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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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February 14, 2022March 10, 2022

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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February 4, 2022March 10, 2022

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.

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!

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.

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’

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…

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January 28, 2022March 10, 2022

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.

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 😉

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.

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.

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.

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January 24, 2022March 10, 2022

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.

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!

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.

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.

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…

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January 14, 2022March 10, 2022

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!

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?

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.

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.

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.

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January 7, 2022March 10, 2022

Finally, a way to have less sex in 2022: issue 31

Hello and welcome back.

We hope you’ve had a great start to 2022.

In 2021, we read thousands of articles so you didn’t have to. (You’re welcome 😉)

We curated the best content and summarized over 300 articles so you could be the smartest mushroom in the room, covering over 45 conditions and disorders that could potentially be treated with psychedelics 🤯

This is just the beginning… Get ready for another year of groundbreaking research, inspiring stories, and major business deals.

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

🍄 Take a psychedelic retreat from your bed

🍄 The African shrub that could solve the opioid crisis

🍄 How to make your NY’s resolutions stick

🍄 How psychedelic therapy just got A LOT more accessible for Canadians

🍄 And more.

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

What physicians really think about psilocybin

Microdoses for the whole family

Here’s a fun way to bond with grandma…

Mindset Pharma (MSET) filed a patent for psilocybin microdoses that have potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease and ADHD.

The compounds may promote cognitive benefits without the liability of a psychedelic experience, making them suitable for “fragile population groups” like children and the elderly, according to the company’s Chief Scientific Officer.

Could this African shrub solve the opioid crisis?

MindMed (MNMD) developed a non-hallucinogenic molecule based on ibogaine, the psychoactive compound in the African iboga plant, and it’s showing potential to treat opioid addiction.

How? 🤔

The compound has demonstrated the ability to reduce opioid use and ease withdrawal symptoms by regulating excessive dopamine fluctuations.

An upcoming Phase 2a trial will put the compound to the test.

Make your New Year’s resolutions stick

Spent too much time gaming or had too much sex in 2021?

We’re guessing you didn’t answer yes to both, but if you struggle with one of these things, ketamine therapy could help you make changes this year 😉

Awakn Life Sciences (AWKN) received ethics approval to expand its ketamine study. In addition to investigating Gambling Disorder, it will now cover three more behavioral addictions: Internet Gaming Disorder, Compulsive Sexual Behaviour, and Binge Eating Disorder.

The goal is to “harness a window in which the brain is able to make new connections” to create lasting behaviour changes.

The quest to treat addiction

After his brother overdosed in 2019, Timothy Ko founded Entheon Biomedical (ENBI) on his quest to find a better treatment for addiction through psychedelic therapy.

The company is focused on advancing the DMT molecule to treat substance use disorders. It just submitted a regulatory package to an ethics committee for a human clinical trial on healthy smokers, which will be one of the most comprehensive studies of DMT ever.

Entheon has also begun recruiting patients with treatment-resistant depression for a ketamine therapy study, which will be conducted with Heading Health LLC. The study will use an electroencephalography (EEG) headset and genetic screening to:

Understand how ketamine influences brainwave patterns
Investigate how genetic markers influence ketamine response
Explore the effects of music on therapeutic outcomes
Develop a framework for characterizing the psychedelic drug state

Take a psychedelic retreat from your bed

Psychedelic retreats are inaccessible to most due to high costs, length of treatments, and travel restrictions. Who has ten thousand dollars to drop on a week in Jamaica?

That’s why Ei.Ventures is investing (heavily) in the Metaverse.

The company purchased a $2.2M estate in The Sandbox virtual world – the third largest land sale in the Metaverse ever.

The goal?

To provide “wondrous” psychedelic journeys through the Hawaiian islands, or outer space, using VR technology.

Sound like the ideal setting for your next trip?

Filament Health (FH) received Health Canada approval for a psilocybin microdosing study on 100 patients with persistent depression, which will be funded by the Nikean Foundation.

The McQuade Centre for Strategic Research and Development (MSRD), a subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical (one of Japan’s biggest pharma companies), invested $5M in Mindset Pharma to support its drug development.

MindBio Therapeutics is aiming to develop a “smart drug delivery technology” that can use patient data to determine an optimal microdose for each individual.

Compass Pathways’ (CMPS) early psilocybin research was published in The Journal of Psychopharmacology this week. The study suggests that both low and high doses of psilocybin are safe to administer in group settings and do not have negative impacts on thought patterns or processing of emotions.

