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Category Archives: Psychedelics

5 Things to Know About Colorados Psychedelics Ballot Initiative – Kaiser Health News

Posted: October 15, 2022 at 4:21 pm

Markian Hawryluk and Matt Volz

Colorado could become the second state after Oregon to allow the use of certain psychedelic substances that are illegal under federal law.

But while Oregon voters in 2020 approved the supervised use of psychedelic mushrooms, the citizen initiative on the Colorado ballot in November goes further. Proposition 122 would allow the personal use of psilocybin mushrooms and certain plant-based psychedelic substances by adults 21 and over but would ban sales except in licensed healing centers, where people could ingest them under the supervision of trained facilitators.

The psychedelic substances, which can alter a persons perception and cause hallucinations, are Schedule I controlled substances, which is the federal classification given to drugs deemed to have a high potential for abuse and serve no legitimate medical purpose. However, a still-developing body of research has found that psychedelic mushrooms may have health benefits, such as treating depression.

As of June, 15 cities and other local U.S. jurisdictions have decriminalized possession of psilocybin or deprioritized the policing, prosecution, or arrest of users. Denvers 2019 voter-approved initiative made the adult possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms the citys lowest law enforcement priority, and it prohibited the spending of resources on enforcing related penalties.

Here are five key things to absorb about the initiative in Colorado:

1. What does the Colorado initiative do?

Proposition 122 is one of 11 statewide ballot measures that Colorado voters will decide in the Nov. 8 general election. The measure would allow adults to grow, possess, and use mushrooms containing the chemicals psilocybin and psilocin, and decriminalize three plant-based psychedelics: mescaline (though it specifically excludes the peyote cactus), ibogaine (from the root bark of the iboga tree), and dimethyltryptamine (a compound in ayahuasca brew). It also would require the state to create regulations for facilities where adults 21 and older can buy and take the psychedelics under supervision. Selling the drugs outside of those facilities would remain illegal.

The measure sets a timeline for the regulatory process and facilities to be operational by late 2024 for psilocybin, and the state could expand the list of psychedelic substances to include mescaline, ibogaine, and dimethyltryptamine in those facilities starting in 2026. If voters approve the initiative, people who use those psychedelics would be protected from professional discipline or losing public benefits, and criminal records of past convictions for offenses made legal under the measure could be sealed.

The measure goes beyond the Oregon law voters approved in 2020 allowing people to be treated with one variety of psilocybin, called psilocybe cubensis, in supervised facilities. In Oregon, no facilities have opened yet and state health officials are still finalizing regulations.

2. What are the potential health benefits?

Supporters primary argument for the measures passage is that psychedelic mushrooms and plants have potential mental health benefits. Emerging research and clinical trials are studying the substances effectiveness as an alternative treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Proponents of the measure say regulation would increase access for people struggling to find effective mental health care. They also say psychedelic mushrooms are not addictive and pose no public safety risk.

3. What are the risks and unknowns?

Opponents caution that the measure is too far ahead of the science, and that the still-developing research should not be used to legitimize the legalization of psychedelic mushrooms and plants for medical or recreational use. They also point out that much of the research conducted has involved psychedelic mushrooms, and that relatively little is known about the effects of mescaline, ibogaine, and dimethyltryptamine.

According to officials at the Justice Departments National Drug Intelligence Center, ingesting psilocybin can produce negative physical effects, such as vomiting, weakness, and lack of coordination, along with negative psychological effects, such as being unable to distinguish fantasy from reality. Psilocybin can trigger episodes of psychosis, so people with a personal or family history of psychosis are generally excluded from studies. Psilocybin can also exacerbate heart conditions.

Many people claim that because psilocybin is derived from plants (technically, fungi) it is safer than pharmaceutical drugs created in a lab. This distinction has no basis. Many plants are poisonous, and many pharmaceutical drugs are derived from natural substances.

4. What does the science say?

Initial studies have found that psilocybin can help treatment-resistant depression or anxiety and depression in patients with terminal illnesses. While the findings are promising, researchers caution that larger sample sizes and additional research are needed to understand psilocybins neurobiological factors and long-term effects. In 2019, the FDA called psilocybin a breakthrough therapy, a designation meant to speed up development of promising drugs. No psychedelics have been approved for medical use so far.

Of the drugs being considered in the Colorado initiative, psilocybin is the most studied. Clinical trials have tested psilocybin in combination with therapy. Unlike antidepressants, which must be taken regularly, psilocybin has been shown to have durable treatment effects after just one, two, or three doses. It is unclear whether psilocybin has any health benefits outside the psilocybin-assisted therapy protocols used in clinical studies.

Some research findings show that psilocybin-assisted therapy can be useful in treating substance use disorders, including nicotine and alcohol addiction. Clinical trials for mescaline, ibogaine, and dimethyltryptamine are still in preliminary stages.

5. Will this sprout another industry like marijuana?

Because psilocybin is naturally occurring, people tend to assume its path to legalization will follow that of cannabis. However, the compounds have key differences in the way they affect people. Psilocybin is unlikely to win approval as easily as marijuana, which is legal for medical use in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Nineteen of those states and D.C. also allow recreational use.

