Category Archives: Psychedelics

Madison Margolin is the co-founder and managing editor of DoubleBlind, the biannual print magazine and digital media outfit that's taking the psychedelics movement by storm. Before starting the magazine, she and co-founder Shelby Hartman were both prolific cannabis journalists. Though many will be most familiar with Margolin's cannabis coverage in a wide range of publications over the last five years, she's been covering the political, cultural, and spiritual impact of psychedelics since her college days.

While still in journalism school at Columbia University, Margolin was reporting on the Orthodox Jewish community in New York and met a bunch of kids from orthodox backgrounds who were experimenting with psychedelics, exploring their relationship to religion and spirituality through these alternative drug experiences, Margolin told Weedmaps, I got really curious about that and started writing almost immediately about the relationship between Judaism and psychedelics. That was like five years ago before I even had my job at the Village Voice.

Margolin started covering New York's cannabis policy rollout for the Voice in 2015. At the same time, she had spent several months working on a story about the Empire State's burgeoning psychedelic scene, where she was, looking at the research that was coming out of NYU. She also became familiar with the newly opened Alchemist Kitchen, a community space offering talks on psychedelics and with room to sell goods and tinctures.

The Voice was sold in October 2015, just as Margolin's psychedelics coverage was about to be a cover story. They got a new editor who basically was like, 'Your drug coverage is clich. The Village Voice is over drugs,' and he killed my psychedelics story. That same editor also killed her weed column, so Margolin would go on to cover the cannabis beat for Rolling Stone, Playboy, High Times, Nylon, Bon Appetit, Broccoli, LA Weekly, VICE, and a host of other major magazines and digital outlets.

For Margolin, the modern cannabis and psychedelics movements are connected by the psychoactive experience and how it can affect all other aspects of life science, policy, culture, history, medicine, mental health, spirituality, etc. When writing about any drug, whether it's cannabis or psychedelics or even heroin and opiates and whatever, it's a way to talk about other things in society, Margolin said while reflecting on all the places and communities her cannabis coverage has taken her for the past five years. One particular day in Jerusalem stood out to her as a poignant example where all these ideas intersected in a special way.

The day started with an interview with Raphael Mechoulam, the legendary Israeli scientist who pioneered the isolation of THC and the discovery of endocannabinoids. I did this whole story on the cannabis scene in Israel-Palestine for Tablet, a Jewish magazine, so I spoke to Mechoulam, which was really special. Then I went to East Jerusalem, which is more the Palastinian side of the city, with a translator. It was kind of interesting man-on-the-street reporting. I think it was interesting to be in this place where trauma is so ubiquitous on all sides of the equation. Cannabis is such an obvious choice to treat trauma, and to experience that first hand with Israelis and Palestinians and to talk to the guy who was so instrumental [in cannabis science and medicine] was really powerful.

The transition from full-time cannabis reporting to running her own psychedelics magazine began in 2018, when fellow-reporter Shelby Hartman reached out to her about the project. Shelby and I had both gone to Columbia for journalism school, and then we were sort of doing similar things in the field afterward. And Shelby had this idea when she was meditating to do a psychedelics magazine, sort of inspired by Broccoli, a really beautiful magazine that covered psychedelics but also merged high-end design with investigative-heavy reporting.

Margolin signed onto the idea right away. We both had full-time jobs at the time. I was at Civilized and [Shelby] was at Herb, and we didn't really know where it would go. We were just like, 'this seems like a cool side project to do,' and then it kind of snowballed into what it is right now.

Margolin and Hartman now lead a publication that, in their own words, speaks to everyone who is curious about psychedelics. And we are speaking to anyone craving fresh perspectives on some of the most important issues of our time [...] and the aching that people around the globe feel for spirituality or some other collective sense of meaning.

For Margolin and for DoubleBlind, shedding light on the grassroots nature of the psychedelics and cannabis movements is paramount.

People are like, 'oh yeah, cannabis is like a big industry these days.' And it's kind of obnoxious because it's built on the backs of people who have been going to jail for decades, and risking their freedoms and putting their families at risk. That's something I hope that, as people read about this [industry] stuff in Forbes, they recognize that it's built on people who are not being featured in Forbes.

Margolin continued, I just don't think people recognize the tension between the industry and the movement, the movement being something that's really grassroots and we're dealing with organic matter, and there's indigenous wisdom behind it and decades of folk wisdom and street wisdom, and that is the culture.

Here are four weed products Madison Margolin can't live without.

Prismatic Plants offers daytime and nighttime CBD tincture formulas, both designed to have an appropriate calming effect. Margolin uses both.

I have scoliosis and my back can get kinky, and sometimes it can hurt. But it actually hasn't been like that in a long time, and I don't know if it's cause I take CBD, but I think that might have to do with inflammation. I also use it for anxiety. Sometimes if I'm tripping, I like to have CBD on hand, basically if I'm feeling anxious.

Papa & Barkley's THC-rich Releaf Balm is a whole-plant-infused salve that Margolin has used for pain relief. I've also had tendonitis, a condition most writers are at least somewhat familiar with, so I've used that and rubbed it in my wrist.

As CBD pre-rolls become a major staple of the cannabis market, it's important to know where the quality is. Margolin doesn't smoke weed as much as she used to, and tends to prefer CBD-heavy joints when she does. Dad Grass hemp pre-rolls serve up a clean buzz without the fuss, and are tailored to revive the casual smoke.

Moon Made Farms is owned and operated by former producer, musician, event promoter, and documentary filmmaker, Tina Gordon, who relocated to Southern Humboldt County in 2007 to grow and advocate for cannabis.

I try to opt for outdoor, sungrown, small-batch farms. Margolin told Weedmaps, Moon Made Farms is a good one. Tina actually tracks the moon cycle to see how the moon affects the plants.