Psychedelic therapy just got A LOT more accessible for Canadians

Until now, the only way for patients to access psychedelic therapy outside a clinical trial was to apply for a Section 56 exemption and wait months on end to (possibly) receive approval from Health Canada.

Despite six more patients receiving the exemption over the holidays, the system remains flawed.

Thankfully, this Wednesday, Health Canada made an amendment to this thing called the Special Access Program (SAP), which enables healthcare practitioners to request access to drugs that are not yet approved, but have shown promise in clinical trials.

The amendment allows practitioners to request access to psilocybin and MDMA for their patients with serious, life-threatening, or treatment-adverse conditions. And the best part: requests are typically processed in just 1 day! 🎉

While this does not guarantee access for patients, it certainly feels like a big step in the right direction.

To learn more about the amendment, check out TheraPsil’s free webinar on Jan. 19th.

WA pushes for psilocybin sessions for all

Washington State legislators introduced a bill that would legalize supported psilocybin sessions for “nearly any purpose” – no medical diagnosis required.

The experiences would be administered by state-licensed facilitators at licensed service centers or, in some cases, remotely.

Goodbye styrofoam 👋

M2Bio Sciences developed a sustainable alternative to styrofoam out of mushroom mycelium and hemp.

The foamy material, appropriately named Hempcelium, is fully biodegradable and can even remove industrial toxins from groundwater and soil.

Plus, it takes less energy to produce than styrofoam and can be grown into any shape.

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December 31, 2021March 10, 2022

2021 Psychedelics Unwrapped // 2022 Year of the 🍄: issue 30

Hello and welcome back for the final issue of the year.

2021 proved to be a monumental year for the psychedelic sector. We saw more psychedelic research than ever before, and the medicines became widely accepted by the public and mainstream media (we like to think that we helped with that 😉).

In this special issue, we’ll review this year’s top advancements, scientific breakthroughs, and legislation changes that have moved the psychedelic revolution forward.

Whether you’ve been following along since Issue 1 or you’re brand new to the Daily Mushroom Community – thank you for joining us 🧡 We are so grateful that we can use this platform to give psychedelic medicine the attention it deserves.

We’ll see you in the New Year with an exciting announcement!

Don’t miss a Daily Mushroom Podcast!

In 2021, we heard stories from:

The first Canadian to receive legal psilocybin therapy
CEOs of major psychedelic companies
The founder of a ketamine-assisted group therapy workshop
A veteran who cured his pain and PTSD with a (wild) DMT trip
And many more amazing guests

Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple ⬇️

MDMA was found to be an extremely promising PTSD treatment

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) conducted the first-ever Phase 3 trial for psychedelic-assisted therapy – and the results were incredible.

Patients with chronic PTSD (many battling the condition for over 20 years) finally found relief after three sessions of MDMA-assisted therapy.

Of the 46 patients, two-thirds no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis and 88% experienced a clinically significant reduction in symptoms after the sessions 👏

Researchers explain that MDMA reduces activity in the amygdala, a part of the brain associated with fear response, allowing patients to process trauma in therapy without becoming overwhelmed.

MAPS expects that MDMA therapy will become FDA-approved in 2023. The non-profit has begun patient enrollment for a second study of similar nature, so stay tuned for the results.

Psilocybin out-performed a leading antidepressant…

A study conducted by Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris at Imperial College London suggests that psilocybin is more effective than antidepressants – and with fewer side effects.

Patients with mild-to-severe depression were given either a daily dose of escitalopram (aka Lexapro) or two doses of psilocybin.

In the psilocybin group:

70% saw at least a 50% reduction in depression scores, with an average decrease of 8.0 points
57% were in remission at week 6, meaning they no longer qualified for a depression diagnosis
Patients were more likely to report improvements in the ability to feel compassion, pleasure, and intense emotion
No patient requested to stop dosing
The most common adverse event was headache

In the escitalopram group:

48% saw at least a 50% reduction in depression scores, with an average decrease of 6.0 points
28% were in remission from depression at week 6
Patients were more likely to experience anxiety, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction, drowsiness, and reduced emotional responsiveness
4 patients stopped dosing and 1 halved their dose due to adverse side effects

…and became widely accepted as viable treatment

These magazine covers say it all – just look how far we’ve come!