The Colorado measure expressly forbids the sale of psychedelics outside of licensed facilities. However, the potential for legalization in the state and elsewhere in the U.S. has spurred the launch of dozens of companies eager to commercialize the sale and treatment of psilocybin. Some are organizing retreats to Jamaica, Peru, or Mexico, where they conduct ceremonies that reflect the traditional use of psilocybin and other natural psychedelics that date back centuries.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

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Psilocybin Retreats – a Focal Point of the Growing Psychedelic Market – The Hype Magazine

Posted: at 4:21 pm

Psychedelics are experiencing a meteoric rise in public awareness. In the midst of a mental health crisis, researchers around the world have intensified their study of psilocybin, MDMA and other psychedelics along with their ability to relieve problems such as anxiety and depression.

With growing public acceptance comes a desire for those without mental health diagnoses to improve general wellness at psilocybin retreats around the world and soon in the USA. The cost of psychedelic therapy leaves many concerned about equitable access but retreats present an opportunity for the psilocybin curious to have transformative experiences in groups.

The results are undeniable. Psychedelic therapy is one of the most promising areas of research in the world right now for mental health. And while science has a long way to go before understanding exactly what psychedelics can and cannot do, early results largely discredit the anti-drug campaigns of our childhoods.

Psilocybin and Ayahausca Retreats are Legal Around the World

For years plant medicines like psilocybin, ayahuasca, san pedro, and ibogaine have been operating legally in countries like Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica and Jamacia. A wide range, from high-end luxury retreats in Costa Rica to bare-bones ayahuasca centers in the Amazon, have been attracting wellness seekers to war veterans looking for cures to PTSD.

In South and Central America, plant medicine retreats have become a tourist industry unto themselves, with now hundreds of centers in existence. Despite psychedelics being a largely underground phenomenon for decades, the demand for safe and transformative experiences has been growing steadily.

Now, with society in the midst of a psychedelic renaissance, we can expect to see retreat centers opening closer to home as psilocybin leads the way to access in Western countries.

Psilocybin Retreats in the USA

The positive press has led the Biden administration to announce that psychedelic therapies like MDMA and psilocybin will be available by 2024. However, some states are already in motion, with new jurisdictions decriminalizing psychedelics each month, with Oregon leading the way with decriminalized drugs and legal psilocybin.

Official laws will be established in 2023 in Oregon, which create licenses to grow magic mushrooms, required training for therapists, and psychedelic retreats. Following suit is Colorado, which is drafting up plans for psychedelic retreats after Denver decriminalized psilocybin and voting for state-wide policy changes is up for a vote.

The centers will allow groups to be facilitated by trained professionals, and it will not be necessary to have a medical diagnosis to access psychedelic mushrooms. Current research around psychedelics is centred around those who need it most. Yet, the desire for a meaningful life will no doubt attract many tourists and wellness enthusiasts to emerging psilocybin retreat centers.

Psilocybin Retreats Will Expand Access

With psychedelic therapy expensive and directed at more serious mental health concerns, retreat centers could offer group rates allowing for more inclusive access to psychedelics. Group work, peer support, and community have all been connected to effective outcomes of psychedelics like psilocybin, positioning retreats to be staples of the emerging psychedelic market.

While optimism is warranted, psychedelics are only to be used in specific set and setting, often with trained professionals. Decriminalized or legal use of psychedelics is not yet common in most parts of the world. If you are curious about psychedelics, be sure to get expert opinions from mental health professionals or at safe and reputable retreat centers.

Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine and internationally published arts & entertainment journalist. Connect with Jerry on Twitter and Instagram at @jerrydoby_ Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture and the United States Press Corps. Partner at THM Media Group, Inc.

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10 must-read weed and psychedelics books from the last decade – Leafly

Posted: at 4:21 pm

Check out this list of books to deepen your weed knowledge and open your mind to the world of psychedelics.

Its National Book Month! Yes, thats right, a whole month dedicated to one of the greatest, most time-honored activities reading! Its the perfect excuse to crack open the pages of a new book and learn something new about cannabis or psychedelics. Below, discover ten of the best books for weed and psychedelics lovers over the last decade.

Treat yourself to one (or a few ) of them to catch up on different methods, topics, and aesthetics within the psychedelic and ganja genres.

This gorgeous guide is the first ever to focus exclusively on home-growing cannabis in your own garden. The book says it brings cannabis out of the dark, into the sunlight by focusing on outdoor growing.

It features gorgeous photography and is a fully comprehensive guide, leading you from seed to harvest. Silvers growing insight can also be found right here on Leafly.

Barely making the decade cut but nevertheless insightful comes this book by investigative journalist Martin A. Lee. With a dramatic tone that engages the reader, the book explores cannabis from its most ancient origins to the multibillion-dollar industry plant it is today.

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Along the way, Lee explores cannabis political, legal, medicinal, and scientific history.

Follow Smoke Signals with this complimentary book by historian Emily Dufton to get an even more in-depth look at the history of cannabis and the drug war in America.

Dufton examines cannabis journey of acceptance, scorn, and now acceptance again while paying homage to the thousands of grassroots activists who made it possible.

This book, by another one of Leaflys contributors, Santiago Rodriguez Tarditi, showcases the creators, brands, and designers who have evolved cannabis into the high-level en vogue business it is today.

