The Psychedelic News Feed
Friday April 18th, 2025
Welcome back to the Psychedelic News Feed, where we round-up the latest coverage of psychedelics.
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The VA, Psychedelics, and the Future of Mental Health: A Conversation with Shereef Elnahal, Former VA Under Secretary for Health (Apr 14) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
High Hopes in the Mile High City: Inside Colorado’s First Licensed Psilocybin Center (Apr 17) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Ireland may be in the midst of a psychedelic renaissance (Apr 14) ↗ Irish Examiner
The World of Psychedelics, with Erika Dyck (Apr 14) ↗ History on Drugs
Researchers Develop an LSD Analogue with Potential for Treating Schizophrenia (Apr 14) ↗ UC Davis
UW psilocybin study gives man second chance after 10-year opioid addiction (Apr 14) ↗ Wisconsin Examiner
Believers say microdosing psychedelics helps them. Scientists are trying to measure the claims (Apr 17) ↗ AP News
Anne Philippi et al. Launch The New Health Institute (Apr) ↗ The New Health Institute
April 7 - 13, 2025
Pα+ Psychedelic Bulletin #193 (Apr 11) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- ‘Everything’s On the Table’: VA Secretary Signals Openness to Psychedelics, But Concrete Plans Lacking
- Drug Developers Caught Between Tariff Talk, Agency Shake-Ups, and Market Mayhem
- Multi-Lab Preprint Study Challenges Replicability of Psilocybin’s Persistent Effects in Mice
- and more…
BREAKING: New Mexico Passes Nation’s First Legislature-Driven Psilocybin Access Act (Apr 8) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Why it’s hard to study the neuroscience of psychedelics (Apr 7) ↗ NPR
Here’s why researchers are making new psychedelic-like drugs — without the trip (Apr 9) ↗ NPR
March 2025’s Psychedelic Policy Momentum: New Bills Filed Across the U.S. as Nearly 30 States Deliberate Reforms (Apr 7) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Psychedelic Policy Update: Medical Access, Industry Influence, and Voter Suppression Shape 2025 Landscape (Apr 9) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- As New Mexico’s Medical Psilocybin Act Passes, Questions of Access, Provider Risk, and Industry Influence Loom
- Arizona’s Oregon-Style Psilocybin Services Bill Gutted and Replaced by Compass Pathways’ Crystalline Polymorph Psilocybin Rescheduling Trigger Law
- and more…
Beckley Psytech’s investors want to put more money into the psychedelics company at a $200 million valuation (Apr 9) ↗ Business Insider
How Māori People Are Reclaiming Psychedelic Mushroom Medicine (Apr 7) ↗ Atmos
Psychedelics Could Transform How We Sleep—Or If We Even Need It at All, New Theory Claims (Apr 9) ↗ Popular Mechanics
Psychedelics Move Toward Mainstream Medicine (Apr 8) ↗ American Scientist
Psychedelics as Medicines? The Troubled Journey Towards Better Mental Health Futures (Apr 10) ↗ University of Birmingham
Are Psychedelics for You? (Apr 11) ↗ RANZCP
California university to expand student minds with new psychedelic studies course (Apr 7) ↗ The Guardian
March 31 - April 6 2025
The 5th Annual Psychedelic Therapeutics and Drug Development Conference brings together industry leaders, researchers, and investors to explore the latest advancements in psychedelic medicine. Join us to discuss clinical trials, regulatory updates, emerging therapies, and commercialization strategies shaping the future of psychedelic drug development. Learn more at www.psychedelics-
Transcend Posts Positive Phase 2 Data from Methylone for PTSD Program (Mar 31) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Transcend Therapeutics has shared topline results from its Phase 2 study of the MDMA analog methylone (TSND-201) in PTSD. While the readout is certainly positive, questions remain about the intervention’s scalability, specifics around the protocol, and the company’s IP moat. Read more…
Psilocybin’s lasting action requires pyramidal cell types and 5-HT2A receptors (Apr 2) ↗ Nature
See also a Research Briefing on the article.
