Daily Archives: July 3, 2024

Public interest in microdosing marijuana and psychedelics has been spiking amid the reform movement, with Google searches related to the dosing technique growing by 1,250 percent from 2015 to 2023, according to a new study federally funded study published by the the American Medical Association (AMA).

Researchers at the University of California San Diego conducted an analysis of Google search queries related to microdosing from 2010 to 2023, comparing the trends to local and state cannabis and psychedelics policy changes. They found a notable increase in searches for microdosing across the US that are attributable to the reforms.

The study, published in JAMA Health Forum on Friday, utilized an event-time difference-in-difference model to investigate a potential casual effect. Researchers looked at monthly and annual changes in microdosing searches before and after a state or locality enacted a drug policy change.

Searches for microdosing in the US remained stable until 2014, then increased annually thereafter, with a cumulative increase by a factor of 13.4 from 2015 to 2023 (7.9 per 10 million to 105.6 per 10 million searches, respectively), it found. In 2023, there were 3.0 million microdosing searches in the US.

Interest in microdosing is increasing across the US and is influenced by legislative reforms concerning both psychedelics and cannabis.

Broken down further, the study found that local psychedelics decriminalization laws were linked to a 22.4 per million increase in microdosing search rates; statewide psychedelics reform laws were associated with a 28.9 per 10 million increase; statewide adult-use marijuana laws increased microdosing search rates by 40.9 per 10 million; and medical cannabis legalization caused an increase of 11.5 per 10 million.

As public interest in using psychedelics and cannabis for health grows, its crucial that the medical community conducts studies to establish a strong evidence base for their safety and efficacy, researchers wrote. Without understanding the risks and benefits, people may turn to unproven alternative therapies, exposing themselves to potential dangers. Its our responsibility as a medical community to ensure patients have access to safe, effective and evidence-based treatments.

Eric Leas, an assistant professor of public health and senior author of the study, cautioned that psilocybin and other psychedelics remain Schedule I substances under federal law, meaning their use poses legal risks for consumers and concerns of product impurity because of a lack of manufacturing standards.

The study, which was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the California Tobacco Related Disease Research Program, concludes by saying the findings suggest that rigorous clinical studies are needed to evaluate the safety profile and potential benefits of microdosing to inform evidence-based practices and policymaking to match public interest.

Additional population-based surveillance is needed to identify who is microdosing, their reasons, and how these practices might change with the evolving legal landscape, it says.

State-led legislative reforms on cannabis and psychedelics were associated with increased public interest in microdosing psychedelics.

To be sure, a majority of states have enacted some form of marijuana legalization, while a growing number of states and localities are pursuing psychedelics reform. National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) Director previously told Marijuana Moment that the train has left the station on psychedelics as the reform movement spreads.

And while the researchers for the JAMA study noted that federal prohibition means unsanctioned use of the psychedelic could pose risks to consumers, another federal agency recently acknowledged the potential benefits the substance might provideincluding for treatment of alcohol use disorder, anxiety and depression. It also noted psilocybin research being funded by the federal government into the drugs effects on pain, migraines, psychiatric disorders and various other conditions.

Separate research published recently on psilocybin found that its unlikely that a single experience with the drug changes peoples religious or metaphysical beliefsthough it may affect their perception of whether animals, plants or other objects experience consciousness.

Findings of another recent study suggests that the use of full-spectrum psychedelic mushroom extracthas a more powerful effect than chemically synthesized psilocybin alone, which could have implications for psychedelic-assisted therapy. The findings imply that the experience of entheogenic mushrooms may involve a so-called entourage effectsimilar to whats observed with cannabis and its many components.

A separate study recently published by AMA found that single-dose psilocybin use was not associated with risk of paranoia,while other adverse effects such as headaches are generally tolerable and resolved within 48 hours.

That study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, involved a meta-analysis of double-blind clinical trials where psilocybin was used to treat anxiety and depression from 1966 to last year.

AMA published another recent study that similarly contradicted commonly held beliefs about the potential risks of psychedelics use, finding the substancesmay be associated with lower rates of psychotic symptoms among adolescents.

Also, results of a clinical trial published by AMA in Decembersuggest efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapyfor treatment of bipolar II disorder, a mental health condition often associated with debilitating and difficult-to-treat depressive episodes.