Delve into the culture of cannabis and how it has influenced the landscape of design while enjoying stunning and immersive photography as you read.

You may already be familiar with the Netflix adaptation of the same name, but this one is worth a read.

This New York Times bestseller offers an interchanging first and third-person point of view into altered states of consciousness and dives deep into the science and medicinal benefits of psychedelics.

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Bruce Barcott is another one of our own here at Leafly, and his book is the perfect follow-up after youve delved into the history of cannabis. Barcott takes the reader on a journey into the future of cannabis in a world beyond failed prohibition.

Examining questions about cannabis etiquette in a world where its inevitably normalized, the book is both escapism into the future and a fascinating look at whats to come.

If youre looking to read something practical that will give you a skill to use later, this excellent cookbook is a great place to start. Featuring a wealth of high-end recipes for those who want to make serious, sophisticated foodwith weed.

Learn how to make the basics like butter and oils, and then put them to use in sweet and savory dishes.

If you want a visual feast, this book is the meal. Author Dan Michaels, together with photographer Erik Christiansen, delivers a stunning, high-definition look at the beauty of cannabis.

Featuring 170 strains, this weed guide explores culture, botany, lineages, flavors, and the mental and physical effects of cannabis.

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Just desserts: The Cookies and Cakes family genealogy

Following in the steps of her great-great-grandmother Emily Post, Lizzie Post takes the reader on a journey into etiquette, but this time centered on cannabis.

The illustrated guide explores the social norms and expectations, tackling questions such as how to act at a dispensary, bring cannabis to a dinner party, or faux pas such as canoed joints.

Explore the connection between psychedelics, human consciousness, and religious experiences in this book by clinical psychologist and psychedelic researcher William Richards. Based on three decades of legal research, the book looks at psychedelics ability to improve quality of life and advances the social and political conversation around these substances.

Rae Lland

Rae Lland is a freelance writer, journalist, and former editor for Weedist and The Leaf Online. With a focus on culture, music, health, and wellness, in addition to her work for Leafly, she has also been featured in numerous online cannabis publications as well as print editions of Cannabis Now Magazine. Follow her on Instagram @rae.lland

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Treating Postpartum Depression with Psychedelics – Psychedelic Spotlight

Posted: at 4:21 pm

Despite impacting 1 in 7 women (and 1 in 10 men) postpartum depression (PPD) is still somewhat of an enigma. Understanding of what causes it is seriously lacking, as are treatment options. In fact, it was only in 2019 that the FDA approved the first ever drug for PPD (Zulresso) an infusion that costs a staggering $7450 per vial, or $34,000 per patient without insurance. Thankfully, there is new hope on the horizon for over 17% of the global population affected, as well as children, partners and entire families who experience harm as a result of PPD. As it turns out, treating postpartum depression with psychedelics may be a potentially very effective, inexpensive option as both treatment, and preventative.

A 2021 study, published in the Journal of Medicine and Life, explored the use of a single dose of intravenous ketamine, administered during caesarean section to prevent PPD. The scores of depression two and four weeks after the caesarean section (and after the dose of ketamine) were significantly lower than the control group.

Another 2-year-long study (just completed in August this year) has been undertaken to examine low dose ketamine for PPD, to be administered 40 minutes after childbirth, however the results are yet to be published.

Of course, the rationale for, treating PPD with psychedelics (or using as a preventative) is based on what we know about how psychedelics can treat depression, and depressive disorders. Not only is PPD a form of depression, but its been found that 10-20% of people who present with PPD had existing mental health conditions before childbirth.

Although theres a long way to go before we fully understand how psychedelics might best be utilized for parents in a medical setting, the tradition of parents partaking in psychedelics as a means to be better for their kids is nothing new. Through studies already performed, we know that psychedelics have the potential to increase connectedness, improve mood, self-compassion, openness, acceptance and increase oxytocin, which in turn seems likely to improve maternal (and paternal) sensitivity, parent-infant interaction and gratification.

MDMA is another psychedelic that is being explored as a potential treatment for PPD, although research is still in preliminary stages. According to a MAPS paper, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy; Possible treatment for postpartum depression?, MDMA-assisted therapy may be particularly helpful for parents experiencing postpartum depression because of its effects on affiliation, pro-sociality, openness, and compassion toward the self and others, and the relative rapidity of its therapeutic effects.

The rationale goes on to explain that MDMA-assisted therapy may permit parents to address and confront any memories and feelings of childhood adversity and increase compassion for themselves as parents while highlighting the rapid response to MDMA-assisted therapy, which in itself immediately reduces the risks experienced by children of parents with postpartum depression.

Knowing what causes postpartum depression could go a long way in furthering treatment options, including psychedelics. A history of mental health problems, lack of support and sleep deprivation can all contribute to post-natal depression, as can hormonal fluctuations that are inevitable at this time in your life. However, if we look a little deeper at whats going on at a molecular level in the body, there are some pretty interesting findings which might help patients find ways to support themselves naturally.

There are many potential causes of post-partum depression which include biological, nutritional, psychological and societal factors as well as vitamin D deficiency, sleep disruption, gestational diabetes, lack of social support, experiencing violence or abuse, history of mental health disorders and immigrant status (Stein et al. 2014; Zhao and Zhang 2020). Its clearly a complex picture, and rapid intervention is undoubtedly necessary to limit the harm caused to both parents and children.