Interview by Nic Juarez. Written by Andy Andersen. Photo courtesy of Zoe Wilder. Graphic by David Lozada/Weedmaps

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4 weed products journalist Madison Margolin can't live without - Weedmaps News

The psychedelics investment boom continues to gain steam could there soon be avenues to bet on the growing business of psychedelic retreats?

Picture yourself in a serene tropical landscape. Youve packed up your bags to make the trip and now youre listening to the calming words of an expert practitioner whos guiding you through an internal journey to help you better yourself through the effects of psychedelic substances.

This scenario might sound unusual, but its not as outlandish as you might expect. Psychedelic retreats have a niche audience that is on the rise and could be on the verge of wider mainstream growth.

As people become more interested in the potential of unplugging from the stressors of daily life to reconnect with a more spiritual self, the business of psychedelic retreats could have its day in the sun amid the overall renaissance in the psychedelics market.

The Investing News Network (INN) spoke with companies in the psychedelic retreats industry to learn about what goes into setting up a retreat, and whether market participants can expect to see companies focused on this aspect of the business eventually list on the open market.

The stigma surrounding psychedelics as a novel form of medicine is starting to wear off, according to experts, and new companies have had a warm reception in the capital markets.

The business of psychedelic retreats offers its own stigma, such as antiquated notions of paralyzing drug trips in unknown locations in the middle of the jungle. But these are now giving way to a more specialized approach in the pursuit of business standards.

Marik Hazan, CEO of Energia, a psychedelics-focused venture capital firm, told INN the psychedelic retreats space has its own breakdown of subsections.

He described streamlined and standard retreat operations in a more uniform environment, alongside more established adventure trip packages seen in locations such as Latin America.

I think that the majority of the industry right now is focused more on these deep experiences, he said.

The expert added that most retreats offer consumers a couple of psychedelic experiences through stays that are three days to a week long. Hazan pointed to psilocybin and ayahuasca as the main compounds used around the space.

Hazan told INN he is interested in seeing companies use psychedelic compounds at retreats, but also wants to see them combine the use of these drugs with services.

For example, Energia has partnered with the Arcana Armada, which is working to set up interactive narrative therapy through which consumers can participate in microdosed prepared roleplay scenarios.

This type of model offers a glimpse into whats ahead for the flexibility of psychedelic retreats.

People enter the psychedelic retreats business through many paths, but most begin their journey when they experience a retreat for the first time.

Jonathan de Potter, founder of Behold Retreats, told INN he had his own personal misgivings about the psychedelics industry at-large before attending a retreat. But actually going to a psychedelic retreat caused him to reevaluate everything.

His company now sets up events across the world for people looking for private retreats or group experiences. After filling out an application and completing a detailed consultation process, Behold Retreats evaluates users needs; if all parties agree, a location is set and arrangements are made.

Behold Retreats customers can play a big role in shaping their experience, de Potter said. Some people come to us and they want the full Amazon jungle immersion other people are like, I want white walls and I want to be no further than 20 feet away from a latte machine for the entire week.

The executive emphasized that its crucial for those looking to participate in a psychedelic retreat to prepare for the experience as seriously as they prepare for the actual drug trip.

(People) are really excited about going into one of these retreats and having a profound experience, said de Potter. And theres nothing wrong with that, but our neural patterns, our thinking patterns, are decades old and deeply entrenched, so what were actually talking about is rewiring some of those patterns. It can feel like youre a brand-new you at the end of a one week retreat.

Jol Brierre, founder and CEO of Kaivalya Kollectiv, agreed with de Potters warning, saying that using psychedelic substances at a retreat can lead many to an uneven place if not handled properly.

A lot of these people arent taking preparation into consideration, theyre not taking a screening into consideration this person has an experience that they cannot understand and have no faculties to be able to begin to explain, he said.

Kaivalya Kollectiv is set up with locations in Mexico and Costa Rica, Brierre told INN.

The expert is a specialist in psychedelics and plant medicine, including 5-MeO-DMT, a notorious compound commonly found in toads typically located in the Sonoran Desert. Brierre warned that approximately 90 percent of those currently providing it are nowhere near qualified to serve it.

The expert didnt shy away from discussing the potency of experiences that the toad compound can create. He described the trip as a death of the ego within oneself the individuality under which the brain operates is lost for a period of time, leading to what Brierre described as a mystical experience without any proper language to explain it.

According to Brierre, Kaivalya Kollectiv has different price tiers for retreats depending on whether they are for individuals or group efforts. Group retreats on the low end of the scale will range between US$2,000 and US$2,500, while the high end can go to US$4,500. In terms of individual retreats, these can vary between US$5,000 and US$12,000. The expert said the retreats usually last for five days.

The expert admitted that this might sound daunting its a complicated event to analyze for those just starting out with psychedelics.

A good percentage of people have some difficulty unpacking that experience, because it shatters and defies everything they ever thought they knew, he told INN.

Its very common for people to go on a psychedelic retreat, undergo a profound, potentially life-changing experience, and then end up in the same place emotionally a few weeks after the retreat has finished, said de Potter. This is because people make the mistake of seeing plant-based medicine as a one-stop solution for ailments or mental health issues.

As such, de Potter stressed to INN that the work done before a consumer even grabs their passport is just as vital as the work done on location. The executive cautioned anyone expecting a psychedelic retreat to magically cure all their ailments to rethink how they see these drugs.

People are not able to understand what a good retreat looks like, because they dont know what theyre looking for people are skipping the mental and emotional work, said de Potter. Theyre really excited about going into one of these retreats and having a profound experience but our neural patterns, our thinking patterns are decades old and deeply entrenched.

