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This study could be a game changer

A new government-funded study will see if psilocybin can ease depression without producing a psychedelic effect – and no, we aren’t talking about microdosing…

At Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, adults with treatment-resistant depression will receive a full dose of psilocybin + 12 hours of therapy. 

What makes this study unique is that some patients will also receive a serotonin blocker, which will block the psychedelic or hallucinogenic effects of the psilocybin.

If benefits can be delivered while avoiding the trip, this could open up psilocybin therapy to those who aren’t typically candidates for the treatment, as well as people who don’t want to hallucinate. 

Learn how you can participate in the study here

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First Phase 3 trial receives government funding

After receiving three ketamine therapy sessions in Awakn’s Phase 2 trial, patients with alcohol use disorder achieved an increase in abstinence from around 2% to 86%. This means they abstained from alcohol for an average of 162 of the 180 days following the treatment 👏

The results were so encouraging that the UK government granted the company CA$2.5M to fund Phase 3 of the trial.

The grant covers two-thirds of Awakn’s costs and marks the first time that a Phase 3 psychedelics trial has received government funding.

With 280 patients across 7 sites in the UK, it will be the largest ketamine-assisted therapy trial to date!

read more

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2 years til medical legalization!

FDA approval of MDMA for PTSD and psilocybin for depression is anticipated within the next 24 months, according to a letter from the Department of Health and Human Services.

The department is also considering starting a federal task force dedicated to addressing complex issues surrounding psychedelics such as harm reduction and safety.

“Too many Americans are suffering from mental health and substance use issues, which have been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and that we must explore the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies to address this crisis,” the letter explains.

read more here

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Acid trip ends pandemic: issue 38

Hello and welcome back.

After two years of Covid ruling our lives, it seems like we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. That might not be the case if it weren’t for psychedelics. Keep reading to discover how LSD lead to the invention of a tool that’s been essential for detecting Covid! 

Here’s what’s in store for you in today’s issue:

🍄 What a DMT trip actually feels like

🍄 The legal psychedelic that’s replacing alcohol

🍄 World’s first DMT trial for depression

🍄 How psychedelics could treat eye disease 👀

🍄 And more.

Be sure to check out this week’s Daily Mushroom podcast:

Michael Kydd opens up about the impact of losing his mother at a young age

On this episode of the Daily Mushroom Podcast, we have Michael Kydd, an independent consultant helping psychedelic companies navigate the complex world of government relations. in this emotional episode, Michael talks about his experience with the passing of his mother, and how he believes psychedelics could have strongly benefited his mothers and his family in that difficult time. 

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World’s first DMT trial for depression

Small Pharma (DMT) successfully completed a phase I trial on the safety of DMT in preparation for a phase II trial on depression. Researchers discovered that:

  • Most of the 24 patients described the experience as pleasurable and not too challenging (even though no one had tried psychedelics before)
  • Although there were 20 adverse events (85% mild, 15% moderate, and 0% severe), no patient regretted participating
  • The trip lasted 20 minutes, and DMT was nearly undetectable in the blood after 60 minutes
  • For three months following the dose, there were no significant negative effects on anxiety or well-being

Phase II results are expected in the first half of this year, which will reveal how one dose compares to two doses in treating depression.

Discovering self-worth with ketamine

Despite having a supportive family and a healthy lifestyle, Sarah had crippling self doubt and suicidal ideation. It wasn’t until she tried ketamine therapy that she realized why she felt these emotions.

The experience revealed that she never healed the scars of feeling unloved during her parents’ divorce. Her dream-like visions on ketamine showed her that separation is a natural part of life, and that she doesn’t need to be perfect to deserve love.

Sarah finally believes “I’m worth being here,’ she says. 

How psychedelics treat eye disease

Glaucoma can cause irreversible vision loss and blindness. Current medications require multiple daily applications and have side effects like redness and stinging of the eyes.

PharmaDrug (PHRX) wants to develop a superior treatment using analogues of DMT.

The company discovered that the compounds can “activate protective pathways within critical cellular compartments of the eye” to reduce pressure inside the eye. 

PharmaDrug will collaborate with the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) to produce a device that can deliver low doses of the drug to the front of the eye. 

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What a DMT trip actually feels like

Researchers interviewed 36 people immediately after a DMT trip. Here’s what they discovered:

  • All 36 people reported “entering other worlds”
  • 94% encountered some sort of otherworldly being or entity 
  • Entity encounters were overwhelmingly positive and often provided personal and cosmic insights (like self love or the game-like nature of reality)
  • 81% described the trip as “hyperreal” 

DMT increases theta brain waves, which are associated with dreaming, but it’s unclear why people have such similar “dreams” 🤔

Acid-inspired invention earns Nobel Prize

LSD led to the invention of a technology that has slowed the spread of Covid and even earned a Nobel Prize – the PCR test.

Chemist Kary Mullis experimented with lots of synthetic psychedelics, which is no surprise considering he was friends with Albert Hofmann, the creator of LSD. 

He believes psychedelics made him think more creatively and gave him visions of sitting on DNA molecules. When asked if he would have invented PCR technology without LSD, he responded, “I doubt it. I seriously doubt it.”

So this pandemic would likely be a lot longer if it weren’t for LSD!

Replace alcohol with this legal psychedelic drink

Psychedelic Water is a mildly psychoactive drink made with kava root, a herb used by Pacific Islanders in ceremonies for relaxation. The mood-boosting effect makes it the ideal replacement for alcohol. 

Psychedelic Water is having a buy one get one free sale to celebrate the launch of a new flavour – Prickly Pear!

Even multi-platinum producer Murda Beatz is a fan. “I want something that will make me feel good & expand my creativity; Psychedelic Water does exactly that,” he says.