Another aspect to consider is Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an amino acid that functions as theprimary inhibitory neurotransmitter for the central nervous system(CNS). This naturally fluctuates during pregnancy and are usually low at the end of pregnancy. If these levels do not return to normal once the baby is born, its thought that this may be a likely cause for post natal depression. With this in mind, regulating GABA could make a huge difference, which is one area where cannabis might come in as an effective treatment.

Theres evidence to suggest that both Ketamine and LSD also have an impact on GABA levels, making this yet another area that may come to the forefront on research in coming years.

Honorary psychedelic, cannabis, also holds promise for treatment of postpartum depression, as another chemical player in post-natal depression is endocannabinoid, Anandamide otherwise known as the bliss molecule. This is naturally synthesized and released by the body when theres a need to bring something back into balance. Its also the neurotransmitter which increases as a result of introducing CBD to the body, as the CBD molecule inhibits the enzyme that ordinarily breaks it down. THC actually fits directly into anandamide receptors (CB1), therefore triggering the actions of anandamide even if its not present.

One study investigating the involvement of endocannabinoids in Major Depressive Disorder (a form of which being postnatal depression) states that their findings demonstrate the great level of inseparability between the components of the endocannabinoid system and the underlying circuits of major depressive disorder.

It also notes that endocannabinoid regulation plays an important role in vulnerability to stress, a major risk factor for MDD due to the fact that the ECS (including endocannabinoids such as anandamide) is responsible for regulating the HPA axis (which mediates the fight or flight response) after exposure to stress, among other mechanisms.

In an area where there are few treatments available, and so much suffering, its extremely exciting to think that psychedelics could make postpartum depression a thing of the past. Or at least far less damaging than it is now.

As with all psychedelic-assisted therapy, its likely the combination of psychedelics and psychotherapy that will yield the best results, and using psychedelics without support when struggling with mental health could cause more harm than good. To be on the safe side, if youre interested in treating PPD with psychedelics, talk to an expert, or visit a psychedelic clinic, to see what can be done for you in a supervised setting.

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Clerkenwell Health raises 2.1M to test the new wave of psychedelics treatments – TechCrunch

Posted: at 4:21 pm

Clerkenwell Health, a psychedelic-specialist clinical research organisation, has raised 2.1 million in seed funding, bringing the total to date up to 2.5 million, which will be used to get the London-based startup fully operational.

Investors include Lionheart Ventures, Convergence Partners and Exceptional Ventures, which was co-founded by Paolo Pio (former MD Europe at Joyance Partners) and Matt Cooper (who was part of the founding team at Capital One Bank in the U.S., co-founder of Tandem Bank and chairman of Octopus Capital Group).

Claiming to be Europes first commercial facility dedicated to psychedelic-assisted therapies, Toronto-based life sciences company Psyence will now kick off its first trials at Clerkenwells London site, following its approval from the MHRA.

The clinical trial will assess the efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy versus psychotherapy alone for the treatment of adjustment disorder due to an incurable cancer diagnosis. Data from the U.K.s Office of National Statistics suggests the suicide risk for terminally ill people is twice that of the general population.

As weve detailed before, drugs which were previously relegated to underground communities and rave culture drugs like ketamine, MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) and psilocybin are now being studied to develop therapies to treat everything from PTSD to cluster headaches.

Tom McDonald, CEO of Clerkenwell Health, said in a statement: The UK is extremely well-placed to become the leader in psychedelics research and trials thanks to its globally competitive framework for clinical trials, which is why we chose to launch our operations in London.

Most research related to psychedelics is currently happening in universities and hospitals. Other psychedelic drug facilities are being built (Compass Pathways South London and Maudsley NHS Trust), but they tend to be built by drug developers so are designated to a single company or compound. By contrast, Clerkenwell Health says it will work with multiple drug developers.

Paolo Pio, co-founder and general partner of Exceptional Ventures, added: Psychedelics show great promise in treating mental disorders, but it is a complex and highly regulated field. Clerkenwell Health founders bring together years of experience in this area, and we believe they are the best positioned in the UK and Europe.

Clerkenwell Health is also working with North American drug discovery and biotechnology companies, notably the Otsuka Pharmaceutical-backed Mindset, which focuses on treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders.

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Toronto Psychedelic Exhibition features the Art and History of Psychedelics – Psychedelic Spotlight

Posted: at 4:21 pm

I wanted to make something with substance, a meaning, purpose, and cultural relevance.

James Drayton, the producer of Torontos first (and only) large-scale psychedelics-based art show, stands proudly in the front lobby of his creation, held in the beautiful and old Lithuanian House on Bloor Street West.

This is the true meaning of the psychedelic renaissance a loud and proud endorsement of learning about psychedelic substances, their history, their functions, how they work and how they make you feel.

We do not endorse using psychedelic substances, the website for the Psychedelics: The Experiential Exhibition states. We endorse learning about them.

The exhibit is larger than the ads and social media posts let on. An all-immersive experience starts in a clinic The new set and setting complete with a couch, two comfortable chairs, a plant, and an overall neutral, pleasant atmosphere. Walking through the exhibits first floor takes you on a maze of a journey. It starts at the very beginning, with psilocybin mushrooms and their ancient past, telling the viewer that, throughout history, humans have always wanted to tinker with consciousness.