In cautioning against seeing these substances as magical curing drugs, de Potter described plant-based medicine as neutral, meaning user intent will cause different reactions after the consumption of psychedelic substances.

Brierre echoed de Potters sentiment, telling INN that these substances are a catalyst, not a solution.

After a big psychedelic experience, what a lot of these companies arent taking into consideration is that the psychedelics themselves arent the medicine, Brierre said.

A crucial component of making sure new users dont end up lost in a drug trip is the relationship set up with the experts acting as guides through this potentially taxing experience.

Once youve got them there, you can take that time to get comfortable with each other, said Brierre. The person should really feel comfortable and safe with the person whos about to crack them open.

The expert, whos been working with plant medicines for seven years now, explained fears can quickly take over a person once the substances have kicked in.

Psychedelic retreat opportunities began gaining interest and acceptance at the same time as the travel industry largely stopped because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moving forward, Hazan said companies in this space will have to work on improving all their online features and operations to stay ahead of pandemic concerns.

Both Behold Retreats and Kaivalya Kollectiv plan to prioritize private retreats compared to communal group ones due to COVID-19 concerns.

I think COVID has helped us get the word about private retreats out more, Brierre told INN. He said that just before the pandemic took over, Kaivalya Kollectiv was looking to set up between 12 and 15 retreats per year thanks to an uptick in interest.

For his part, Hazan told INN he is concerned about a tourism approach to psychedelic retreats, since they can lead to the reductive use and appropriation of imagery from native communities or other symbols associated with the locations retreats may take place in.

What a lot of people would argue though is much of those practices are not rooted in indigenous methodologies, said Hazan. And a lot of people are reaping the rewards of monetizing things framed as traditions, and packaging it for the more streamlined centers.

Hazan also raised a red flag when it comes to ketamine-based retreat models. Ketamine is addictive, so there needs to be significantly more education on the signs of addiction, he said.

The Behold Retreats executive said he recognizes that the renewed level of interest in retreats is happening against the bigger spotlight for psychedelic medicine. But he is worried about the effect all this attention could have.

Theres a lot more people that are jumping on the bandwagon with, I dont want to say predominantly commercial motives, but they dont necessarily have the skills, said de Potter. The reality is that this is a nascent and unregulated ecosystem.

The industry of psychedelic retreats has a lot going for it, and with psychedelics-focused companies going public in increasing numbers, could investors be on the verge of seeing an entity go public based purely on a psychedelic retreat model?

It seems like anything that has psychedelics in it is able to go public these days, Hazan told INN.

When asked about the possibility of the market seeing companies go public based entirely on a retreat-based business, de Potters answer was emphatic as well.

Why not? I think absolutely, it will happen. Its just a matter of who and when and where and why, he said. And I would really come back to that question of like, why are they listing on the markets?

Dont forget to follow us @INN_LifeSciencefor real-time news updates!

Securities Disclosure: I, Bryan Mc Govern, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.

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Could the Rise of Psychedelics Boost the Retreat Business? | INN - Investing News Network

March31, 20216 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Lets talk about women who were ahead of their time, the curious, the risk-takers. These are women who paid prices they should never have had to. Im humbled to stand upon their shoulders and their work, and I wish I could tell everyone about them. Every person seated next to me on the plane, train, or bypassing me on the sidewalk. But work in psychedelics is not a conversation for everyone. However, for those willing to listen and learn, Id come with my curveballthat were all hallucinating. Our lives are, asSeth Anilexplains it, one big controlled hallucination. What our brains see and process is only part of the picture, unique to each of us. You can see numerous geometric sight tests to prove this concept, but Ill use an everyday one. I had a blue, bright blue face mask on my counter the other day, and every time I passed it, my brain told me it was my phone alighting with a new message. We move too quickly to perceive the whole picture, and we fill in the blanks with expectations, hopes, and learned experiences. Why, then, should enhancing that perception be anything short of miraculousor healing?

In my last article, I discussed the barriers women faced in the industrys history, including the severe prices women like Maria Sabina had to pay for their work. But theres plenty more in addition to Sabina, so lets continue the discussion by spotlighting more women pioneers of psychedelics.

While men in research relied heavily on their wives for support and documentation, Valentina Wasson was often leading rather than assisting.Shefirst introduced R. Gordon Wasson to the world of mushrooms, thoughher husband often receives credit for bringing mushrooms to public attention in America. She then led the excursion that introduced Westerners to Maria Sabina and bravely published the account of her mushroom trip.

Perhaps the most notable of Valentinas contributions was creating a connection between psilocybin and various treatments. It was after she experienced her spiritual healing in Sabinas velada that she proposed psilocybin to treat pain associated withalcoholism, narcotic addiction, and mental disordersand end-of-life care. Later this treatment was reinforced by Laura Huxley, Joan Halifax, and many innovative researchers today.

Valentina Wasson helped build the cultural bridge that would lead to our current and developing understanding of psilocybins therapeutic benefits. Her groundbreaking interview is among many firsthand accounts that fueled psychedelic research.

Part of the pioneers legacy is delivered via documentation. And when it comes to women pioneers in this field, we owe a nod toMabel Dodge Luhan, a wealthy socialite, and the first woman to document a peyote trip. Sure, she had status on her side, yet writing about controversial topics in this eraspecifically as a womantook significant courage. Indeed, the societal consequences for such behavior in Manhattan, 1914 was enough pressure for Mabel to move to Mexico. There, she would start a literary community and continue peyote trips unthreatened by U.S. laws.

Related:Miley Cyrus Says Ayahuasca Changed Her Life

Equally important when it comes to documentation isAdelle Davis, a writer, and leading American nutritionist throughout the 60s and 70s. She was the first woman to publish (although in her pen name, Jane Dunlap) a full-length book on her LSD experiences, Exploring Inner Space (1961). The book covered five LSD experiences under psychiatrist supervision and insisted on the drugs ability to help Davis overcome writers block, improve her mood, and enhance relationships with her family.

