs. It is crucial to prioritize personal safety, education, and responsible drug use practices to minimize potential risks associated with psychedelic substances.

Psychedelic Spotlight's Bonfire division offers aFREE Psychedelics for Beginners coursewhere you can learn everything about the different psychedelic compounds, the importance of mindset, how to prepare for your psychedelic experience and how to integrate it.

Disclaimer: Psychedelic Spotlight does not condone the use of illegal substances. The purpose of this article is for educational and harm reduction purposes only. If you suffer from a medical or mental condition, please consult with your doctor before taking any substance.

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Human Insulin Market Demand, In-depth Analysis and Estimated … – Digital Journal

Posted: at 1:15 pm

PRESS RELEASE

Published July 19, 2023

What Future Impact Can We Expect From Human Insulin Market Insights In 2023?

Leading Market Research Firm: Skyquest Technology has announced the release of its latest report on Human Insulin Market. It provides an in-depth analysis of the drivers, restraints, market dynamics, trends, opportunities and challenges, and competitive landscape that are expected to shape its future growth trajectory.

An overview of the Human Insulin MarketSize, Status, and Forecast. The readers will obtain a knowledge of the important players competing in this region. This paper examined the primary growth tactics used by these companies to maintain their position, such as innovative trends and advancements, product portfolio intensification, mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, new product innovation, and geographical expansion. The analysis incorporates current advancements as well as critical financials in addition to business plans. The readers will also have access to data on global revenue by company. This comprehensive analysis will certainly help clients stay informed and make sound business decisions.

Get PDF sample for Industrial Insights and business Intelligence https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/human-insulin-market

Global Human Insulin Market size was valued at USD 18.73 billion in 2021 and is poised to grow from USD 19.05 billion in 2022 to USD 21.80 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 1.7% during the forecast period (2023-2030).

Human Insulin Market Top Players Company Profiles:

Get Full Summary of Human Insulin Market: https://www.skyquestt.com/report/human-insulin-market

Human Insulin MarketForecast | Influencing Factors | Historic Data

Would you like to ask a question? Ask Our Expert: https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/human-insulin-market

The research study can answer the following Key questions:

(1) What is the estimated size of the Human Insulin Market at the end of the forecast period? (2) Is the segment-leading the Human Insulin Market anticipated to retain its leadership? (3) Which regions demonstrate the maximum growth potential? (4) Does any player dominate the Human Insulin Market? (5) What are the main drivers and restraints in the Human Insulin Market?

Competitive Outlook

The report notes that theHuman Insulin Market is highly competitive, with various vendors offering innovative products and services. In addition, the report highlights the growing popularity, which are expected to play a major role in the growth of the Human Insulin Market.

Report Inclusions:

About Us:

SkyQuest Technologyis leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally.

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1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886

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USA (+1) 617-230-0741

Email: [emailprotected]

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Cannabis Science Conference to debut in Providence, R.I., with … – GlobeNewswire

Posted: at 1:15 pm

PROVIDENCE, R.I., July 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cannabis Science Conference (CSC), the premier cannabis science conference focusing on analytical science, medical cannabis, cultivation and psychedelics, announced today that its fall edition will make its first-ever appearance in Providence, R.I. Taking place at the Rhode Island Convention Center from September 2022, this highly anticipated conference will become the epicenter for education related to the exciting cannabis and psychedelic markets.

We are thrilled to bring the Cannabis Science Conference to Providence, said Megan LHeureux, group editorial director of Cannabis Science and Technology and Cannabis Patient Care magazines. Rhode Island is emerging as a major player in the cannabis science industry, and this event will serve as a dynamic hub for professionals to learn, network and collaborate.

Keynote speaker Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a primary care doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital, instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School, and 25-year cannabis specialist, will share his knowledge in an address titled, Cannabis Reconsidered: A Science-Based Look at the True Harms and Benefits. In a recent interview with Cannabis Science and Technology, Grinspoon discussed what he hoped attendees will learn from this presentation. We all need to be humble. We all need to forget what we think we know about cannabis. Nobody, including me, has a monopoly on the truth. We just have to think for ourselves, said Dr. Grinspoon. I'm just really hoping that by challenging some of the myths, methodology, and misconceptions that people will come away feeling more confident in thinking for themselves on this issue.

Dr. Dustin Sulak, a distinguished integrative medicine physician, will also take the stage at the fall event for a keynote address. With a deep-rooted practice in osteopathy, mind-body medicine and medical cannabis applications, Dr. Sulak is renowned for his expertise in the medical use of cannabis. His keynote address, The Knowledge and Art of Combining Cannabinoids for Treatment Success, will explore recent advancements in accessing rare cannabinoids and challenge assumptions about THC and CBD combinations. CSC will also feature several fireside chats with industry experts such as world-renowned cannabis geneticist Adam Jacques as well as a hot button discussion on THC potency inflation with leading analytical scientists.

CSC is designed to provide world-class science education and insights. Attendees can expect expert-led presentations, roundtable discussions, exhibits and a full-day pre-conference workshop called Canna Boot Camp, taking place on September 20. Canna Boot Camp covers a wide range of cannabis science topics, including cultivation, preprocessing, sample preparation, analytical testing, extraction and edibles manufacturing.

The conference boasts dedicated program chairs and an educational steering committee, ensuring the highest quality and relevant content. CSC places great emphasis on networking and collaboration opportunities among attendees, speakers and exhibitors, fostering a vibrant atmosphere for knowledge exchange and business growth within the cannabis industry.

To register and learn more, please visit the registration page.

About Cannabis Science Conference:

Cannabis Science Conference (CSC) is the industrys premier science event, focusing on analytical science, medical cannabis, cultivation and psychedelics. CSC brings together cannabis and psychedelicindustry experts, including instrument manufacturers, testing labs, research scientists, cultivators, medical practitioners, policy makers, patients and interested novices to network and share ideas. CSC runs semiannual events nationwide in emerging markets, aimed at improving cannabis and psychedelic science. Join us for world-class education, stellar networking and the opportunity to connect with thought leaders, leading scientists, pioneers in cutting-edge medical applications and industry suppliers. For more information, visitwww.cannabisscienceconference.com.

