Issue 166

UK advisory body issues rapid response on psychedelics for anxiety

The UK’s independent Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) has issued a rapid response on psychedelic-assisted therapy for anxiety disorders.

The response is intended to inform policymakers on the topic as increasing research around psychedelics shows the compounds may hold promise as innovative treatments in the area of mental health.

The rapid response is the second response on psychedelics to come from POST – one of the first independent bodies of its kind in the world that sources independent analysis of public policy issues relating to science and tech for government.

POST has confirmed it intends to publish a major briefing on psychedelic drugs to treat mental health conditions in 2024.

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MEET THE FAMILY LEADING THE PSYCHEDELIC REVOLUTION

Drug campaigner Amanda Feilding has been at the forefront of psychedelic science for half a century.

Now her sons are joining the firm.

Will the Beckley research empire change the way we treat mental ill health, asks Alexandra Jones for The Standard.

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CANADIANS SUPPORT PSILOCYBIN THERAPY FOR END-OF-LIFE CARE

A team of researchers set out to understand the public’s opinion on the potential easing of rules surrounding the medical use of psilocybin.

The survey, published in Palliative Medicine, has revealed that over 79% of Canadians support psychedelic-assisted therapy for existential distress at the end of life.

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BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT

Cybin has announced it has received FDA Clearance to initiate a Phase 2a study of CYB004 in Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Non-profit Unlimited Sciences has launched the world’s first toll-free Psychedelic Info Line to provide evidence-based education and support.

Clearmind Medicine has received patent approval for its psychedelic-based treatment of binge behaviors in China.

Awakn Life Sciences has announced its conditional approval to list on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) following its application in November.

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

Clerkenwell Health has expanded its trial investigating 5-MeO-DMT for Treatment Resistant Depression into a new London location.

Findings from a new study have suggested that MDMA may help prevent “bad trips” on psilocybin or LSD.

REGULATION AND LEGISLATION

A new bill aims to legalise psychedelic-assisted therapy in California.

The New York Times reports that magic mushrooms are gaining popularity as therapy tools and experts are worried the market is growing faster than research.

A new Arizona bill aims to legalise Psilocybin Service Centres.

Bloomberg reports on the FDA’s latest input on psychedelic clinical trials and concerns over the “nocebo effect” and how this problem can skew results.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Mental Health UK’s new annual benchmark report for burnout in the UK reveals that one in five working adults needed to take time off work due to poor mental health, calling for a summit on employment and mental health.

New data from Statista has revealed that the age group with the highest rate of suicide in the UK was aged 50 to 54 years, and that the suicide rate among men in England and Wales in 2022 was around three times higher than for women

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