The association also published research last August that found people with major depression experiencedclinically significant sustained reduction in their symptomsafter just one dose of psilocybin.

Maryland Governor Launches Marijuana Workforce Development Program Focused On People Criminalized Over Cannabis

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Interest In Microdosing Has Spiked Along With Changes To Psychedelics And Marijuana Laws, American Medical ... - Marijuana Moment

While the cannabis industry has all but become legitimate in the United States, its not the only form of alternative medicine attempting to break through regulatory barriers. Compounds like psilocybin, lysergic acid and ketamine are all referred to as psychedelics, yet they may have medical applications which are just beginning tobe explored.

As such, several newly minted public companies have begun experimenting with ways to harness the therapeutic potential of these compounds. When these companies first went public, the excitement around their projects quickly spiked their trading value followed by a rapid selloff which put most of them in a significant dip.

Yet there are severalstrong psychedelicstocks to buy on the dip for potentially lucrative returns. Thats because several studies have shown that LSD, psilocybin and ketamine are all exceptionally effective at treating depression when administered in the correct doses. Thus, it may be just a matter of time before these companies have their moment in the sun.

Source: Shutterstock

A broader play into alternative therapies,Atai Life Sciences(NASDAQ:ATAI) is currently researchingmultiple drugs based on psychedelic substances like ketamine,ibogaineand N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). These compounds, while perhaps known for their recreationalusehave seen several peer-reviewed studies begin to explore their potential for treating mental health disorders.

In the case of ATAI, the company has several drugs derived from psilocybin, ketamine and DMT in the pipeline, with itsmost promising one COMP360, entering Phase 3 clinical trials as part of a co-development with another pharmaceutical company. Thiswideapproach to developing treatment does put a financial strain on ATAIs operations, but it improves the likelihood of a breakthrough and potential Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.

As such, ATAI is one of the best psychedelic stocks to buy on the dip, as itcurrently trades at a 93% discount on its initial public offering price.Any good news regarding one of its drugs could bolster its value rapidly.

Source: Shutterstock

I mentioned earlier that ATAI is developing a drug called COMP360 with another company.That company isCompass Pathways(NASDAQ:CMPS), hence the COMP in the name. This drug is currently the only project in development for CMPS, which means the company represents a very different type of pharmaceutical investment than ATAI.

As such, investing in CMPS means committing to the psilocybin side of therapeutics. With this approach, investors know the direct catalyst relies on FDA approval for COMP360. Soletstalk about the studies behindCOMP360. Currently, CMPS offers its Phase IIb datasheet on its site for reference on its drugs efficacy. The Phase IIb trial focused specifically on patients with depression who were resistant to traditional anti-depressant compounds, meaningdrugslike selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were ineffective.

Of the totalparticipants in the study, 20% reported sustained improvement and therapeutic effects by the 12th weekof the study. When you consider that these patients were already exceptionally resistant to treatment, thats quite impressive. Thus, COMP360 could be worth investing in through psychedelic stocks to buy on thedipsuch as CMPS.

Source: Shutterstock

As the name of the company suggests,Cybin(NYSEMKT:CYBN) specializes in developing three psilocybin-based therapies, CYB003, CYB004, and SPL028, with other psychedelic compounds in preclinical testing.Currently, the stock trades in penny stock territory at just26 cents a share, which may concern some investors, but it isimportantto remember that thetrading history of the companyisfairlynewandits products are still vying for FDA approval.

Moreover, its psilocybin treatment,specificallythe Deuterated PsilocybinProgramhas been grantedbreakthrough treatmentstatus by the FDA for treating major depressive disorder following its Phase II trial success. This program has also been tested for treating alcohol abuse disorders and could be a breakthrough therapy for that category as well.

In the case of Cybin, investors may want to wait until the company can generate revenue, however. Becauseit is currently in a growth, research and development phase, the company has only reported losses for the last four quarters.

On thedate of publication, Viktor Zarevdid not have (eitherdirectly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.comPublishing Guidelines.

On the date of publication, the responsible editor did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.

Viktor Zarev is a scientist, researcher, and writer specializing in explaining the complex world of technology stocks through dedication to accuracy and understanding.

