Issue 157

Transform Drugs: How to regulate psychedelics

UK charity Transform Drug Policy Foundation has published a new book ‘How to Regulate Psychedelics: A Practical Guide’ that sets out how psychedelics can be legalised and regulated for non-medical adult use.

While an increasing amount of research is pointing to the potentially beneficial effects of psychedelic treatment on mental health conditions, many people across the globe are using psychedelics outside of the clinical setting.

The book includes a set of proposals for post-prohibition policies, covering psychedelics including psilocybin, LSD, DMT and Mescaline.

Previously, Transform’s guides on regulating stimulants and cannabis have been used to advise governments around the world on drug policy. This book seeks to inform the debates on psychedelic drug reforms taking place across the world.

CANADA RECOMMENDS VETERANS PSYCHEDELIC RESEARCH PROGRAMME

A new report has been released by Canada’s Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs – ‘The Time Is Now: Granting Equitable Access to Psychedelic Assisted Therapies’ – which recommends the launch of a large-scale research programme on psychedelics for Veterans’ mental health.

The Subcommittee suggests the programme should be funded by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and the Department of National Defence (DND) in partnership with Health Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and other relevant partners.

COMPASS PATHWAYS LAUNCHES PHASE 3 PSILOCYBIN TRIAL IN UK

Compass Pathways has confirmed that the UK component of its Phase 3 trial investigating psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression has now launched.

The trial will be carried out at multiple sites in the UK, including at the Centre for Mental Health Research and Innovation in London, which officially opened on 15 November, 2023.

The Phase 3 programme consists of two pivotal trials – COMP 005 and COMP 006 – and each trial has an integrated, long-term outcomes component.

BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT

Tryp Therapeutics has announced the closing of its oversubscribed private placement for gross proceeds of AUD$3,215,000, representing an oversubscription of AUD$215,000.

Clearmind Medicine has entered into an agreement with Johns Hopkins University and Yale University to conduct a first-in-human clinical trial looking at psychedelics for alcohol use disorder.

Finance Asia explores how psychedelics are innovating mental health care and speaks to Psych Capital about how the next two years will be pivotal for the psychedelic healthcare industry.

Psyence Group has confirmed it has received approval for a business combination with Newcourt Acquisition Corp. to form Psyence Biomed, now valuing the company USD$50 million.

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

A paper published in Plos One investigates extended difficulties following the use of psychedelic drugs.

The US National Institute on Drug Abuse has earmarked $2 million in funding for psychedelic treatment research into Substance Use Disorder.

A study is set to investigate the real-world efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy through Health Canada’s Special Access Programme.

Mad in America takes a look at what psychedelic science can teach about psychosis.

REGULATION AND LEGISLATION

A Massachusetts campaign to legalise psychedelics is at risk of missing the 2024 ballot after including labor union logos on ballot sheets.

Colorado has legalised psilocybin in its midterm elections, passing the proposition with 52% of the vote, reports Stat News.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

The Mental Health Foundation is issuing a stark warning as new UK data shows that the cost of living crisis is causing widespread mental distress.

Official figures now show that the number of people with mental health issues who have been at risk of homelessness is at a six-year high.