Behind the Bill: Inside a Bipartisan Effort to Bring Psychedelic Therapy to Veterans (Apr 4) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Yesterday, Representatives Lou Correa (D) and Jack Bergman (R) introduced the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act. The bipartisan bill—co-sponsored by Reps. Morgan Luttrell (R), Ro Khanna (D), and Dan Crenshaw (R)—would see the VA designate at least five such centres, which would focus on researching and delivering certain psychedelic therapies. Here, we speak to two of the bill’s architects…
Psychedelic-assisted therapy offers new hope for people with advanced cancer (Apr 1) ↗ Canadian Cancer Society
The promise of psychedelic medicine (Apr 1) ↗ University of Cambridge
Introducing Our Latest Product: TripRadar (Apr 1) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
The illegal party drug helping Ukraine’s traumatised soldiers live again (Apr 3) ↗ The Independent
How the brain creates heaven: The philosophy of psychedelics with Susan Blackmore (Apr 2) ↗ Big Think
Psychedelic Trade Association Calls Out Trudeau Government, Calls on Carney and Poilievre to Improve Federal Regulations for Novel Mental Care (Apr 1) ↗ Press Release
March 24 - 30 2025
The 7th edition of Europe’s largest conference on psychedelic research, Breaking Convention, takes place in Exeter, UK, from 17-19th April, 2025.
Speakers include Julie Holland, Erik Davis, William Leonard Pickard, Celia Morgan, Rick Doblin and many more. Learn more and purchase tickets today.
Pα+ Psychedelic Bulletin #192 (Mar 28) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- Psychedelic Safety Takes Centre Stage in Berkeley
- Selection Bias and Small Sample Size Hampers Compass Pathways’ Long-Term Psilocybin Data
- Placebo Outperforms LSD in MindMed’s Microdosing Study for ADHD
- atai Bets on Bitcoin
- Potential Tweak to Ukrainian Law Could Permit Psychedelic Research
- Governor of Virginia Vetoes Compass Pathways Rescheduling Bill
- and much more…
Beyond Guinea Pigs: Ensuring Access to Psychedelic Therapies for Europeans (Mar 25) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
February 2025 Psychedelic Patent Update: Terran Secures New Overlapping IP; Porta Sophia Becomes USPTO Information Source (Mar 27) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Lykos’ interim CEO is set to step down (Mar 28) ↗ Endpoints
Destigmatizing Psychedelics With Beau Kilmer (Mar 27) ↗ The Dave Chang Show
Relmada reconsiders phase 2 plans to test magic mushroom extract for obesity (Mar 28) ↗ Fierce Biotech
Compass Pathways Announces Completion of Recruitment for the Phase 3 COMP005 Trial of COMP360 Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression (Mar 26) ↗ Press Release
After series of defeats in California, psychedelics boosters return with slimmed-down bill (Mar 24) ↗ The Mercury News
UCSD study suggests psilocybin could cure phantom limb pain (Mar 25) ↗ Axios
Bay Area embraces new era in psychedelic therapy (Mar 29) ↗ SF Gate
The overlooked psychedelic that may help treat traumatic brain injury (Mar 24) ↗ Big Think
Why tech bros worship psychedelics (and think you should too) (Mar 24) ↗ NPR
March 17 - 23 2025
OPI’s 8-week, science-based training equips you with the skills to become a licensed psilocybin facilitator in Oregon and the knowledge to become a leader in the field.
Next cohort begins April 22—apply now and join the leading edge of the psychedelic renaissance.
Pα+ Psychedelic Bulletin #191 (Mar 17) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- De-Weirding Psychedelics, SXSW
- Psilocybin for Alcohol Use Disorder: Swiss Study Finds No Impact on Drinking
- HALT Fentanyl Act Could Streamline Schedule I Research
- Compass Pathways on Phase 3, REMS, and Potential Tailwinds
- Government Accountability Office Issues Note on Psychedelics
- and much more…
The New Hit Depression Treatment? A Ketamine-Derived Nasal Spray (Mar 21) ↗ WSJ
Safety and Efficacy of Repeated Low-Dose LSD for ADHD Treatment in Adults (Mar 19) ↗ JAMA Psychiatry
see also: Microdosing LSD is not an effective ADHD treatment (Mar 19) ↗ New Scientist
The Colorado psychedelic mushroom experiment has arrived (Mar 18) ↗ CBS
Drag star The Vivienne died after taking ketamine, family says (Mar 17) ↗ BBC
Ellen Vora on the Healing Power of Psychedelics (Mar 19) ↗ Oprah Daily
OPINION: Waiting for the feds is a horrible strategy for psychedelics (Mar 20) ↗ The Nevada Independent
MindMed Appoints Matt Wiley as Chief Commercial Officer (Mar 17) ↗ Press Release
Neuroscience, ethics and psychedelics: Dana Foundation and Baylor experts weigh in on therapy potential (Mar 18) ↗ Rice University
Magic mushroom decriminalization? Nevada lawmakers want federal standards changed first (Mar 17) ↗ Carson Now
‘Promising’ psychedelic therapy aims to help cancer patients (Mar 19) ↗ Calgary Herald
Magic Mushrooms for Parkinson’s? What To Know About Psilocybin Therapy (Mar 18) ↗ Michael J. Fox Foundation
Federal Judge Orders Utah Police To Return Psychedelic Mushrooms Seized From Religious Group (Mar 20) ↗ Marijuana Moment
Psychedelics For Parenting? The Rise Of Microdosing As A Way To “See” Like Your Kids (Mar 20) ↗ Worldcrunch
DOD commits $9.8 million to study psychedelics for active-duty troops (Mar 17) ↗ Military Times
See our Interview with Maj. Aaron Wolfgang, Chief of Inpatient Psychiatry at the US Army, for more.
