Psychedelic Science Newsletter - June

🌈 In June, we attended 'Psychedelic Science', the largest psychedelics conference to date! In this edition of the Psychedelic Science Newsletter we will give a quick summary of what the conference was like, then we delve into the latest clinical and preclinical research. Psychedelic Science in Sixty Seconds The Psychedelic Science 2023 event took place in downtown Denver, Psylo's new neighborhood, and attracted a diverse crowd of researchers, clinicians, artists, industry, regulators, everybody and anybody interested in the future of psychedelics.  The event was organized by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and attracted over 11,000 attendees, making it the largest psychedelic conference in history! This was a major increase in attendance compared to previous Psychedelic Science conferences, see graph above. There were over 300+ speakers including scientists, researchers, Democrat and Republican politicians, authors and athletes. Some prominent names that graced the multiple stages include Tim Ferris, Andrew Huberman, Paul Stamets, Michael Pollan, Reggie Watts, Eric Andre, Jaden Smith, Melissa Ethridge, Aaron Rodgers, Carl Hart, Julie Holland, Jamie Wheal, Rick Doblin, Roland Griffiths, Stanislav Grof, Matthew Baggot, Rick Barnett, Fred Barrett, Robin Carthart-Harris, Paul Daley, Gul Dolen, James Fadiman, and Psylo CSO Sam Banister. A diverse spectrum of topics were discussed, including: - Psychoactive compounds: MDMA, Psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, ibogaine, DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, peyote, and ketamine. - Science: How psychedelics work, neurobiology, chemistry, biomarkers, novel psychedelics, mechanisms, sexual function, creativity, sleep and dreams. - Clinical trials: Trial design, microdosing, therapist self-experience; the potential therapeutic applications of psychedelics for depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, palliative care, substance use disorders, eating disorders, chronic pain and headache disorders. - Society: harm reduction, education, healing intergenerational trauma, sports, religion, ethics, AI, sex, journalism, conservation and conflict resolution.  - Policy: state (Colorado, Oregon), national (USA), international (Jamaica, Mexico, Canada, Australia, EU); regulation and intellectual property. - Business: regulation, commercialization, clinics and retreats, venture funding, philanthropy, market access and reimbursement, public benefit and profit.  - Other: Veterans, Community, Plant medicine, capitalism, politics, health equity and social transformation. In the Exhibition Hall was a carnival of merch and the latest products and technologies that have been maturing with the psychedelic scene, including fascinating formulations, mushroom grow kits, an escape room and VR experiences.   When there was a lull in the talks, which was never, an excursion to 'Deep Space' would cleanse the cognitive palette. Deep Space was another exhibition hall that showcased art installations, live painting exhibitions, music, storytelling, and interactive experiences. Receiving a piano sound bath and experiencing vibrating beds that allowed you to feel the music you were listening to were my particular favourite activities. Notably, indigenous activists disrupted the closing ceremony to protest the marginalization of Indigenous voices within the medicalised psychedelic landscape. I wasn't there but heard that Rick Doblin invited them on to stage to say their piece. It was unlike any conference or science meeting that anyone has attended. The intensity, diversity, community and wonder made Psychedelic Science the Burning Man of meetings. It was an unforgettable experience that we are still processing. It truly felt like a historical moment in the long and winding narrative of psychedelic history and we are grateful to have been a part of it. RESEARCH UPDATES Psychedelic Clinical Research  Clinical Trials 🌈 The effects of combining MDMA and LSD - Neuropsychopharmacology | While the co-administration of MDMA did not enhance the overall positive effects or safety profile of LSD, it did prolong the duration of the subjective effects of LSD and increased certain physiological responses, a double-blind placebo-controlled study (N=24). 🐝 Comparing the Effects of 2C-B and Psilocybin - Clin Pharmacol Ther | The acute effects of 2C-B and psilocybin on subjective experience, mood, and cognition were compared in a controlled study. Both substances produced psychedelic effects, but psilocybin had a stronger impact on emotional experiences, while 2C-B had a shorter duration of effects (N=22). 