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Rogers Masson, a 55-year-old music producer and military veteran, battled night terrors for decades thanks to PTSD from traumatic experiences like military violence and family deaths. Conventional treatments were about as helpful as a chocolate teapot, but MDMA-assisted psychotherapy swooped in like a caped crusader to save the day, significantly reducing his night terrors.

PTSD affects 6% of the U.S. population, often sneaking past diagnoses like a ninja. Masson’s PTSD was triggered in 1989 during his military service after the Loma Prieta earthquake, when a collapsing wall killed his friend. Despite therapy and meds, he found them as comforting as a tepid cup of tea since there’s no cure.

Enter MDMA, the rock star of the ’70s and ’80s, now a Schedule I drug because of some bad PR during the War on Drugs. Rick Doblin founded the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) to research MDMA’s magic. In 2017, the FDA dubbed it a “Breakthrough Therapy,” and by 2020, MDMA-assisted therapy got the green light for 50 PTSD patients. The Pearl Psychedelic Institute, in rural Waynesville, offered a homey vibe and treated four patients, including Masson.

Masson had to wean off his meds before diving into therapy, which involved three epic eight-hour MDMA sessions. He described them as ten years’ worth of therapy crammed into one session. Post-session integration therapy helped him process his experiences. By the end, Masson and three others were no longer PTSD poster children.

Despite over 70% success in a Phase 3 study, the FDA rejected

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Reference: https://www.theassemblync.com/health/mental-health/nc-waynesville-ptsd-mdma-pearl-clinic/

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Published Date: 2024-09-11

Psychedelic-assisted therapy, using magic mushrooms (psilocybin) and the infamous party drug LSD, might just be the unexpected hero for people grappling with anxiety and depression from life-threatening illnesses like cancer. However, the evidence is like a blurry photo—promising but not quite clear. These trippy treatments might also help with existential dread and improve overall quality of life, though results are about as consistent as a cat on a hot tin roof.

MDMA, the love drug, has minimal data backing it up and its effects are as predictable as a cat’s mood—highly uncertain. The good news is that no one reported severe side effects, and the moderate ones faded faster than party glitter after the drugs wore off.

Anxiety, depression, and that gnawing existential angst are major downers for those with serious illnesses and are notoriously hard to treat with the usual methods. Out of six studies involving 149 brave souls, there were hints that psychedelic therapy could be beneficial, but we need more research to be sure—think of it as needing more pieces to complete a psychedelic jigsaw puzzle.

MDMA therapy didn’t quite hit the mark for anxiety and depression and didn’t even attempt to tackle existential distress. On the flip side, classic psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD might boost quality of life and serve up some spiritually significant experiences, but the evidence is shakier than a Jenga tower in an earthquake. MDMA therapy, sadly, didn’t improve quality of life or score any spirituality points.

Overall, both therapies are generally well-tolerated with side effects that are mild to moderate and vanish after the drug’s effects do. The studies have their limitations—small sizes and potential bias since participants knew what

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Reference: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD015383.pub2/full

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Published Date: None

Sure thing! Here’s a zippy summary with a touch of humor:

Psychedelics, those groovy substances famed for their 1960s counterculture fame, are now the buzz in mental health research. Esteemed UK institutions like King’s College and Imperial College London are diving into clinical trials, and Scotland’s even joining the party with a depression study. Unlike the US, where some states have let their hair down and decriminalized psychedelics, the UK keeps a tight leash on them. A parliamentary briefing threw some serious love at psilocybin, citing its potential to tackle anxiety and depression.

Studies show psychedelics can twist our consciousness in ways that might just make mental health woes tap out. Psilocybin, in particular, is like the superhero of psychedelics, boasting long-term positive vibes. Microdosing it is becoming the go-to for taming everyday stress, though neuropsychologist Andy Mitchell warns we might be putting psychedelics on a pedestal too soon, as their long-term effects are still a mystery.