Media Contact: Lauren Garafola MJH Life Sciences lgarafola@mjhlifesciences.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0392bfc7-563b-4b86-bd0d-9e70982b71a3

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New Speaker Rivas weighs in on psychedelics, housing and health care worker minimum wage – Yahoo News

Posted: at 1:15 pm

Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

RIVAS SAYS YES TO THREE CONTROVERSIAL BILLS

Via Mathew Miranda

Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas supports legalizing psychedelic drugs, raising health care worker minimum wage to $25 and a controversial housing bill opposed by some Assembly Democrats and the San Francisco Giants.

He doled out those opinions, plus more on his leadership plans and priorities for a new era in the California Legislature, at the Sacramento Press Club on Wednesday.

The housing bill, introduced by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, passed the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources despite the chairs opposition on Monday. It extends an existing law that allows streamlining of multifamily housing developments in cities that arent meeting state-mandated requirements.

Im excited to support any and all efforts to ensure that well get a good policy across, Rivas said.

Wiener is also pushing for SB 58 to decriminalize psilocybin (magic mushrooms), psilocyn, DMT, mescaline and ibogaine. The bill passed its final policy committee on Tuesday, and now advances to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. This marks the San Francisco Democrats second bid to remove criminal penalties for possession and personal use of certain psychedelics.

Rivas said yes, when asked if California should legalize psychedelics.

As for the proposed minimum wage increase, Rivas paused for 10 seconds before saying I want to be respectful of the process, yes.

NEWSOM STUMPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH BOND ISSUE

Via Maggie Angst...

With budget negotiations in the rearview mirror, Gov. Gavin Newsom is turning his attention to the next priority -- securing legislative and voter approval of his multi-billion-dollar plan to house thousands of mentally ill people across California.

Newsom held a roundtable Wednesday with state and local lawmakers and behavioral health advocates to drum up support for a proposed ballot measure that he says will help the state treat brain health early before we punish it later.

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There is no other issue that impacts more people in more ways on more days than the issue of behavioral health, the issue of mental health, Newsom said during a press briefing afterward.

A pair of bills from Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, D-Stockton, and Assembly Member Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks, that would enact the governors plans are making their way through the legislature.

Irwins calls for using $4.68 billion in new bond revenue to build 10,000 new mental health treatment beds. Eggmans would reform the states Mental Health Services Act, passed by voters as Proposition 63 nearly 20 years ago and used by counties to fund services for residents with serious mental health issues.

Newsoms vision is to combine the two bills into one ballot measure that would go before voters in March 2024. But first, two-thirds of lawmakers need to vote in support.

OPIOID OVERDOSE PREDICTIONS....FOR 2022

Via Gillian Brassil...

It sounds a bit odd to predict something for a year thats come and gone. But thats what the Centers for Disease Control says about opioid deaths nationwide in 2022. They stayed flat, although California is among the states where cases are still expected to have risen.

The data is predictive to adjust for incomplete reporting. Drug overdose deaths are often initially reported without a cause because they require lengthy investigation

The latest report predicts fewer than 110,000 overdose deaths for the year ending in Feb. 2023, with most caused by illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl. Still, CDC data predicts that California cases will rise year over year by about 200 cases to roughly 12,200 deaths. It is among the half of states predicted to increase rather than decrease.

Overdose deaths had been rapidly increasing since 2019, the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. About 69,000 deaths were suspected for the year ending in Feb. 2019, ballooning to over 110,000 in the year ending in Feb. 2022.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said the data shows our nation is finally seeing early indications of success in the overdose rate that we must sustain with even more urgent action.

Tackling the opioid epidemic has been a Biden administration priority. This week, the White House announced a plan to curb the spread of a powerful veterinary tranquilizer, xylazine, that is being combined with illicit fentanyl.

Gov. Gavin Newsom too has made cracking down on fentanyl a priority, launching a partnership between the state and San Francisco to seize illicit drugs and approving $30 million for making its own naloxone from settlements with opioid manufacturers.

Naloxone can reduce or reverse effects of an opioid overdose. If you think someone is having an overdose, the California Department of Public Health recommends the following:

Call 911 and give naloxone.

Keep the person awake and breathing.

Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.

Stay with the person until 911 responders arrive.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

The best place for Mexican food in Sacramento? Laurel Rosenhall asked Robert Rivas at the Sacramento Press Club.

(long pause)

Really? Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silvas house he responded.

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TDR’s Top 5 Psychedelic Developments For The Week Of July 10 – The Dales Report

Posted: at 1:15 pm

Welcome to TDRs review of the Top 5 Psychedelic Developments for the week of July 10. Aside from presenting a synopsis of events, we provide market commentary to summarize the week that was for publicly-listed companies.

5. Ketamine For Severe Depression: 1 In 5 Achieve Remission After A Month In Promising Aussie Trial

A month-long course of ketamine injections may be an effective treatment for severe depression, say Australian doctors who found promising remission rates in their largest-of-its-kind trial.

One in five adults in the Ketamine for Adult Depression Study (KADS) achieved total remission from their symptoms after a month of twice-weekly subcutaneous ketamine injections, reported the UNSW Sydneyled team.And nearly a third of the 179 participants in the placebo-controlled trial had a 50% reduction in symptom severity.

However, these benefits disappeared after treatment cessation, which the researchers said suggested a need for longer-term treatment to maintain the antidepressant effects.

4. Tryp Therapeutics Receives Confirmation From FDA To Proceed With Phase 2A Clinical Trial in Patients With IBS

Tryp Therapeutics has received confirmation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that its review of Tryps Investigational New Drug (IND) #163,994 is complete and that the company may proceed with its Phase 2a clinical trial at Massachusetts General Hospital investigating the effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of patients aged 21+ suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

The planned study in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital will evaluate the effect of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in patients with treatment-resistant IBS who experience chronic abdominal pain and other debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms. Many of these patients also suffer from fibromyalgia, anxiety and fatigue. The primary efficacy endpoint of the study will be improvement in abdominal pain which will be measured at four weeks post the final therapist-monitored psychedelic drug session, along with numerous other secondary endpoints including changes in brain connectivity.