March 10 - 16 2025
Recap: Behind the Scenes of the “Psychedelic Renaissance” at SXSW 2025 (Mar 14) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Inside the World’s Most Active Psychedelic Therapy Site: A Conversation with Sunstone Therapies (Mar 12) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Big Pharma Walked Away From Mental Health. Why Some Are Coming Back. (Mar 14) ↗ WSJ
‘Literally lifesaving’: Why Sinema is pushing for psychedelic drug research (Mar 14) ↗ Phoenix New Times
New D.C. restaurant recreates psychedelic mushroom experience (Mar 10) ↗ Axios DC
Nevada legislature hears resolution seeking to expand psychedelic medicine (Mar 11) ↗ News 4
Psychedelics for Chronic Pain Management May Improve Outcomes, Reduce Substance Use (Mar 12) ↗ Psychiatry Advisor
Scaling Psychedelic Therapies in the Health System (Mar) ↗ BrainFutures
The latest report from BrainFutures presents a healthcare provider survey on opportunities and barriers to the roll-out of psychedelic therapies.
Psychedelics and the Texas Trip Part 2: The Science and History of the Medicine (Mar 13) ↗ Texas Public Radio
Read or listen to Part 1 here.
Magic mushrooms helped me through my cancelled engagement (Mar 16) ↗ The Times
Investigating the psychedelic blue lotus of Egypt, where ancient magic meets modern science (Mar 11) ↗ Berkeley News
Deanne Mathews pleads guilty to drug trafficking after serving mushroom drink to woman who died (Mar 11) ↗ ABC News
March 3 - 9 2025
Pα+ Psychedelic Bulletin #190 (Mar 6) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- ‘Europe’s Most Feared Investor’ Teams Up with Musk Associate to Fund Lykos Therapeutics
- Risk-Off or Reality Check? Psychedelic Stocks Slump After RFK Jr. Surge
- Beckley Wraps Enrolment for Phase 2b Study of 5-MeO-DMT in Treatment-Resistant Depression
- and more…
Forging a Path to Access: Congressmen Correa and Bergman on the Future of Psychedelics in the U.S. (Mar 4) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
A Rundown of Colorado’s Natural Medicine Program (Mar 5) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
A short, simple guide to CO’s regulated psychedelics program’s key rules and structure by Tasia Poinsatte.
How Much Should Americans Worry About Elon Musk’s Ketamine Use? (Mar 5) ↗ The Atlantic
Science & Tech Spotlight:
Medical Use of Psychedelics (Mar 6) ↗ U.S. Government Accountability Office
Can Psychedelics Heal Mental Trauma? With Harvard Professor Michael Pollan (Mar 4) ↗ The Oprah Podcast
Beckley Psytech Completes Enrolment in Phase IIb study of BPL-003 for Treatment Resistant Depression (Mar 5) ↗ Press Release
“Topline data from the core, randomised, 8-week study are expected in mid-2025.”
Psychedelic therapy may soon be funded for veterans with PTSD, depression (Mar 4) ↗ ABC News
Party drug MDMA may have protected survivors of Nova attack from trauma, study suggests (Mar 7) ↗ BBC
Event: Psychedelic Therapy & Altered States of Consciousness (Mar 10) ↗ UMich Medicine
Do drugs belong in therapy? (Mar 3) ↗ CBC Podcasts
Psychedelic drug studies face a potent source of bias: the ‘trip’ (Mar 3) ↗ Science
Psychedelic Science conference coming to Denver announces initial lineup (Mar 7) ↗ Denver Post
See also: Psychedelic Science’s press release with further names, including Psychedelic Alpha’s Editor Josh Hardman.