Although the food and health industry disagreed with Davis nutritional works, her criticism of and her attachment to LSD as a means to meet God had a profound influence.

Talk about a subject thatll render your airplane seatmate uncomfortablelets discuss psychedelics and death. Not accidental, death mind you, instead a means to add beauty and comfort to the profound unknown. Thats what Laura Huxley helped pioneer by administering LSD to assist the dying. Throughout their marriage, Laura became an integral partner in Aldous Huxleys psychedelic experiments. Upon Aldous final hours, Laura proposed the drug to decrease his anxiety and assist in his transition to the unknown. In the hours leading up to what was referred to by the physicians present as the most beautiful death, Laura gave Aldous 100 micrograms of LSD.

Connected to Laura Huxleys notion of Dying Healthy, is the work of American Zen Buddhist Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D. Halifax is known for her work on an LSD research project with terminally-ill cancer patients and a co-authored book, The Human Encounter with Death. Halifax has stated that her work is based on transforming the experiences of clinicians, patients, and the institutions that serve dying people. Throughout her career, Halifax maintains that LSD can help patientschange their views of death. For one patient, in particular, she recounts how, In the end, he was much more accepting of his mortality as his death drew near.

Psychedelics are considerably associated with near-death, paranormal, and inexplicable phenomena that coincide with parapsychology. For mediumEileen Garret, Director of the Parapsychology Foundation, LSDs uses dont stop at death. Garret advocates for LSDs ability in investigating parapsychological phenomena, finding it a very serious method by which one reaches the deep levels of the unconscious self.

As noted, many cultures have used psychedelics for sacred purposes, yet North American culture has dismissed such usage by and large. Thats where we thank Mary Barnard, an American poet best known for her translation of Sapphos works. Barnards insights reinforce the sacred purposes of psychedelic substances. She suggested thatmind-altering plantscould be the origin of the sacred or spiritual, performing as vehicles for a special kind of experience adaptable to the use of most religions that acknowledge an otherworld and permit its exploration. The notion that psychedelics are the basis for imagination and spiritual beliefs paved the way to destigmatization.

All these women have shown us that psychedelics are proven resources for our evolution and treatment. They blazed the trail for our current research as we attempt to disrupt and drive change in the mental health and psychedelics industries. I couldnt be more proud to be a part of the revolution.

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These Are the Female Pioneers of Psychedelics - Green Entrepreneur

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April2, 20215 min read

Tripping can be fun, magical, and even transcendental, but it can also be profoundly sad and challenging, filled with tears and confusion. While some prefer the term challenging to bad, psychedelics can cause repressed memories and emotions to bubble up. You may also get stuck in what psychonauts call a negative thought loop: a seemingly endless cycle of anxiety-ridden thoughts and feelings. Yet luckily, there are steps you can take to mitigate this negative headspace, whether youre tripping with your closest friends, an experienced guide, or on your own. And hopefully, by following these steps, the bad experience will result in cathartic takeaways.

RELATED:Why Do Edibles Make You So Darn High?

While this may sound simple, remembering to breathe and doing so mindfully is your first defense against a bad trip. If things get challenging, focus on your breath and try exhaling for longer than you inhale, noticing tension release. Some people find that holding onto a small object, like a rock or crystal, can help to keep them grounded as they breathe through the tough stuff. You can also try doing some light yoga or meditation if you already have a regular practice. And if youre not too far gone, its a good time to remind yourself that youve taken a psychedelic and this feeling will pass; its all part of the experience.

In psychedelic clinical trials, guides will often advise volunteers to surrender to the experience, especially if its a challenging one. If you feel like youre dying, melting, dissolving, exploding, [or] going crazy, go ahead and embrace it, says Dr. Bill Richards, who helped develop the psychedelic-assisted therapy model practiced today at institutions like Johns Hopkins University. The important thing is to accept the experience rather than to fight it; show compassion and curiosity to these negative thoughts, feelings or experiencesor as clinicians say, trust, let go, be open. Try repeating a mantra while you connect with your breath. You never know, there may be transcendence on the other side.

RELATED:Oregon Just Legalized Psilocybin. What Does This Mean?

Because psychedelics render you more sensitive to your environment, a change in scenery can have a profound impact on your mood. If youre having trouble accepting a difficult experience, theres no rule that says you have to sit with it for the entire duration of your trip. One of the best ways to change the mood is to switch things up, either by moving from one room to another, or by going from indoors to out (or vice versa), if thats an option. It can also help to change the music or the lighting, making you feel like youve transitioned from one destination of your trip to the next. If most of these tricks sound like way too much effort for your state of mind, try just taking off your shoes and touching your feet to the ground. Stand up and walk around barefoot to shift away from that heavy, negative energy and to ground yourself.

Experienced psychonauts know that negative thought loops are a possibility while tripping, and so they prepare activities or distractions to help if they arise. This can be anything you think youll enjoy on psychedelics, like making art or music, or experimenting with different sights, sounds, and textures. The trick is to prepare everything before you start tripping. So set up some art supplies in your kitchen, put out some musical instruments in your living room, place some art or nature books on the coffee table, chop up some fruit, decorate your house with fresh cut flowers or other pretty things to look at, or download some nature documentaries whatever speaks to you. When youre feeling down or stuck during a trip, get up and seek out one of the distractions youve prepared, and your trip will likely take a whole new direction.