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3 Psychedelic Stocks to Buy on the Dip: Summer 2024 - InvestorPlace

Days after an advisory committee resoundingly voted for the Food and Drug Administration to reject MDMA as medical treatment, the founder of the company that applied for approval was ebullient. Rick Doblin, who has spent decades driving forward MDMA research, told a psychedelics conference in the Netherlands that his dream was not simply possible, but likely. There was substantially more than a 50/50 chance that the FDA would dismiss its advisers perspective and approve the first currently prohibited psychedelic come August, he said at the Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research.

This optimism may seem misguided given the extensive criticisms and questions voiced by mental health practitioners on the advisory committee, but Doblins prediction is grounded in more than just a sunny disposition. He and other psychedelic evangelists have been working to win over regulators since the 1980s, and those relationships helped persuade the agency to sign off on psychedelic research despite methodological challenges.

The FDA approves treatments roughly one-third of the time when advised not to by their expert panels and, amid intense cultural pressure and growing frustration about the lack of new mental health therapies, Doblin may well be proven right. Even if not, the last-minute stumbling block for MDMA is a sign of how the agency is now more accepting of psychedelics than many others in psychiatry. Thats a seismic shift, and an examination of the history of regulatory decisions around psychedelics shows just how much Doblins and others work has paid off.

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How the FDA embraced research on MDMA and other psychedelics | STAT - STAT

Pictured: Psychedelic plants in front of blue squiggly lines/Taylor Tieden for BioSpace

A highly heterogeneous disease, depression has long challenged drug developers. While effective treatments exist for some patients, many are still left behind by current regimens. Now, with the global depression treatment market projected to top $16 billion by 2027, psychedelic drug developers have their sights set on the space, with six programs currently in clinical development, according to Psychedelic Alpha.

The current standard of care for depression comprises selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Eli Lillys Prozac and Pfizers Zoloft, along with depression-focused psychotherapy. However, at least 30 percent of people with major depressive disorder fail to respond to two or more antidepressants, a condition called treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Less than 15% of patients with TRD reach remission with the standard of care, according to Theis Terwey, CEO and co-founder of GH Research, which is developing the psychedelic drug5-MeO-DMT for the treatment of TRD.

There is precedent for using psychedelics to treat TRD. Johnson & Johnson won approval for Spravato (esketamine) for TRD in 2019, though the company does not consider the nasal spray to be a classic psychedelic. Carlene MacMillan, an interventional psychiatrist and chief medical officer at the mental health treatment and research technology platform Osmind,explained that Spravato is not a classic psychedelic because it does not cause a hallucinatory effect and because of how it acts in the brain. In clinical trials, patients who received Spravato saw superior and sustained improvement in their depression symptoms compared to those who received a placebo and an oral antidepressant, according to J&J.

Companies like GH and Compass Pathways are now seeking to improve on those results with 5-MeO-DMT and psilocybinwith the hallucinogenic qualities intact. There are currently no other psychedelic drugs on the market, though MDMA, being developed by Lykos Therapeutics for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and up for FDA approval in August, could set the stage for more psychedelic-based treatments for mental health.

In depression, in particular, psychedelics stand to offer something new, MacMillan told BioSpace. Most of the medications that we have on the market, and have had on the market for several decades, are all just variants of kind of the same thing, acting on serotonin in some way, taking weeks to months to work, she said. The potential for psychedelics to treat TRD in a much more rapid way is really very, very high.

Londonbased Compass is in Phase III TRD trials with psilocybin, a serotonin receptor agonist that occurs naturally in some mushroom species.

Psilocybin binds to the 5-HT2A receptor for serotonin, explained Guy Goodwin, chief medical officer at Compass, provoking a series of downstream changes. While he acknowledged that researchers dont know which of these changes is functional, he said a change in connectivity is seen on the MRIs of patients treated with psilocybin.

Normally, at rest, the brain has a number of modules, which seem to prefer to fire together, dotted around the brain, and one of them is sometimes called the default mode network. When a patient takes psilocybin, that kind of breaks down, and these strict, kind of separated modules become much more interconnected, he explained. Its sort of as if you have a kind of breaking of the existing strict topography of the brain into something that is much more fluid and much more potentially malleable. The hypothesis is that the brain is then able to see situations and problems in a different way.

MacMillan agreed. The psychedelics allow you to teach an old dog new tricks. She said that this can be helpful in treating depression and specifically pointed to psilocybins potential. Psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, have shown great promise at helping people who are not traditionally helped, and faster.