🌬 Vaporized DMT Shows Promise for Treatment-Resistant Depression - Front Psychiatry | In a trial investigating a vaporized formulation of the psychedelic drug 5-MeO-DMT (GH001) in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), researchers found that GH001 was well tolerated and demonstrated potent and rapid antidepressant effects (N=8). The individualized dosing regimen with multiple doses on a single day showed superior efficacy compared to a single dose, providing hope for a more effective treatment option for TRD. 🎯 Exploring the effects of psilocybin on memory consolidation - Eur Neuropsychopharmacol | Researchers analyzed 20 healthy volunteers and found no positive or negative effects of psilocybin on memory consolidation in the tasks performed (N=20). 🎭 Personality change in a trial of psilocybin therapy vs antidepressant escitalopram - Psychol Med | Both treatments resulted in improvements in personality traits associated with better mental health. There were no significant personality differences between the two treatments, except for the influence of positive expectations on escitalopram treatment. 🌿 Ibogaine Treatment Improves Sleep and PTSD Symptoms in Combat Veterans (N=30) - Sleep 🧠 Effect of LSD and music on brain dynamics - Psychopharmacology | A study investigated how music influences brain activity during LSD trips (N=15). It found that combining LSD and music alters activity patterns, specifically the task-positive state. Importantly, the study suggests that music continues to impact the brain's resting-state even after the psychedelic experience, potentially enhancing the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. 📌Mapping drug effects on the brain's neurotransmitter landscape - Sci Adv | Researchers explored the impact of different drugs on the brain's neurotransmitter landscape and functional organization.  The study revealed intricate relationships between drug effects, neurotransmitter systems, and brain structure, improving our understanding of pharmacological interventions and their potential for developing treatments for neurological conditions. ⚡ [Case report] Psychedelic-induced seizures captured by brain recording - Front Neurol | The study presented a case of a person with epilepsy who experienced seizures after consuming a large dose of psychedelic mushrooms. The individual had a responsive neurostimulation system implanted in their brain that detected the seizure activity. This case highlights the  potential seizure risk of psychedelics drugs. [Preprint] LSD microdosing increases sleep duration - MedRxiv | This suggests that microdosing LSD may have an impact on sleep patterns and could be relevant for individuals with mood disorders such as major depressive disorder, where sleep disturbances are common (N=80). [Preprint] Reduced emotional responsiveness with antidepressants but not psilocybin therapy - MedRxiv |  Antidepressant escitalopram reduced the brain's response to emotional faces, particularly fear, while psilocybin therapy had minimal impact on emotional responsiveness (N=46). These findings suggest that reduced emotional responsiveness may be a specific biomarker for the antidepressant action of SSRIs like escitalopram and may help differentiate their effects from those of psilocybin therapy. Qualitative Research  💊 Reduced emotional responsiveness with antidepressants but not psilocybin therapy - MedRxiv |  Antidepressant escitalopram reduced the brain's response to emotional faces, particularly fear, while psilocybin therapy had minimal impact on emotional responsiveness (N=46). These findings suggest that reduced emotional responsiveness may be a specific biomarker for the antidepressant action of SSRIs like escitalopram and may help differentiate their effects from those of psilocybin therapy. 💊 Attenuation of psilocybin effects during and after antidepressant use - J Psychopharmacol | An online retrospective survey found that common antidepressants, specifically selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), can weaken the effects of psilocybin-containing mushrooms. This attenuation of psilocybin's effects may occur both while taking the antidepressants and for up to three months after discontinuation. 😢 Psychedelic experiences improve symptoms of grief - J Psychoactive Drugs | An survey study found that individuals who experienced psychedelics after a bereavement event reported improvements in symptoms of grief (N=363). Emotional breakthroughs during the psychedelic experience were associated with greater improvements, while challenging experiences were linked to fewer improvements. 