Shop Now
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COMPASS Pathways (CMPS) reported 2021 financial result including a net loss of  $71.7 million ($1.79 loss per share) and $273.2M in cash. The company had a $60.3M loss ($3.55 loss per share) and $190.3M in cash in 2020.

Optimi Health (OPTI) and Doseology Sciences (MOOD) both launched functional mushroom product lines in Canada. The global market for functional mushrooms is expected to grow at a 7.23% compound annual growth rate through 2027.

Filament Health (FH) will license its natural psilocybin to ATMA Journey Centers for use in clinical trials, including an upcoming phase I trial on healthy subjects, which has already received Health Canada approval.

Biomind Labs (BMND), a company researching DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, and mescaline, began trading on the OTCQB market under the symbol “CRSWF” and received DTC eligibility in the US.

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Help patients and clinicians fight for their right to psilocybin

Our friends at TheraPsil helped 86 clinicians apply for Section 56 exemptions so they could participate in a psilocybin therapy training program.

Unfortunately, Health Canada denied the clinicians access to psilocybin, which will impact over 1500 patients who are desperately awaiting psilocybin treatments. Many Canadians will die before they have the chance to try psilocybin therapy.

TheraPsil needs our help to raise $100K to take the Canadian government to court to achieve lasting policy change so that Canadians can access the treatment before it’s too late. 

Plus:

  • The DEA proposed adding 5 more psychedelics to the list of Schedule I substances, which would impede research on the substances. After receiving pushback from the research community, the DEA’s administrative court agreed to hold hearings on the issue. Read more…
  • A bill to form a psychedelic research task force was passed by a Utah Senate committee after passing in the House. The task force will advise regulations surrounding dosage, training, licensing, and safety requirements if therapeutic use is legalized. Read more..
  • Senate committee in Oregon unanimously approved a bill to create a psilocybin equity task force that will guide the state’s psilocybin therapy program. Read more…

Video of the Week

Before & After Eating Magic Mushrooms to stop my Tremors

Playlist of the Week

LSD Trip | ACID Trip | Peaceful | Trippy
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Ai creates new state of consciousness for crime prevention: issue 37

Hello and welcome back.

Happy Fungi Friday 🎉 Whether you swear by the benefits of microdosing or you’re convinced it’s a placebo, get ready for research to confirm your beliefs 🙃

Here’s what’s in store for you in today’s issue:

🍄 The company that’s designing brand new states of consciousness

🍄 Can psilocybin treat the deadliest mental health disorder?

🍄 The effects of different microdosing regimens

🍄 How patients feel 1 year after psilocybin therapy

🍄 And more.

Be sure to check out this week’s Daily Mushroom podcast:

Michael Kydd opens up about the impact of losing his mother at a young age

On this episode of the Daily Mushroom Podcast, we have Michael Kydd, an independent consultant helping psychedelic companies navigate the complex world of government relations. in this emotional episode, Michael talks about his experience with the passing of his mother, and how he believes psychedelics could have strongly benefited his mothers and his family in that difficult time. 

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Can psilocybin treat the deadliest mental health disorder?

Anorexia has a higher mortality rate than any other psychiatric condition, as patients have a high risk of death by both suicide and organ failure.

Current treatments work for less than half of patients, which is why Imperial College London is preparing to study psilocybin therapy as an alternative. 

The school is recruiting female patients who have had a diagnosis for at least 3 years and have tried other forms of treatment without success. They’ll each receive 3 doses of psilocybin, and researchers will use several MRIs and EEG scans to understand the effects of the treatment.

Is microdosing a placebo? 💊

This week, Nova Mentis (NOVA) announced that rats with cognitive impairments saw improvements in memory when given a microdose of psilocybin every other day for just two weeks.

However, a new University of Chicago study found no effect on mood or task performance after giving healthy volunteer 4 LSD microdoses 3-4 days apart in a placebo-controlled study.

Could it be that a more frequent dose is needed to see benefits? Or is psilocybin faster acting than LSD? Or maybe microdosing is a placebo after all.

Stay tuned as we follow along with the latest research. 

Depression free for 1 year

Johns Hopkins researchers found that one year after receiving psilocybin therapy, 75% of patients sustained significant reductions in depression scores and 58% no longer qualified for a diagnosis. 

However, about a third of patients also used traditional antidepressants and 42% received additional psychotherapy at some point during the year.

So although psilocybin therapy can have rapid results, multiple treatment options can help sustain the benefits.

Making microdoses even safer

One of the few concerns that experts have about microdosing is the long term impact on heart health. Psilocybin binds to 5-HT2B receptors, which could increase risk of heart valve disease with frequent use. 

Mydecine (MYCO) developed a group of patent-pending molecules that bind only to 5-HT2A receptors, making them safer for microdosing. The company aims to administer these compounds through a microdosing patch to eliminate another side effect: nausea. 

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Shroom use →  less crime

People who use shrooms are less likely to commit crimes, according to new research.

An analysis of The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that psilocybin use is linked to significantly reduced odds of arrest for:

  • Larceny
  • Burglary & robbery
  • Simple assault & battery
  • Serious violence
  • DUI
  • And other miscellaneous crimes

LSD appeared to have no impact on crime rates 🤔

Brand new states of consciousness

Mindstate Design Labs raised $11.5M in seed funding to create “new novel states of consciousness that just don’t exist yet.”

The company is taking a reverse approach to drug discovery. Researchers will design a unique state of mind first and then create a compound that can get you there. 

How? Using predictive AI technology, subjective data from 7,000+ trip reports, and biochemical data on how different molecules interact with receptors in the body. 