In Phase IIb trials, Compass candidate, COMP360, showed a highly statistically significant reduction in depressive symptoms after three weeks following a single 25-mg or 10-mg dose in combination with psychological support, with the response lasting up to 12 weeks, according to COMPASS. The control group received the same therapeutic support together with a 1-mg dose of COMP360. A Phase III trial is underway, with a study completion date of May 2025.

Compass isnt alone in pursuing psilocybin for the treatment of depression. Braxia Scientific is investigating a psilocybin-assisted therapy in Phase II for TRD.

Dublin-based GH is developing a novel formulation of 5-MeO-DMT, a psychedelic tryptamine found in several plant species. The candidate, GH001, is currently being studied in a Phase IIb trial for TRD, for which the company expects topline data in the third or fourth quarter of 2024.

5-MeO-DMT was particularly attractive to GH due to its rapid and short-acting nature when inhaled. Terwey said this can address some of commercial feasibility issues inherent in longer-acting compounds like psilocybin and LSD. Such longer-acting drugs often also involve additional visits for psychotherapy or psychological support, he said, adding that this can be challenging to incorporate into an eventual label and commercial model.

5-MeO-DMT represents a pure pharmacological approach, Terway said. As a trial participant, youre really present with your ego during the experiment, he explained. So its not much to process or not really a lot of memories in context of a narrative. Its more a deep feeling that develops and that we felt could be given without those cumbersome preparation and integration visits.

MacMillan disagreed, however, saying that the experience with 5-MeO-DMT is extremely intense and has a much more significant risk profilethan psilocybin, LSD, mescaline and MDMA.

In addition to GH, Beckley Psytech is in Phase IIb trials with a 5-MeO-DMT formulation for TRD. Meanwhile, Biomind Labs and Viridia Life Sciences (atai Life Sciences) are each studying a related compound simply called DMT, which occurs in many plants and animals, including humans, for TRD.

While still investigational, psychedelics could be an effective treatment for those with more difficult-to-treat depression, MacMillan said.

Patients whose depression stems from life circumstances will generally respond better to traditional medicines and traditional psychotherapy than will patients with a genetic predisposition to depression, she noted. Additionally, many patients with TRD have comorbidities that are making it harder to treat, she said, highlighting personality disorders like narcissism and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Those patterns are not really addressed at all by the traditional antidepressants, MacMillan said. As psilocybin or MDMA open new ways to learn, I think it stands to reason that somebody that has a personality disorder and then gets related therapy for that disorder after a psychedelic experience could potentially actually change some of those underlying things as well.

MacMillan indicated she would be comfortable using certain psychedelic therapies in her practice, providing a strong Risk Evaluation and Mitigation (REMS) program is in place. As a psychiatrist, I think that we are well positioned to work with patients that have more complex psychiatric concerns.

While MacMillan expressed optimism about the potential of psychedelics, she noted that other rapid-acting neuromodulation treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation are also showing promise. I think its important that we see broadly treatments for TRD and not get overly focused on psychedelics being the only way, because its just a different time in our field now.

Heather McKenzie is a senior editor atBioSpace. You can reach her atheather.mckenzie@biospace.com. Also follow her onLinkedIn.

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Depression Is Notoriously Difficult to Treat. Can Psychedelic Therapies Help? - BioSpace

Magic mushrooms have become the most popular psychedelic substance in the United States, surpassing others like ecstasy, according to a new report by the RAND Corporation.

A national survey revealed that approximately 12% of respondents have used psilocybin at some point, with 3.1% using it in the past year, equating to about eight million American adults in 2023.

The study highlights the growing interest in psychedelics for mental health treatments and the evolving policy landscape surrounding their use.

Psychedelics have shown promise in treating mental health conditions, sparking increased enthusiasm over the past decade. However, there has been less focus on the shifting policies concerning these substances.

The report suggests that as state and local regulations ease, federal policymakers must decide whether to follow a for-profit cannabis model or explore alternative paths.

The current situation with psychedelics reminds me of where we were with cannabis policy 12 years ago. Now is the time for federal policymakers to decide if they want to shape these policy changes or stay on the sidelines, said study lead author Beau Kilmer, a senior policy researcher at RAND.

The RAND report draws from a survey of 3,791 American adults, as well as data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the National Incident-Based Reporting System. It also includes interviews with legal experts, policy advocates, researchers, and Indigenous community members regarding their traditional spiritual medicines.