The show introduces the Bee-Faced Mushroom Shaman, a mysterious figure found in Algerian cave paintings whose body is covered in what suspiciously look like mushrooms. Who was this man? Was he a guide? A vision? A costume? At this time, we can only guess and speculate, but this sets the tone of curiosity for the rest of the exhibit: How long have humans had a relationship with psychedelics? And how deep does the connection run?

From Toronto-based artist Casey Watsons Shroom Room (she says her favourite mushroom is the smallest one if youre in there, try to find it!) to The Clandestinos blacklight peyote experience hallway, the exhibit is definitely as immersive and experiential as it promises, with plenty of opportunity for both cool photos and learning.

The crux of the exhibit is GMUNKs massive light show sculpture installation, The Totem, truly bringing together the vision that James Drayon has for the show being at the intersection of art and technology. The Totem offers a nine-minute sequence of songs, sounds, and a mapped light and laser experience that can be experienced from the front and the back. California-based Robert Malone, the sound artist that GMUNK worked with for the piece, brought genuine field recordings of real birds and animals. The 25 artists featured in the show were selected and curated through Draytons own network and come from all over the world: I shared the idea and some people got it, and some people didnt, says, and clearly, the ones that got it were welcomed to be part of it.

A joyful offering for folks in all stages of their psychedelic journey, functioning as a both a museum and an exhibit as well as an adult playground (though kids are more than welcome), the Psychedelics Show is a pleasant introduction for folks curious about psychedelics and a somewhat new perspective to those who already know. For those who havent experienced DMT, for example, the simulated trip video offers a realistic experience. One can imagine themselves transported to a psychedelic new realm while still fully in control and with the opportunity to leave at any time.

A standout piece is a DMT-simulating video piece from California-based artist and motion designer Burt Vera Cruz.

The written content of the Psychedelics Show is Psychedelics 101, but that doesnt mean its not relevant to the experienced user. After all, few can say theyve really tried it all, and the exhibit works to introduce a multitude of the worlds psychedelics and their functions. Theres information on ayahuasca, peyote, LSD, and more, all accompanied with art to represent the substance of choice.

A section on psilocybin, perhaps the most commonly used and best-known psychedelic in the space, has the famous May 1957 Life magazine article and photo essay, Seeking The Magic Mushroom, written by R. Gordon Wasson about his trip and stay in Mexico in 1995, where he took psilocybin mushrooms for the first time in a Mazatec healing ritual, called a velada and previously only used to help find missing people and items.

The article describing the velada and the experience and hallucinations, as well as the bright, beautiful, and bold photographs that came with it, brought psilocybin mushrooms to a wider audience for the first time, and Wasson is often credited as being one of the first to popularize magic mushrooms in America. Wasson and New York photographer Allan Richardson became, according to Wasson, the first white men in recorded history to eat the divine mushrooms.

However, the article, and the accompanying written text at the exhibit, fails to mention the long-term effects of Wassons experience and his article, or Maria Sabina at all. So what really happened at the ceremony? And what happened to Maria Sabina after Wasson took the medicine of the mushrooms and brought it to the West? The truth? Wasson lied to gain access to the velada, claiming that he was worried about his son back home and wanted information on where he was; he later revealed the lie.

The velada took place in Oaxaca, Mexico, under the guidance of curandera (a female shaman or medicine woman) Maria Sabina in her hometown just outside of Huautla de Jimnez. The article describing the velada and the experience and hallucinations, as well as bright, beautiful, and bold photographs, brought psychoactive mushrooms to a wider audience for the first time, and Wasson is often credited as being one of the first to popularize magic mushrooms in America.

Wassons article reached millions, and, just under a week later, Wassons wife, Valentina Pavolva, published a first-person account of the research expedition in Mexico which was published on the cover of This Week, a Sunday magazine insert that reached almost 12 million readers.

These articles collectively gathered a lot of interest, especially in the hippie and beatnik movements that were blossoming at the time. Author Tom Robbins claims that Wassons article was directly responsible for turning himself and a lot of people on to the mushroom movement.

While the article was massively successful and sparked major curiosity and interest in the Mazatec ritual, culture, and psychedelic mushrooms as a whole, it ended up proving to be horrifically disastrous for the Mazatec community and Maria Sabina herself. The community was overwhelmed with visitors who wanted to try the mushrooms and experience the hallucinations Wasson talked about for themselves, and Sabina attracted the attention of the Mexican police, who thought that she was selling drugs to foreigners.

The social dynamics, infrastructure, and relations of the Mazatec community were altered significantly as a result of the unwanted (and unwelcome) bouts of massive attention, and threatened their sacred, and, for so long, secret ritual around the mushrooms. Sabina was blamed for wrecking the community and ostracized, becoming a social pariah in a society where she was once revered as a medicine woman. She was briefly jailed, her son was murdered, and she died in poverty and suffered from malnutrition in her later life, expressing regret over having introduced Wasson and his companions to the mushroom medicine.

