Magic Mushrooms Move Closer to Mainstream Medicine As VC-Backed Compass Touts Safety, Positive Mood Alteration – Karma

Magic mushrooms as a treatment for depression took another step toward mainstream acceptance as a venture capital-backed company announced positive results from a psilocybin trial.

Compass Pathways psilocybin medication was well-tolerated in healthy volunteers, a first step in seeking approval to sell the drug, the London-based company reported in a statement. Subjects also reported positive mood alteration in the tests of COMP360, which is intended to treat depression that hasnt responded to available medications.

Hallucinogenics reputation as a trip-inducing, illegal party drug has for long existed side by side serious research on its active ingredients for treatments to mental illnesses like depression, addiction and PTSD as well as Alzheimers. Johns Hopkins, which has been researching the possibilities of psychedelic drugs for almost two decades, in September opened a $17 million center dedicated to psychedelics research. That center was funded by private donors including hedge fund manager Steven Cohens foundation.

The studys lead investigator said the results were clinically reassuring and support further development of psilocybin. The investigator, Dr. James Rucker, consultant psychiatrist and senior clinical lecturer in psychopharmacology at Kings College Londons Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, said the trial is the largest of its kind.

Compasss treatment was designated a breakthrough therapy last year by U.S. FDA, which gives it an expedited approval process because it may be substantially better than products currently available. Its running another phase IIb study in Europe and North America of 216 patients with treatment-resistant depression.

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Magic Mushrooms Move Closer to Mainstream Medicine As VC-Backed Compass Touts Safety, Positive Mood Alteration - Karma