The Psychedelic News Feed
Thursday August 21st, 2025
Welcome back to the Psychedelic News Feed, where we round-up the latest coverage of psychedelics.
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The rapidly approaching 8th Neuropsychiatric Drug Development Summit is less than four weeks away and will unite 150+ experts for three days of industry-focused discussions to drive end-to-end progress of next-generation mental health therapeutics. Join MindMed, Cybin, Compass Pathways, Otsuka, Delix Therapeutics, and more to innovate precision psychiatry, advance novel neuroplastogens and decipher the clinical hurdles of psychedelic R&D.
Reunion Neuroscience Posts Strong Phase 2 Results for RE104 in Postpartum Depression (Aug 18) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
This unorthodox treatment could help new moms: ‘The tipping point is coming’ (Aug 18) ↗ SF Chronicle
How biotech is reshaping weight loss, psychedelics, and women’s health (Aug 18) ↗ BIO
Aug 11 - 17, 2025
One Year After FDA’s MDMA Rejection: Insiders and Observers Reflect (Aug 15) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
The Long, Strange Trip of Rick Perry (Aug 11) ↗ NYT
From Huxley to Heffter: Mark Geyer Reflects on a Life in Psychedelic Research (Aug 12) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Are next-generation psychedelics the way forward for addressing treatment resistant depression? (Aug 15) ↗ Labiotech
Has psilocybin’s depression benefit been overestimated? (Aug 15) ↗ ABC
Spain police bust ‘spiritual retreat’ offering frog venom, other psychedelics (Aug 12) ↗ SCMP
‘A transcendental experience’: UNM studies death through a psychedelic trip (Aug 16) ↗ Albuquerque Journal
Participate: Microdosing Self-Blinding Study ↗ Learn More & Participate
Imperial College London is seeking participants for a self-blinding microdosing study.
Event: Borealis Psychedelic Science Summit ↗ More info & Register
Join our Editor Josh Hardman in Stockholm next month.
Event: Psychedelic Therapy: From Evidence to Equity ↗ Champalimaud Foundation
On the 1st of October, the Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal, will host a one-day symposium.
Aug 4 - 10, 2025
Psychedelic Bulletin #206 (Aug 8) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- Q2’25 Psychedelic Lobbying Update
- Tabernanthalog Spurs Neuroplasticity via Alternative Pathway, Davis and Delix Researchers Find
- UK Moves Toward Easing Schedule I Research Restrictions But Keeps Industry at Arm’s Length
- “Shell Games” and Whistleblowers: MassGOP Goes on Offensive Against Psychedelics Campaigners
- Aussie University Seeks Public Comments on MDMA Clinical Practice Guideline
- and more…
Therapy or Threat? UK Expert Warns of Rising Ketamine Addiction as Phase III Alcoholism Trial Launches (Aug 5) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Psychedelic medicine CEO eyes chances under MAHA (Aug 6) ↗ POLITICO
Psychedelics and Non-hallucinogenic Analogs Work Through the Same Receptor, Up to a Point (Aug 4) ↗ UC Davis
Germany Approves EU’s First Psilocybin Access Program (Aug 7) ↗ Forbes
Psychedelic Alpha’s Josh Hardman spoke with Forbes about the program and what it could mean for Europe more broadly.
Australia’s first clinical practice guideline for psychedelics released for public consultation (Aug 5) ↗ Monash University
CU Denver offers Colorado’s first psychedelic training program at public university (Aug 5) ↗ CPR News
July 28 - Aug 3, 2025
Psychedelic Bulletin #205 (Aug 1) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- AbbVie Eyes Billion-Dollar Gilgamesh Acquisition
- What Is Kyrsten Sinema Selling?