Who’s brave enough to test out a brand new state of mind?

Introducing Houston, your new microdosing companion

Houston is an app that helps you set intentions, track doses and moods, dose with community, and more, on your journey through inner space.

“Took a dive into Houston just now and WOW, absolutely phenomenal. User friendly, knocks out everything I journal while I’m microdosing, love intention section and the playlists. Wow. I am beyond elated you found me,” says one user.

Download Houston on the App Store and follow their Instagram to see when they launch on Android.

Get a Master’s in mushrooms

Vancouver Island University is launching a psychedelic-assisted therapy graduate certificate program this September, becoming the first accredited school in Canada to offer such a program.

A company called Fluence will also be scaling psychedelic training for therapists in Oregon after completing a $3M seed funding round this week.

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Entheon Biomedical (ENBI) initiated a ketamine study on depression in partnership with Wavepaths. It will monitor brain activity with EEG while assessing the impact of Wavepaths’ personalized music technology. 

Field Trip Health (FTRP) reported Q3 financial highlights including $74.5M in cash and patient services revenues of $1.36M, up more than 50% from Q2 and 330% year over year.

PharmaTher (PHRM) was granted a US patent for its formulation of ketamine and betaine anhydrous, a chemical that occurs naturally in the human body and may increase ketamine’s antidepressant effect. The formulation is already patented in Japan and Taiwan, and the company expects to receive patents in Europe, Canada, Israel and China in the near future.

Enveric Biosciences (ENVB) will partner with the University of Calgary to study oral psilocybin for cancer-related distress. Patient enrollment will begin by the end of this year or early next year.

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Here’s what you missed:

  • Hawaii senators unanimously passed a bill to create a psilocybin research task force and develop a long-term strategy to make treatments accessible and affordable. Read more…
  • With a 7-2 vote, Oklahoma legislators approved a bill in committee to decriminalize low-level possession of psilocybin and promote therapeutic research. Read more…

Video of the Week

Before & After Eating Magic Mushrooms to stop my Tremors

Playlist of the Week

LSD Trip | ACID Trip | Peaceful | Trippy
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MDMA saves marriages ❤️: issue 36

Hello and welcome back.

If you’re heading into Valentine’s Day in a rocky relationship, you’ll want to keep reading to learn how MDMA could bring back your spark. If you’re spending this one alone, we’ll keep you company. Join our new Reddit community to discuss all things psychedelic and connect with the Daily Mushroom Community 🧡

Here’s what’s in store for you in today’s issue:

🍄 How MDMA saved a marriage

🍄 Detoxing with Indigenous wisdom

🍄 Why ketamine eases depression

🍄 And more.

Be sure to check out this week’s Daily Mushroom podcast:

How to get legal access to psychedelic therapy

In this episode of the Daily Mushroom Podcast, we have the wonderful Holly Bennett, Communications Director at TheraPsil. Holly dives into how she got started in a rewarding career with psychedelics. She gives us an inside look into how the Section 56 exemption works and some other possible ways Canadians can access psilocybin psychotherapy without it. Holly is very knowledgeable about her field and sheds light on some questions we are sure many people have about Canada’s Special Access Program.

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Is this why ketamine helps with depression?

Our brains are constantly making predictions about the world around us based on learned associations – if we hear sirens, we expect to see an ambulance. 

A recent study by University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers found that ketamine blocks the chemical signals that allow us to make predictions.

Why is this beneficial?

Many disorders are rooted in poor predictions. For instance, patients with depression often predict that the worst case scenario is bound to happen. 

“Blocking the negative predictions that are prominent in depressed patients could be how ketamine helps,” explains the school’s psychology and neuroscience professor.

Take a DMT trip without the anxiety

A wild DMT trip that blasts you off to a different dimension has potential to be therapeutic, but also very anxiety-inducing. 

That’s why Cybin (CYBN) developed a version of the molecule that breaks down slowly in the body. So instead of a 10-minute rocket ride to outer space, patients have a smoother, more pleasant experience with a larger therapeutic window. 

The company received a patent for the formulation this week and will study it as a treatment for anxiety disorders in Q3 of this year.

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A dose every six months keeps the divorce lawyer away

A couple was on the verge of getting divorced until they took MDMA together for the first time.

The wife, Ree, said her husband couldn’t open up to her or deal with conflict, but MDMA helped them see eye-to-eye.

“My husband started sharing with me for the first time all these thoughts and emotions,” Ree said. “It was him without the walls.”

They decided to take MDMA together twice a year and go over a list of issues they want to address. Three years later, their marriage is solid and they can communicate openly without the need for drugs.

A better way to measure depression

Diagnosing and measuring depression is usually very subjective, relying on data from patient questionnaires. This leaves room for bias and makes it difficult to know if a treatment is actually working.

MYND Diagnostics of MYND Life Sciences (MYND) developed a biomarker test that provides objective data to solve this problem. It measures inflammation in the brain, which may be what causes depression.

Seeing evidence of improvement gives patients hope in the treatment process, like showing them the “light at the end of the tunnel” as MYND’s CEO explained on a recent Daily Mushroom Podcast.  

The company announced that Monash University will use the biomarker test in a psilocybin study on treatment-resistant depression, which has received $3M in funding from the Australian government. 

Detox with Indigenous wisdom

Universal Ibogaine (IBO) and Osoyoos Indian Band signed an agreement to develop a detox center that combines western science and Indigenous wisdom.

The center will use ibogaine treatments to ease opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms, followed by Indigenous healing practices as aftercare to “rebuild people in a holistic manner.”

Their flagship detox center will be in Manitoba, Canada with the goal of working with other First Nations to expand across the country, and then globally. 