Research revealed that psychedelics help the brain grow

Yale researchers discovered that psilocybin regrows and strengthens neuronal connections that can be lost due to depression or chronic stress.

Two months later, Algernon Pharmaceuticals (AGN) found that DMT was even more effective at growing neuronal connections, even at sub-hallucinogenic doses 🤯

The formation of new connections could explain why psychedelics are so effective at altering negative thought patterns and fostering positive behaviour change!

Psychedelic research received gov’t funding for first time in 50 years

When the War on Drugs was declared in the 70s, the US federal government stopped funding psychedelic research.

Things changed this September, when Johns Hopkins researcher Dr. Matthew W. Johnson received a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to conduct a psilocybin study on tobacco addiction.

So far, his research has suggested that psilocybin is more than twice as effective at treating addiction than nicotine patches.

The Canadian government also began funding psilocybin research, with a grant given to MYND Life Sciences (MYND) to study depression and neuroinflammation.

Canada expanded access to psilocybin therapy 🇨🇦

Earlier this month, three Canadians gained legal exemptions to access psilocybin therapy to treat mental health conditions. This marked an exciting turning point by expanding access to the treatment beyond end-of-life care.

DMT was fast-tracked in the UK 🇬🇧

In October, Small Pharma’s DMT program for depression was found to be so promising that it was granted an Innovation Passport Designation from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The designation will give Small Pharma access to specialist advice to expedite the drug development process and facilitate patient access to the treatment.

Once approved, DMT could make psychedelic therapy more accessible and affordable because the trip takes just 20 minutes, yet produces long lasting effects!

Microdosing took the world by storm 💊

We saw an explosion of microdosing research this year, including the largest psychedelic study to date, which revealed that microdosers exhibit lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress than non-microdosers. Many other intriguing studies have been initiated such as:

Diamond Therapeutics’ study on psilocybin microdoses for healthy volunteers
MindMed’s studies on LSD microdoses for sleep and cognitive function and for ADHD
MindBio Therapeutics’ study on LSD microdoses for cancer-related pain management
Nova Mentis and Mycrodose Therapeutics’ study on psilocybin microdoses for children with autism – the first-ever study investigating psilocybin’s impact on children 😮

Companies around the world jumped on the psychedelic bandwagon

With more and more research confirming the incredible healing power of psychedelics, it’s no surprise that we’ve seen a tremendous amount of capital invested in the sector this year.

At the beginning of the year, there were just a handful of publicly-traded psychedelic companies. Now, there are over 70 public companies working to bring psychedelic medicines to market – some valued at over $1 billion! 🚀

The first-ever psychedelic indexes were launched

In 2021, it became easier than ever to diversify your psychedelic portfolio 🤑

In January, Horizons ETFs Management debuted PSYK on Toronto’s NEO exchange, becoming the first exchange traded fund for psychedelic stocks.

Later in the year, two more ETFs were introduced on US exchanges – Definace ETFs’ PSY, a passive fund, and AdvisorShares’ PSIL, an actively managed fund.

Private investments reached record highs

Private investments in psychedelic companies reached $595M across 45 deals this November — that’s an increase of 66% from last year and 625% higher than in 2019 📈

We saw widespread drug reform across both red and blue states…

Some or all psychedelics were decriminalized in:

More big wins:

Texas and Connecticut passed bills to study the therapeutic potential of psilocybin.
New Jersey successfully reduced the criminal penalties for possession of psilocybin.
The DEA increased production quotas for psilocybin, psilocin, MDMA, and DMT for both 2021 and 2022, allowing more research to be conducted.

We saw widespread drug reform across both red and blue states…

Legislation was filed to decriminalize psychedelics in:

Legislation was filed to promote psychedelic research or legalize therapeutic use in:

December 24, 2021March 10, 2022

🎄 Family Christmas dinner discussion ideas 🍄: issue 29

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

Did you know that many popular Christmas traditions likely originated from psychedelic mushroom rituals? Be sure to check out the Video of the Week to learn more!

If you need something to discuss over Christmas dinner, keep reading to learn how psychedelics allegedly ended the Cold War 😮

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

🍄 Why psychedelics could be the key to world peace 🔑

🍄 The common flower that can make you trip?!

🍄 Fixing brain damage at home

🍄 Another city decriminalizes psychedelics 🎉

🍄 And more.

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

A special episode : Our host Brett recounts a recent psilocybin therapy session with his guide Adrian as the guest.