__________

More Than6 in 10American Registered Voters Support Legalizing Regulated Therapeutic Access To Psychedelics35%Indicate Strong Support

__________

3. Psychedelic Stocks Pause, Underperforming Peer Biotech Indices

After a strong double-digit run last week, the psychedelic sector took pause, as reflected by theAdvisorshares Psychedelics ETF (PSIL)0.97%. The performance lagged biopharma peers indices such as theNasdaq Junior Biotechnology Index3.58%andNasdaq Biotechnology Ishares ETF3.18%which both rose moderately. TheNASDAQ 1003.37%andS&P 5002.28%also rebounded on the back of a falling consumer price index print.

Heres how the Health Care (Biotechnology) sector performed:

In the news

Beckley Retreats has extended its strategic partnerships with the Heroic Hearts Project and Imperial College London.

Berkeley, California City Council has approved a resolution todeprioritize the enforcement of laws prohibiting psychedelics.

BetterLife Pharm highlighted the American College of Physicians guidelines for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder published recently in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Bipartisan congressional lawmakers are celebrating the inclusion of a psychedelics research amendment as part of a must-pass defense bill thats on the House floor.

Bipartisan lawmakers pushed for the adoption of marijuana and psychedelics amendments as part of a large-scale defense bill at a House committee meeting on Tuesdaybut the proposals fate remains uncertain following complications over unrelated measures being pushed by conservative members.

Bright Minds Biosciences announced that, further to its news release on June 22, 2023, the Company will consolidate its common shares on a five (5) to one (1) basis.

CybinInc. has commenced the development of a streamlined, scalable version of its EMBARK Training Program, known as EMBARK.

Denver Post expects psilocybin therapy to come sooner rather than later

Drug Science to launch first study to directly test molecular neuroplasticity effects of DMT in humans.

Lucy Scientific Discovery announced the launch of Twilight a blend of Amanita and Reishi mushrooms that include a variety of other nootropics promoting improved cognitive function and enhanced sleep quality.

Lucy Scientific Discovery has appointed Richard Nanula, former CFO at Amgen Inc. and The Walt Disney Co. as its new CEO.

Massachusetts: Political strategists have quietly filed paperwork to put a therapeutic psychedelics legalization initiative on the states 2024 ballot.

Meme Of The Week

New study by leading academics in the psychedelics space finds that psilocybin combined with therapy could be more cost-effective at treating major depression disorders than currently used methods.

New study reveals distinct effects of excitalopram (Lexapro) and psilocybin on brain responses to emotions, highlighting the unique approaches of these treatments in addressing depression.

Psilocybin dispensary crackdown in Windsor, Ontario.

Psycheceutical Bioscience has dosed the first healthy volunteer in a Phase I trial investigating a topical administration of ketamine for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

PsyenceGroup announced the appointment of Christopher Bull to the board of directors of the Company effective immediately.

Public awareness about psychedelics is growing, but more needs to be done

OUT NOW: The results of the inaugural UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey

47% of all respondents have heard about psychedelics recently 48% of those respondents associate psychedelics with mental health

Explore the data here: https://t.co/IzPJi2oITl pic.twitter.com/HtWn2k97N4

Rep. Dan Crenshaw again pleaded his case for the advancement of psychedelic use in the mentally ill. The matter at hand pertains to a critical Bill that aimed to utilize and study psychedelic treatments for mental illnesses in conjunction with theDepartment of Defense.

Three people associated with an illegal magic mushroom dispensary in London, Ont. were charged with drug related offences more than a month ago.

UC San Diego Psychedelics and Health Research Initiative received a $1.5 million gift from philanthropist Eugene Jhong to further our understanding of the unique states of consciousness induced by DMT and how it could benefit human health.

West Hollywood will host a free Community Educational Forumabout the possible state-level decriminalization of mushrooms (Psilocybin) and certain hallucinogenic drugs.

2. Majority Of U.S. Voters Support Therapeutic Use Of Psychedelic Drugs

Most U.S. voters support legalizing psychedelics for therapeutic use, and a growing proportion of people who report using psychedelics are microdosing taking tiny amounts of the drugs and using them for therapeutic purposes, according to a survey released Wednesday by the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics.

Sixty-one percent of people say they would support creating a regulated legal framework for the therapeutic use of psychedelics, according to the survey, which polled 1,500 registered voters online and over the phone June 9-15.

A slim majority, 56%, also say they would support federal regulators approving the use of psychedelics for prescription use.

1. California Health Committee Votes 9 To 2 To Legalize Psilocybin, DMT And Ibogaine

A second California Assembly committee has approved a Senate-passed bill to legalize the possession and facilitated use of certain psychedelics, bringing it one step closer to the floor.

Another California Assembly Committee Approves Senate-Passed Psychedelics Legalization: The sponsor said last month that the bill wasup against a challenging road toward passage but has now cleared a major hurdle.https://t.co/6MOvfammnO

The legislation from Sen. Scott Wiener (D) advanced through the Assembly Health Committee in a 9-2 vote on Tuesday. This comes about two weeks after it wasapproved by the Public Safety Committeeand two months after itcleared the full Senate. The measure must now go to the Appropriations Committee before potentially moving to the floor.

Tuesdays vote is a welcome development for advocates, as Wiener said last month that the bill wasup against a challenging road toward passagegiven its referral to the Health Committee, where the chances of approval were less certain.

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Film Commentary: How I Learned to Start Worrying and Fear the Bot" – artsfuse.org

Posted: at 1:15 pm

Complied by Ezra Haber Glenn

Long before the current writers strike, Hollywood was sounding the alarm about the dangers of AI.