The story is tragic, but unfortunately not unique stories of colonization and exploitation of different cultures from the Western world, repackaged and presented as discoveries are common from tea to spices to drugs. Its important to be aware of these histories when discussing psychedelics, especially now, as the psychedelic renaissance sees a high percentage of white folks with money at the top directly benefiting from the medicine that other cultures have spent centuries studying and cultivating. This is something lacking in the exhibit: No matter your journey with psychedelics, its important to acknowledge where they came from and who really initiated the discoveries, who studied them, who helped pioneer these medicines. While the show alludes to historical hallucinogenic use in the beginning with the Bee-Faced Mushroom Shaman, its not continued fully in the rest of the exhibit.

Now, its important to understand that not all information can be conveyed fully in limited text and space, and the Psychedelics Show is, of course, working with a limited canvas. Ultimately, the show is there to fulfill an ultimate goal: To educate and inspire, and it piques enough curiosity at the tip of the iceberg to encourage passionate learners to dig deeper after visiting.

Overall, the Psychedelics Show is a pleasant experience for visitors young and old. In town until at least December, but hopefully longer, it should be a necessary stop on any Toronto art-lovers list. It fills all of James Draytons wishes for it: Its timely, its necessary, and its relevant. Shows like this remind us of a time that we are lucky to be living in: The psychedelic renaissance is here and now.

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Elon Musk’s ‘Exploratory Journeys’ And Charts Explaining Benefits Of Psychedelics Over Alcohol – Tesla (N – Benzinga

Posted: at 4:21 pm

Elon Musk has been forthcoming about psychedelic drugs and is not shy about discussing them and their benefits. Hes also been supportive of cannabis legalization.

The billionaire shared a chart with a friend,which showedMDMA and psychedelic mushrooms are healthier than alcohol use, according to the friendwho toldThe New York Times.

The Times, reportedThe Insider,then spoke with over 40 people who have spent time with Musk over the past 15 years, many of whom signed non-disclosure agreements or similarin order to attend parties with Musk. The Times also reported that for the past 20 years, Musk has attended nearly every Burning Man festival,usually with his younger brotherKimbal Musk and a friend he met there.

"I have been with him on mild exploratory journeys," said David Marglin, a Bay Area lawyer who met Musk at Burning Man where they struck up a 20-year friendship. "And he appreciates the value of those journeys. Nothing out of control or wild, but it's all night, and there's dancing and revelry."

In the past, theTeslaTSLACEOhas expressed supportfor psychedelics and ketamine. Earlier this year,he was part of aconversation between two Twitter users, one of whom, Netscape co-founderMarc Andreessenreferredto a2016 New York Times featureabout Adderall andwondered whether our present society was caused by social media. I'm wondering whether Adderall plus ubiquitous Google searches have bigger effects.

Musk responded, "I've talked to many more people who were helped by psychedelics & ketamine than SSRIs & amphetamines."

More recently, the billionaire said in aninterview with Full Send Podcastthat he thinks psychedelics can be "pretty helpful" for PTSD and depression. Musk alsonotedhe and the "whole of SpaceX" had been subjected to random drug tests for a year after he appeared on a podcast with Joe Rogan in which he smoked weed.

Musk is far not the only successfultech CEO who has showninterest in psychedelics. Apple founder Steve Jobs also talked aboutmicrodosingpsychedelics drugs, such as LSD or psilocybin mushrooms in order to promote creativity. Jobs also spent time inIndia seeking enlightenment and studying Zen Buddhism.

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Elon Musk's 'Exploratory Journeys' And Charts Explaining Benefits Of Psychedelics Over Alcohol - Tesla (N - Benzinga

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ALTRD.TV’s Open Minds Documentary Explores the Promising Future of Psychedelic Medicine – Business Wire

Posted: at 4:21 pm

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ALTRD.TV, the streaming network for progressive culture, released the trailer for its new upcoming series Open Minds: Exploring Psychedelic Medicine, coming in 2023. The series concentrates on the resurgence of psychedelic research for mental health treatments, with leading industry experts from The Chopra Foundation, MAPS, The McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy, Cybin Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN:CYBN) (NEO:CYBN) and others.

Open Minds is a six-part miniseries that explores the topics of consciousness, the experience of using psychedelic treatments, current research and what the future of mental healthcare can look like.

Open Minds explores many of the questions surrounding psychedelics as a treatment for mental health. We connected with industry leaders, researchers, and people who have used these treatments firsthand to find the answers. This collaboration allowed us to paint a picture of the future of psychedelic therapy while remembering where weve come from in the past, said Executive Producer Joshua Otten. When we first started this documentary, we didnt realize the profound impact this research could have on millions of people around the world in need of new and innovative treatment for their mental health.

The documentary features researcher Dennis McKenna, who has conducted interdisciplinary research on the ethnopharmacology of Amazonian traditional medicines for over 40 years, and Dr. Deepak Chopra, professor, author, and founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism. The series also features Doug Drysdale, CEO of Cybin Inc., Bryan Johnson, Founder and CEO of Kernel, Keith Ferrazzi, Founder and Chairman of Ferrazzi Greenlight, Adam Strauss, Comedian and Psychedelic advocate and Cristie Strongman, MDMA Psychotherapist and Trainer at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) on clinical trials for PTSD with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.