RELATED:How Psychedelics Helped Me Find Safety

If youre tripping with other people, dont be afraid to tell them youre struggling. If your friends are also tripping, you dont have to go into too much detail if you think itll bring them down, but you should still reach out. Cuddle up, hold hands, and talk about something else (like how funny your dog is or even the grains in the wood furniture). Human connection or even just physical touch can help lift you out of a negative place. If youre afraid your trip might be dominated by negative feelings or if youd like to work through something particularly tough, you may want to seek out a trip sitter, experienced guide, or psychedelic retreat. It can be beneficial to have someone sober and supportive around, especially if you get confused or scared. If its too hard to breathe through things on your own own, tell your guide or trip sitter, and theyll likely hold your hand and hold space for you. Their presence alone can really help you move through a rough patch.

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Pharmadrug, a medical cannabis distributor and pharmaceutical company, announced March 16 it would be collaborating with University of Michigan Medical School professor Dr. Jimo Borjigin to research DMT, a powerful psychedelic drug.

Scientifically known as N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, DMT is also called the spirit molecule. It has been used by indigenous people in South America for centuries and is known for inducing life-changing, spiritual experiences in users.

DMT differs from other psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin (magic mushrooms) in that it is naturally found in both plants and animals, while LSD and psilocybin are only found in plants and various fungi.

Borjigin has been studying DMT since 2012, and she said she became interested in DMT after contacting DMT researcher Rick Strassman of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Strassman wrote a book and produced a documentary about his research on DMT, specifically a clinical trial he ran with human volunteers in the early 1990s.

As a neuroscientist, I wondered what DMT did in human brains, Borjigin said.

In 2013, Borjigin and other researchers found DMT in the pineal gland of rats. The pineal gland is a small gland in the brain that produces melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Through other studies, DMT has also been found in humans, but scientists still do not know how much DMT there is in our bodies or why it is there.

More recently, Borjigin and her lab found DMT in the rat brain in 2019. The amount of DMT found in the rat brains is roughly equivalent to the amount of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters that affect mood and regulate a variety of functions in human bodies. The level of DMT in the rat brains indicated that the drug might be able to have a much larger role in human functioning than previously thought.

I think our findings contradicts other peoples criticism that DMT is just a minor presence, or a metabolic waste product, and doesnt have any physiological function, Borjigin said.

This critique has been one of many obstacles standing in the way of research on the role of naturally occuring DMT in the body. The perceptions around studying psychedelics tend to misunderstand or dismiss their importance, Borjigin said. She highlighted how difficult it was to obtain funding for her research.

We actually tried very hard to get funding from the National Institutes of Health, Borjigin said. Many people seem to be confused about our drive to study DMT. They will try to send our proposals to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which is the wrong type of research. Were interested in endogenous DMT.

Research on endogenous DMT, or DMT that is made naturally in our brains, stood out to Pharmadrug CEO Daniel Cohen.

We were really interested in the fact that DMT is so prevalent in nature, Cohen said.

Pharmadrug currently distributes medical cannabis in Europe and psychedelic mushrooms in the Netherlands, where it is legal to buy and sell them.

We realized there was a lot of work already being done with psilocybin, LSD and ketamine, Cohen said. We also did some research and realized that DMT hadnt really been addressed yet in the biotech sector.

Pharmadrug got in touch with Borjigin through a connection with another psychedelic researcher.

Speaking with (Borjigin), it became apparent that shes one of the leaders in academia when it comes to DMT research, Cohen said.

Cohen said he believes there hasnt been enough research on DMT.

We want to use (Borjigins) research with future clinical studies to develop a potential commercial path for DMT, Cohen said.

Borjigin said she will continue to study DMT in rat brains and not in those of humans due to the invasiveness of the necessary procedures. Any clinical studies in humans would observe the behavioral impacts and effects of DMT and not require surgical procedures, Borjigin explained..

Doctoral candidate Nicolas Glynos has been working with Borjigin for the past two years and cites DMT research as one of the main reasons he decided to study at the University of Michigan.

Ive spent the majority of the past two years studying, thinking about and working on DMT, Glynos said.

Glynos is an active member of the Student Association for Psychedelic Studies, co-founder of the Rackham Interdisciplinary Workshop Psychedelic Neuroscience and Therapy and was a featured speaker at the TedxUofM event.

With these student organizations, Glynos said his goal is to make psychedelic studies more mainstream.

We want to provide opportunities for students, faculty, staff and members of the Michigan community to engage in research surrounding psychedelic science and therapy, Glynos said. We want to bring psychedelics into the curriculum of Michigan academia.

Glynos said he sees psychedelics as having the potential to radically shift how mental health is treated.

Weve learned that SSRIs and other pharmaceutical drugs are really ineffective at treating mental illnesses like major depressive disorder, substance abuse and anxiety conditions, Glynos said. Because DMT occurs endogenously in humans, theres a lot of potential to understand mental health disorders and psychiatric disorders.

Borjigin emphasized that DMT research is still important even if the therapeutic potential is unclear.

This could rewrite how psychiatry sees the fundamental aspects of mental function, Borjigin said. This could open up a whole new field of research and open up our eyes to entire new aspects of how our brain functions.Daily Staff Reporter Teagan Stebbins can be reached at teagans@umich.edu.

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Pharmaceutical company teams up with UM to research DMT therapeutics - The Michigan Daily

Microdosing has become something of a wellness trend in recent years, gathering traction in Australia and overseas.

The practice involves taking a low dose of a psychedelic drug to enhance performance, or reduce stress and anxiety.

While the anecdotal accounts are compelling, significant questions remain around how microdosing works, and how much of the reported benefits are due to pharmacological effects, rather than participants beliefs and expectations.

Weve just published a new study following on from two earlier studies on microdosing. Our body of research tells us some benefits of microdosing may be comparable to other wellness activities such as yoga.

Its not clear how many Australians microdose, but the proportion of Australian adults who have used psychedelics in their lifetime increased from 8% in 2001 to 10.9% in 2019.