Co-author Michelle Priest, an assistant policy researcher at RAND, emphasized the importance of engaging with Indigenous communities.

Policy changes may affect Indigenous people who have longstanding traditions with certain spiritual medicines that are commonly referred to as psychedelics. Engaging respectfully with Indigenous community members who are authorized to speak on these topics can help craft policies that benefit from generations of wisdom while protecting Indigenous rights.

Despite federal prohibitions, some state and local governments are adopting more lenient approaches to psychedelics.

The report highlights alternative models to the for-profit cannabis approach, such as allowing personal cultivation, non-profit collectives, or supervised use models like those in Oregon and soon in Colorado.

One key difference between cannabis and psychedelics policy debates is the role of supervision. Even in areas not adopting the supervision model, policymakers will need to address regulation of facilitators and supervision settings.

Unlike frequent cannabis users, psychedelic users tend to use these substances infrequently. The survey found that only 0.9% of respondents used psilocybin in the past month, compared to 20% for cannabis.

The total number of use days in the past month was significantly lower for psychedelics (around seven million) compared to cannabis (about 650 million).

A notable finding is that infrequent users dominate the psychedelics market. For cannabis, infrequent users account for about 5% of total use days, while for psychedelics, they represent closer to 60%.

While price is a major policy lever when we think about regulating cannabis and alcohol, it will likely play a much smaller role for psychedelics since infrequent users currently drive the market and they tend to spend relatively little on these substances, said co-author Rajeev Ramchand, a senior behavioral scientist at RAND.

The report indicates a significant gap in published research on psychedelic markets and usage patterns, especially for psilocybin. The authors recommend improving existing surveys and conducting qualitative, longitudinal research with users and producers of psychedelics.

The RAND report underscores the need for informed policymaking as the landscape for psychedelic substances evolves, highlighting the importance of protecting both public health and the rights of Indigenous communities.

Magic mushrooms have become popular due to their perceived therapeutic benefits and the growing acceptance of psychedelic substances in mental health treatment.

Studies suggest that compounds like psilocybin can help alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, leading to increased interest from both the medical community and the public.

Additionally, cultural shifts towards holistic and alternative therapies, along with the destigmatization of drug use, have contributed to their popularity.

Personal testimonials and media coverage highlighting positive experiences have further fueled curiosity and acceptance. As research continues to support their potential benefits, the interest in magic mushrooms is likely to grow.

The report can be found here.

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Americans' Interest in Microdosing Psychedelics Is Growing | Plus | rockdalenewtoncitizen.com - Rockdale Newton Citizen

Ongoing US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) testing of a 'microdose' psychedelic candy linked to dozens of illnesses across 20 states has identified several of the product's compounds as possible causes of the symptoms.

While none of the listed chemicals conclusively solve the medical mystery, the results reflect the poor state of regulation of a market responding to a rapidly growing interest in psychedelics for health and recreation.

Earlier this month, the FDA in collaboration with America's Poison Centers announced its investigation of eight reported illnesses linked with the consumption of Diamond Shruumz-brand Microdosing Chocolate Bars.

As of this week, that number stands at 39, with symptoms ranging from abnormal heart rates, hyper/hypotension, nausea, and vomiting to seizures, confusion, and even loss of consciousness. In 23 of the cases, health concerns were serious enough to warrant hospitalization.

Numerous state authorities have issued statements urging retailers to refrain from selling or distributing Diamond Shruumz products, and residents who have any in their possession to hold them until the FDA provides instructions on their return or responsible disposal.

"As people in multiple states have become ill with a variety of severe symptoms after eating these products, we are advising Granite Staters to avoid consuming them," says New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services director, Iain Watt.

"We will continue to monitor information from our federal partners about this ongoing investigation."

In spite of companies like Diamond Shruumz marketing their edible products as 'microdosing' candies, none of the claimed active psychedelic agents or indeed other ingredients are provided to the consumer.

It's taken an FDA analysis of two individual samples to reveal Diamond Shruumz 'Birthday Cake' chocolate bar contains the compound 4-acetoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (4-acetoxy-DMT, also known as O-acetylpsilocin or psilacetin), while their dark chocolate bar contains psilacetin along with three compounds consistent with the botanical kava, desmethoxyyangonin, dihydrokavain, and kavain.