Through clinical trials we can now begin to see the impact of psychedelic medicine and the potential to help people who are suffering from mental health disorders such as PTSD, said Christie Strongman, who has firsthand experience working with patients in MAPS groundbreaking research. Its important to raise awareness for alternative healing modalities that have massive potential to shift our understanding of modern medicine and treatment of mental illness.

The world is changing so fast now, and psychedelics may become necessary to make sense of it all. We were able to learn from these bold pioneers of science and witness what we may be stepping into next, said Robert Schober, Director of Open Minds.

To view the trailer visit: thefutureofpsychedelictherapy.com

About ALTRD.TV

ALTRD.TV is the streaming network for progressive culture featuring content from top creators in web3, transformative wellness, NFTs and animation, and more. Audiences can watch thousands of free and unlimited features, docs, and series on smart devices and TVs in 65M+ homes, on networks including AppleTV/iOS, Android, Samsung+, Plex, Roku, LG, and Playstation.

Download ALTRD.TV on the app store for Apple and Android, download the app on your smart tv, or visit http://www.altrd.tv.

About the cast:

Doug DrysdaleDoug Drysdale is CEO of Cybin Inc. During Dougs 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, and has raised around $4 billion of both public and private capital. Previously, Doug was Head of M&A at Actavis Group, leading 15 corporate acquisitions across three continents, between 2004 and 2008. Over this period, Doug raised approximately $3 billion of capital and managed lending syndicates including over 25 banks, to fund the companys growth. Actavis was sold to Watson Pharmaceuticals in 2012 for EUR4.25 billion.

Deepak ChopraDeepak Chopra MD, FACP, founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, and Chopra Global, a modern-day health company at the intersection of science and spirituality, is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation. Chopra is a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego. He is the author of over 89 books translated into over forty-three languages, including numerous New York Times bestsellers. His 90th book and national bestseller, Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential (Harmony Books), unlocks the secrets to moving beyond our present limitations to access a field of infinite possibilities. TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century.

Bryan JohnsonBryan Johnson is founder & CEO of Kernel, working to make neuro measurement mainstream; OS Fund, where he invested $100M in the predictable engineering of atoms, molecules, and organisms; and Blueprint, an endeavor to neutralize aging. Previously, Johnson was the founder/CEO of Braintree Venmo, which PayPal acquired for $800M. He is an outdoor adventure enthusiast, pilot, and author of childrens books, Code 7 and The Proto Project.

Adam StraussAdam Strauss is a stand up comedian and monologist based in New York. The New York Times said The Mushroom Cure, Adam's monologue about treating his OCD with psychedelics, "mines a great deal of laughter from disabling pain," The Chicago Tribune called it "arrestingly honest and howlingly funny," and Michael Pollan called it "brilliant, hilarious and moving". Adam also speaks about OCD and psychedelics in articles, on podcasts, and at conferences.themushroomcure.com

Keith FerrazziKeith Ferrazzi is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, speaker, entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, and executive team coach who helps executive teams harness Radical Adaptability and Co-Elevation to transform enterprises in an unpredictable work world. As Founder and Chairman of Ferrazzi Greenlight and its Go Forward to Work applied research institute, he works with top organizations to maximize team performance and achieve transformative outcomes. With over 20 years of experience coaching c-suite executive teams, Ferrazzi is recognized as one of the worlds most sought-after executive team coaches. He formerly served as CMO and Head of Sales at Deloitte and Starwood Hotels.

Dennis McKennaDennis McKenna has conducted interdisciplinary research on the ethnopharmacology of Amazonian traditional medicines for over 40 years and is the Principal Founder and President of The McKenna Academy. He is a founding Board member of the Heffter Research Institute (Heffter.org). He taught ethnopharmacology at the University of Minnesota from 2000 to 2017. In 2019, he founded The McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy

Cristie StrongmanCristie Strongman, M.A., Ed.M, MHC-LP, is a multiracial Latina from Panama who works with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) as a trainer and therapist in clinical trials on PTSD with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. She is an educator and trainer to mental health professionals on psychedelic-assisted therapy and integration and has a therapy practice in New York City.

Robert SchoberRobert Schober is a director, writer, and visual effects artist based in Los Angeles, California. His career spans twenty years, creating commercials for tech giants like Google and Microsoft and 50+ music videos for such luminaries as Metallica, The Killers, Mastodon, Jennifer Hudson, and Demi Lovato. In 2010, he won the NME video of the year award for his work with My Chemical Romance. His proudest directing accomplishment to date is Cant Deny My Love, a musical film starring Evan Rachel Wood and Brandon Flowers, and written for M Night Shyamalan. Two of his screenplays Im Worried About You and Cram Session are currently in development.

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IntelGenxs Collaboration with atai Life Sciences Culminates in the Initiation of First-in-Human Clinical Study of an Oral Thin Film Psychedelic Drug…

Posted: at 4:21 pm

IntelGenx Technologies Corp.

SAINT LAURENT, Quebec, Oct. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IntelGenx Corp.(TSX:IGX) (OTCQB:IGXT) (the "Company" or "IntelGenx") today provided an update on its collaboration with its strategic partner, atai Life Sciences (NASDAQ:ATAI) (atai), for the development of novel formulations of pharmaceutical-grade psychedelics based on IntelGenx's polymeric film technologies.

