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Group therapy cures depression in half of cancer patients!

Open-label study of COMP360 psilocybin therapy for depression in cancer patients demonstrates feasibility of simultaneous psilocybin administration in small groups

On Tuesday, Compass Pathways (CMPS) received a US patent for COMP360, its proprietary formulation of crystalline psilocybin. On Wednesday, the company announced positive findings from an open-label study using the formulation to treat depression in cancer patients.

Thirty patients were administered COMP360 in group therapy sessions of two to four people. Twenty four people experienced at least a 50% reduction in depression symptoms within three weeks of treatment, which was sustained at week eight, and fifteen people were in total remission from depression. The average depression score dropped from 25.9 to just 6.8.

The company notes that the study was not blinded or placebo-controlled, so the findings are subject to expectancy bias, but the results show promise that both COMP360 and group therapy models are effective.

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Autistic children try microdosing

Mycrodose Therapeutics and Nova Mentis Announce LOI to Co-Develop Advanced Drug Delivery System

According to preclinical research conducted by Nova Mentis (NOVA), psilocybin has potential to reduce anxiety in autistic patients and could improve cognitive function in patients with fragile x syndrome (FXS), a genetic condition that causes learning impairments.

Now, the company is forming a joint venture with Mycrodose Therapeutics to accelerate R&D into the treatment. The partnership will use Mycrodose Therapeutics’ patented systems to self-administer a non-invasive microdose.

The joint venture plans to conduct human clinical trials on a broad range of patients with FXS and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including pediatric patients. This will be the first study investigating psilocybin’s impact on children.

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Trip your way to a healthier lifestyle

New Research Hints at a Link Between Psychedelics and Improved Heart Health

Psychedelics improve mental health, but can that translate into better physical health too?

A recent study found that people who have tried psychedelics at least once in their life had a 23% lower chance of heart disease and a 12% lower chance of diabetes in the past year.

Other research indicates that psychedelic use is tied to healthier lifestyle choices such as increased exercise, reduced smoking and alcohol consumption, and eating a balanced diet, so this may explain the findings.

The researchers also theorize that psychedelics could stimulate brain receptors that are linked to both mental and cardiometabolic health.

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Therapy is hard…but drugs help!

Patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) often struggle with impairments of concentration, mood and motivation that can make therapy challenging or unsuccessful. Can psilocybin’s immediate mood-boosting effect enhance engagement in therapy?
Monash University is seeking funding from the Australian government for a proposed 2b clinical trial that would reveal the answer.
The study would use proprietary biomarker technology developed by MYND Diagnostics Inc., a subsidiary of MYND Life Sciences (MYND), to monitor blood indicators of the subjects’ response, progress, and any relapsing to the psilocybin treatments. If successful, a multi-site phase 3 adaptive trial would follow within a year of completion to get psilocybin-assisted therapy approved by the Therapeutic Goods Association.
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How to prevent depression legally

Mushroom Consumption May Lower Risk of Depression

Even non-psychedelic mushrooms could lower your risk of depression!

Researchers from the Penn State College of Medicine collected data from 24,000 Americans and discovered that those who ate mushrooms had a lower chance of being depressed.

Mushrooms are the highest dietary source of ergothioneine, an antioxidant that may prevent mental illnesses by reducing oxidative stress protecting against cell damage. 

While the study didn’t factor in different types of mushrooms, white buttons are believed to ease anxiety and Lion’s Mane can promote neurogenesis which may prevent mental disorders.

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A trippy (family-friendly) vacay

Novamind Launches New Psychedelic Palliative Care Program

Patients in palliative care have higher rates of depression – could a psychedelic retreat change this?

Yesterday, Novamind (NM) launched a first-of-its-kind program to help both patients and their families cope with terminal illness.

The program, called “Psychedelic Palliative Care by Novamind”, combines psychedelic-assisted therapy with workshops, multi-day immersive retreats, and group support at its recently-opened clinic in Murray, Utah.

“Due to psychedelic medicine’s generally low side effect burden and fast-acting nature, it shows promise for patients who are physically ill and might have limited life expectancies,” said Novamind’s Chief Scientific Officer.

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Bring on the fights! 💥

Lobe Sciences and the World Boxing Association Announce Initiative Targeting mTBI and PTSD

Lobe Sciences (LOBE) is partnering with the the World Boxing Association (“WBA”) to help boxers manage brain injuries!

The organizations plan to launch a global registry to identify former and current boxers with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and help them manage the side effects, which can often include PTSD. The WBA will also develop best practices for early diagnosis of mTBI that can be used immediately after fights for current boxers.

Injured boxers could potentially be treated with Lobe’s therapeutic regimen, which utilizes the combination of psilocybin and NAC (the pneumonia drug) mentioned in last week’s issue.

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Childhood trauma? Try tripping 5 times

Psychedelics might reduce internalized shame and complex trauma symptoms in those with a history of childhood abuse

A recent study suggests that repeated psychedelic drug use may be effective in reducing PTSD symptoms and internalized shame in people who endured maltreatment during childhood.

The researchers surveyed adults with severe physical, emotional, or sexual trauma and found that those who took psychedelics for therapeutic purposes (in non-clinical settings) were less likely to have a negative self-concept or disturbances in relationships.

Participants who used psychedelics with therapeutic intent 5 times showed the lowest levels of internalized shame and complex trauma.

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Enhancing psilocybin…with a pneumonia drug?

Lobe Sciences Announces Data Demonstrating That Its Combination Therapeutic Candidates are Significantly More Effective Than Monotherapy in mTBI and PTSD

A drug that loosens mucus in the lungs could also help treat concussions!?

Lobe Sciences (LOBE) discovered that psilocybin might work better when paired with N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), a drug used to treat Tylenol overdose and respiratory conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma.

In rodent models of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD, the combination of psilocybin and NAC performed significantly better than psilocybin, NAC, or a placebo alone.

The company is working on finding a supplier of high purity cGMP psilocybin to continue research and expand on these findings.

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Psilocybin or SSRIs? Why not both!

MindMed and Liechti Lab Provide Results from their Psilocybin R&D Collaboration

A new study found that combining SSRIs and psilocybin is not only safe, but may be beneficial!

Yesterday, MindMed (MNMD) announced the findings from several ongoing studies conducted in collaboration with UHB Liechti Lab.

In one study, psilocybin was found to be safe to administer with an SSRI antidepressant and did not reduce the psychedelic experience. Two weeks prior to the psilocybin dose, volunteers were give a daily pretreatment of the SSRI escitalopram. As a result, the volunteers experienced reduced anxiety and blood pressure increases that occur with psilocybin administration.

Another study compared the perceptual effects of psilocybin to LSD and revealed that a 20 mg dose of psilocybin is equivalent to 100 mcg of LSD.

The company will continue to analyze the study data and will publish additional findings later this year.

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