PSYCHEDELIC ALPHA
Psychedelic Alpha is an independent newsletter and community that strives to empower a diverse constellation of individuals and organisations with the knowledge, network and nuance to make an impact within the field of psychedelic medicine and beyond.
An Introduction to the Psychedelic Renaissance
40% of American adults report struggling with mental health or substance abuse disorders. Psychedelics may provide solutions to the global mental health and wellbeing crisis.
After decades of repression, psychedelic research is thriving.
Promising research has already resulted in FDA Breakthrough Therapy designations for psilocybin-assisted therapies aimed at treating depression, and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. Research on other ‘psychedelics’, including MDMA and LSD, is picking up pace with research centres at prestigious institutions—including Johns Hopkins and Imperial College London—driving a new wave of psychedelic research.
Decriminalisation and legalisation campaigns are succeeding.
In 2020 the U.S. state of Oregon voted to decriminalise psychedelics and legalise Psilocybin Therapy. Washington, D.C., home of the White House, also decriminalised psychedelics, with many other states and localities poised to follow suit and nascent discussions at the federal level. Canada’s Health Minister has granted exemptions to allow access to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, setting precedent for future efforts to expand access.
Significant clinical trial milestones on the horizon.
In a Phase 3 MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD trial that published in 2021, 88% of participants responded to the treatment. The trial’s sponsor, MAPS, expects to submit a New Drug Application to the FDA this year, with a potential approval in 2024.. Multiple trials of psilocybin for depression are in Phase 2, with one Phase 3 program underway, and are indicating preliminary safety and efficacy.
Psychedelics have the potential to address
Welcome to the Psychedelic Renaissance.
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The Psychedelic Renaissance in Context
Today’s psychedelic renaissance benefits from a rich legacy of psychedelic research and usage dating back to pre-historic times.
The extensive psychedelic research and experimentation of the 1950s and ’60s represents a significant endowment, with today’s researchers taking up the torch.
1943
Albert Hofmann intentionally ingests LSD, experiencing the effects while cycling home. “Bicycle Day” is coined.
mid 1960s – 1971
Psychedelics criminalised, with Nixon declaring a War on Drugs in 1971 and a UN Convention following suit.
~10,000 BCE
Psychedelic iconography, such as mushrooms, appear in etched murals dating 10,000 BCE.
1950s and ’60s
Fertile decades for psychedelics research and experimentation, particularly in the U.S.
21st Century
Psychedelic renaissance emerges, with a return to human studies of psychedelics and decriminalisation campaigns.
Our Latest Analysis
Dispatch from ECNP New Frontiers: Psychedelics (Psychedelic Bulletin #134)
Our dispatch from ECNP’s 2023 New Frontiers meeting, which this year focused on Psychedelics. We recap the main themes under discussion…
Psychedelic Bulletin #133: Ketamine Clinics Close with Potential Repercussions for PAT Roll-Out; Psychedelics at SXSW; Could MDMA Be Among First Beneficiaries of Faster UK Drug Approvals?
This week: UK set to make drug approvals ‘faster and nimbler’, which could help MDMA-assisted therapy; ketamine clinics close, which could damage future PAT infrastructure; psychedelics at SXSW; and lots more…
Psychedelic Bulletin #132: COMPASS Pathways Amends Phase 3 Program; Stamets Stack Finally Patented; Learning from Zuranolone?
This week: we look at changes to COMPASS’ Phase 3 program; the Stamets Stack’s patent; and, we evaluate Zuranolone as a potential comp for psychedelic therapies. Plus lots more…
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