The NHS is all in, supporting ongoing trials, and the Maudsley Hospital has opened a research center dedicated to these mind-bending substances. Despite the UK’s strict laws, there’s a growing chorus demanding an end to the restrictions and more funding for research. With businesses pouring money into this psychedelic gold rush, driven by a high demand and frustration with current treatments, the future of mental health might just be a trip!

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Reference: https://theweek.com/health/psychedelic-drugs-and-treating-mental-illness

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Published Date: 2024-09-10

Ancient wisdom is strapping on its tie-dye and showing Western medicine how it’s done! With a history of over 10,000 years, indigenous use of psychedelics like MDMA, LSD, psilocybin, and ketamine is being rediscovered as a potential game-changer for mental health treatment. A 2008 find of a Bolivian shaman’s bag packed with ancient drug gear reminds us that our ancestors were the original psychonauts.

Modern scientists are buzzing about psychedelics as possible treatments for anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, but getting the FDA’s green light is tougher than convincing a cat to take a bath—just ask the folks trying to push MDMA for PTSD treatment.

Indigenous cultures have long used these “spirit medicines” not just for mind-mending but also for rituals, creativity, and community bonding. Harvard’s Osiris Sinuhé González Romero suggests that humans have been dabbling in psychedelics since crossing the Bering Strait about 16,500 years ago. From psychoactive mushrooms in Mesoamerica to San Pedro and Peyote cacti in Peru and Mexico, the evidence is older than your grandma’s fruitcake. Even the Codex Vindobonensis Mexicanus 1 and 16th-century Aztec rituals reveal magic mushroom escapades.

While Western medicine is now curious about psychedelics, indigenous communities have always used them to sync with nature and the spirit world, aiming for collective harmony. In Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico, these substances are gateways to ancestral chats and worldly wisdom, often accompanied by trance-inducing drumbeats. Interestingly, the so-called “shaman” is commonly known as “the one who sings.”

But here’s

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Reference: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240910-the-ancient-history-behind-healing-trauma-with-psychedelics

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Published Date: 2024-09-10

Colorado is gearing up for a magical mushroom makeover with its psilocybin therapy program set to launch in 2025. But like a plot twist in a sitcom, the final decision on business license fees has hit the pause button for more public chitchat. The Department of Revenue has until Dec. 31 to sort this out, so applications can start rolling in. The Healing Advocacy Fund is jazzed about the delay, hoping it means a safer, more accessible trip for everyone.

The proposed fees are designed to keep the program’s lights on, with early birds catching a break on costs. However, there’s drama brewing over high fees for micro-healing centers, with some folks pushing for tiered fees or a special category for solo operators. A survey shows there’s a mushrooming interest in licenses for everything from healing centers to cultivation.

Poinsatte, the resident psychic, predicts fewer applications for cultivation and manufacturing than the state expects. Why? Because the therapy involves just a couple of high-dose sessions that pack a punch. This means more focus on supportive care, leading to more healing centers than cultivators or manufacturers – a plot twist the Department of Revenue didn’t see coming.

Stay tuned; the final hearing date is expected to drop sometime in October. So, grab your popcorn – this regulatory rollercoaster is just heating up!

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Reference: https://www.aspentimes.com/news/colorado-psychedlic-assisted-therapy-public-feedback/

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Published Date: None

Massachusetts voters are gearing up to decide on Question 4, which could make plant-based psychedelics the new yoga for your brain. If this passes, folks 21 and older could legally trip the light fantastic at licensed therapy centers. A new regulatory commission would be established, and the cultivation and sale of these mind-benders would be allowed—careful, though, Uncle Sam still says they’re a no-go.

Proponents say these psychedelics could be the mental health superheroes we’ve been waiting for, backed by promising research. Detractors, though not specified here, likely aren’t thrilled. If the vote swings in favor, expect the first therapy centers to open in 2026, and personal possession and a little home gardening would be decriminalized. Key dates to note: Apply to vote by mail by Oct. 29, early voting runs from Oct. 19 to Nov. 1, and Election Day is on Nov. 5.