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Optimi Health (OPTI) received a Dealer’s License from Health Canada and announced that it will begin cultivating, extracting, and processing “the highest-grade all-natural psilocybin in North America” at its facility in Princeton, British Columbia. The facility can secure up to 1,250kg of psilocybin, a value of roughly $53MM CDN.

Ketamine Media launched Psychedelic Therapy Network, a digital platform that connects psychedelic medicine providers with patients seeking treatment across North America.

Cybin (CYBN) announced Q3 financial results and business highlights including C$63.6 million and a C$17.2 million net loss. 

Enveric Biosciences’ (ENBI) stock is 45% off! The share price plummeted this morning after announcing a $10M public offering at 50 cents per share, about 24% below yesterday’s closing price of 66 cents 😬

Ehave, Inc. (EHVVF) acquired Rejuv IV, a company offering at-home ketamine therapy and IV infusions for anything from a hangover to migraines.

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 Here’s what you missed:

  • The Oregon Health Authority released the first draft of rules for the state’s legal psilocybin program. Only one of 200 species of psilocybin mushrooms will be allowed (psilocybe cubensis, the most popular species) and synthetic psilocybin will be banned. Plus, facilitators will need 120 hours of instruction on psilocybin history, safety, racial justice, and cultural equity. Read more…

  • A bill was filed in Maryland to offer free psychedelic therapy to veterans with PTSD and promote psychedelic research. Read more…
  • Activists in Washington filed an initiative to decriminalize simple drug possession statewide and give $150M in annual funding to substance abuse prevention, recovery, research, and education. The measure could appear on the ballot this November if enough signatures are collected. Read more…
  • Maine lawmakers rejected a bill that would legalize medical use of psilocybin after an 8-3 vote. The bill’s sponsor says she’s not surprised, however “society is changing, and the science is moving quickly, so it’s a matter of when, and not if, legislation like this passes in the future.” Read more…
  •  

Video of the Week

Before & After Eating Magic Mushrooms to stop my Tremors

Playlist of the Week

LSD Trip | ACID Trip | Peaceful | Trippy
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Swimming in acid to cure rare diseases: issue 35

Hello and welcome back.

We loved connecting with you all at the Daily Mushroom + Entheon Biomedical Mental Health Town Hall last night 😍 If you couldn’t make it, no worries, we got you. Check out the recording below.

Here’s what’s in store for you in today’s issue:

🍄 A cure for the most annoying Covid symptom?

🍄 Reducing suicidality for 6 months

🍄 Microdosing for withdrawals

🍄 How to prevent bad trips

🍄 And more.

Be sure to check out this week’s Daily Mushroom podcast:

Mental Health Townhall

On this very special episode of the Daily Mushroom Podcast, we were lucky enough to be joined by some pretty amazing guests. We had Andy Greenshaw, David Mayoh, Timmothy Ko, Valorie Masuda, Marsha Bennett, and of course our host Brett Higson. We asked our readers to submit questions they had about psychedelics for our knowledgeable board to answer and they did not disappoint! This episode is full of all kinds of insight into the expanding world of psychedelic therapy and what the future may hold.

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Swimming in acid 🐠

New research suggests that microdosing doesn’t cause withdrawal symptoms. But can it ease withdrawals from other substances?

MacEwan University researchers found that zebrafish showed increased anxiety behaviour during withdrawal from alcohol, consistent with symptoms that humans experience.  

However, when the zebrafish were given microdoses of LSD for 10 days (by putting them in a “dosing tank” for a precise period of time), there were no observed behavioural changes. This indicates that microdosing is not addictive and does not cause withdrawal symptoms. 

A study that’s currently underway will examine LSD microdoses on alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Did you know we share 70% of our genes with zebrafish? Plus, they are extremely social, making them ideal for behavioural studies. 

Treating rare disorders with ketamine

PharmaTher (PHRM) is developing a treatment for a rare, seizure-inducing disorder called Status Epilepticus using ketamine. This week, it was granted a designation that will save them millions of dollars in the process. 

It’s called an Orphan Drug Designation and it gives the company potential tax credits, grant eligibility, and marketing exclusivity, and waives a $2.4M New Drug Application fee. It’s designed to incentivize R&D of treatments for rare conditions.

PharmaTher previously received the designation for ketamine to treat ALS and complex regional pain syndrome too!

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A cure for the most annoying Covid symptom?

Even months or years after recovering from Covid, many people have no sense of taste or smell – or worse, everything tastes and smells disgusting. 

People are rushing to Reddit and Twitter to share that they’ve finally found a cure: shrooms!

Some report that their senses returned to normal after one dose while others say they were restored gradually over a handful of trips.

Here’s one Reddit user’s experience: “I was shocked and elated.. ran around to find a candle, picked it up, lavender! Began to cry. Began smelling everything in sight. You don’t realize how beautiful it is to smell things, until you can’t smell for almost a year.”

Reducing suicidality for 6 months

A meta-analysis of 7 clinical trials (5 psilocybin + 2 ayahuasca) found that psychedelic therapy significantly reduced suicidality in as little as 80 minutes.

The significant reductions were sustained for 3-4 months, and patients still had a moderate reduction in suicidality after 6 months.

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Entheon Biomedical (ENBI) received approval for a phase I DMT trial and will begin screening patients this month. The trial, which will be conducted in the Netherlands, will gather essential safety and dosing data needed for a phase II study on DMT for nicotine addiction.

Awakn Life Sciences (AWKNF) received a buy rating and a $10 price target from H.C. Wainwright – that’s a 530% increase from its current share price of $1.58 🤑

Lexston Life Sciences (LEXT) received a Section 56 exemption to research psilocybin. It is developing a tool that can rapidly identify and quantify different mushroom compounds such as psilocin, psilocybin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin and aeruginascin.