A scene from a stage production of Karel apeks R.U.R. Photo: Wiki Common

For as long as weve had work which is to say, ever since we left the Garden of Eden our societys boldest prophets and inventors (and a few profit-seeking investors) have sought new ways to replace human labor with the effortless ease of technology. But while each new development may lead us closer to a brave new labor-free world, not everyone has welcomed these changes. Most notably, workers who have found themselves and their livelihoods in the headlights of automations onrush have resisted with their voices, their sabots, and their very lives but such resistance has often been dismissed as little more than self-serving Luddism, ignored by others in the name of progress and the greater good.

And now, after replacing everyone from farmers and cobblers to taxi drivers and toll collectors, the bots have come for the creative class. Yesterdays fiction is becoming todays reality, as each week we hear news of yet another generation of AI tools and wizardry being prepared to replace human workers. Programs such as DALL-E and Midjourney have ingested the collected art of all of humanity; they are now able to churn out endless reels of soulless imagery to feed our demand for custom-made illustration, everything from a daguerreotype of Abraham Lincoln punching Joseph Stalin to pornographic iguana-sex rendered in the style of Pieter Bruegel the Elder. As for the more text-oriented professions, OpenAIs ChatGPT, Googles Bard, and a host of similar generative AI are able to produce reams of seemingly novel text on command, including restaurant (or film) reviews, business plans, academic articles, and even stories, poems, scripts, and screenplays. What began as a diversion has become an existential threat.

To their credit, the artists and storytellers of the world have long been among the most vocal critics of the unchecked spread of technology, even before they found themselves confronting automation and replacement. Whether spinning tales on a stage or around a campfire or through the flickering light of a film projector writers have warned of the dangers of technology unchecked, hoping to spray some cold water on these sparking Promethean fires before they burn out of control. From the lessons of The Sorcerers Apprentice (whether Goethe or Disney) through Luddite anthems and pro-labor protest songs, right down to the modern-day fables of WarGames, The Terminator, Ex Machina, M3GAN, and just about every episode of Battlestar Galactica and Black Mirror, popular media has sounded a steady alarm to warn us of the inherent dangers of powerful automation, whether robotic, AI, or something entirely new. (Indeed, the very first use of the word robot a hundred years ago in Karel apeks R.U.R. foretold of the coming robotic uprising and the eventual extermination of humanity at the hands of our own creation.)

How to mark the current moment, when global forces of labor, creativity, capital, automation, and invention are once again locked in struggle? Weve decided to collect short reviews from a range of critics exploring films throughout the ages that explore the threats posed by robots and artificial intelligence. Some are outright Apocalyptic or dystopian works. Others present more nuanced, subtle, and blended takes. What will be lost, what can be preserved, are there ways we can control these changes in the service of a more humane post-human future? Or: are we even sure that we are actually human now?

Given how rich this particular vein is, this list is more illustrative than exhaustive. Here is a rundown of a handful of thoughtful or thought-provoking films that are worth rewatching. Readers are sure to have their own contributions and wed love to hear about as well feel free to drop them in the comments.

A captivating scene from The Twonky.

The Twonky (Arch Oboler, 1953)

Though screen time is a relatively modern concept in regard to our relationship with technology, its associated anxieties have been with us for as long as weve invited screens into our homes. Consider Arch Obolers oddball 1953 comedy The Twonky, one of the earliest films ever made about television, and one of the strangest this side of Videodrome. Hans Conried plays a harried college professor whose wife leaves him alone for the weekend to set up their brand new TV set. What neither of them realize is that their newfangled device has a mind of its own; it skitters around the house on a set of table-legs, emits lasers from its screen (which it uses to light Conreids cigarettes), and neutralizes anyone who attempts to stop it by turning them into zombies muttering I have no complaints. Eventually, Conreid reasons that this Twonky (as his best friend, the hard-drinking local football coach, dubs it) is not actually a television at all, but rather a shape-shifting robot from Earths future, designed to keep the populace in line to serve a dictator named Super Snake.

At press time, Super Snake has yet to be elected to office, but The Twonky is nevertheless surprisingly prescient in many other ways. In 1953, the idea of a television which could anticipate its owners needs was a fanciful bit of whimsy; today, we walk past aisles of smart TVs at Best Buy without blinking an eye. Like modern algorithms which invisibly guide users toward the lowest common denominator, the Twonky zaps classical records and fine literature out of Conrieds hands, forcing him to listen to nothing but Sousa marches and read trashy paperbacks. When the Twonky overhears Conried bemoaning his loneliness with his wife out of town, it picks up a phone and requests a human blonde from the Bureau of Entertainment, eerily foreshadowing the contemporary targeted ads which seemingly prove that our devices are listening to our conversations. The Twonky is a deeply silly film, closer in spirit to Bewitched than Blade Runner, but its vision of the helpful technologies which end up running our lives remains timely 70 years later.

Oscar Goff is the Editor in Chief and Senior Film Critic at Boston Hassle.

Art for Colossus: The Forbin Project

Colossus: The Forbin Project (Stanley Chase, 1970)

Based on a 1966 sci-fi novel, this cold-war thriller sets up a situation where the U.S. turns over control of its nuclear weapons to a computer. It removes the human element from war and, theoretically, makes us safer. But, as with Hal in 2001: A Space Odyssey, its all in the programming. Colossus discovers that theres a Russian counterpart and demands to be linked to it, and starts to take punitive steps when such connection is not immediately forthcoming.

Dr. Forbin suggests that those working in his field should be required to read Frankenstein in order to consider what happens when science spins out of the control of the scientists. When I screened the film for my students and we reached the less than happy ending I would wish them pleasant dreams that night. This is the real fear of AI: we expect we will control our tools. But, when the tools can think for themselves, will they bother to listen to us?

Daniel M. Kimmel is the author of Jar Jar Binks Must Die and other observations about science fiction movies.

Are we home yet? Julie Christie in Demon Seed.

