Issue 159

Mapping the effects of ketamine on the brain

A new study has mapped the effects of ketamine on the brain, finding that repeated use over extended periods creates widespread structural changes in the brain’s dopamine system.

The study found that repeated ketamine exposure leads to a decrease in dopamine neurons in midbrain regions linked to regulating mood. They also revealed an increase in dopamine neurons in the hypothalamus, which regulates the body’s basic functions like metabolism and homeostasis.

Raju Tomer, the senior author of the paper, stated: “Instead of bathing the entire brain in ketamine, as most therapies now do, our whole-brain mapping data indicates that a safer approach would be to target specific parts of the brain with it, so as to minimise unintended effects on other dopamine regions of the brain.”

PSILOCYBIN ANALOGUE SHOWS POSITIVE RESULTS

Cybin has announced positive Phase 2 topline safety and efficacy data for its proprietary deuterated psilocybin analogue – CYB003 – for the treatment of major depressive disorder.

Results from Cybin’s study have shown that 79% of patients were in remission from depression at six weeks after receiving two doses of CYB003.

PSYCHEDELIC THERAPY PROGRAMMES LAUNCH

Mindbloom has launched its new Mastermind Series of psychedelic programmes for overcoming heartbreak, burnout and other unique mental health challenges.

Led by and developed with leading experts in the field, each programme combines specialised teachings with ketamine therapy.

BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT

Clearmind has announced positive results from its pre-clinical trial of MEAI, a novel proprietary psychedelic, and PEA, part of its Weight Loss and Metabolic Disorder Programme.

Enveric Biosciences has selected development candidates from its EVM301 series based on the potential to minimise or eliminate the hallucinogenic effect of psychedelic-derived compounds.

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

Vox explores our current understanding of how psychedelics produce some of the most meaningful experiences in people’s lives.

Professor of Integrative Biology and Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, Noah Whiteman, explores the evolutionary origins of psychedelics for Time.

Psychedelic bio-compounds designed to target Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s have shown the potential to outperform current treatment methods.

Proponents of a new wave of interest in hallucinogens say the right trip at the right time can change how people think about the natural world, writes Bloomberg.

REGULATION AND LEGISLATION

Experts say a lack of adequate research led to Newsom’s veto of California’s bill which would have decriminalised psilocybin and other natural psychedelics, writes USC Annenberg Media.

A body of medical and health practitioners has called for an urgent industry meeting to help iron out problems with Australia’s new psychedelic access scheme.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Experts have called for fewer antidepressants to be prescribed in the UK.

Denmark’s ONE OF US programme provides hope against mental health stigma.