Critics, like Chris Keohan from the Coalition for Safe Communities, warn that this could turn your neighborhood into a psychedelic jungle, with a black market blooming like magic mushrooms in cow patties. Currently, growing your psychedelic garden up to 144 square feet is a go, but Keohan argues it favors corporate fat cats over public well-being. He’s also worried about the commission turning into another Cannabis Control Commission disaster, which is already a hot mess of suspensions, workplace drama, and snail-paced regulations. Adam Chapdelaine of the Massachusetts Municipal Association adds that another unelected commission might just be a recipe for psychedelic pandemonium.

So, if you’re in Massachusetts, mark your calendars and decide if you want to journey through the looking glass—or keep things as they are.

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Reference: https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/09/20/massachusetts-election-psychedelic-mushrooms-ballot-question-4-explainer

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Published Date: 2024-09-20

It seems like the original text revolves around an extensive list of countries and territories. So, here’s a playful and concise summary:

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Ever felt like you needed a geography lesson but with a twist? Well, here it is! Picture a global party where everyone shows up. From the United States doing the moonwalk, Canada apologizing for bumping into Mexico, to Caribbean nations shaking their maracas. Europe sends its best-dressed, with Sweden and Switzerland as fashion icons, while Asia brings the tech wizards from Taiwan and Thailand. Africa’s got rhythm with nations like Tanzania and Zimbabwe, and down under, Oceanic countries like Tonga and Tuvalu are surfing up a storm. Even the tiny territories like Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands are making a chilly entrance! This global guest list is so diverse, it could give the Olympics a run for its money. No extra commentary needed—just a whole lot of world in one room!

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Did I capture the essence while keeping it fun?

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Reference: https://www.thestar.com/business/mars/high-hopes-why-psychedelics-in-very-small-doses-could-revolutionize-the-way-we-treat-mental/article_257e921e-6ed3-11ef-91d0-0bc57eeb3264.html

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Published Date: None

Post-WWII, the CIA, perhaps inspired by a wild party or two, decided to dabble in the funky world of psychedelic compounds, particularly LSD, in a quest to create a “truth serum”—basically a magical potion to make spies spill the beans. This covert chemistry set adventure didn’t start with the CIA, though. The initial experiments were kicked off in Nazi Germany, because apparently, someone thought mixing world domination with hallucinogens was a smart move. Norman Ohler, the author of “Tripped: Nazi Germany, the CIA and the Dawn of the Psychedelic Age,” dishes all the tantalizing details about how these mind-bending experiments paved the way for the psychedelic era.

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Reference: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/latenightlive/nazi-psychedelic-lsd/104367108

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Published Date: 2024-09-19

The author takes a jab at the war on drugs, likening it to a bad sequel that nobody asked for. They champion harm reduction and decriminalization, claiming drug prohibition is the ultimate party pooper, blocking research into the medical perks of psychedelics. These groovy substances could potentially treat mental health issues like PTSD and depression. Although regulatory red tape moves slower than a snail on vacation, clinical trials are showing promising results. The author shares a heartwarming tale of veterans who had transformative experiences with psychedelics, suggesting that we cut the bureaucratic red tape and sniff out the root causes of trauma by ending the war on drugs. For the curious minds, they nod towards resources like MAPS and Drug Science for more enlightenment.

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Reference: https://www.virgin.com/branson-family/richard-branson-blog/reducing-harm-with-psychedelics

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Published Date: None

The psychedelic field is experiencing a shake-up, with trailblazers pushing forward despite a minefield of controversy, red tape, and lingering stigma. Psychiatric medicine has been stuck in a rut, but substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and DMT are the new kids on the block, showing potential to tackle PTSD, depression, anxiety, and addiction like a boss. Investors are hopping on the bandwagon, even though the FDA just gave a thumbs down to MDMA-assisted therapy. Now, advocates are rolling up their sleeves to tackle the scientific, political, regulatory, and ethical hurdles of getting psychedelics a seat at the mainstream medicine table.

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Reference: https://www.statnews.com/2024/09/17/psychedelics-drug-development-industry-who-to-know/

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Published Date: 2024-09-17