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A recent NYU study found that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduced suicidal ideation in advanced cancer patients. Patients saw improvements in existential distress as early as 8 hours after the first dose, and the positive effects lasted over 6 months after the second dose.
According to a recent poll, 35% of American adults believe that psychedelics like magic mushrooms have medical applications, including 43% of Democrats and 23% of Republicans. While voters over 30 years old tended to disagree, 53% of voters aged 18-29 believe that psychedelics have medical value.
A registered clinical counsellor, Dave Phillips, went on a mushroom trip for research purposes and said it was “the most powerful personal experience I’ve ever had in my life” and that it gave him “the most overwhelming sense of being loved”. During the six-hour trip which was guided by an expertly-curated playlist, Phillips was able to connect with his father and son who both passed away, and saw himself as an embryo. Phillips said that experiencing psilocybin gave him an understanding of how to respond effectively when patients undergo the treatment. He believes that the treatment is effective because it “opens up the connectivity power of the brain” so that the brain can solve its own problems. Although the experience was overwhelming, he believes that there are no bad trips, only challenging ones.
A new bill proposed in New York would create a psychedelic research institute to study the effect of psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, and ibogaine on conditions including addictive disorders, depression, PTSD, and end-of-life anxiety. The bill is sponsored by Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D), who believes that “psychedelics provide a host of benefits without the same risk of overdose or dependency that other medications may provide”. The legislature suggests that “psilocybin is a breakthrough therapy for severe depression and nicotine addiction” and may also provide treatment for methamphetamine or opioid addiction.
California Senate passed a bill that would make it lawful to possess and socially share psychedelic substances including psilocybin, LSD, DMT, MDMA, and ibogaine. If enacted, the state Department of Health would establish a working group to study and recommend regulatory systems that California could use to promote safe and equitable access to the substances. The working group’s recommendations would be due by the beginning of 2024. However, an activist group aims to put forward an initiative to legalize the use and sale of psilocybin mushrooms on California’s 2022 ballot.
Texas passes bill to study psychedelic treatment for PTSD in veterans with a surprising bipartisan approval. Representative Alex Dominguez is hopeful that other states will once again look to Texas for leadership to address the ongoing mental health crisis. While governor Greg Abbott has yet to take a stance, the bill has received endorsements from the former Texas governor and former US energy secretary, as well as several veterans groups. California, Iowa, Connecticut, Florida, New York, Virginia and Washington are also considering bills to allow for psychedelic treatments.
After battling internal struggles that led him to the brink of suicide, Mike Tyson says he feels better than ever since using psilocybin for mental and spiritual exploration. Tyson is partnering with Wesana Health to bring awareness to the benefits of psilocybin, as he believes that it is an “amazing medicine” that should be accessible to the world because it could create “a more empathetic and just society”. Former NHL player Daniel Carcillo also participated in psilocybin treatment and claims that he is 100% cured of traumatic brain injury and related symptoms such as slurred speech, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
After abstaining from drugs for decades, a German investor, Christian Angermayer, went on a life-changing mushroom trip that left him with profound insights and even made him understand Bitcoin. It was then that Angermayer decided to make radical changes to his investment strategy by focusing on things he’s passionate about.
During a second transformative mushroom trip, Angermayer had the idea to commercialize psychedelics, which led him to make an angel investment in Compass Pathways, a biotech company focused on psychedelic therapy. His stake in Compass Pathways is now worth $2 billion and he manages over $2.5 billion in assets.
Soaking magic mushrooms in lemon juice can reduce nausea and heighten your trip. Simply grind the mushroom into a powder, add to a shot glass, submerge in lemon juice, stir, and drink immediately or within 20 minutes. Since lemon juice has a similar pH level as stomach acid, it helps breakdown beta-glucan, the compound in the mushrooms associated with nausea and upset stomach. This method can make your trip come on faster, shorten the trip, and increase its intensity because the acidic juice helps convert psilocybin into psilocin, the substance that makes you trip.
At a CNBC healthcare summit, Shark Tank venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary said that “the potential of psychedelics far exceeds the potential of cannabis”. O’Leary believes that the size and scale of the psychedelics market is appealing because of the lack of advancements in mental health treatment over the past several decades. O’Leary currently invests in MindMed and Compass Pathways, and advises investors to hold stakes in companies with multiple clinical trials.