An NYT Story Blamed Leftists for Obstructing Psychedelic Therapy. The Truth Is Much More Infuriating. (Mar 7) ↗ Slate
Optimism About Psychedelics and Psychiatry (Mar 4) ↗ Psychology Today
Trippy Hearing Aids: Psychedelics Spur New Synapses in Mouse Ear Cells (Mar 6) ↗ The Scientist
Event: CARE Panel: The Ethics of Researching Psychedelics (Mar 24) ↗ Ohio State University
Unveiling the mystical: How scholars are advancing psychedelics study (Mar 4) ↗ The Harvard Gazette
New study to inform Australia’s first psychedelics clinical guideline (Mar 5) ↗ Monash University
Use of psychedelics is on the rise in Canada. Doctors are starting to look at long-term risks, benefits (Mar 3) ↗ CBC
February 24 - March 2, 2025
Psychedelic Science, the largest global gathering of its kind, returns to Denver, June 16-20, 2025. Join industry leaders, scientists, policymakers, researchers, and community advocates for ground breaking discussions and networking opportunities. Featuring hundreds of speakers and exhibitors, hands-on workshops, and 10+ stages of programming, Psychedelic Science is a must attend for anyone interested in exploring the future of psychedelics.
January 2025 Psychedelic Patent Update: Lykos’ New Continuation Applications; Ambio Files on Ibogaine & Magnesium (Feb 25) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
A Crucible of Academia, Psychedelics, and Religion: Psychedelic Intersections 2025 at The Harvard Divinity School (Feb 24) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Psychedelic Bulletin 189 (Feb 28) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative Strategic Roadmap: Collective Philanthropy in the Psychedelic Field ↗ PSFC
PSFC has publicly released its roadmap for the future of psychedelic philanthropy. We originally covered the report in December: SCOOP: PSFC’s $130M Roadmap to Shape the Future of Psychedelic Philanthropy.
Psychedelic Policy Push Continues: Over 60 Bills Introduced Across 22 States (Feb 27) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
The Psychedelics Industry’s Hopes And Worries Over RFK Jr. (Feb 25) ↗ Law360
TV journalist Kendis Gibson says he secretly battled depression before psychedelics saved his life (Feb 24) ↗ Fortune
Job titles of the future: Pharmaceutical-grade mushroom grower (Feb 26) ↗ MIT Technology Review
UI researchers ask if psychedelics can treat alcohol use disorder (Feb 24) ↗ Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Naropa University Announces $1.5M Grant for Psychedelic Studies Program (Feb 25) ↗ Press Release
“The scholarship partnership opens financial support for any interested undergraduate for the BA psychedelic studies minor.”
Psychedelics Go Mainstream, Kind Of (Feb 25) ↗ Persuasion
Trailblazing Philanthropy: A Roadmap to Psychedelics with host Julie Simon (Feb 26) ↗ YPO Psychedelics Group (YouTube)
Researchers to test psychedelic drug plus therapy to help military members with PTSD (Feb 27) ↗ UT Health
Take a trip to fight climate change? Group meets in Miami to tout psychedelic solutions (Feb 27) ↗ Miami Herald
Arizona lawmakers want to help veterans access psychedelic treatments (Feb 26) ↗ KTAR News
February 17 - 23, 2025
MDMA for Active-Duty Troops: Aaron Wolfgang on DoD’s Unprecedented Study (Feb 19) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
UK Psychedelic Research Hindered by Red Tape, Experts Tell Lawmakers in Parliamentary Report (Feb 21) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Could psychedelics be fine-tuned to relieve anxiety but skip the ‘trip’? (Feb 18) ↗ Nature News & Views
Interview: Magic Mushrooms Meet Corporate Conspiracy: Steve Hely on Adult Swim’s Common Side Effects (Feb 17) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Opinions: PrEP’s Rollout Offers a Roadmap for Prescription Psychedelics (Feb 18) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Hailey Gilmore, MPH explores how PrEP’s rollout offers key learnings for the medicalization of psychedelics, particularly in overcoming stigma, building provider awareness, and integrating new treatments into existing healthcare structures.