Tryp Therapeutics (TRYP) announced Q1 financial results including $2.1M in cash and a $3.0M loss for the three months ended November 30, 2021. The company also secured a $2M private placement this week. 

An individual in Oregon was issued a patent for a vape pen for “ayahuasca-like substances” including DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, and 2CB. The decision is receiving backlash from many who claim that the technology is not novel and has been around for years.

How to prevent bad trips

Tripping can be scary. You never really know how hard a dose will hit you or how long the effects will last — especially if it’s your first time.

What if there was a way to get some insight? Well, there is – HaluGen’s Psychedelic Genetic Test.

With a simple cheek swab, the test tells you:

  • How sensitive you are to classical psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and DMT
  • How quickly your body metabolizes MDMA, LSD, ayahuasca, and ketamine
  • If your genetics put you at risk of developing psychosis, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia
  • If you’re prone to adverse reactions from SSRIs

Use the results to find the dose that’s right for you so you can have the best experience possible!

 

Get 10% off when you use promo code ‘dailymushroom’

Buy a test
See a sample of the results
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The good

  • Oregon legislators filed a bill to form a 15-member task force to ensure that access to legal psilocybin services is equitable for all. It will focus on removing barriers for minorities and people with low income. Read more…
  • A second ballot initiative has been filed in Colorado to decriminalize the possession, cultivation, and gifting of psilocybin, psilocyn, ibogaine, mescaline and DMT. The first measure would create legal psilocybin healing centers. Read more…
  • A ballot measure was filed in Michigan to legalize possession, cultivation, and sharing of a range of psychedelics and implement a system for therapeutic and spiritual use. Read more…

The bad

  • A measure that would have decriminalized therapeutic psilocybin in Virginia was defeated by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill’s sponsor plans to bring the bill back next year. Read more…
  • Washington’s initiative to legalize guided psilocybin sessions will not pass, according to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jesse Salomon. He explains that there are concerns of facilities losing federal revenue for offering the services, and that the Department of Health is too busy with Covid to implement new regulatory framework. Read more…
  • A lawsuit filed by a physician and his cancer patients against the DEA for denying access to psilocybin therapy was rejected by the Court of Appeals. Read more…

And the ugly

  • Health Canada denied dozens of healthcare practitioners access to psilocybin therapy training by rejecting their section 56 exemption applications. Now, clinical trials will likely be the only way to get experience with the psychedelic. TheraPsil, the non-profit that helped with the applications, says that this will impact over one thousand practitioners on their waitlist for psilocybin training and several thousand patients seeking care 💔 Read more…

Video of the Week

The Battle Over Psychedelic Therapy’s Future

Playlist of the Week

Trippy Songs 🍄🍃👽🚀
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MDMA Passport + Commercial LSD Study: issue 34

Hello and welcome back.

Who else is counting down the days til the Daily Mushroom + Entheon Biomedical Mental Health Town Hall?? If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so here. What are you waiting for? It’s totally free and virtual so anyone can attend.

Here’s what’s in store for you in today’s issue:

🍄 The psychedelic that’s already in our brains

🍄 MAPS receives Innovation Passport for MDMA therapy 🎉

🍄 First commercial study of LSD in 40 years

🍄 Will Oregon legalize microdosing?

🍄 And more.

Be sure to check out this week’s Daily Mushroom podcast:

7 days of tripping to heal mentally, physically and radically change a career path

In this episode of The Daily Mushroom Podcast, we have Cory Firth, Executive Director of The Canadian Psychedelic Association and founder of DoseDay! Cory opens about his battle with mental health and shares his experience with psychedelics in his quest to find meaning in his life. He also talks about how he got himself into a 7 ayahuasca retreat and what that journey gave him.

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First commercial study of LSD in 40 years

MindMed’s LSD-based compound received FDA clearance, allowing the company to proceed with a trial that will be the first commercial study of LSD in over 40 years.

The study will assess 200 patients with generalized anxiety disorder to find the optimal dose of the formulation. 

Shares of MNMD spiked 30% following the announcement 💰

Goodbye Blue Mondays

A recent study found pure MDMA administered in a clinic does not have the “come down” effect that recreational users often report the day after dosing. 

Participants maintained a positive mood during the week following the dose. Plus, no participant had used or desired to use illegal MDMA at the 3 month and 6 month follow ups.

Mario’s secret revealed 🍄

The iconic red and white spotted mushroom (officially called Amanita Muscaria and unofficially called the Super Mario mushroom) is showing potential to treat arthritis.

Psyched Wellness (PSYC) is working with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to study the mushroom’s properties. It doesn’t contain psilocybin, but has a different psychoactive component called muscimol.

Preliminary data suggests that Amantia Muscaria could reduce inflammation in the skin, gut, brain, and lungs. The company believes it has potential to treat chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis.

Maybe that’s why Mario can jump so high without destroying his joints 😉

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MAPS receives Innovation Passport for MDMA therapy 🎉

The Innovation Passport will make MDMA therapy for PTSD widely available in the UK, as rapidly as possible!

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) found that 88% of patients had a reduction in PTSD symptoms after three MDMA sessions in conjunction with trauma-focused therapy. 

The organization was granted an Innovation Passport for the treatment – a UK designation that speeds up the timeline for approval of innovative medicines for life-threatening conditions (similar to Breakthrough Therapy Designations in the US, which the treatment received in 2017).

The psychedelic that’s already in our brains

Did you know that one of the most promising addiction treatments is a psychedelic compound that’s found throughout nature and is present within the human body?

