A Note from the Editor

I had a great time speaking at the UW-Madison Psychedelic Symposium this week. It’s my second time attending this event, which I appreciate for its remarkably interdisciplinary agenda: there was everything from preclinical studies of psychoplastogens (Katherine Nautiyal) through to the history of touch in psychedelic practice (Zoë Dubus).

For my part, I provided a kind of ‘State of the Union’, presenting on the current state of psychedelic drug development, industry and policy, before considering some potential future directions and open questions. I was also glad to participate in a lively panel discussion. Besides being among my favourite meetings in the field, not least due to the Midwestern hospitality of the hosts and organisers, I was also grateful to have an excuse to spend some time updating my slides and adding some new ones. I hope to share an annotated copy with our Pα+ subscribers soon.

Psychedelics were also on the agenda at the ‘MAHA Summit’ in DC, a closed-door affair with a line-up including Vice President JD Vance and Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. Psychedelics were discussed on stage by HHS lawyer and “psychedelics czar” Matt Zorn, who chatted with AtaiBeckley founder and chairman Christian Angermayer.

Speaking of the HHS Secretary, a new book by journalist Olivia Nuzzi, who says she had a close relationship with RFK Jr., claims that he told her he uses psychedelics and has smoked DMT.

Below, you will find your Psychedelic News Feed, a one-stop digest for the latest coverage of psychedelics business, policy, research and beyond.

Josh Hardman
Founder & Editor