🚬 Impact of psychedelic experience on smoking - J Psychoactive Drugs | A retrospective survey found that individuals who had a psychedelic experience while being smokers reported a significant decrease in the number of cigarettes smoked per day and a reduction in tobacco dependency (N=173). Those who had more intense mystical experiences during the psychedelic session and increased psychological flexibility after the experience were more likely to reduce or quit smoking. 🖤 Minorities’ diminished psychedelic returns - Drug Sci Policy Law | This study explored the effects of psychedelics on Black Americans and how systemic inequality, such as economic inequality and the criminal justice system, may impact their relationship with psychedelic use and health outcomes; using data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (2008–2019) (N = 490,586). The findings revealed that despite using fewer drugs than Whites, Black people are disproportionately policed, and they do not experience the same health benefits from psychedelics as their White counterparts, highlighting the systemic barriers that hinder equal access to psychedelic therapy and its potential benefits for marginalized communities. 💰 Cost-effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted therapy for severe depression - Psychol Med | This study explored the cost-effectiveness of using psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAP) for severe depression compared to conventional medication, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and their combination. The findings suggest Psilocybin has the potential to be cost-effective when the cost of therapist support was reduced by 50% and the psilocybin price was reduced from its initial value to £400 to £800 per person.  ☯ Importance of integrating spiritual, existential, religious, and theological components in psychedelic-assisted therapies - JAMA Psychiatry | While psychedelic therapy often elicits experiences with profound spiritual and existential significance, these aspects have not been systematically integrated into the therapeutic approaches. By integrating these components, psychedelic-assisted therapies can be more culturally competent, enhance treatment outcomes, and mitigate potential risks for patients. Psychedelic Preclinical Research  🔓 Psychedelics reopen the social reward learning critical period - Nature | This study in mice reveals that psychedelic drugs have the ability to reopen the critical period for social reward learning, which is a period of enhanced learning and plasticity during development. The duration of the psychedelic experience correlates with the duration of this critical period reopening. Understanding this mechanism could have significant implications for the development of psychedelic therapies and novel treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders in humans. 🧠 Psychedelics promote plasticity by directly binding to BDNF receptor TrkB - Nat Neurosci | This study discovered that psychedelics like LSD and psilocin directly bind to a receptor in the brain called TrkB, which is involved in promoting neuroplasticity. Unlike other antidepressants, psychedelics have a much stronger affinity for TrkB, suggesting that their ability to induce positive effects on mood and plasticity may be mediated through this receptor. This finding could lead to the development of new antidepressant treatments that harness the therapeutic potential of psychedelics while minimizing hallucinogenic effects. ⛰ UNRAVELing the synergistic effects of psilocybin and environment on brain-wide immediate early gene expression in mice - Neuropsychopharmacol | Psilocybin caused changes in neural activity in various regions of the brain in mice, and these effects were influenced by the mice's environment. 🧠 How psilocin causes changes in brain activity in rats - Front Neurosci | psilocin induced a broad and synchronized desynchronization of brain waves, providing insights into the complex pharmacological effects of psychedelics on the brain. 🍺 Psilocybin disrupts alcohol memories to prevent relapse in rats - Psychopharmacol | While psilocybin did not directly reduce alcohol consumption, it was highly effective in disrupting the reconsolidation process of alcohol-related memories, which could have implications for using this psychedelic drug as a potential treatment to prevent relapse in individuals with alcohol addiction. 📉 Salvinorin A analogue reduced cocaine-seeking behaviour in mice - Molecules | Researchers discovered a new Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonist, 16-Bromo Salvinorin A, that can reduce cocaine addiction without causing significant side effects. 🦠 Biosynthesis of psilocybin using bacteria - Biotechnol Bioeng | Researchers developed a method to produce psilocybin and its derivatives using a modified strain of E. coli bacteria; opening up possibilities for sustainable and scalable production of psychedelics. 