Pursuant to the first of two current feasibility agreements between the companies, IntelGenx conducted pre-development, formulation development work and clinical supply manufacturing to provide a product prototype to atai for further clinical investigation. That previously undisclosed candidate, buccal VLS-01, is a buccal film containing a synthetic form of N,N-dimethyltryptamine. atai is developing the product as a novel therapy for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in combination with atais digital therapeutic designed to provide contextual (mind)set-and-setting support to patients prior to dosing.

We were very pleased with atais recent announcement that it had dosed the first subject in its Phase 1 clinical trial of buccal VLS-01, with topline results expected in H1 2023, commented Dr. Horst G. Zerbe, CEO of IntelGenx. The initiation of this first-in-human study of a pharmaceutical-grade psychedelic buccal film drug candidate represents the achievement of another major milestone for IntelGenx, and what we expect will be the first of many for our strategic partnership with atai.

Exploring novel approaches to drug delivery can potentially simplify in-clinic administration and allow greater pharmacokinetic control of the psychedelic experience and its overall duration of hallucinogenic effects, said Dr. Srinivas Rao, Chief Scientific Officer of atai Life Sciences, said in a recent statement. Were pleased to see this trial move forward as we establish the safety and tolerability of our compound.

An estimated 100 million people live with TRD globally or a third of people with depression who are undertreated or unresponsive to available treatment options. In addition to its impact on patients, families, and caregivers, TRD significantly burdens healthcare systems and payers. Direct medical costs for TRD patients are estimated to be two times higher than for non-TRD major depressive disorder patients, with an average of twice the number of inpatient visits and hospital stays that are over one-third longer.

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About IntelGenx

IntelGenx is a leading drug delivery company focused on the development and manufacturing of pharmaceutical films.

IntelGenxs superior film technologies, including VersaFilm, DisinteQ, VetaFilm and transdermal VevaDerm, allow for next generation pharmaceutical products that address unmet medical needs. IntelGenxs innovative product pipeline offers significant benefits to patients and physicians for many therapeutic conditions.

IntelGenx's highly skilled team provides comprehensive pharmaceuticals services to pharmaceutical partners, including R&D, analytical method development, clinical monitoring, IP and regulatory services. IntelGenx's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility offers full service by providing lab-scale to pilot- and commercial-scale production. For more information, visit http://www.intelgenx.com.

Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This document may contain forward-looking information about IntelGenx's operating results and business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Statements that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about IntelGenx's plans, objectives, expectations, strategies, intentions or other characterizations of future events or circumstances and are generally identified by the words "may," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "could," "would," and similar expressions. All forward looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Because these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, IntelGenx's actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in IntelGenx's annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at http://www.sec.gov, and also filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at http://www.sedar.com. IntelGenx assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

Source: IntelGenx Technologies Corp.

For IntelGenx:

Stephen KilmerInvestor Relations(647) 872-4849stephen@kilmerlucas.com

Or

Andre Godin, CPA, CAPresident and CFOIntelGenx Corp.(514) 331-7440 ext 203andre@intelgenx.com

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IntelGenxs Collaboration with atai Life Sciences Culminates in the Initiation of First-in-Human Clinical Study of an Oral Thin Film Psychedelic Drug...

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Psychedelics Companies And IPs: An Extended Patent Application To Protect Multiple LSD Derivatives – Bett – Benzinga

Posted: September 29, 2022 at 1:04 am

In parallel with working towards discovering and advancing therapeutic psychedelics, biopharma companies are continuously protecting their findings. Theemerging biotech BetterLife Pharma Inc. BETRF has filed an international PCT along with a U.S. patent applicationfor the composition and use within the treatment of LSD derivatives for mental health conditions such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, cluster headaches and pain.

One of BetterLifes main compounds under development, BETR-001, will be covered by these patent filings. The proprietary drug is a new composition of 2-bromo-LSD and a second-gen LSD derivative molecule that does not cause hallucinations and therefore is not subject to global controlled substance regulations.

BETR-001s synthesis is done through non-controlled substance synthetic routes, which also makes it not subject to controlled substance regulatory restrictions and therefore plausible for self-administration.

The company is at advanced stages of GMP-manufacturing and completion of preclinical IND-enabling studies for BETR-001, expecting to file the IND and begin Phase 1 clinical studiesin the first half of 2023.

CEO Dr. Ahmad Doroudian explained that the inventions covered by the patent filings are comprehensive and involve a significant body of data including composition of matter, preclinical in-vitro and in-vivo characterization of BETR-001, which the company expects to soon submit for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Considering the data generated to date, the company believes its proprietary drug holds great promise in becoming a major treatment for a range of mental health and neurological conditions, including depression, anxiety, pain and related disorders.

Betterlifes other main drug development, BETR-002, is currently in preclinical and IND-enabling studies. This proprietary compound is based on honokiol, the active anxiolytic ingredient of magnolia bark, and its pending method of use and formulations patent covers the treatment of anxiety-related disorders, including benzodiazepine dependence.

Photo courtesy ofOlia Danilevich onPexels.

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Psychedelics Companies And IPs: An Extended Patent Application To Protect Multiple LSD Derivatives - Bett - Benzinga

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