Issue 165

SRI AND NON-SRI PATIENTS EXPERIENCE SIMILAR ANTIDEPRESSANT EFFECTS OF PSYCHEDELICS

A new study has shed light on the impact of psychedelics in patients taking SRIs, finding similar antidepressant effects as those not taking SRIs.

Increasing research is showing that psychedelics hold promise as potential new treatments for mental health conditions. However, how psychedelics interact with commonly prescribed antidepressants – serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) – is largely unknown.

This is a barrier to the advancement of psychedelics as mental health treatments, as those who may need these treatments the most are likely to be taking, or have taken at some point, SRIs.

Psychedelic Health takes a look at the study’s findings and speaks to researcher Tommaso Barba, PhD candidate at the Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, to find out more.

MICRODOSING PSILOCYBIN MAY HELP TREAT COMPULSIVE BEHAVIORS

High Times reports on a recent study from researchers at the University of Denmark looking at the effects of psilocybin microdosing which observed a number of potential mental health benefits in rats.

Notably, the study observed a reduction in stress-induced compulsive behaviors and anhedonia.

PSYCHEDELICS: KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR CLINICAL TRIALS

Psychedelic medicines often involve a psychotherapy component, necessitating a closer patient-physician relationship and making risk management crucial.

Here, Husch Blackwell LLP looks at legal factors researchers and practitioners must consider for psychedelic clinical trials.

BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT

Psyence Biomedical has been approved to list on NASDAQ following the completion of a business combination agreement with Newcourt Acquisition Corp.

Awakn Life Sciences has completed a study to establish the dissociative effect of a proprietary S-ketamine formulation.

PharmAla Biotech has been granted a CDSL by Health Canada which allows PharmAla to offer for sale both MDMA and Psilocybin to those authorised to legally hold the materials.

Silo Pharma has announced that its Alzheimer’s disease therapeutic SPC-14 showed positive efficacy in small animals.

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

Vox reports how a new study has offered big clues about where psychedelics’ superpowers come from.

Dell Medical School’s research lab is testing psychedelics as a potential treatment for mental illnesses.

REGULATION AND LEGISLATION

Find out why regulators may toss cold water on buzz over psychedelics with the Harvard Gazette.

Nevada is looking at how to legalise psychedelic medicines following a push by lawmakers, veterans, and first responders during a legislative session.

An Alaskan State Senator has introduced a bill this legislative session that would create a psychedelic medicine task force.

Maryland has introduced a bill that seeks to establish a Task Force on the Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

The European Council has approved conclusions on the EU Global Health Strategy.

City A.M. reports that ‘Radical change’ is needed as mental health sickness costs the UK £118 billion ever year.