This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available.
In this very special episode, our host Brett, recounts his first hand experience of a recent psilocybin assisted psychotherapy session. His guest Adrian ,was his guide through the whole process !

Adrian Oberg started the organization VAPS ( Victoria Association of Psychedelic Study ) He has a background working in harm reduction and has been guiding people through psychedelic therapy sessions for the last 5 years.

Fixing brain damage at home

Evidence suggests that microdosing improves cognitive function and memory. This kit could take the benefits up a notch.👇🏽

Ixtlan Bioscience, a private Israeli company, filed a US patent for a microdosing kit that can be used at home to treat Alzheimer’s, brain damage, and neuronal disorders.

The kit includes:

Psilocybin capsules
Games and exercises to enhance the benefits of microdosing
A web application that patients can use to track their progress.

Who knows, maybe this time next year, it’ll be the trending gift to put under the tree. 🎄

Take this test before your first ayahuasca retreat

HaluGen Life Sciences expanded its psychedelic DNA test – it can now assess how your body metabolizes LSD, MDMA and ayahuasca.

The kit tests for a CYP2D6 gene mutation, which can cause metabolism of the drugs to take up to twice as long. This could lead to longer, more intense trips and adverse reactions.

Thankfully, the mutation is only present in 5-10% of people!

The findings from COMPASS’s depression study keep coming!

COMPASS Pathways’ (CMPS) announced that patients taking SSRI antidepressants in conjunction with psilocybin therapy had similar outcomes and fewer side effects compared to those who withdrew from SSRIs before the study.

Five patients who withdrew from SSRIs had serious adverse effects, such as suicidal ideation, when given the largest dose. None of the patients on SSRIs had this experience.

Why psychedelics could be the key to world peace

This scientist claims she helped end the Cold War with MDMA.

Carol Rosin—a space and missile defense consultant for the US—said she gave MDMA to Soviet scientists and military personnel prior to nuclear negotiations in 1985 (before the drug was illegal).

The plan was created with help from Rick Doblin, the founder of MAPS.

“The thought was that if they can work through their fears and traumas and feel their connection to humanity, then that might be helpful,” Doblin explains.

While some are skeptical if this actually happened, MDMA releases oxytocin (aka the hormone of love and empathy), which could certainly help the opposing sides see eye to eye!

Most addiction specialists see promise in psychedelic treatments!

A recent survey revealed how psychedelic therapy is viewed by medical professionals in the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.

Of the 145 respondents:

64% believe that psychedelics show promise in treating substance use disorders
82% agree that the drugs show promise in treating psychiatric disorders like depression
75% were in favour of legalizing psychedelics for therapeutic uses

Interest is growing among patients too – the vast majority of specialist said they had discussed psychedelic experiences with at least one patient.

Nature’s acid ✿

This common flower can make you trip?!

The seeds of Morning Glory flowers contain a hallucinogenic compound that’s similar to LSD. It’s said to induce a dreamlike state and was even used in Mayan rituals to communicate with spirits.

(However, it can also cause nausea, vomiting, and cramping, so do with that information what you will 😉)

Research on the plant is gaining traction, so we may see it in clinical trials in the near future.

Pasithea Therapeutics (KTTA) opened its second ketamine clinic in London to treat PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.

Maya Health raised $4.3M to decentralize psychedelic research. The company is developing a blockchain-based platform that allows the psychedelic community to collaborate, share best practices, and gather real-world data to accelerate pre-clinical research.

HAVN Life (HAVN) entered into an agreement to acquire Spore Life Sciences, a subscription-based functional mushroom company with current sales exceeding $1M per month.

Novamind (NM) is planning to acquire two Arizona-based ketamine clinics from Foundations for Change. The founder of Foundations for Change, who specializes in treating veterans and first responders, will be the Medical Director of both clinics.

Cybin (CYBN) and Tryp Therapeutics (TRYP) announced end-of-year business highlights.

Here’s what you missed in the legal world:

Port Townsend became the second city in Washington to decriminalize psychedelics after a unanimous council vote! Read more…
Activists in Colorado submitted an initiative for statewide decriminalization of psychedelics, which will likely appear on the 2022 ballot. Read more…
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) changed its guidelines to allow the use of “real-world data” collected from the healthcare system to aid in regulatory approval of new medicines. This will expedite clinical trials and get treatments to patients sooner! Read more…
The FDA put a clinical hold on MindMed’s study on LSD for anxiety. The reason for doing so is unclear, but more details are expected within 30 days. Read more…

Turning oil into soil

Millions of liters of oil are spilled into the ocean every year. Mushrooms (once again) come to the rescue!