Psychedelics Space Regroups as RFK Jr. Signals Support (Feb 17) ↗ BioSpace
New Course for Current Students and Practicing Clinical Social Workers: Principles of Psychedelic Healing (Feb 17) ↗ UWisc School of Social Work
A Psychedelic Molecule Controls Your Consciousness at the Moment of Death, New Theory Suggests (Feb 18) ↗ Popular Mechanics
Here’s a look into Silicon Valley’s ‘executive psychedelic slumber parties’ that cost over $3,000 (Feb 18) ↗ Fortune
The Ketamine-Fueled ‘Psychedelic Slumber Parties’ That Get Tech Execs Back on Track (Feb 18) ↗ Wired
Psilera Inc. & atai Life Sciences Announce Licensing Agreement for DMT Patent Portfolio (Feb 20) ↗ Press Release
February 10 - 16, 2025
Psychedelic Bulletin 188 (Feb 14) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- Q4’24: Federal Psychedelics Lobbying Update
- GH Research Discusses Lack of Placebo Effect, Decision to Keep Trial Sites Secret
- Virginia Lawmakers Question Purpose and Precedent of Compass Pathways’ Rescheduling Bill
- VA Psychedelics Champion Leaves Post
- Colorado’s Psychedelics Program Sees Slow Start
- Lykos’ FDA Rejection in Context
- Center for MINDS Backs Psilocybin for Creativity Study
- Study Reveals Differing Views on Psychological Support
- and much more…
Ketamine on the Edge: Mindbloom’s At-Home Injections Spark Debate; UK Eyes Tougher Laws; DEA to Regulate Telehealth Prescribing; Spravato Sales Top $1bn (Feb 10) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Psychedelic Funding, Public Markets, and M&A in 2024 (Feb 12) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health: Policy considerations (Feb 12) ↗ UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
New York Magazine partnered with anti-psychedelics activists on MDMA series (Feb 10) ↗ Semafor
Homegrown Trips: Desperate for PTSD Relief, Veterans Turn to Each Other for DIY Psychedelic Treatments (Feb 13) ↗ Military.com
Legal battle rages over reopening a Detroit psychedelic mushroom-using church (Feb 10) ↗ The Detroit News
Ninth Circuit Issues Disappointing Ruling on Terminally Ill Patients and Psilocybin (Feb 14) ↗ Harris Sliwoski
The push to legalize psychedelics is back. Here’s what to know. (Feb 11) ↗ Boston.com
Psychedelics and the Future of Mental Health: Science, Faith, Hype and Healthcare Innovation with Fayzan Rob (Feb) ↗ Health is Everything Podcast
Tacoma is latest WA city to call for decriminalizing ‘magic mushrooms’ (Feb 12) ↗ Spokesman-Review
Psychedelic research offers new hope for PTSD and major depressive disorder (Feb 10) ↗ University of Exeter
‘I’m just a seeker’: The Sydney mum who spent a year sampling psychedelics (Feb 11) ↗ The Age
Psychedelic Church of Colorado Springs: Magic mushrooms legally handed out to a community honoring “three universal truths” (Feb 11) ↗ 11 News Colorado
50+ people graduate to be licensed for psychedelic-assisted therapy in Colorado (Feb 11) ↗ KRDO
Psychedelic Breakthrough: Scientists Successfully Achieve Total Synthesis of Ibogaine (Feb 14) ↗ SciTechDaily
atai Life Sciences Announces Pricing of Public Offering of Common Shares (Feb 12) ↗ Press Release
Diplo Doubles Down on Love for Acid, Says He Does It 4 Times a Week (Feb 10) ↗ TMZ
When The Smoke Clears (Feb 18) ↗ LA Times (via YouTube)
An LA Times short documentary will premiere on February 18th. It follows two first responders who travel to Mexico to undergo psychedelic therapy in the hopes it will help their PTSD and depression.
February 3 - 9, 2025
This Week’s Feed, Sponsored by
The International Society for Research on Psychedelics (ISRP) is hosting a virtual conference on March 7, 2025 that features more than twenty 15-minute presentations on the latest developments in the field. The full-day agenda spans pre-clinical science, observational research, and clinical studies.
Should you face barriers to attendance, the conference organisers invite you to apply for registration fee assistance.