It’s called DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine) and is thought to be produced in the brain’s pineal gland. DMT is released in large amounts when we dream and when we die.  

Learn what leading DMT experts have discovered at the Daily Mushroom + Entheon Biomedical Mental Health Town Hall on Thursday, Feb. 3rd. Register now for free to get the inside scoop 👇

Donating psilocybin to patients in need

CCrest Laboratories is donating psilocybin truffles so patients in need can access the medicine for free through Canada’s Special Access Program (SAP).

The company was just approved as a licensed psilocybin producer by Health Canada, along with Numinus Wellness (NUMI) and Filament Health’s (FH) Psilo Scientific, allowing them to supply psilocybin for clinical trials and emergency treatments through the SAP. 

The truffles will be grown by Red Light Holland (TRUFF) and tested at CCrest Labs before being donated as part of their “compassionate need and free supply” approach.

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Beckley Psytech began training psychotherapists for a phase II study on 5-MeO-DMT for treatment-resistant depression through Fluence’s interactive training program. Within the next year, Beckley aims to train 80 psychotherapists on how to administer psychedelic therapy.

Mydecine (MYCO) is partnering with a UK-based charity called Combat Stress and the King’s College London to study psilocybin therapy as a treatment for veterans with severe, treatment-resistant PTSD. 

Psygen Labs entered into an agreement to supply Universal Ibogaine (IBO) with ibogaine for an upcoming clinical trial on opioid addiction.

atai Life Sciences (ATAI) launched a wholly owned platform company called Invyxis, which will focus on developing novel compounds that target serotonin 5-HT2A receptors.

Akome Biotech, a subsidiary of Core One Labs’ (COOL), signed a consulting agreement with the University of Barcelona to develop psychedelic treatments for depression, stroke, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.

Ketamine One (MEDI) changed its name to Wellbeing Digital Sciences and partnered with Nova Mentis (NM) to study psilocybin microdosing for fragile x syndrome.

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Oregon is on track to provide legal psilocybin services in 2023

But one question remains unanswered: will the new program include microdosing?

For the past year, the Oregon Health Authority has been planning the regulatory framework to implement Measure 109, which legalized psilocybin sessions under the care of licensed facilitators. The program is on schedule to roll out at the beginning of 2023.

At the latest public Zoom meeting, a push to include microdosing in the program received backlash from some advisory board members, but others thought it was worth considering. Members have until the end of June to reach a consensus.

 

Two psilocybin bills filed in Oklahoma

The first bill would promote research focused on treating depression and anxiety in veterans. The second would promote research into 10 different conditions and reduce the penalty for psilocybin possession to a fine.

Video of the Week

The Battle Over Psychedelic Therapy’s Future

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Trippy Songs 🍄🍃👽🚀
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How hallucinogenic beer shaped history: issue 33

Hello and welcome back.

Thank you to everyone who registered for our Mental Health Town Hall. We can’t wait to connect with you! If you haven’t signed up yet, don’t worry, it’s not too late. Keep reading for details.

Here’s what’s in store for you in today’s issue:

🍄 How psychedelics helped an ancient empire maintain power

🍄 Add some ecstasy to your sex life

🍄 Microdosing DMT

🍄 Australian gov’t funds 2 psychedelic studies

🍄 And more.

Be sure to check out this week’s Daily Mushroom podcast:

Healing at home with Nue Life’s innovative ketamine wellness program

In this episode of the Daily Mushroom Podcast, we have Juan Pablo Cappello, co-founder and CEO of Nue Life Health. Nue Life’s at-home ketamine wellness program is proving to be highly beneficial for patients with treatment-resistant depression. The key is in the company’s unique approach to integration, which utilizes intuitive AI, music therapy, and group support. 

Nue Life is a public benefits corporation, and its entire founding team is made up of people of colour and women. Learn how Juan Pablo Cappello used spiritual wisdom to create a conscious business in his talk, 4 Pillars of Conscious Startups.

This will be an inspiring event for anyone who dreams of running a tech startup or wants to bring conscious leadership to their workplace.

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Add some ecstasy to your sex life

Over 90% of people experienced increased sexual desire and satisfaction after taking MDMA. But that’s not the only way it can improve your sex life.

Mindcure (MCUR) is studying MDMA-assisted-therapy as a treatment for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), which is characterized by low sex drive and emotional distress. 

The goal is to use MDMA to get to the root cause of the issue, which may be a history of negative sexual experiences and relationships or struggles with self worth or body image.

Microdosing DMT

Algernon Pharmaceuticals (AGN) found that microdoses of DMT can increase the growth of neurons in the brain by up to 40%. An upcoming study will see if this can benefit stroke patients.

Phase I of the study, which is awaiting approval in the UK, will determine the maximum amount of DMT that can be taken without producing a psychedelic effect. Phase II will test repeated doses on acute and recovering stroke patients.

Treating alcoholism in Europe

Last year, Awakn Life Sciences (AWKN) found that MDMA-assisted therapy helped alcoholics reduce alcohol consumption by 85% – from an average of 130.6 units per week to just 18.7.

Now, the company is exploring a partnership with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) to treat alcohol use disorder across Europe, where alcohol is one of the top five causes of disease and disability in most countries. Awakn may license MAPS’ pre-clinical data to get the treatment to market faster.

Microdosing eases depression

In a preclinical animal model, Wesana Health (WESA) found that a single high dose of psilocybin rapidly improved depressive behaviours for 14 days. A regimen of psilocybin microdoses and CBD was able to sustain the results and reduced depressive behaviours by an additional 64%.

Let’s keep the microdosing evidence coming!