- Compass Pathways ‘Encouraged’ by Germany’s Psilocybin Compassionate Use Program
- Psychedelics Industry’s Input on EMA’s Draft Depression Guideline
- National Survey Reveals Psychedelics Use Again Rises in US
- FDA Moves to Ban Kratom Compound 7-OH
- Compass Talks Accelerated Approval on Q2’25 Earnings Call
- atai All-In on Psychedelics Following RL-007 Flop
- UK Government Publishes Life Sciences Plan
- NMDA or Opioid? Ketamine’s True Target Under Scrutiny
- Budget, Dosing, and Paperwork Raised at OPS Listening Sessions
- and more…
BREAKING: Germany Establishes EU’s First Psilocybin Compassionate Access Program (July 31) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
DISPATCH: The Neurobiology of Psychedelics Gordon Research Conference — Circuitry, Consciousness, and Clinical Horizons (Part 2) (July 29) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Psychedelic Therapy Crashed and Burned. MAHA Might Bring It Back (July 29) ↗ Wired
Psychedelics have promise. But after losing my son, we can’t ignore the dangers. (July 29) ↗ USA Today
Can Psychedelic Therapy Go Mainstream? (Aug 3) ↗ NPR
Details of Alleged MA Initiative Campaign Finance Violations In New OCPF Complaints (Aug 1) ↗ Lucid News
RFK Jr. Hints at FDA Approval of Psychedelic Therapy (July 29) ↗ Bloomberg Radio
July 21 - 27, 2025
Psychedelic Bulletin #204 (July 25) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- FDA Keeps GH Research’s 5-MeO-DMT on Ice as atai and Beckley Surge Ahead
- Makary’s Priority Voucher Program Launches, Cites Novel PTSD Treatment as Example
- HALT Fentanyl Act Signed by Trump, Could Streamline Schedule I Researcher Registration for Some
- FDA AdComm Skewers PTSD Drug Combo
- Czech President Signs Medical Psilocybin Into Law
- Psychedelic Stocks Surge, Compass Recovers from Readout Sell-off
- New Zealand’s Medicines Regulator Publishes Guidance for Practitioners Applying to Prescribe Psychedelics
- Psilocybin for Stroke Study Launches at Hopkins
- Spravato Sales Continue to Increase
- and more…
Psychedelics in the Trump Era: From Counterculture…to Conservative? (July 27) ↗ CNN
Mass. voters refused to legalize psychedelics. Then came the campaign infighting. (July 21) ↗ Boston Globe
DISPATCH: The Neurobiology of Psychedelics Gordon Research Conference — Plasticity, Psychotherapy, and Perception (Part 1) (July 23) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Can psychedelic drugs heal body and soul? (July 22) ↗ ABC News
The dark side of the Shroom Boom (July 27) ↗ Business Insider
Psychedelics, the self, and the collapse of materialist assumptions (July 25) ↗ Essentia Foundation
Will psychedelics ever live up to their hype? (July 24) ↗ National Geographic
Australia leads on psychedelic therapy, but Monash expert urges caution amid global hype (July 23) ↗ Monash University
Where the Trump administration and Bay Area progressives agree: Psychedelics (July 21) ↗ SF Chronicle
PATENTS: June 2025 Psychedelic Patent Update (July 24) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
July 14 - 20, 2025
Psychedelic Bulletin #203 (July 14) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- Norway’s Health System Considers Funding Off-Label Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression
- Spravato’s Monotherapy Success Puts Pressure on Psychedelics Developers
- Longevity Crowd Hypes Psilocybin Study But Researchers Urge Caution
- Will State-Legal Psychedelics Eat Psychedelic Pharma’s Lunch?
- Three Years of Psychedelics Access via Canada’s Special Access Programme
- The New Neuroplastogen Developer on the Block
- and more…
Can Psychedelics Break Through in Depression? Recent Readouts Leave Investors Wanting More (July 14) ↗ BioSpace
RFK Jr. and other Trump officials embrace psychedelics after FDA setback (July 16) ↗ AP News
Veterans cross border for forbidden psychedelic treatment that’s changing lives after combat (July 18) ↗ Fox News
As psychedelic use increases, local campaign aims to bridge safety gaps with the public (July 19) ↗ Colorado Public Radio
Nature’s Strangest Psychedelic is Everywhere: The Ever-Surprising History of DMT (July 16) ↗ LitHub
Participate: Post-Psychedelic Challenges Study ↗ Learn More & Participate
If you have experienced difficulties after taking a psychedelic, you may be eligible to participate in this study from Emory University.