The House of Tomorrow: Demon Seed (Donald Cammell, 1977) and Smart House (LeVar Burton, 1999)

In celebration of its 75th anniversary in 1967, the Philco-Ford Corporation produced 1999 A.D., a short film showcasing its vision for the House of Tomorrow, which would be equipped with futuristic technology that would allow Americans to have live video chats with friends, pay their bills automatically, and set their thermostats to the perfect temperature year round. The house, the film suggests, would be operated by a central computer that could serve as a secretary, librarian, banker, teacher, medical technician, bridge partner and all-around servant. This para-utopian vision traded in the domestic Space Age optimism previously seen in cartoons like The Jetsons, but it came one year before 2001: A Space Odyssey, which helped introduce the specter of rogue A.I. into the cultural consciousness.

A decade later, Donald Cammells Demon Seed transformed the House of Tomorrow into a psycho-sexual nightmare, in which an advanced A.I. called Proteus goes from servant to captor. Its target is suburban housewife Susan (Julie Christie), for whom Proteus acts as an abusive partner, making excuses to her friends and creating proto-deepfake videos of her claiming to be fine. Why? The computer is planning to rape and impregnate her with a human-machine hybrid. In Demon Seed, A.I. transforms Edenic suburbia into a futurist dungeon one of pop cultures many warnings to come about the unknown dangers of advanced technology.

A scene of mutual happiness in Smart House.

By 1999, the real life smart homes of Alexa and affordable IoT appliances were nearer to becoming a reality than many realized; Philco was only off by about a decade or so. Still, fears of AI in the nuclear household persisted. The LeVar Burton-directed Disney Channel Original Movie Smart House created a kid-friendly version of Demon Seed, in which a single-parent family wins a free computer-operated home. Thirteen-year-old Bens (Ryan Merriman) mother has died, and to fill the void he trains the houses central AI, PAT (Katey Sagal), on footage from old 50s sitcoms (pastiches of Father Knows Best and Leave It to Beaver) to teach her how to be a perfect matriarch. PAT goes in another direction and begins to resemble Proteus, imprisoning the family via an overbearing maternal instinct and a hyperbolic fear of the outside world. Researchers warn of AI reflecting the biases of its human programmers and users. Smart House dramatizes that prediction: the once rational computer succumbs to the patriarchal beliefs that drive American pop culture and absorbs the paranoia spread by television news.

Brad Avery is a journalist and writer based in Boston. He is a member of the Boston Online Film Critics Association.

A scene of mutual uncertainty in Moon.

Moon (Duncan Jones, 2009)

Moon is the debut effort of filmmaker Duncan Jones, who wrote the story and directed. The narrative posits a near-future that is not so much about AI controlling human beings, but a dark anti-capitalist vision of how corporate America will use such technologies to exploit us for profit. One humans experience is presented sort of. Sam Bell (a tour-de-force performance by Sam Rockwell) is the lone technician for a mining outfit that is harvesting helium from the moon for fusion reactors back home on earth. Sam monitors the mostly automated operations of the equipment, occasionally checking on and fixing malfunctions, during a three-year stint on the moonbase. His only companion and helper is Gerty (voiced by Kevin Spacey), an AI who ensures that Sam stays healthy.

The big twist in Moon is that Sam Bell is not Sam Bell, not really. He is a clone of Sam Bell, who is either dead or back on earth (it is never settled). The clones are how the mining company makes us of infinite free labor. When things go awry on the base, the machinations of the plot eventually gives us two Sams. In fact, the base is outfitted with thousands of Sam clones in cold storage, since each clone can only function for three years before degrading and being destroyed by the bases technology. Gerty, meanwhile, is programmed to help Sam, even if there are two Sams. (The existential side-story of Sam1 and Sam2 relating to each other is fascinating on its own, as both realize what it means to be a fully conscious clone with the real memories of the original Sam. Plus we get two Rockwells playing ping pong with each other, which is never a bad thing.)

In regard to AI, the film allows for a glint of hope. Humans can overcome the crush of plutocratic hegemony by using technology against itself. Gerty at first appears to be a HAL9000-like threat to Sam, siding with the corporation and doing their bidding early on. But ultimately the program enables Sam (and Sam) to undermine the system that is degrading them. Gerty cannot allow Sam to die and, in an ambiguous turn of events, it turn out the computer cannot distinguish between the two Sams. As such, Gertys programming only serves to bring about its own downfall. The Sams sense this: when it becomes a choice between Sams health and the well-being of the moon base and mining operation, Gerty will choose to help Sam.

The production design by Tony Noble uses a cool palette of greys and blues for the moon base, but tosses in some neat counter-touches. Aside from Gertys voice, the machine is represented by a small screen with a bright yellow emoji that reflects Gertys mood: a smiley face most of the time if Sam is happy and healthy. Eventually, there is expressionlessness, followed by confusion. Gertys limited emotional landscape is overpowered by the very human presence of Sam: Rockwell is moody, sardonic, and self-aware in a way that Gerty could never be. Sams humanity clone or not is never called into question. He is not a machine. He is not artificial. And it is the characters humanity that shapes the movies satisfying, if troubling, conclusion.

Neil Giordano

Joaquin Phoenix longing for his significant other in Her.

Her (Spike Jonze, 2013)

Much of the animosity towards artificial intelligence these days tends towards practical matters, with loss of livelihood being paramount. But, prior to the recent controversy surrounding the writers and actors strike in Hollywood, most people felt artificial intelligence to be a mild existential threat. This was technology that re-shaped our very humanity because it could do so many things, including mundane chores like shopping, cleaning, and cooking. Some people are thrilled to leave these dull tasks to others; others find such routines and rituals meaningful, even and comforting. Even more challenging: this technical revolution clearly has implications for gender roles that even today, are still mired in traditional sexist grooves. It is exciting and progressive to think that we might have the opportunity to reinvent stale customs and assumptions (i.e., women shouldering the main burden of domestic duties). Even love might take on new meaning.