Pα+ Psychedelic Bulletin #187 (Feb 7)↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- The Psychedelic Blame Game: NYT Report Fuels Controversy Over MDMA Rejection
- Mixed Messages on Psymposia’s Role
- Lykos and MAPS Seize the Opportunity
- Political Pragmatism Sparks Backlash Among Some Supporters
- Psychedelic Drug Developers Reflect on “Lykos-Specific Issues” and the Road Ahead
- FDA “Wanted to Approve” MDMA, Says MindMed Exec
- Trump on Psychedelics; “Nothing” Lies Beyond Psychological Support; Trial Site Availability Limits Psychedelic Drug Development
- GH’s 5-MeO-DMT Data and RFK Jr. Confirmation Send Psychedelics Stocks Soaring
- and much more…
GH Research Reports Strong Phase 2b Results for 5-MeO-DMT in Treatment-Resistant Depression (Feb 3) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
GH Research Announces Primary Endpoint Met in Phase 2b Trial with GH001 in TRD Demonstrating -15.5 Point Placebo-adjusted MADRS Reduction (Feb 3) ↗ Press Release
How an Activist Group Helped Torpedo MDMA Therapy (Feb 4) ↗ The New York Times
How does psilocybin alter the brain? We talked to a scientist to find out (Feb 9) ↗ CPR News
Nine veterans with PTSD went to Mexico for a psychedelic retreat. This is how they feel nearly a year later. (Feb 2) ↗ 60 Minutes (CBS)
A New Model for Psychiatric Care at Johns Hopkins (Feb 4) ↗ Johns Hopkins Medicine
Johns Hopkins opens the first clinic of its kind in the U.S. which aims to support individuals experiencing difficulties following a psychedelic experience.
A psychedelic plant from Africa holds promise for addiction and trauma — but it’s not for everyone (Feb 8) ↗ Salon
GH Research Announces Pricing of $150 Million Public Offering (Feb 4) ↗ Press Release
Novel, Fast-Acting Psychedelic May Provide New Avenue for the Treatment of Postpartum Depression (Feb 6) ↗ Cleveland Clinic
MDMA at night, Cheerios in the morning: The trippy rise of parenting while high (Feb 4) ↗ Business Insider
MEP action group on psychedelics takes off (Feb 7) ↗ Euractiv
SURVEY STUDY: Have you had a creative breakthrough from a psychedelic trip? ↗ Survey (UCSF)
January 27 - February 2, 2025
Q1’25 Bullseye: The Psychedelic Drug Development Pipeline (Jan 30) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Explore the latest edition of our Bullseye Chart, which displays psychedelic candidates by phase of development and molecule type.
Updated: The Psychedelic Drug Development Tracker ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
We have also updated the Tracker webpage, where you can explore psychedelic candidates by stage of development.
2025’s Psychedelic Policy Surge: A State-by-State, Bill-by-Bill Analysis (Jan 31) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Here, we parse through the influx of new bills. First, Psychedelic Alpha Editor Josh Hardman provides a high-level thematic overview of the fresh set of bills. Then, Jack Gorsline runs through the bills one by one.
Covering psychedelics: dispatches from the front-lines of psychedelic journalism’ (Jan 27) ↗ YouTube
With Shayla Love of the Atlantic, Josh Hardman of Psychedelic Alpha, Mattha Busby of Vice and Rolling Stone, and Jack Gorsline.
Beckley Psytech announces positive topline data from Phase IIa study of BPL-003 (intranasal 5-MeO-DMT benzoate) for Alcohol Use Disorder (Jan 28) ↗ Press Release
Beckley’s open-label study (n=12) of its intranasal 5-MeO-DMT candidate in AUD reports 50% of participants completely abstinent at 3 months.
See also Atai Touts Positive Data for Psychedelic Therapy in Alcohol Use Disorder (Jan 28) ↗ BioSpace
Psychedelics for health (Feb 01) ↗ The Lancet World Reports
Inside the psychedelic elite (Feb 01) ↗ The New Statesman
America rejected MDMA, but Australia didn’t. Here’s why psychedelics have been embraced Down Under (Jan 28) ↗ Salon
MindMed Announces First Patient Dosed in Panorama, the Second Pivotal Phase 3 Study of MM120 in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Jan 30) ↗ Press Release
Could psychedelics help patients in therapy? | Benjamin Lewis (Jan 28) ↗ TED Health
How psychedelics blew my mind (Jan 29) ↗ UnHerd
Online Event: Ethical Considerations in Psychedelics in Mental Health Treatment (Mar 12) ↗ UChicago
Participate in Research: Do you have psychedelics or meditation experience? Participate in a 20-minute anonymous online experiment ↗ The LAB Lab
Poison control calls about mushrooms increased nationwide with more use of psychedelics — but remained low, CU study finds (Jan 28) ↗ The Denver Post
Event: Matrix on Point: Mainstreaming Psychedelics (Mar 6) ↗ Berkeley Events
Ft. Psychedelic Alpha Editor-at-Large Graham Pechenik.