July 7 - 13, 2025
INTERVIEW: From Senate to Psychedelics: Kyrsten Sinema’s Ibogaine Advocacy Playbook (July 7) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
These Toads Have Psychedelic Powers, but They’d Prefer to Keep It Quiet (July 10) ↗ NYT
Tripping down memory lane: the psychedelic therapy boom (July 11) ↗ The Observer
Sensorium Therapeutics Receives FDA IND Clearance for SNTX-2643, a First-in-Class, Rapid-Acting Anxiolytic (July 8) ↗ Press Release
Quicker Psychedelic Drugs Offer Investors a Better Trip (July 9) ↗ Bloomberg
June 30 - July 6, 2025
The 8th Neuropsychiatric Drug Development Summit will unite 150+ experts for three days of industry-focussed discussions to drive end-to-end progress of next-generation mental health therapeutics. Join MindMed, Cybin, Compass Pathways, Otsuka, Delix Therapeutics and more to innovate precision psychiatry, advance novel neuroplastogens and decipher the clinical hurdles of psychedelic R&D.
BREAKING: Beckley’s 5-MeO-DMT Shows Rapid, Durable Antidepressant Effects in Phase 2b Study (July 1) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
UPDATE: Beckley and atai Leadership Unpack Phase 2b Data, Take Aim at GH’s Dosing Model (July 1) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
INTERVIEW: Beckley Execs Talk Phase 2b Data, Competition, and Phase 3 Plans (July 1) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Other Coverage:
- Psychedelic therapy shows promise in mid-stage study in treatment-resistant depression (July 1) ↗ STAT
- Beckley’s Psychedelic Nasal Spray Clears Phase II Depression Study (July 1) ↗ BioSpace
- atai and Beckley Psytech’s psychedelic wins in Phase IIb depression trial (July 1) ↗ Clinical Trials Arena
- Psychedelic nasal spray shows promise against depression (July 1) ↗ Financial Times
- Atai and Beckley, set to merge, reveal study success for psychedelic drug (July 1) ↗ Biopharma Dive
- Beckley Psytech’s psychedelic reduces depression symptoms in phase 2, triggering Atai merger (July 1) ↗ Fierce Biotech
Q1 2025: Oregon Psilocybin Services Tracker (July 6) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
As the first cut of data from Oregon’s psilocybin program becomes available, we take a deep dive into emerging trends through various data visualisations and analysis. This marks the first instalment of our new Oregon Psilocybin Services Tracker, which will produce analysis of each cut of data as it is released.