After a slow start, Australian research on psychedelics is now progressing rapidly. One area of particular interest is the science of microdosing.

In an earlier study by one of us (Vince Polito), levels of depression and stress decreased after a six-week period of microdosing. Further, participants reported less mind wandering, which might suggest microdosing leads to improved cognitive performance.

However, this study also found an increase in neuroticism. People who score highly on this dimension of personality experience unpleasant emotions more frequently, and tend to be more susceptible to depression and anxiety. This was a puzzling finding and didnt seem to fit with the rest of the results.

Read more: Does microdosing improve your mood and performance? Here's what the research says

In a recent study, Stephen Brights research team recruited 339 participants who had engaged in either microdosing, yoga, both or neither.

Yoga practitioners reported higher levels of stress and anxiety than those in the microdosing or control groups (participants who did neither yoga nor microdosing). Meanwhile, people who had practised microdosing reported higher levels of depression.

We cant say for sure why we saw these results, although its possible people experiencing stress and anxiety were attracted to yoga, whereas people experiencing depression tended more towards microdosing. This was a cross-sectional study, so participants were observed in their chosen activity, rather than assigned to a particular group.

But importantly, the yoga group and the microdosing group recorded similarly higher overall psychological well-being scores compared with the control group.

And interestingly, people who engaged in both yoga and microdosing reported lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress. This suggests microdosing and yoga could have synergistic effects.

Through a collaboration between Edith Cowan University, Macquarie University and the University of Gttingen in Germany, our most recent study aimed to extend these findings, and in particular try to get to the bottom of the possible effects of microdosing on neuroticism.

We recruited 76 experienced microdosers who completed a survey before undertaking a period of microdosing. Some 24 of these participants agreed to complete a follow-up survey four weeks later.

The results were published in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies this month. We found that like our earlier work, the 24 participants experienced personality changes after a period of microdosing. But the changes were not entirely what we anticipated.

This time, we found a decrease in neuroticism and an increase in conscientiousness (people who are highly conscientious tend to be diligent, for example). Interestingly, a greater amount of experience with microdosing was associated with lower levels of neuroticism among the 76 participants.

These results are more consistent with other research on the reported effects of microdosing and high-dose psychedelics.

Read more: It's not all in your mind: how meditation affects the brain to help you stress less

Our most recent findings suggest the positive effects of microdosing on psychological well-being could be due to a reduction in neuroticism. And the self-reported improvements in performance, which weve also observed in our past research, could be due to increased conscientiousness.

When considered together, the findings of our research suggest contemplative practices such as yoga might be particularly helpful for less experienced microdosers in managing negative side effects such as anxiety.

However, we cannot know for certain if the changes weve observed are due to microdosers holding positive expectations because of glowing anecdotal reports theyve seen in the media. This represents a key limitation of our research.

As psychedelic drugs are illegal, its ethically complex to provide them to research participants we generally have to observe them taking their own drugs. So another key challenge of this research is the fact we cant know for sure precisely what drugs people are using, as they dont always know themselves (especially for LSD).

Given the illegal drug market is unregulated, theres a danger people could inadvertently consume a potentially dangerous new psychoactive substance, such as 25-I-NBOMe, which has been passed off as LSD.

People also cant be sure of the size of the dose theyre taking. This could lead to unwanted effects, such as tripping balls at work.

Potential harms like these can be mitigated by checking your drugs (you can buy at-home test kits) and always starting off with a much lower dose than you think you need when using a batch for the first time.

Despite the hype around microdosing, the scientific results so far are mixed. Weve found microdosers report significant benefits. But its unclear how much of this is driven by placebo effects and expectations.

For people who choose to microdose, also engaging in contemplative practices such as yoga might mitigate some of the unwanted effects and lead to better outcomes overall. Some people might find they get the same benefit from the contemplative practices alone, which is less risky than microdosing.

As a next step, one of us (Vince Polito) and colleagues are using neuroimaging to investigate the effect of microdosing on the brain.

If you practise microdosing, are based in Sydney, and are interested in taking part in this research, please email sydneymdstudy@gmail.com.

Read more: 'Microdosers' of psychedelics report improved mood, focus and creativity

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Could microdosing be as good as yoga for your mood? It's not that big a stretch - The Conversation AU

Working with artists such as Jafaris, Nealo, Soul, FLYNN and Mango X Mathman to name a few; Emijis knack for sonic versatility has no limits.

The ambient debut album from neo-classical producer/composer Emiji landed last Friday, March 26th, and the timing was undeniably apt. A project designed to cleanse the mental palette of those struggling during a chaotic era; My Journeys also delves deep into the mindscape of the creative, showcasing emotions at their most potent from Emijis childhood to the present day. The album also challenges perceptions of psychedelic drugs for therapeutic reasons, exploring the potential for psychedelics to guide those who experience them substantially closer to nature.

Originally from Poland, Marcin Ciszczon is the co-founder of one of Ireland's most successful independent production houses, Diffusion Lab. After spending nearly a decade working with some of Irelands most exciting musical talents in his role of producer, composer and engineer, the time has come for his own music to be shared.

Having first moved to Ireland back in 2005, Marcin later returned after a five-year stint in his homeland in 2015 and started Diffusion Lab alongside Chris Bubenzer and Ivan Klucka. The hip-hop, pop and R&B juggernaut helped shape the likes of Hare Squead and Soul from the beginning of their careers. Emiji used every minute of spare down-time to craft his debut album, designing My Journeys as a soundscape for meditation, breathwork or progressive relaxation exercises.

I started the album back in 2017, and finally finished it last year during COVID, Marcin tells Hot Press about the contemporary project.

