Issue 147

Classic psychedelics could help with chronic pain

A new survey study carried out by The Beckley Foundation and Maastricht University has found that classic psychedelics, such as psilocybin and LSD, could have painkilling effects on select conditions including fibromyalgia and arthritis.

Chronic pain affects 20% of people across the world, yet current medications come with significant side effects such as addiction. Alongside problematic treatments are the mental health complications associated with chronic pain, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse.

While there are currently limited trials looking at psychedelics for chronic pain, there are some, including a trial being carried out at Imperial College London looking at the administration of psilocybin for fibromyalgia.

Additionally, a number of observational studies have pointed to psychedelics being beneficial in reducing chronic pain.

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JOHNS HOPKINS AND CLEARMIND TO COLLABORATE ON ALCOHOL USE DISORDER

Clearmind will conduct its Phase I/IIa clinical trial to reduce alcohol consumption alongside Johns Hopkins University.

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PSYCHEDELIC HEALTHCARE IN AUSTRALIA HELD BACK BY LACK OF SAFETY AND EFFICACY DATA

Monash University study reveals a hesitancy to support widespread use of psilocybin and MDMA due to concerns about poor quality of evidence.

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BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT

Norrsken Foundation launches Norrsken Mind to promote psychedelic research. The €3m initiative is focussed on identifying mental health treatments.

Lophos Pharma to mass produce and sell peyote in Canada. The company plans to reduce the cacti’s lengthy growth cycle.

Mindmed completes enrolment for Phase II trial. The company is studying its LSD analogue for generalised anxiety disorder.

GHB’s complex reputation. Jazz Pharmaceuticals made US$1.8 billion this year from Gamma Hydroxybutyrate sales as a treatment for narcolepsy.

Optimi Health approved to supply Special Access Program. The company’s drug candidates will be available to Canadian healthcare professionals.

Psilocybin as a mental health treatment. An overview of psilocybin-assisted therapy and its potential use cases.

Would your organisation benefit from engaging Europe's psychedelic medicine community?

Partnership with Psychedelic Health provides the opportunity to engage an audience ready to support the development of psychedelic medicine.

For more information and to request the media kit, please email stephanie@psych.global

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SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

Californian initiative to fund psychedelics research could cost US$6.6 billion. It could also earn the state significant revenue from new scientific discoveries.

Endogenous tryptamines in the gut and brain. The genes responsible for producing serotonin in humans and fungi are nearly identical.

REGULATION AND LEGISLATION

California’s decriminalisation bill heads to Governor’s desk. The bill would legalise entheogens for adults 21 and older.

US committee clears psychedelic research amendments to Department of Defence spending bill. Proponents want to ensure active service members can take part in clinical trials.

Advocates in Massachusetts call for the regulation of psilocybin.The programme would seek to emulate the framework used in Oregon.

Lawmakers in Michigan push to prioritise psychedelic research. They have called on Congress to support research into effective PTSD treatments.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

The use of antidepressants in Europe. Since 2000, consumption in the United Kingdom has increased 256%.

Millions of UK parents struggle with mental health. 30% reported working longer hours in the past year due to increased financial pressures.

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