The MAHA Movement Loves Psychedelics. Should Wall Street? (July 6) ↗ WSJ
A Promising Depression Drug Works. Psychedelics Are Back. (July 1) ↗ Barron’s
UDenver Seeks Study Participants: Already Planning to Take A High-Dose of Mushrooms? Complete 3 Zoom Calls and Earn $60 ↗ Participate
People are using AI to ‘sit’ with them while they trip on psychedelics (July 1) ↗ MIT Technology Review
Psychedelic Healing: Czechia Opens Mind to Magic Mushroom Therapy (July 2) ↗ Balkan Insight
Tripping into the future of neuroscience (July 2) ↗ Aspen Daily News
Psychedelic Medicine Sees Promise in Psilocybin and Ibogaine (July 2) ↗ Bloomberg
June 23 - 29, 2025
Psychedelic Bulletin #202 (June 27) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- RFK Jr. Envisages Psychedelics Access ‘Within 12 Months’
- Psychedelics in Washington: FDA, VA, and New Political Signals
- Lykos Therapeutics’ New CEO and CMO, Amy Emerson Joins Board
- New Zealand Approves First Psilocybin Prescriber
- DEA Judge Recommends Schedule I Placement for DOI and DOC
- First Legal Psilocybin Sessions in Colorado
- GH Research Submits IND Hold Response as 5-MeO-DMT Race Heats Up
- Dutch Cabinet Responds to MDMA State Commission
- and more…
Rick Perry: I’m dedicating my life to fighting for a psychedelic drug (June 27) ↗ Washington Post
RFK Jr. is bringing psychedelics to the Republican Party (June 29) ↗ POLITICO
BREAKING: Compass Pathways’ Psilocybin Clears First Phase 3 Hurdle (June 23) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Cautious Optimism, Lingering Questions: Researchers React to Compass’ Phase 3 Psilocybin Results (June 25) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Beyond the Endpoint: Industry Voices Reflect on Compass’ Phase 3 Readout (June 28) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
California veterans fight to fast-track study of ‘lifesaving’ psychedelic therapy (June 26) ↗ LA Times
FDA Names Psychedelic Proponent as CDER Deputy Director, Top Spot Remains Open (June 25) ↗ BioSpace
Could ketamine on the NHS help treat severe depression? (June 23) ↗ BBC
Tripping on Psychedelics for Palestine (June 26) ↗ Dispatch
Beckley Retreats believes psychedelics are the future of wellness (June 23) ↗ Globetrender
Christine Baranski Has the Range: On Psychedelics, Trump Resistance, and, Yes, Mamma Mia! 3 (June 23) ↗ Vanity Fair
In Photos: The Psychedelics Science conference wrapped last week. Here’s who we met (June 23) ↗ CPR
Psychedelics sans side effects: neuroplastogens gain ground (June 27) ↗ Labiotech
Our Biggest Takeaways from Psychedelic Science 2025 (June 24) ↗ 5280
Lorde Says MDMA Therapy ‘Changed the Game’ on Her Stage Fright (June 25) ↗ Billboard
The Science of Tripping Comes to Town (June 24) ↗ Nautilus
The Future of Psychedelic Regulation Is Local (June 23) ↗ CATO Institute
June 16 - 22, 2025
The 8th Neuropsychiatric Drug Development Summit will unite 150+ experts for three days of industry-focussed discussions to drive end-to-end progress of next-generation mental health therapeutics. Join MindMed, Cybin, Compass Pathways, Otsuka, Delix Therapeutics and more to innovate precision psychiatry, advance novel neuroplastogens and decipher the clinical hurdles of psychedelic R&D.
Australia’s Largest Private Health Insurer Commits $10M to Fund MDMA Therapy for PTSD in First-of-its-Kind Program (June 17) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Who Will Own the ‘God Molecule’ (June 19) ↗ New York Magazine
VA Secretary Visits VA Bronx Health Care System to Speak to Psychedelic Researcher Rachel Yehuda (June 17) ↗ Twitter
Denver hosts massive psychedelics conference (June 16) ↗ Axios Denver
Most Americans unaware of psychedelic treatment for mental health (June 17) ↗ Ipsos
Why Veterans With PTSD Are Turning to Psychedelics (June 17) ↗ Reasons to be Cheerful
Traveling for Psychedelics: A Growing Trend (June 18) ↗ Denver Health
This church hold psychedelic rituals. But that’s not what keeps people coming back (June 16) ↗ NPR
Texas is leading psychedelic research for treating addiction, mental illness. Where is California? (June 17) ↗ SF Chronicle
What MDMA and other psychedelics can teach about Colorado’s embrace of psilocybin (June 20) ↗ CPR News
