Issue 142

How psychedelics could help those living with alcohol use disorders

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are estimated to affect around 237 million people across the globe, with 3 million deaths each year attributed to the harmful use of alcohol.

Despite this prevalence, there is a lack of effective treatment options and relapse rates remain high, but hope is on the horizon in the form of clinical research that is starting to show the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds for problematic drinking.

AUD affects millions of people around the world. In fact, approximately one in every 20 deaths globally are in some way related to alcohol, be it through disease, injury, or accident. There are over 600,000 dependent drinkers in England alone, and, in the US, roughly a third of people meet the criteria for AUD on a lifetime basis. Sadly though, only 21.9% of patients across the globe receive treatment for AUD and many struggle with relapse.

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PSILOCYBIN THERAPY FOR ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Eating disorders have increased 140% over the last decade, but current treatment options are often ineffective.

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OREGON'S LUCRATIVE PSYCHEDELIC INDUSTRY

The state’s first psilocybin provider to announce its pricing said a single high-dose trip will cost US$3,500.

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BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT

COMPASS releases Q2 2023 financial results. The company has a Phase III trial underway and US$148.2m million in cash.

MindMed reports Q2 2023 financial results. The company has US$116.9m in cash and expects data from its Phase II study in Q4.

Red Light Holland announces financial results for fiscal year ending 31 March. The company’s annual revenue increased 69% to reach C$3.95 million.

Psychedelic medicines in the treatment of depression. Questions remain over their efficacy and regulation in the UK.

Cybin closes public offering of units. The company raised US$8.25 million to fund drug development.

Pysence announces SPAC merger and its intention to list on the Nasdaq. The SPAC needs USD$20m in cash upon closing of the business combination.

Algernon announces Phase II DMT study. The company has enrolled 40 patients to research DMT as a treatment for stroke.

Clarion Clinics to become Australia’s first psychedelic-assisted therapy clinic. The Melbourne clinic hopes to open in September.

Canadian healthcare providers learn to guide dying patients through a psychedelic experience. The course is being provided by TheraPsil.

Final cohort dosed in Cybin’s Phase II trial. The company hopes its deuterated psilocybin analogue can treat depression.

Filament Health announces approval of two clinical trials. The studies will investigate psilocybin therapy for depression and cancer-related anxiety.

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

Psychedelic medicines cause synchronised brain waves in rodents. Researchers also isolated signals from individual neurons.

An overview of dimethyltryptamine (DMT). DMT was first synthesised in 1931 by British chemist Richard Manske.

Exploring the connection between the gut and mental health. The research hopes to identify the mechanisms underlying mental health problems.

REGULATION AND LEGISLATION

FDA seeks input on drug scheduling. The call comes ahead of a meeting with the World Health Organization in October.

Senate Committee joins the call to reschedule psychedelic medicines. A report expressed their concern regarding barriers to scientific research.

Colorado Governor applauds psilocybin regulation. Jared Polis said adults should be able to make their own decisions regarding drugs.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Over half of UK employees not comfortable disclosing mental health conditions. 39% felt they would be judged negatively.

60 pounds of DMT seized at the Texas-Mexico border. Agents from Homeland Security are investigating the seizure.

Correlation between social media use and poor mental health questioned. The harm associated with social media is often more speculative than conclusive.

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