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Be an industry insider

How can DMT be improved to better treat addiction? How do our genetics influence our psychedelic experiences? How does ketamine change our brain wave patterns? Does music make psychedelic therapy more effective?

These are all questions that Entheon Biomedical (ENBI) is answering with ongoing clinical research. Learn what they’ve discovered so far and their next steps at our Mental Health Town Hall this February 3rd!

We’ll be joined by Entheon’s Founder and CEO, Scientific Advisor, and Communications Manager to discuss the company’s findings and the future of psychedelic therapy. Register now for free to get the inside scoop 👇

Save the toads

Did you know that potent psychedelics like 5-MeO-DMT and bufotenin come from the venom of the Colorado River Toad? 

With growing demand to study these compounds and increased recreational use, wild populations of the toad are threatened in some areas.

Alvarius Research Inc. recently developed a toad conservation program to address this issue. The company is also collaborating with Egret Bioscience to develop synthetic “toad-free” versions of the compounds.

Psychedelics → power?

An ancient South American empire called the Wari Empire may have used a hallucinogenic beer to maintain its power.

The Wari people brewed a beer-like drink with seeds from the vilca tree, which contain a psychedelic compound called bufotenin (one of the substances found in toad venom!). 

Archeologists believe that Wari leaders served the drink at feasts to strengthen social connections with guests from surrounding regions. Guests likely had a euphoric or spiritual experience, compelling them to “acknowledge the power of their hosts or feel the need to owe them a favor in the future,” explains one archeology expert. 

Could this be why the empire maintained political control for hundreds of years? 🤔

Connect with your microdosing community

If you’re looking to try microdosing, what better way to get started than with a community of like-minded individuals. 

Dose Day is a microdosing peer support network that connects you with a small group with similar intentions and interests. Meet with your group weekly to see how the power of community can support you on your journey.

Whether you’re an artist, an executive, a consciousness junkie or someone looking to improve their mental health, there is a group for you.

Plus, half the fee supports palliative care patients with end-of-life anxiety.

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Psygen Industries Ltd. is building Canada’s first manufacturing facility dedicated to synthetic psychedelics. The company received authorization to produce and sell psilocybin, psilocin, LSD, DMT, mescaline, and 2C-B through a Health Canada Dealer’s License. It has already established over 20 supply agreements with domestic and international companies 👏

Numinus Wellness (NUMI) is enrolling patients for a multi-site study on MDMA for PTSD, which will be sponsored by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). The study received approval from both Health Canada and the Institutional Ethics Review Board.

Eleusis, a UK-based company focused on psilocybin therapy for depression, is planning to go public through a $446M merger with Silver Spike Acquisition Corp. II (SPKB). Eleusis will apply to have its shares listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol ‘ELEU’.

Red Light Holland (TRIP) is collaborating with an advocacy group called the Psychedelic Medicine Alliance Washington to promote a bill that would legalize guided psilocybin sessions in Washington State. The company has hired a lobbyist with experience in cannabis regulation and is launching a social media campaign and educational events to raise awareness about the benefits of psilocybin.

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Here’s what you missed in the legal world:

  • University of Sydney researchers received $3M in funding from the Australian government to support MDMA and psilocybin studies! The MDMA study will investigate combined PTSD and alcohol use disorder, and the psilocybin study will be focused on anorexia nervosa. Read more…
  • A Kansas legislator filed a bill to legalize the possession of up to 50 grams of psilocybin or psilocin, as well as the cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms. Read more…
  • A Utah Rep. filed a bill that would establish a task force to research the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. Read more…
  • Representatives from seven US states (Oregon, Nebraska, Michigan, Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania) have submitted a letter urging the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to allow terminally-ill patients access to psilocybin treatments. The lawmakers believe that psilocybin qualifies as an investigational drug and should therefore be accessible through Right to Try laws. Read more…

Video of the Week

The Battle Over Psychedelic Therapy’s Future

Playlist of the Week

Trippy Songs 🍄🍃👽🚀
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Docs on Mushrooms: issue 32

Hello and welcome back.

We’re excited to announce that we’ll be bringing you a FREE virtual event on February 3rd to discuss all things psychedelic and mental health. If your New Year’s resolution is to work on your mental health, you won’t want to miss it! Keep reading for details 😊

Here’s what’s in store for you in today’s issue:

🍄 The most intense psychedelic?

🍄 Impressive findings from a ketamine study on addiction

🍄 A promising treatment for ALS

🍄 Rescheduling psilocybin GLOBALLY

🍄 And more.

Be sure to check out this week’s Daily Mushroom podcast:

What physicians really think about psilocybin

On this episode of the Daily Mushroom Podcast, we have Dr. Lyle Oberg, co-founder, and CEO of MYND life sciences. Dr. Oberg has been had an extensive career across many sectors, including working as a family physician and a Chief Policy and Medical Officer at a cannabis company. He was also part of the Alberta government for 15 years as Minister of Finance, Social Services, Learning, and more. Stick around to hear what Dr. Oberg has to say, we are sure it will give a new insight into the world of psychedelics!

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86% abstinent after ketamine therapy

Six months after receiving three ketamine infusions and Awakn Life Sciences’ proprietary therapy, 86% of patients with severe alcohol use disorder remained abstinent from alcohol. 

Awakn’s study also showed that:

  • The treatment was 2.7x more effective than placebo infusions and alcohol education
  • Risk of mortality within one year dropped from 1 in 8 patients to 1 in 80
  • Liver function improved (shocker)
  • Depression scores were significantly reduced
  • Ability to experience pleasure increased

The downside? There isn’t one. There were no serious adverse reactions either 👏

Slowing the progression of ALS

When diagnosed with ALS, patients are typically given 2 to 6 years to live and experience rapid decline in muscle function. Even after the ice bucket challenge took the internet by storm, a cure has yet to be found. 