January 20 - 26, 2025
Pα+ Psychedelic Bulletin 186 (Jan 24)↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- As Trump Takes Office, Impact on Psychedelics Field Remains Unclear
- Psychedelics Advocate Sergey Brin Bags Seat in Billionaire’s Gallery
- When MAHA?
- NIH Freeze Stokes Funding Fears; Might Psychedelics Benefit?
- Psychedelic Power Couple, the Jurvetsons, Talk Trump, Lykos, and Philanthropy at Munich Conference
- Genevieve Jurvetson Hopes to Get MDMA Approved This Year
- J&J Buys Intra-Cellular for $14.6 Billion
- Lykos Provides Update on Board Departures, FDA Meeting, and U.S. Patent Applications
- GH Research Shares Positive Results from Proof of Concept Studies; Provides Update on FDA Clinical Hold
- and more…
Bifurcation Squared: Compass Lobbies for Narrow Rescheduling in Colorado, Virginia; Pushes Back on State Policy Reforms (Jan 23) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
J&J’s Spravato first approval as monotherapy for treatment-resistant depression (Jan 21) ↗ The Pharma Letter
Estonian psychiatrists want to update use of psychedelics in mental health care (Jan 26) ↗ ERR
Psychedelics and religion: A complex relationship (Jan 20) ↗ LSE Blogs
Psychedelics in 2024: From Hype to Hard Realities (Jan 21) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
How Psychedelics Got a High-End Wellness Rebrand in Amsterdam (Jan 23) ↗ Little Black Book
The Most Controversial Paper in the History of Psychedelic Research May Never See the Light of Day (Jan 24) ↗ Reason
What makes the psychedelic experience so healing? It could be “awe” (Jan 26) ↗ Salon
New psychedelic-assisted therapy clinic open in Edmonton (Jan 25) ↗ City News
Why mushroom oil has become the drug of choice for cool middle-class parents in London (Jan 23) ↗ The Standard
January 13 - 19, 2025
Patent Analysis: Lykos Suffers Blow from USPTO As All Patent Claims Stand Finally Rejected (Jan 16) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
What 2025 could bring for psychedelic use in healthcare (Jan 13) ↗ Healthcare Brew
Psychedelic drug DMT to be trialled on UK volunteers to tackle alcohol misuse (Jan 17) ↗ The Guardian
The Psychedelic Renaissance and How It Will Transform Health Care (Jan 16) ↗ DLD (YouTube)
Dr. Gül Dölen: The Latest Research on Psychedelics and the Brain (Jan 13) ↗ Being Patient Alzheimer’s (YouTube)
Interview: mpathic Co-Founder Danielle Schlosser on AI Oversight of Psychedelics Trials (Jan 17) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Naropa University forced to break ties with its own psychedelic studies program, spawning new independent healing center (Jan 13) ↗ The Colorado Sun
After 2024, the Scenario for Psychedelic Therapies Can Only Improve (Jan 16) ↗ Chacruna
Marae-based study into psychoactive mushroom for treating methamphetamine addiction completes first phase of trials (Jan 18) ↗ RNZ
Psychedelics Regs May Not Shift Under Trump, Despite RFK Jr. Rhetoric (Jan 16) ↗ Inside Health Policy
Rabbi says psychedelics are “elephant in the room” in sacred Jewish text (Jan 17) ↗ CBS
PsychedeliCare Launches First European Citizens’ Initiative Demanding Political Action on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies (Jan 14) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Lykos Therapeutics Announces Changes to its Board of Directors (Jan 14) ↗ Press Release
Veterans Launch “Beond Service” Ibogaine Treatment Program for Military Community (Jan 14) ↗ Press Release
Cases of Psilocybin Exposure Rising (Jan 13) ↗ Denver Health
Can ayahuasca change a man? The rise of trips against misunderstood masculinity (Jan 16) ↗ EL PAÍS
HELP WANTED
Psychedelic Alpha is looking for someone to help us share our content on social media and other platforms. The right person is familiar with the psychedelics field, is able to summarise our content and pull out key themes or quotes, and has graphic design skills. If you are interested in this position, please contact hello@psychedelicalpha.com with one or two sentences about yourself and any samples of your work.
January 6 - 12, 2025
Pα+ Psychedelic Bulletin #185 (Jan 11) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- Joe Rogan on Ibogaine: Rick Perry and Bryan Hubbard Appear in Two-Hour Interview
- On Psychedelic Lobbying (Otsuka Joins In)
- Neumora’s Kappa Opioid Receptor Drug for Depression Fails in Phase 3
- Wisconsin’s Medicaid System to Cover IV Ketamine for Major Depressive Disorder
- Inside the Plan to Make Lykos MAPS Again
Other Stories - Tacoma Set to Vote on Psychedelic Decrim.
