Issue 168

LSD vs THC: Investigating neural complexity for altered states

A new study from the University of Chicago has investigated whether neural complexity is increased after low doses of LSD, and moderate to high doses of oral THC or methamphetamine.

In three separate studies, a group of healthy volunteers received either a placebo or one of the drugs in a controlled setting, where electroencephalography (EEG) was used to record neural activity at the peak of the drug’s effects.

The findings suggest that increased neural complexity is not necessarily connected to altered states of consciousness, and that the role of specific brainwaves in altered states varies between drugs.

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ARE PSYCHEDELICS REALLY THE KEY TO EXPANDING OUR CONSCIOUSNESS?

“Using psychedelics as a way to enhance your creative output is not a groundbreaking concept… But beyond the creative process, what are other ways in which psychedelics might be beneficial?” writes Big Think.

James Fadiman PhD, who has 60 years of experience in the field, believes they are: “Psychedelics are a different type of tool for opening up the closed box of awareness.”

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PSYCHEDELICS SEE 500% GROWTH IN PARTNERSHIP DEALS

The success of recent trials treating mental health problems with psychedelic therapies has driven a rapid rise in investment, writes Pharmaceutical Technology.

According to the publication, an analysis by GlobalData identified a 500% growth in partnership deals involving psychedelic drugs between 2019 and 2023, with over 40 partnerships established since 2019.

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BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT

PharmAla Biotech Holdings has announced that data from its computational Drug Discovery programme will be published in the scientific journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience.

PharmaDrug’s subsidiary Sairiyo Therapeutics Inc. has successfully demonstrated the ability to manufacture cepharanthine (PD-001) for Human Clinical Studies. 

Clearmind Medicine has submitted three patent applications as part of its ongoing collaboration with SciSparc. The patents refer to novel proprietary combinations of LSD, psilocybin, DMT and SciSparc’s PEA.

MindBio Therapeutics Corp. has announced the completion of its landmark Phase 2a clinical trial for take-home LSD microdosing in patients with Major Depressive Disorder.

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

A new study has aimed to understand the causal mechanisms of why psychedelic medicines may hold promise as mental health treatments.

A new study has sought to validate the ‘Psychedelic Predictor Scale’, a measure “intended to be predictive of salient dimensions of the psychedelic experience”.

ADDitude examines the promise of psychedelic therapy, explaining how ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin are used for mental health care.

National News explores how psychedelic medication could open a new toolbox in mental health care and how biotech firms hope to cash in.

REGULATION AND LEGISLATION

CalMatters discusses how psychedelic drug therapy has become a rare bipartisan issue in California.

Senate Bill 3695 may set Illinois on the path to becoming the third state to legalise psilocybin.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

A new editorial in The Lancet discusses how pervasive discriminatory attitudes regarding severe mental illness remain in the UK.

The Centre for Mental Health discusses its ten-year cross-government plan for mental health and how this should be put at the top of the government’s agenda.

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