With the 2013 film Her, Spike Jonze dabbles in the dystopian notion that artificial intelligence can fulfill our every need, including, for those lonely enough, the role of a romantic soulmate. Joaquin Phoenix plays Theodore, a recently-divorced writer who works for a virtual greeting card company that creates digital messages for all occasions: a sort of troubadour for the age of technology. He tries dating, but cant quite figure out what hes doing wrong. When his new operating system and virtual assistant, Samantha, proves to be not only competent and helpful but warm and personable, he finds himself smitten.

Voiced by Scarlett Johansson, Samanthas mercurial, soulful personality carries unexpected appeal. But when Theodore discovers he is one of many who are also romantically involved with this virtual dynamo, his sense of being chosen, of being special, is betrayed. Artificial intelligence is an affront to the idyllic belief that lovers are drawn together by fate, by a shared sense of discovery and recognition. Theodores loneliness is briefly eclipsed by what he perceives to be a real relationship. This dissonance mirrors the odd phenomenon of dating apps; they make information and engagement readily available, but true connection remains elusive. With its carnival dusk color palettes and intense, nuanced performances, Her invests its cold dystopia with suprising pathos as well as haunting sense of inevitability. As the sun goes down each day on the films city of glass and pedestrian walkways, there is a sense that the self, the true one that melds body and heart and mind, is being reinvigorated and recharged. Emotional autonomy is still there for the choosing. At least, for now.

Peg Aloi is a freelance film and TV critic who has an uneasy relationship with technology.

A scene from #PostModem

#PostModem (Jillian Mayer, 2013)

Much of visual artist Jillian Mayers body of work concerns the relationship between humanity and technology, particularly the absurd intrusions modern tech makes into our lives. Take for instance her short film Hot Beach Babe Aims to Please (2014) in which Mayer emerges from the ocean only to be chased by a swarm of cursors, or her Makeup Tutorial (2013) where, in the language of YouTube vloggers, she instructs viewers on how to paint their faces with jagged patterns to confuse and hide from facial recognition devices.

Her 2013 collaboration with Lucas Leyva, #PostModem, is among her most enjoyable film projects a 15 minute sci-fi musical inspired by the theories of futurist Ray Kurzweil and the concept of the technological singularity, the theorized moment when artificial intelligence, capable of nigh-infinite self-improvement, surpasses human intelligence. In #PostModem, Mayer becomes immortal by uploading her consciousness to an open internet website called MegaMegaUpload (achieved by drawing the AOL logo on her face and drinking a blend of orange juice and her own hair filtered through a CD-R disc). What will she do throughout eternity? Watch infomercials alongside her digital doppelganger, a cheap digital avatar a la Second Life or The Sims. #PostModem stands as one of the sharpest satires to date on the sputtering of Mark Zuckerbergs Metaverse. Instead of Oculus headsets, Mayers super-intelligence future involves crude at-home surgery and implanting motherboards into ones own forehead (now thats biohacking). Ultimately, the film questions what enlightenment, if any, will be gained with our diaspora to VR.

Brad Avery is a journalist and writer based in Boston. He is a member of the Boston Online Film Critics Association.

Chiwetel Ejiofor and Emilia Clark as proud parents in The Pod Generation.

The Pod Generation (Sophie Barthes, 2023)

In the 1965, The Rolling Stones sang:

Kids are different today. I hear every mother say/Mother needs something today to calm her down/And though shes not really ill, theres a little yellow pill/She goes running for the shelter of her mothers little helper.

Meprobamate, marketed as Miltown, helped relieve a mothers insomnia, anxiety, and emotional upsets. Today, wet nurses are out of fashion, day care costs are prohibitive, and mothers juggle work, kids, social life, parenting groups, and husbands. From stretch marks to intimacy, sleep deprivation to post-partum depression, motherhood can be a bitch. Whats a mom to do?

Sophie Barthes new film The Pod Generation imagines what it would mean for women to cast off the burdens of childbearing through the use of synthetic egg-shaped pods. With the couples permission, the company Pegazus will arrange to have a baby raised in a Womb Center, where it is nurtured with music, taste sensations, and all the nutrients necessary for a healthy birth. A helpful strap-on device allows dad or mom to carry the pod/child for brief periods. There is a downside: the child wont dream. As the spokesman for the company explains dreams are not reliable analytical material thats so 20th century.

It is a gleaming future of 3-D printers, oxygen inhalers for fresh air, and a Siri/Alexa type virtual assistant, named Elena, that can help with such mundane tasks as preparing breakfast and choosing outfits for the day while also maintaining an individuals bliss index based on voice and behavior patterns. The films conclusion is hurried but that didnt bother me because the point had been made: we lose something valuable when technology provides shortcuts to chores that were once part of a normal life. Of course, there is a need for surrogate parenting, in vitro fertilization, and so forth, but outsourcing motherhood to plastic pods (which are shaped to fit corporate imperatives) is a sharp parody of the obsession with convenience. The relentless progress of technology undercuts the value of imagination, labor, and even physical and mental duress.

Will AI replace or even enhance art and creativity? One answer is posed by Noah Baumbachs film While Were Young. At one point, Adam Drivers Jamie asks Ben Stillers Josh about the ingredients of a certain dessert. Lets look it up, advises Josh. Waving his phone and giggling, Jamie, the hipper of the two, responds: Thats too easy. Lets just not know what it is.

Tim Jackson is a Boston musician, actor, and retired college teacher, currently a member of the Boston Society of Film Critics.

Ezra Haber Glenn is a Lecturer in MITs Department of Urban Studies & Planning, where he teaches a special subject on The City in Film. His essays, criticism, and reviews have been published in the Arts Fuse, CityLab, the Journal of the American Planning Association, Bright Lights Film Journal, WBURs ARTery, Experience Magazine, the New York Observer, and Next City. He is the regular film reviewer for Planning magazine, and member of the Boston Society of Film Critics. Follow him on https://www.urbanfilm.org and https://twitter.com/UrbanFilmOrg.