🧪 A method to synthesize the different enantiomers of MDMA and MDA - ACS Omega | By optimizing a two-step process, they were able to produce optically pure forms of these substances in large quantities.  [Patent highlight] Subhallucinogenic Concentrations of Substituted Phenethylamines as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Inflammatory and Neurological Disorders - ACS Med Chem Lett | Subhallucinogenic concentrations of phenethylamines like 2C-H, 2C-I, 2C-B, or 2C-E demonstrate potential in symptom relief and managing chronic inflammation in a dose-dependent manner. [Preprint] The psychedelic powernap: 5-MeO-DMT induced changes in brain activity in rats that resembles sleep activity - BioRxiv  [Preprint] Lisuride, a non-hallucinogenic 5HT2A agonist has anti-depressant drug-like activities in mice - BioRxiv Psychedelic Research Reviews Molecular mechanisms of rapid-acting antidepressants: New perspectives for developing antidepressants - Pharmacological Research Paradoxical pharmacological dissociations result from drugs that enhance delta oscillations but preserve consciousness - Communications Biology Changes in synaptic markers after administration of ketamine or psychedelics: a systematic scoping review - Frontiers in Psychiatry Psychedelic treatments for mental health conditions pose challenges for informed consent - Nature Medicine Clinical specificity profile for novel rapid acting antidepressant drugs - International Clinical Psychopharmacology Recommendations for selection and adaptation of rating scales for clinical studies of rapid-acting antidepressants - Front Psychiatry [Preprint] Is Microdosing a placebo? - PsyArXiv [Preprint] Overcoming blinding confounds in psychedelic randomized controlled trials using biomarker-driven causal mediation analysis - PsyArXiv Psychedelic Clinical Trials Update A round-up of the latest registered clinical trials investigating psychedelics: Perceptions of MDMA-Assisted Therapy Among Veterans With PTSD (PMATAVP) - NCT05895318 Safety and Tolerability of DMT in Healthy Adults - NCT05901012 Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) in Palliative Care (LPC) - NCT05883540 Open-Label Dose-Ranging Study of Oral SM-001 [a standardized Ayahuasca analog] in Healthy Adults - NCT05894902 Ketamine Tolerated Dose to Prevent Postpartum Depression and Pain After Cesarean Delivery - NCT05907213 A dose-finding and proof-of-concept study of the efficacy and safety of MSP-1014.OX in patients with major depressive disorder - ISRCTN31103960 Efficacy and safety of two versus three high dose psilocybin-assisted therapy sessions in comparison to a placebo for treatment resistant major depressive disorder (TR-MDD): A double blind, 3-arm Phase 2b randomised controlled trial - ACTRN12623000667617 Exploratory trial to assess the efficacy and safety of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP) involving family-members compared to standard PAP, in adults with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. (TRMDD) - ACTRN12623000618651 Other News 💰 Would you pay $30,000 to treat your depression? - AFR, 30 June 🗣 Meet the Psychedelic Boom’s First Responders - Wired, 29 June 💗 Counter-culture or pharma: Group behind MDMA therapy for PTSD wrestles with its identity - STAT News, 29 June 🍄 Psychedelic medicine is on its way. But it’s not ‘doing shrooms with your shrink’. Here’s what you need to know - The Conversation, with Nigel Strauss, Colleen Loo, Davis Castle and Steve Kisely, 29 June ⛪ Religious leaders given psilocybin say they "felt God" - New Scientist, 28 June ⚔ The Battle for the Future of Psychedelics - Rolling Stone, 27 June 🍄 Magic Mushrooms. LSD. Ketamine. The Drugs That Power Silicon Valley - The Wall Street Journal, 27 June 🔊 [Listen, 5 min] Psychiatrists 'surprised' by TGA approval of 'experimental' drugs - ABC Radio Melbourne, 25 June ⚠ MDMA and magic mushrooms aren’t a ‘miracle cure’, psychiatrists warn ahead of new rules - The Age, 25 June 🙌 Why Toms Shoes Founder Blake Mycoskie Is Committing $100 Million To Psychedelic Research - Forbes, 24 June 🌈 The largest psychedelic conference in history is surprisingly sane - Vox, 24 June 🌈 Denver psychedelics conference attracts thousands - NPR, 23 June 🧭 FDA Issues First Draft Guidance on Clinical Trials with Psychedelic Drugs - FDA News Release, 23 June The U.S. FDA has released its first draft guidance on clinical trials with psychedelic drugs, acknowledging their potential for treating conditions like depression and substance use disorders. This significant step aims to assist researchers in designing studies to address the unique challenges of psychedelic drug development and support future drug applications. 