The concept of the album was to portray my personal experiences with mental health and holistic medicine, which meant I was reluctant to receive any feedback. Ive made it this way on purpose, and I totally understand that its niche music, so not everybody will appreciate the sound - and thats fine! Its my unique story, and the reasons why Ive made My Journeys matter just as much as the music itself.

The moving cinematic overture examines the depths of the human psyche, considering the profound themes of natures healing power and childhood wounds. A symphony of moving tracks; each song embodies aspects of pain, uncertainty, darkness and the human spirits inner workings. Emiji utilises a newfound understanding of the world to encourage others to dive into their own potential.

In 2017, I became a bit exhausted both mentally and physically, Marcin says. Psychedelics were suggested to me, so I decided to give LSD a try. I read about the dangers and side effects of using psychedelic drugs for mental health purposes from various articles and forums. I spent four months researching what to expect; discovering that a transformative, spiritual experience requires higher doses.

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1984, Misuse of Drugs Act 2015 and the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010 regulate drug usage in Ireland, while the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970 classified all psychedelic drugs in the US as Schedule I. However, before the 70s, psychedelics were of keen interest to many psychiatrists and psychologists. Dozens of research studies with thousands of patients were completed using LSD and psilocybin with promising results and evidence which entirely conflicted with the restrictive laws.

Psychedelic research began again in the early 2000s to investigate the safety and uses of psychedelic drugs in substance use and mental health treatment. MDMA, LSD, psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms), ibogaine and ayahuasca are all currently being researched for their potential in treating depression, PTSD, anxiety, OCD, substance abuse, addictions and more. Psychedelic drugs are also being evaluated as treatments for Alzheimers disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

I felt like I was torn apart when I tried LSD and psilocybin, both who I was as a person and my internal values, Emiji says, reflecting on his own experiences.

Psychedelics showed me what I needed to do with my life. If youre not scared, they will show you the issues holding you back, as long as you arent resistant, Marcin adds. I was terrified at the beginning, but you have to go with the flow. I believe that if you know how to take the right dose, in the right environment, with the right people, then it can be relatively safe. The end goal is ego death, where it legitimately feels as though youre dying - but you come back. I trusted the people who guided me, they were experienced and knew that they were doing.

President Nixon criminalised psychedelics in the 1970s, and derailed research projects into their potential for mental health, but I believe that once you know what youre doing dosage-wise and are using them for the right reasons, hallucinogenic drugs are totally harmless, Emiji says, reflectively.

The first time I used LSD for therapy, it was one of the most difficult, meaningful experiences of my life. It turned the way in which I saw the world on its head. Through psilocybin and ayahuasca, I discovered what I needed to do to reach my potential. Its one thing to gain knowledge, but its another thing to actually put what you know into practice to change your life. I became much closer to nature spiritually, Maybe it is why I live in the countryside right now - surrounded by lakes and forest.

Outside of their use as treatments in clinical populations, psychedelics have been found to enhance self-acceptance, increase openness and improve social relationships. Emijis own relationship was strengthened as a result.

If you use psychedelics alone, youll experience a lot of beauty and darkness. Its like a total disconnection from the matrix but a connection to something bigger than all of us. If you have the experience with someone else, as I did with my girlfriend, it gives the effect of becoming at one with that person. At least it was like that for us, but every psychedelic experience is different.

A group of people in the Dublin area are undergoing trials to assess the effectiveness of the active ingredient of magic mushrooms in the treatment of severe depression, marking the first time a psilocybin-centred trial has occurred in Ireland. It remains an illegal drug for recreational purposes and its use in the Irish study - based out of Tallaght hospital - is heavily regulated.

I believe that psychologists undertaking the trial need to try psychotropic plants themselves to truly understand, but Im delighted that the trial is happening. There are dozens more going ahead in the US and in the UK. Psychedelics have the ability to render those who experience them totally open when talking to a therapist.

In my experience, it changed my entire outlook, Marcin continues. I feel as though they work the opposite way to regular antidepressant medication. The experience is too intense to cope with on a regular basis, and they often aid addiction rather than cause it. I stopped drinking alcohol, even though I was a moderate drinker. Ive also transitioned to a more healthy eating and lifestyle in general that I believe happened as a side effect of using psychedelics and making the right decisions. I think governments are often afraid of public reaction, but there are signs of changes in societal thinking towards psychedelics.

Emijis potent examination of his inner psyche and emotional range bleeds into My Journeys. Minimal in instrumentation, the album relies mostly on a unique blend of complex synths and intricate piano melodies. Collaborating with Dublin folk/pop duo Hvmmingbyrd on lead singles Larimar and talented vocalist Sandra Maria on Unspoken; Emiji creates serene, all-consuming musical results.

Not every song on the album is about nature, but many of them were inspired by it. The forest itself is music, and always calms me down, Emiji says, smiling.

Dawning is about the morning. The idea was inspired by the Bray Head, when I was high up in the mountains. I was trying to emanate what the rising sun would sound like. The track gets bigger and brighter, as the morning does. Youre hit with the bliss of warmth. Helpless was completely electronic originally. I was experimenting from totally electronic music to cinematic acoustic. The song was purely beats, but I introduced orchestral sounds and they took over. I wanted to portray how I fell at the time, as if I had no power, even though externally I may have looked well. Wounded Child was written about the anger you feel as a child when you cant express it, allowing it to fester and grow over time.

A voyage of self-discovery, Emiji offers the project as a gift to those needing tranquility during a chaotic era in history. Stretching his creative limits and ailing his own mental health overtook his desire to create music for the mainstream ear.

I was still experimenting and editing the album early last year, Emiji says. From my work with Diffusion Lab, Im aware that this country listens to mostly pop, hip-hop, R&B. Much of that group wouldnt be interested in ambient music, but mental health is becoming an even more critical crisis on account of lockdown. The hope is that My Journeys will offer some sense of peace and broaden the horizons of contemporary music in Ireland. You wont be hearing it in a nightclub, though!