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Film Commentary: How I Learned to Start Worrying and Fear the Bot" - artsfuse.org

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When You Should Consider Buying Even More Stocks | White Coat … – The White Coat Investor

Posted: at 1:14 pm

By Dr. Francis Bayes, WCI Columnist

Other Boglehead-inspired, buy-and-hold investors must surely dream about juicing up their portfolios annual return. I do. Even Dr. Bill Bernstein, who advises investors to stop playing if they have won the game, must have done so when he was in his accumulation phase. After all, he wrote about different ways to juice up a Boglehead-ish portfolio in his book, Rational Expectations.

Someone in their accumulation phase, i.e., saving for financial independence, should increase their allocation to stocks if their savings will not be adequate when they stop working. This should be a rigorous process in which they consider: 1) How much more could they save each year?; 2) How many more years could they work?; 3) What is the expected return of stocks? One should change their asset allocation only after they review those questions.

Even when they are on track to meet their financial goals, someone who plans to own stocks for 20-30 more years should consider buying even more stocksinstead of maintaining their asset allocationunder some circumstances. Ones financial plan could include such circumstances as indications for changing their asset allocation.

Here are some important disclaimers:

*I can picture someonemost likely Dr. Jim Dahlecommenting, This is too much work. But as the OG WCI also likes to say, there are only so many ways to write about why one should buy and hold.

If I have not triggered you yet, here are three stock market circumstances and two personal circumstances in which you might want to increase your allocation to stocks in order to increase your expected annual return.

J.P. Morgan supposedly said, In bear markets, stocks return to their rightful owners. Bernstein interprets the rightful owners to be the wealthiest investors with unimpaired capital. Although Vanguard continues to demonstrate that its retail investors tend not to sell stocks during bear markets, the Federal Reserves data suggest otherwise. The percentage of stocks as households net worth decreases with each recession and stock market crash (first figure below)in part due to households selling stocks (second figure).

Regardless of who the rightful owners tend to be, a mature individual investor who follows the WCI principles should believe that they are one of the rightful owners. If one already has a 100% allocation to stocks, they should increase their savings rate. If one has an allocation to safer assets, they should rebalance into stocks AND also buy more stocks than usual with future savings for financial independence. As Bernstein said,

Investing is an operation that transfers wealth to those with a strategy and can execute it from those who do not or cannot.

When should one stop?

One could have a threshold-based rulesimilar to the one that Bernstein recommends in Rational Expectationsby buying more stocks than usual until their allocation is greater than 1.2x (e.g., increases from 80% to 96%). Or one could just be a contrarian. When the short-term return becomes positive (e.g., YTD, one-year) or the media declare the bear market to be over, mature investors could return to their normal allocation (gradually, not instantly, as I explain in #2 below) as immature investors feel confident about stocks again.

More information here:

Watching Stocks Return to Their Rightful Owners

Momentum is a legitimate factor, just like size and value. For an active investor, the trend matters as much as valuations, whereas for a buy-and-hold investor, holding momentum stocks is risky. Still, one can consider the S&P 500 index, which Warren Buffett prefers over a total stock market index, to be a momentum strategy as well.

The disclaimer past performance is no guarantee of future results exists because investors tend to buy stocks after they have gone up. We would all like to buy the dip. But we feel better when we are riding the wave rather than swimming against it. Consider this: six-, 12-, and 24-month returns are higher on all-time high days than on all other days.

When should one stop?

Bernstein would disagree with buying more stocks than usual at an all-time high because he recommends decreasing allocations on the upside (e.g., a 1% decrease in stock allocation for every 10% increase in stock price). He also recommends checking valuation metrics such as the Shiller CAPE ratio, which is the ratio of the S&P 500s current price to the 10-year average of inflation-adjusted earnings. But this is likely too much work for most WCI readers (including myself!).

If figuring out when to start buying fewer stocks is too challenging, one should not start buying more stocks at new all-time highs. An appropriate middle ground might be to continue with the usual stock allocation, regardless of price or valuation changes (aka My crystal ball is cloudy). At least with the knowledge that all-time highs beget all-time highs, one should tune out those who call every all-time high a bubble.

I am writing this in April 2023. Remember when value was dead or when international stocks were no longer worthwhile for diversification? Maybe next year, we will also forget that all the small and regional banks, which are a significant part of small cap value index funds, were supposed to disappear. (Meanwhile, I hope this column does not come back to bite me!)

Staying the course with an underperforming asset class is already challenging, so increasing its allocation could be unthinkable. An average member of the WCI community is likely an above-average investor, so the underperformance must be bad enough to start hurting when WCI community members are questioning their allocation on podcasts and forums or when Jim has to write a lengthy defense like he did with small cap value in May 2020.

International stocks and small cap value stocks have outperformed the S&P 500 since those posts. Although we need to wait to see if their recent outperformance will continue, there are parallels to the 2000s when they outperformed the S&P 500 (e.g., relative valuations, growth stocks bubble). Such posts on WCI might be a good indicator to increase ones allocation to an asset class 1.1x or more.

When should one stop?

Similar to the contrarian approach for #1 above: immature investors look at an assets most recent performance, and slightly immature investors look at its 10-year performance, which is often the longest duration listed on websites (besides max or since inception). A mature investor knows that even 10 years is too short. Perhaps, they should return to their original allocation when everyone can see that the asset class has outperformed VTSAX or SPY for 10 years.

More information here:

How Do Financial Habits Form And Can They Be Changed?

Splurge on This, Not on That

Debt is like a negative bond. If one has been buying stocks with debt, they have been using leverage. If they have (knowingly or unknowingly) tolerated the stock market volatility with debt, why not increase their stock allocation without debt?

Someone who does not flinch at the volatility might have a 100% stock allocation in their portfolio for financial independence. One may consider loans to be a negative bond. With $100,000 in stocks and $50,000 in student loans, they actually have an asset allocation of more than 100% stocks (150% stocks) since they are now investing on leverage. However, lots of people don't think about their debt as part of their asset allocation and so might be able to tolerate that more aggressive allocation just fine behaviorally speaking. Later, they might be inclined to start buying positive bonds, such as the Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBTLX), with 33% of their future savings for financial independence.