🔐 Psychedelic drugs can unlock brain’s ability to learn new skills, scientists say - Independent, 21 June 🌵 Push to use psychedelic plant, San Pedro cactus, to treat anxiety, depression, PTSD - ABC News, 20 June 🔬 Unpicking the antidepressant actions of psychedelics - Neuropharmacology Research Highlight, 19 June  👩‍⚕️ Australian health insurers and pharmaceutical companies reckon with new psychedelic mental health treatments - ABC News Australia, 16 June 🧨 Psychedelic Breakthroughs: Balancing Promise and Peril in Mental Health Therapies - Neuroscience News, 16 June 🔍 How psychedelic drugs achieve their potent health benefits - Nature News, 14 June 🗝 Psychedelics Unlock Learning Windows in the Brain - Neuroscience News, 14 June 📣 Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Impacts of Psychedelic and Dissociative Drug Policy Changes on Public Health Outcomes - NIH, 13 June 🍫 Cartoon packaging and an ‘inconsolable’ high: when magic mushroom chocolate gets into the wrong hands - The Guardian, 12 June 👨‍🏫 Top psychedelic researchers featured in new video series - UC Davis, 9 June | A collection of lectures from prominent researchers, including David E. Olson,  Joshua Wooley, Harriet De Wit and Fred Barrett. 🧪 Psychedelic-inspired drugs could relieve depression without causing hallucinations - Science, 5 June ☄ Inside the nascent industry of AI-designed drugs - Nature Medicine News Feature, 1 June 💕 MDMA could soon be a medicine – it would be groundbreaking for those with depression - INEWS, 30 May. Opinion piece by Professor David Nutt PSYLO UPDATES We are thrilled to announce that Psylo has entered into a Sponsored Research Agreement with Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., a global Japanese pharmaceutical company, to advance non-hallucinogenic psychiatric therapies. As part of the agreement, Psylo will utilize its expertise in neuropsychiatric therapies and leverage Daiichi Sankyo's extensive experience in drug discovery and clinical development to advance the research and development of new treatments for chronic mental illness, with a particular focus on novel rapid-acting antidepressant therapies. To facilitate this sponsorship, Psylo will establish an office at the prestigious B+labs incubation space in Philadelphia, granting us access to cutting-edge research and development resources. Read more about the sponsored research agreement in the press release.   Photos of Psylo and friends from Psychedelic Science. Dr Will Jorgenson, Lead Medicinal Chemist, presented at the University of Sydney's Drug Discovery Initiative's Neurodrug Research and Networking Symposium, 28 June Josh sat on a panel at the Australian Financial Review Entrepreneur Summit on 'Regulatory resilience: The challenges, compliance and success', 20 June Josh gave a talk at the Digital Health Festival, Melbourne, 6-7 June Josh presented at the Medicinal Psychedelics Conference in Melbourne, 2 June Psylo in the Media Psychedelic Bulletin #140: Regulators Weigh in on Psychedelics; Psychedelic Biotech Strikes Big Pharma Agreement; GH Publishes 5-MeO-DMT Trial - Psychedelic Alpha, 29 June Australian startup Psylo advances depression treatment with Japanese pharma firm Daiichi Sankyo - BioSpectrum Asia, 25 June Psylo signs research deal with Daiichi Sankyo for psychiatric therapies - Pharmaceutical Technology, 23 June  Psylo announces sponsored research agreement with Daiichi Sankyo to develop non-hallucinogenic psychiatric therapies - Yahoo Finance, 22 June Australia’s food, drug and finance regulators can be progressive - Australian Financial Review, 20 June. In this article, Josh Ismin quoted about how Australia's regulators are demonstrating a progressive approach in approving new business models and emerging industries  of drug treatments, novel foods, and financial services. Timing is key for behavioural benefits of psychedelics - Nature News and Views, 14 June.  Dr Alex Kwan, Systems Neuroscience Advisor for Psylo, provides commentary on a recent psychedelics research article, published in Nature, which shows psychedelics reopen critical learning periods that make learning easier. WTF is a head twitch? - Your Brain on Science [podcast], 13 June. Dr Mario de la Fuente, PharmD, PhD, Senior Director of Translational Pharmacology for Psylo, explains how the head twitch response is used to conduct psychedelic research in rodents. SHARE THIS WITH SOMEONE YOU KNOW Forward Share Tweet This is Psylo's Psychedelic Science Newsletter, delivering curated research and news right to your inbox. Join the revolution. Sign up

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