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. 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 last year, 88% of participants responded to the treatment. The trial’s sponsor, MAPS, expects to seek FDA approval in or around 2024. Multiple trials of psilocybin for depression are in Phase 2 or entering Phase 3, 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
Psychedelic Bulletin #127: Psilocybin Shows Promise in Bipolar Disorder; Gilgamesh Raises $39m; California Decrim. Bill Returns; Canadian Province Covers Cost of PAT
This week: California’s psychedelics decrim. bill is back on the agenda; COMP360 psilocybin therapy shows promise in bipolar disorder; Gilgamesh closes $39m Series B; and much more…
Psychedelic Bulletin #126: Journey’s Mescaline Patent Pledge; Therapeutic Alliance Doesn’t Predict Response to Psilocybin Therapy, Says COMPASS
This week: Journey Colab’s patent pledge marks an industry first; therapeutic alliance not predictive of psilocybin therapy outcomes, according to COMPASS; psychedelic CPT codes to be considered next February; and much more…
Psychedelic Bulletin #125: New Data Boosts Spravato’s Case; Bipartisan Breakthrough Therapies Act; Berkeley Could Decrim. Psychedelics; DEA Increases Production Quotas
This week: New Phase 3b data boosts Spravato amid payer hesitancy; Berkeley Health Commission votes to move psychedelics decrim. resolution to City Council; our analysis of the rescheduling clauses in the Breakthrough Therapies Act; and much more…
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