Issue 170

Ayahuasca retreats associated with increases in nature-relatedness

A new proof-of-concept pilot study by Onaya Science found that participation in ayahuasca retreats carried out in a traditional Indigenous Amazonian context was associated with significant increases in nature-relatedness.

For the study, published in Drug Science, Policy and Law, a group of 43 participants took part in questionnaires both before and after participating in six Amazonian-led ayahuasca retreats at the Ayahuasca Foundation (AF).

The results showed that attendance at the retreats was associated with significant increases in nature-relatedness. Additionally, the team found retreat attendance was associated with improvements in depression and stress, but, not in anxiety.

The team wrote: “Furthermore, a significant negative correlation with moderate effect size was found between changes in nature-relatedness and stress, suggesting that an increase in nature-relatedness is associated with decreased stress levels after attending Amazonian ayahuasca retreats in our sample.”

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN EUROPE?

UC Berkley’s The Microdose speaks with EU science policy expert Tadeusz Hawrot, founder of the Psychedelic Access and Research European Alliance (PAREA) about psychedelics in Europe.

Hawrot discusses the state of European psychedelics research, how the landscape of psychedelic research has changed over the last decade, how the structure of the EU may affect access to psychedelics, what hurdles psychedelics may face in Europe, and more.

MDMA COULD SOON BE A LEGAL THERAPY

The Guardian takes a look at the pioneering work of Rick Doblin and the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS).

“Since first experimenting with LSD as a college student in Sarasota, Florida, Doblin has been convinced that psychedelics are an antidote to the world’s greatest threat: the capacity for evil, greed and plunder that lies in the heart of man. He created MAPS in 1986 as a way to advance “mass mental health” and “spiritualized humanity”.

BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT

JP Morgan has confirmed it is actively looking, and is in dialogue with, several companies developing psychedelic treatments for mental health.

BetterLife’s 2-bromo-LSD has been highlighted in Carleton University’s article “Beyond the Magic of Mushrooms: Using Psychedelic Derivatives to Treat Depression”.

atai has announced the first participant has been dosed in its Phase 1b Trial of VLS-01, a transmucosal DMT formulation.

BioSpace explores how psychedelics will be a key focus for investors throughout 2024 amongst other areas of investment such as oncology, obesity, and autoimmune disorders.

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

The New York Times explores what you need to know about ibogaine, a drug being researched for addiction.

Biomind has confirmed positive results from its Phase 2 clinical trial of its proprietary 5-MeO-DMT-based BMND08 for the treatment of depression and anxiety in Alzheimer’s disease.

Forbes explores how new grants are pushing psychedelic research beyond the realms of mental health.

Health News discusses the current state of knowledge regarding the long-term effects of psychedelics, discussing factors such as brain function, mental health, and personality.

REGULATION AND LEGISLATION

Bill of Health discusses psychedelic lobbying and regulatory capture, exploring whether or not psychedelic lobbying is problematic.

Lawmakers in Missouri have now approved a bill to legalise psilocybin therapy for veterans with conditions such as PTSD.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

The House of Commons Library has published the latest statistics on Mental health prevalence, services and funding in England.

The UK has announced a £10 million funding boost for 79 charities across England that are working to prevent suicides.