Researchers gave psychedelic drugs to clergy across religions. It made some switch careers (June 21) ↗ NPR
Evidence still ‘mixed’ for drug’s use for mental illness (June 19) ↗ The Australian
June 9 - 15, 2025
Psychedelic Bulletin #201 (June 13) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- The Psychedelics Circuit: Dispatches from Prague and London, Looking Ahead to Denver
- EU Member States as Laboratories of Democracy? Conference Discusses Czechia’s Psychedelic Future at Prague Castle
- At ‘the Davos of Mental Health’, Investors Eye Psychedelics’ Next Chapter
- Join Us in Denver: Psychedelic Alpha at Psychedelic Science 2025
- High-Dose LSD Shows Potential in Depression Trial, But Findings Are Fragile
- Lone Star State Becomes Leader in Ibogaine Research
- One-Year Outcomes from Psilocybin Study in Veterans with TRD
- A Series of Unfortunate Events: Recent Incidents Underscore Psychedelic Safety
- and more…
May 2025 Psychedelic Patent Update: Gilgamesh Broadens Moat Around Lead Candidate Following Positive Phase 2a Readout; Lykos Publishes Further Continuation Applications; Reconnect Joins Crowded 5-MeO-DMT Patent Landscape (June 12) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
Psychedelic renaissance may take longer than expected (June 12) ↗ Denver Post
Dr. Stephen Ross’s research into psychedelic medicine expands therapeutic frontiers (June 10) ↗ Genomic Press
Texas OK’s $50 Million for Ibogaine Research (June 14) ↗ NY Times
This psychedelic shrub is illegal. Texas wants to pay millions studying it. (June 9) ↗ WaPo
Abbott signs groundbreaking psychedelic research bill to help bring ibogaine through clinical trials (June 11) ↗ Texas Public Radio
Nine veterans with PTSD went to Mexico for a psychedelic retreat. This is how they felt nearly a year later (June 9) ↗ CBS
Reshaping Minds (June 10) ↗ Inside Precision Medicine
Psychedelic Science conference returns to Denver (June 15) ↗ CPR
June 2 - 8, 2025
Psychedelic Bulletin #200 (June 6) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
- The Class of Bulletin 100: Where Are They Now?
- Can Czechia Deliver on Psilocybin Access and Provide a Model for the Continent?
- A Closer Look at atai’s Potential Acquisition of Beckley Psytech
- Q1’25 Psychedelic Lobbying Update
- Holy Trips and Hot Takes: Religious Leaders Study Finally Published
- and more…
BREAKING: atai Moves to Acquire Beckley, If Phase 2b 5-MeO-DMT Data Delivers (June 2) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
We spoke with sources close to the companies to learn more about the proposed merger and financing.
A new psychedelic era dawns in America (June 3) ↗ Financial Times
The Backyard Psychedelic Renaissance: How Bottom-Up Change Is Delivering Psychedelic Access (June 4) ↗ Psychedelic Alpha
In this Guest Article, policy analyst Kody Zalewski calls for a greater focus on local reforms as a key driving force behind future reforms over larger geographies, and foregrounds some of the voices who are joining him in that call.
“Bad trips” can have surprising benefits (June 6) ↗ Salon
Amanda Feilding fought to rescue the reputation of psychedelics (June 5) ↗ The Economist
Sonia Gray opens up on being in psychedelic drug trials (June 7) ↗ RNZ
How Britain fell into the K-hole (June 7) ↗ The New Statesman
Roundtable: Legalizing psychedelics in California (June 6) ↗ KPBS
So You Took Ayahuasca. The Therapist Will See You Now. (June 2) ↗ WSJ
Ketamine is suddenly everywhere (June 6) ↗ Vox
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: An Overview for Nonpsychiatrists (June 6) ↗ Cleveland Clinic
Psychedelics as potential mental health treatment are explored by Trump administration (June 7) ↗ Fox News
N.J. doctors are using a controversial psychedelic to treat depression. Yes, it’s legal. (June 7) ↗ NJ.com
Oregon’s Psychedelic Service Centers Are Closing Amid High Costs and Tough Regulation (June 3) ↗ Willamette Week
Dysregulated: The Patchwork Policies of Ketamine Therapy (June 4) ↗ Undark
Just Asking: The therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs (June 6) ↗ CBC
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