Luckily, ketamine is showing potential to slow the progression of the disease to improve both the quality and length of patients’ lives.

In a mouse model of ALS, PharmaTher (PHRM) found that ketamine preserved muscle function and increased life expectancy if administered in the early stages of the disease. 

The company received FDA approval for a Phase II trial that will assess a biomarker of neurodegeneration, functional abilities, muscle strength, and depression scores among ALS patients undergoing ketamine treatments.

Psilocybin + CBD 🧠

The majority of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) also experience depression, and patients with severe TBI-related depression are 5x more likely to attempt suicide.

Wesana Health (WESA) is planning a study to see if the condition can be treated with one large dose of psilocybin in a clinic, followed by “self-administered maintenance doses” of psilocybin and CBD to sustain the benefits.

Researchers believe the treatment will promote neuroplasticity and neurogenesis while reducing neuroinflammation.

Can ketamine enhance addiction medication?

Novamind (NM) is hosting a first-of-its-kind study to find out.

The trial will see if ketamine-assisted therapy can enhance the effectiveness of buprenorphine, a first-line addiction medication, in treating opioid use disorder. 

Will the two drugs finally be able to conquer this treatment-resistant condition?

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Join our virtual Mental Health Town Hall

We’re collaborating with experts at Entheon Biomedical (ENBI) to bring you a special virtual event on February 3rd. 

Here’s what you can expect to learn:

  • The latest psychedelic research on mental health and addiction
  • How psychedelics can be used for personal development
  • All things microdosing
  • Where the industry is headed
  • Answers to all your burning questions

You’ll hear insights and stories from:

  • Timothy Ko, CEO and Founder of Entheon
  • Dr. Andrew Greenshaw, Scientific Advisor to Entheon and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the University of Alberta
  • David Mayoh, Communications Manager at Entheon
  • Thomas Hartle, the first Canadian to receive psilocybin therapy
  • And more

Now is your chance to get your questions answered by industry experts and connect with fellow members of the Daily Mushroom Community. We can’t wait to see you there. Register now 👇

The most intense psychedelic?

“​​I truly doubt that there is another psychedelic drug, anywhere, that can match [4-HO-DiPT] for speed, intensity, brevity, and sensitive to dose, at least one that is active orally.”

Field Trip Health’s (FTRP) first novel compound could produce the most intense experience of any oral psychedelic. 

It’s a more stable and soluble version of 4-HO-DiPT — a drug that induces an extremely powerful experience lasting 2-3 hours, according to Alexander Shulgin, the chemist who created it.

Considering he’s experimented with 55 different psychedelics, which he reviewed in “Tryptamines I Have Known and Loved,” we’ll take his word for it. 

Field Trip expects to receive a patent for the formulation next month. 

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Mydecine (MYCO) is launching a program to sell MDMA and psilocybin, as well as training and support services, to healthcare practitioners through Health Canada’s amended Special Access Program. The company also completed a model that can rapidly screen billions of compounds using AI to find novel psychedelics that bind to serotonin receptors. 

Delic Holdings Corp. (DELC) announced that it plans to more than double its footprint in the next 18 months by opening 15 new ketamine clinics, which will be strategically located in secondary cities to improve patient accessibility.

Ketamine One (MEDI) began trading on the OTCQB marketplace under the symbol ‘KONEF’.

atai Life Sciences (ATAI) received FDA approval for a study to investigate how its R-ketamine compound interacts with other drugs.

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Rescheduling psilocybin GLOBALLY 🌍

“Given today’s scientific understanding of psilocybin’s high potential therapeutic value and low risk of dependence, a change of its status as a Schedule I drug is long overdue,” according to Christopher Koddermann.

That’s why he co-founded The International Therapeutic Psilocybin Rescheduling Initiative (ITPRI) – an initiative that’s pushing for psilocybin to be rescheduled on a global scale.

ITPRI aims to reschedule psilocybin through the United Nations’ Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which was enacted over 50 years ago 😮 This would significantly reduce the regulatory barriers that impede psilocybin research and access to treatment.

So yes, rescheduling is long overdue, but better late than never!

Plus, progress in the US & Italy:

  • A Missouri Rep. filed a bill to expand the state’s right-to-try law to include psilocybin, MDMA, DMT, ibogaine, LSD, mescaline, and peyote. This would grant patients with serious illnesses legal access to the substances. Read more…

  • Senator Scott Wiener announced that he is once again pushing for a psychedelic decriminalization bill in California after halting it last year, and believes it has a 50/50 chance of being passed. To generate support, veterans are meeting with Assembly members and changes may be made to possession limits and types of psychedelics included. Read more…

  • Virginia lawmakers introduced a bill to reduce the penalty for possessing peyote, ibogaine, psilocybin, or psilocin from a Class 5 felony to a $100 fine. A separate bill focused on just psilocybin and psilocin was also filed. Read more…

  • Italian officials verified 630,000 signatures collected in support of a measure to decriminalize cultivation of marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms. If the measure is approved by the Constitutional Court, which will be announced on February 15, it will appear on a ballot this spring. Read more…

Turning mushrooms into mush houses

Architect David Benjamin wants to make the construction industry more sustainable using (you guessed it) mushrooms!

He constructed a 40-foot-tall structure using bricks grown from mushroom mycelium. 

The bricks are lightweight yet durable and can be grown in five days without emitting carbon or producing waste.

Video of the Week

The Battle Over Psychedelic Therapy’s Future

Playlist of the Week

Trippy Songs 🍄🍃👽🚀