Whether all similar products contain the same ingredients in the same concentrations is impossible to say without further testing.

Psilacetin is a semi-synthetic compound that, like the 'magic mushroom' chemical psilocybin, is broken down in the body to produce the psychoactive chemical psilocin. Because of this shared pathway, psilacetin is a similarly effective (if potentially stronger) alternative with fewer side effects.

Without sufficient clinical research, little is known about the health effects of the substance, leaving open the question of whether this, or other ingredients in the products, may be responsible for the illnesses.

Discovering chemicals consistent with additives from kava (Piper methysticum) has prompted the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a statement warning of the potential clinical effects of ingesting the plant.

"Ingestion of kava can cause numbness of the mouth and skin, loss of coordination, dizziness, and sedation," the CDC report says.

"Ingestion of kava with other substances known to cause sedation, such as benzodiazepines or alcohol, can worsen sedation. Kava can also cause gastrointestinal effects such as nausea and vomiting."

Clinical interest in psychoactive pharmaceuticals for therapeutic use has boomed in recent years, coinciding with a renewed surge in taking drugs like LSD and magic mushrooms for recreational purposes.

It's estimated that 8 million American adults took psilocybin last year, with a survey finding more than one in ten have taken the drug some time in their life.

Around the world, unregulated production of psychoactive consumables is an emerging issue. Since April this year, five people in the Australian state of New South Wales have been treated after ingesting 'mushroom' gummies.

"We need to ensure that the public understands the difference between these products and registered medicines prescribed by a health professional," advises University of Sydney psychologist Jack Wilson, a researcher at The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use.

"Not only in terms of their efficacy, but their risk of harms."

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FDA: Severe Illness From Psychedelic Candy Now Seen in 20 States - ScienceAlert

Dr Nick Everett in the lab at the Brain and Mind Centre.

The University of Sydneys Brain and Mind Centre has partnered with Psylo, a global biotechnology startup and pioneer in non-hallucinogenic psychedelic drugs, to develop innovative treatments for psychiatric and neurological disorders using advanced artificial intelligence technologies.

This initiative highlights the Universitys commitment to bridging academic research with industry innovation, providing real-world solutions to pressing health issues.

Dr Nick Everett, a Research Fellow and NHMRC Emerging Leader at the University of Sydneys School of Psychology and an expert in behavioural neuroscience, has been awarded a partnership grant by the Universitys Brain and Mind Centre to lead this initiative.

Dr Everett has developed machine-learning-guided behavioural analysis technology, which utilises high frame-rate cameras and sophisticated data-parsing techniques to predict the behavioural profiles and potential therapeutic properties of new drugs. Psylo will use this powerful platform, which is exclusively available to them, to enhance the capacity and efficiency of Psylos drug development.

This partnership with Psylo represents a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to translate academic research into transformative treatments, Dr Everett said.

By combining our machine-learning models with Psylo's cutting-edge platform, we aim to develop more effective and safer treatments for mental health conditions, at a pace faster than previously possible.

Psylo is at the forefront of developing novel medicines that utilise the bodys serotonin receptors to treat central nervous system disorders. Their work focuses on non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2A agonists that activate the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor, like traditional psychedelics, but without causing psychoactive effects. Their compounds have shown promise in preclinical studies for their antidepressant effects and ability to promote neuroplasticity.

Psylo aims to address the limitations of conventional treatments, like SSRI antidepressants, and the barriers faced by traditional psychedelic therapies.

Chief Scientific Officer at Psylo and University of Sydney alumnus Dr Samuel Banister said: Our proprietary computational platform has successfully optimised next-generation drug candidates that retain the therapeutic benefits of natural psychedelics in preclinical models.

The expertise provided by Dr Everett and the University will be invaluable in accelerating the translation of these compounds into viable treatments for patients."

This collaboration comes at a crucial time, as Australia has recently become the first country to allow psilocybin and MDMA to be prescribed for the treatment of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), respectively.

See more here:

Partnership with biotech start-up Psylo will help deliver psychedelic treatments for mental health - University of Sydney

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The rest is here:

Bryan Anker: More research needed on medical psychedelics (Opinion) - Charleston Gazette-Mail

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Americans' Interest in Microdosing Psychedelics Is Growing | Health | shelbynews.com - Shelbynews