Mats made of human hair have been used to effectively clean up oil spills – they soak up over 15 times their weight in oil.

Oyster mushrooms thrive in oily environments and can easily be grown on the mats. In just 12 weeks, they can transform the black gunk into nontoxic soil!

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Playlist of the Week

December 17, 2021March 10, 2022

🍄 Adderall, Autism & Access: issue 28

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

🍄 How psychedelics change your social life

🍄 Is LSD the new Adderall?

🍄 Microdosing patch for autism

🍄 Changes to who can access psilocybin therapy in Canada

🍄 And more.

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

A special episode : Our host Brett recounts a recent psilocybin therapy session with his guide Adrian as the guest.

Is LSD the new Adderall?

MindMed (MNMD) is collaborating with universities in Switzerland and the Netherlands to study the effects of microdosing LSD on adults with ADHD. Patients will be assessed on symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity after microdosing twice a week for six weeks.

“The study builds on the growing evidence demonstrating LSD has the potential to improve mood and selective cognitive processes,” says the company’s new CEO, Robert Barrow, who was appointed this week.

A better solution for cancer patients

Antidepressants are often ineffective and can even interfere with cancer treatment drugs.

“Psychedelics are proving to not conflict with the cancer drug and are more effective than normal antidepressants generally,” according Frank Lane, director of Albert Labs.

That’s why the BC-based company wants to bring a psilocybin treatment for cancer patients to European markets.

Albert Labs is expected to begin trading on the CSE early next year under the ticker ’ABRT’.

New microdosing patch for autistic patients

Nova Mentis (NOVA) and Mycrodose Therapeutics successfully created a transdermal patch that delivers Nova’s psilocybin formulation through the skin. The companies aim to use the patch to administer microdoses to autistic patients to treat cognitive impairments.

This method could be administered at home to reduce medical costs for families and save time for overworked medical professionals.

The findings from COMPASS’s depression study keep coming!

Five patients who withdrew from SSRIs had serious adverse effects, such as suicidal ideation, when given the largest dose. None of the patients on SSRIs had this experience.

How psychedelics change your social life

Researchers developed a personality model to test how psychedelics affect the qualities that help us build and maintain healthy relationships.

They discovered that after taking psychedelics, users were less critical in their interactions with others, less anxious, and less likely to get upset easily. They also reported greater feelings of social connectedness.

Advancing careers in psychedelics

atai Life Science’s (ATAI) philantropic program created its first initiative – the atai Fellowship Fund in Psychedelic Neuroscience. The $2M fund will support recent graduate students in furthering their careers in the psychedelics sector.

Doseology Sciences Inc. (MOOD), a functional mushroom company, is preparing to expand into the psilocybin market with a recent application for a controlled substance Dealer’s License and a new addition to its research team. The company aims to develop and sell novel strains of psychedelic mushrooms once granted the license.

atai Life Sciences (ATAI) and COMPASS Pathways (CMPS) were added to the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (NBI), an index fund of biotech and pharmaceutical companies with a market cap of at least $200M and an average daily trading volume of at least 100,000 shares.

MINDCURE’s (MCUR) digital therapeutics platform was certified as HIPAA compliant, meaning that it effectively protects sensitive patient data. The certification gets the company one step closer to commercially deploying the platform in Q2 of 2022.

COMPASS Pathways’ (CMPS) patent for crystalline psilocybin is being challenged by the non-profit Freedom to Operate. After conducting advanced analysis, the organization is confident that the formulation isn’t novel and has been known for decades.

Awakn Life Sciences (AWKN), Ketamine One (MEDI), and Cannabis Global (CBGL) announced financial results.

You no longer have to be on your deathbed to eat mushrooms!

Up until this week, the only people in Canada that could legally access psilocybin therapy were patients with terminal illnesses.

Things changed on Monday, when the non-profit organization TheraPsil helped three Canadians with mental health issues get Section 56 exemptions, granting them access to psilocybin therapy.

“This is a very clear indication that exemptions are now available for people who have anxiety, depression, addiction, and chronic pain,” says TheraPsil’s CEO. “It opens it up to everyone.”

Even high fashion brands like Hermès are using the material!

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