Or, while they are young, they could test their risk tolerance before they take out new loans in the future (e.g., a mortgage). Even with the US Treasuries paying 4%-5% interest, someone in their 20-30s who paid off their loans might need to take more risk in the long-term. They could increase their stock allocation gradually (say, 1.1x) until they find their theoretical sweet spot. If they do so in a bull market, most of their increase in stock allocation could come from not rebalancing. If they do so in a bear market, they would be buying even more stocks when they are cheaper, thereby increasing the odds of higher future returns.

More information here:

The Best Ways to Use Debt to Your Advantage

This is here for completeness, as this is beyond my pay grade.

The sequence of return risk (SORR) is why one needs to decrease their allocation to risky assets when they retire. Much has been written about it. Briefly, SORR is the long-term effect of negative stock market returns in the initial years of retirement. Many consider the five years before and 10 years after the year of retirement to be when the SORR is the greatest.

When one no longer fears the SORRwhich is easier said than donethey can consider increasing their allocation to riskier assets such as stocks. If one might end up with too much money at death, they should consider buying even more stocks. Their charities or heirs will appreciate it.

In his booklet, If You Can (available for a free download), Bernstein outlines five hurdles that investors must overcome to succeed in saving and investing for retirement. This column is for those who have overcome the first two hurdles: spending too much money and not understanding the theory and practice of finance. The circumstances above are related to the other three hurdles: learning the financial and market history, overcoming yourself, and discerning good financial advice.

I hope that this column at least encourages one person to stick to their financial plan. During the accumulation phase, the moments when one wants to sell stocks are usually when they should buy stocks. They can afford to now buy even more stocks, but they should not stop buying.

[Founder's Note: Warren Buffett famously said,

Investors should remember that excitement and expenses are their enemies. And if they insist on trying to time their participation in equities, they should try to be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful.

Likewise, Nathan Rothschild said:

Buy when there's blood in the streets.

These quotes mostly illustrate the fact that stocks bought at times of maximum pessimism tend to have the best returns. Whether this can actually be done in practice by the typical investor is a completely different question. I admit that when markets are down, I feel motivation to find more money to invest. But the truth is that since I'm already fully invested, the only way to do that is to spend less (which I don't want to do) or work more (which I also don't want to do.) So while I allowed this column to run, I do have enough reservations about it to include this note.

This post is mostly talking about tactical asset allocationthat is changing your stock-to-bond ratio in a moderate amount based on expected future returns, i.e., being more conservative when returns are expected to be low and more aggressive when returns are expected to be high. In essence, this is market timing lite. While careful study will reveal that lots of smart investors (Bernstein, Bogle, Buffett, etc.) have written about this, you need to recognize that, like all market timing, it requires a somewhat functional crystal ball for success. That's something I don't have, so I don't do this. In fact, this is a question we ask our Recommended Financial Advisor list before approving them to advertise here. More than a tiny amount of tactical asset allocation, and we simply won't sell them an ad.

The Dahle family approach over the last two decades has simply been to follow our written investing plan (currently 60% stock, 20% real estate, and 20% bonds). When do we buy more stocks? When we have more money to invest. And when the percentage of our portfolio invested in stocks drops below 60%. That's it. Boring? Absolutely. Effective? Absolutely. There's no guessing about the future. There's no stress. We always know what to do. Some months, we get a better deal on the stocks we buy than others. It forces us to automatically buy low. I'd say buy low and sell high, but we really don't sell. Like Nick Maggiulli, we Just Keep Buying. If you do decide to incorporate a little tactical asset allocation into your investing plan, do it in a prescribed, automatic way you decided on beforehand and wrote down. And good luck.]

What do you think? In what other circumstances should you consider buying more stocks? Comment below!

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Sanaipei Tande’s insights on marriage, polygamy and financial … – Nairobi News

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Kenyan singer and actress Sanaipei Tande. PHOTOS | COURTESY

Kenyan singer and actress, Sanaipei Tande, has shared her perspectives on marriage, polygamy and financial independence.

In a candid interview with Oga Obinna, Sanaipei shared her thoughts on the importance of having ones own source of income and maintaining respect within relationships.

Sanaipei spoke of the need for individuals, particularly women, to have jobs and secure their own income.She cited instances where couples separate, leaving one partner struggling to support themselves due to financial dependency.

Stressing the importance of self-sufficiency, she advised individuals to have something of their own, even if their partner assures them of financial care.

We have seen how many people are splitting and finding themselves in situations where they now cant cater for themselves, and you must have something for yourself, Sanaipei said.

Also read: Sanaipei Tande responds to haters over her viral mini-dress photo

She also acknowledged the uncertainties of the future, raising the question of what would happen if a partner were to pass away unexpectedly, leaving financial matters in disarray.

By encouraging personal financial stability, Sanaipei urged individuals to safeguard their own well-being and independence.

Even if he tells you that he will take care of you with everything, you never know about tomorrow. What if he dies and things were not in order? What will you do?Lets face it, Sometimes even the family takes everything from him after he is gone. You must always have something of your own. You can take a both parents must nurture the children equally, she said.

On whether she would allow her partner to have a second wife, Sanaipei acknowledged that such situations often occur, regardless of permission, and highlighted the emotional complexities involved.

Also read: Kambua shares moments before the birth of her rainbow baby

Dont they cheat always? If you allow or not, some will just do, she said, adding that decisions regarding polygamy depend on the specific dynamics of each relationship and the individuals involved.

Regarding the possibility of dating multiple men, Sanaipei admitted uncertainty, suggesting that it ultimately depends on the depth of love and the unique circumstances of the relationship.

She acknowledged the challenges of sharing a partner, but also recognized that some individuals choose to remain in such arrangements, weighing the pros and cons while considering their own needs and desires.

Sanaipei emphasized the importance of respect within relationships.

Also read: Viral video of drunk Bahati and his wife Diana sparks online controversy

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