Psychedelics News April 2020

Psilocybin has been made in yeast in the lab, which could mean even easier (and more accessible) production and distribution of it in the future. A lot of companies keep expanding and MindMed takes the headline a few times. A lot of the research is taking a pause, as COVID-19 ravages through the world.

MindMed Acquires Exclusive License to Eight Clinical Trials of LSD, Partners with World-Leading Psychedelic Research Laboratory at University Hospital Basel

Source: MindMed| By: press release | Published: 1 April 2020

“Multi-year deal gives MindMed access to the largest collection of clinical trials & knowhow for LSD psychedelic research including a Phase 2 clinical trial of LSD for the treatment of anxiety.”

They will be working together with Matthias Liechti of the University Hospital Basal. This won’t only give them access to the data already gathered, and future data on LSD trials, but also the ability to patent work that comes out of the cooperation. It’s probably too early to tell, but let’s hope this doesn’t prevent anything from being (selectively) published.

Followed up by the news that they are developing a way to make ‘LSD less trippy’. It could have therapeutic and emergency applications. Also reported on their own site.

Ease rules on research into psychedelic drugs, urges David Nutt

Source: The Guardian| By: David Nutt | Published: 2 April 2020

“Restrictions on the use of psychedelic drugs in research should be relaxed to help find new treatments for conditions including mental health disorders, the former government adviser Prof David Nutt has said.”

There is currently still too much red tape and David Nutt is making the case to clear some of that to make research go faster.

Quoting David Nutt: “That magic mushrooms can be alongside crack cocaine in [class A] is absurd, but even worse is the putting it in schedule 1 so you can’t use [psychedelics] for research.”

Psychedelic mushrooms could affect the brain long after their active ingredient leaves the system

Source: The Next Web | By: Bryan Clark | Published: 8 April 2020

TNW and PsyPost (link) report on the findings that psychedelics (psilocybin) may affect the brain for a long period after the actual molecules have left the body. But as also previously summarized in our February Research Update, this is very limited and most things were back to baseline after a month.

Champignon to acquire Altmed Capital Corp.

Source: Champignon Brands| By: press release | Published: 9 April 2020

“Champignon Brands Inc., a human optimization sciences company focused on applying novel and natural treatment protocols to address a broad range of disorders and deficiencies with an emphasis on psychedelic medicine, continues to accelerate its advancements within the psychedelic medicine arena via the acquisition of a leading Canadian ketamine clinic operator, psychedelic medicine IP aggregator and novel drug discoverer.”

Why a Drug Testing Kit for MDMA or LSD Could Save Lives

Source: DoubleBlind | By: Danielle Simone Brand | Published: 10 April 2020

DoubleBlind partnered with DanceSafe to talk about the need and use of testing kits for MDMA and LSD. It’s somewhat promotional but contains good information.

Orthogonal Thinker Takes Steps Towards Patenting Psilocybin Product

Source: Orthogonal Thinker (newsletter) | By: David & Jason | Published: 14 April 2020

Orthogonal Thinker looks to move forward with their “improved version” of psilocybin with natural alkaloids.

“We are excited to announce we have completed filing a provisional application for our flagship natural product, Psilly. The provisional application is a legal document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), that establishes an early filing date.”

“Psilly differs from other psilocybin products in development as it consists of a proprietary formula that uses natural, rather than biosynthetic, alkaloids. Alkaloids possess psychotropic effects like psilocin and stimulant effects like caffeine.”

Also reported in Green Market Report and Bezinga.

MindMed Initiates Dosing in Human Safety Study of Novel Treatment for Opioid Addiction, 18-MC

Source: MindMed | By: press release | Published: 16 April 2020

Even in the COVID-19 time, MindMed is continuing its phase 1 trial of 18-MC for opioid disorder patients. The second trial is expected to be done at the end of the year.

Psychedelic compound from magic mushrooms produced in yeast

Source: Phys Org | By: Technical University of Denmark | Published: 16 April 2020

Because other forms of production need expensive starting substrates, production in yeast may be another way forward.

“In yeast, the scientists prove that psilocybin can be produced de novo, which means that you can produce the molecule by simply growing the yeast with sugar and other nutrients, without the need to add any other starting substrates.”

The article references this study.

Also reported in New Atlas, IFLScience, and Science News.

Psymposia and Daily Psychedelic Video (DPV) launch The Psychedelic Video Museum

Sounce: Psymposia newsletter | By: Psymposia & DPV | Published: 19 April 2020

“This Bicycle Day, tune in for the inaugural ceremony of the Psychedelic Video Museum: a collection of 45 curated exhibits drawing from a decades-worth of videos aggregated by the Daily Psychedelic Video (DPV) community.”

Thiel Backs Psychedelic-Drug Startup in Latest Funding Round

Sounce: Bloomberg | By: Tereza Elisabeth Pusca & Erin Roman | Published: 23 April 2020

ATAI “announced the close of a $24 million convertible note financing round.” This is funding for the holding company, which is an investor in Compass Pathways, which itself raised $80 million.

Also reported in Yahoo Finance. And the latter also in Fierce Biotech.

Biotech startup wants to make new short-acting psychedelic drugs more scalable & accessible

Sounce: The Sociable | By: Tim Hinchliffe | Published: 24 April 2020

“Born out of the desire to create psychedelic compounds more scalable than psilocybin, biotech startup EntheogeniX wants to make new, short-acting drugs that are “pharmacologically cleaner” than magic mushrooms, so more patients and practitioners can benefit from their use.”

“Dr. Rao [CEO] tells The Sociable that EntheogeniX has created 100 compounds to date and is in the process of testing them against receptors.”

Neuroscientists Uncover how Magic Mushrooms “Rebalance” the Brain

Sounce: Inverse | By: Emma Betuel | Published: 24 April 2020

“That dynamic creates a one-two punch that could allow the brain to tap into otherwise inaccessible states, including the “destabilization” of individual brain networks and the creation of a more “global” network across the brain.“

Reporting on this paper, Inverse explains how magic mushrooms (psilocybin) could be the closest thing we have to a reset button for our brain.

Quick Bites

• MAPS announces they will scale back the current MDMA trials and stop accepting new enrolments (via newsletter)
• The same applies to Johns Hopkins (Center for Psychedelic & Consciousness Research), and most probably all other trials
• New wave of psychedelic research yielding “exciting results” for mental health as written by researchers at Imperial College London
• Synthesis releases a digital wellness program (free events), some are limited to alumni of their retreats
• MAPS publishes their Spring Bulletin
• Neuronal and neurotransmitter systems dynamic coupling explains the effects of psilocybin
• Utah clinic innovative ketamine therapy (from a new publication called Lucid News, good, but read a bit promotional)
• Michael Pollan on climate ‘grief’ and psychedelics
• Medical Researchers Worry Silicon Valley Could Screw Up Psychedelics (mentions Silo Wellness amongst others)
• CB Therapeutics Enters into Collaboration Agreement with Cleveland Clinic for the Manufacture of Psilocybin, DMT and MDMA Therapeutic Compounds for Clinical Trials to Treat Depression, Addiction and PTSD
• German Government Funds Psilocybin Study for Depression