- APA Special Issue, APA Workshops and Webinars
- Colorado Regulator’s Last-Minute Changes
- and more…
Advocate of psychedelic drugs wants to work with RFK Jr. (Jan 9) ↗ POLITICO
Billionaire Investor Antonio Gracias Plots $100M Lykos Takeover with Doblin’s Backing (Jan 10) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
This latest twist in the Lykos Therapeutics saga threatens a major overhaul of the company’s strategy and direction, with Musk ally and billionaire investor Antonio Gracias appearing to want to take the company back toward its nonprofit drug development roots and a more Doblinite philosophy. Now, the company’s board must decide whether to stick with its current lead investor, Helena, or accept Gracias’ proposal.
Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletin 15: A Duplicitous December (Jan 6) ↗ Vicente LLP X Psychedelic Alpha
DoSER Hosts Wide-Ranging Conversation on Psychedelics (Jan 9) ↗ American Association for the Advancement of Science
Colorado can now issue licenses to psychedelic mushroom therapy facilitators (Jan 6) ↗ Colorado Newsline
CDER Director Patrizia Cavazzoni to step down ahead of Trump presidency (Jan 10) ↗ Endpoints
From Fringe to Focus: APA’s American Journal of Psychiatry Publishes Special Issue on Psychedelics (Jan 6) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Tacoma considers decriminalizing psychedelics (Jan 8) ↗ FOX 13 Seattle
Psylo Rebrands as Xylo, with Key Board Appointments and Breakthrough Pipeline Progress (Jan 10) ↗ Press Release
Compass Pathways Announces Pricing of Underwritten Offering (Jan 10) ↗ Press Release
atai Life Sciences Announces Key Leadership Appointments as it Advances its Pipeline of Novel Psychedelic Therapeutics for Mental Health (Jan 10) ↗ Press Release
December 30, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Pα+ Psychedelic Bulletin #184 (Dec 31) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- We explore psychedelics-related lobbying activity at the federal level in Q3’24, which saw a significant increase in such efforts
- Psychoplastogens a ‘primary focal point’ of depression trials last year
- NJ Psilocybin Bill Appears Dead
- FDA moves to restrict Amanita muscaria
- DEA increases DMT production quota
- and more…
Psychedelic therapy begins in Colorado, causing tension between conservatives and veterans (Jan 2) ↗ AP News
Psychedelic treatment and mental health: Navigating a longer trip with optimism (Jan 1) ↗ American Psychological Association
Psychedelic Drug Therapy May Address Mental Health Concerns in People with Cancer & Addiction (Jan 2) ↗ NYU Langone Health
Virtual Event: Covering Psychedelics: dispatches from the front-lines of the renaissance (Jan 22nd) ↗ Eventbrite
Our Editor Josh Hardman will appear on a panel alongside journalists Shayla Love and Mattha Busby to discuss their experiences reporting on the psychedelics renaissance. Hosted by Jules Evans.
California almost legalized psychedelics. Now, supporters are looking for a good test case (Jan 2) ↗ CalMatters
‘This is medicine’: inside the psilocybin retreat for US first responders (Dec 30) ↗ The Guardian
Psychedelic experiences in clinical settings (Dec 30) ↗ Guardian Letters
How psychedelics are aiding in end-of-life care in Oregon (Jan 4) ↗ OPB
Michael Pollan’s long, strange trip from food to psychedelics (Jan 3) ↗ KCRW
Rick Perry says illegal psychedelic drug is ready for spotlight (Jan 4) ↗ Chron
[Minnesota] State task force recommends decriminalization of psychedelics in new report (Jan 2) ↗ MPR News
Do you suffer from cluster headaches or other chronic pain conditions? Psychedelics might be the answer (Jan 2) ↗ Irish Independent
Muslims navigate the tension between psychedelics for mental health and Koran teachings (Jan 3) ↗ NPR
Bad News for Psychedelic Therapy in Certain Colorado Cities (Jan 2) ↗ Vice
Psilocybin enters the chat: Starting Jan. 1, Coloradans will have a new psychiatric treatment option (Dec 30) ↗ Colorado Sun
“Why did FDA delay the approval of MDMA Therapy?” with Rick Doblin (Dec 27) ↗ MDMA Therapy Podcast
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