Stream the new album from Emiji below:

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'The story behind My Journeys matters as much as the music itself': Neoclassical artist Emiji on his debut LP and exploration of psychedelics for...

Silo Wellness Inc. (CSE: SILO), a wellness company in the psychedelics and functional mushroom marketplaces, is pleased to announce the appointment of beer, wine and spirits brand marketing and communications expert, Stuart Kirby, as Vice President of Marketing & Communications as well as cannabis and hemp industries expert, Peter Holzworth, as Vice President of Business Development.

I am delighted to welcome two very accomplished senior executives to key leadership positions with Silo Wellness, stated Douglas K. Gordon, Chief Executive Officer of Silo Wellness. With a decorated career in the adult beverage industry marketing some of the most iconic brands in the space, I look forward to Stuarts creativity in delivering and amplifying the Marley licensing agreement we have just recently announced. I am equally excited to welcome Peter, who has tremendous experience in the cannabis and hemp industries, and to having him replicate that success within the psychedelic and functional mushroom category.

Kirby has more than twenty five years of experience with integrated strategic communications, brand public relations and consumer lifestyle marketing. He has overseen the marketing and communications functions for some of the most successful companies in their respective industries, such as the worlds leading supplier of wine, E & J Gallo, two leading global PR firms, Edelman and Hill & Knowlton as well as the worlds leading adult beverage supplier, DIAGEO.

Anchored to the belief that with great opportunity comes an equal measure of responsibility, Kirby has led numerous corporate social responsibility efforts from environmental sustainability plans and global responsible consumption initiatives to cause-related marketing campaigns and humanitarian relief operations partnering with non-profit entities such as Amnesty International, Surfrider Foundation, Pan-American Development Foundation, USAID and Habitat for Humanity.

Throughout my career, I have had the great privilege of being entrusted as steward to some of the most iconic, lifestyle brands in the world. Marketing and publicizing the legacy of Bob Marley a man, musician and mystic that I have long admired may be one of the most exciting professional opportunities I have ever been responsible for, commented Kirby. I look forward to transforming this fast-moving industry with a brand that stands for one love and translating that universal vision to positively impact the communities and cultures we partner with.

A veteran of the capital markets, cannabis and hemp industries, Holzworth has specialized experience in mergers and acquisitions, big data, compliance and regulatory affairs as well as brand development. As Vice President of Business Development for Silo Wellness, he will introduce and scale the Marley-branded mushroom line to the world by establishing relationships with large-scale distributors in the nutraceutical, nutrition, smoke shop and big-box retail markets.

It is my great pleasure to be entrusted with the awesome responsibility of taking one of the most beloved brand names in the world and applying my experience from the cannabis industry to scale this business exponentially in the immediate future, exclaimed Holzworth. I look very much forward to assisting Silo Wellness to lead and expand market accessibility, domestically and abroad, to the functional and psychedelics mushroom category. Given my international contacts, global market experience and new business development acumen, I am here to fast-track Silos industry leadership position and to scale the Marley brand globally in short order.

Silo Wellness is also pleased to announce the appointment of Kenny Choi to the role of Corporate Secretary, effective immediately. The appointment of Mr. Choi follows the resignation of Mo Yang as the Corporate Secretary of Silo Wellness.

About Silo Wellness

The mission of Silo Wellness is to improve health and wellness by developing and introducing psychedelic medicine to reduce trauma and increase performance by destigmatizing the active compounds in psychedelics and innovating ease of administration and ingestion. Silo Wellness intends to introduce new, safe and affordable alternatives to current medicines by facilitating entry into new and emerging markets where psychedelics are legal by conducting ketamine and psilocybin wellness retreats and elsewhere by manufacturing and distributing functional mushrooms.

Since its inception, Silo Wellness activities have focused on: (1) development of psilocybin-free functional mushroom tinctures; (2) the development of the formulation of a psilocybin nasal spray in Jamaica; and (3) offering of Jamaican and Oregon psychedelic wellness retreats as well as the cultivation of psychedelic mushrooms in Jamaica. None of Silo Wellness products claim to cure or mitigate any physical or mental disease, symptoms, disorders or abnormalities.

For further information, please contact: http://www.SiloWellness.com

Media Relations: Stuart Kirby, VP of Marketing & Communications press@silowellness.com

Silo Wellness Investor Relations: (604) 343-2724 IR@silowellness.com

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. Other than statements of historical fact, all statements are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as expects, or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate, plans, budget, scheduled, forecasts, estimates, believes or intends or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results may or could, would, might or will be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the appointment of officers of Silo Wellness and the business plans of Silo Wellness. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and the potential impact of COVID-19. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Silo Wellness assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

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Silo Wellness Hires Two Veterans of Lifestyle Marketing and Cannabis Industry to Promote Marley Line of Functional & Psychedelic Mushroom Brand -...

VANCOUVER, British Columbia., March 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE: AGN) (FRANKFURT: AGW) (OTCQB: AGNPF) (the Company or Algernon) a clinical stage pharmaceutical development company is pleased to announce that it has been added to the Horizons Psychedelic Stock Index ETF (PSYK) in its first quarterly rebalance of holdings.

PSYK (PSYK: NEO) is the world's first ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) offering direct exposure to North American publicly listed securities that have significant business activities in, or significant exposure to, the psychedelics industry. The underlying index is the North American Psychedelic Stock Index, which is a proprietary index owned and operated by Horizons ETFs, and Solactive AG is the independent calculation agent for the index.

On February 1st, 2021, Algernon announced that it had established a clinical research program for the treatment of stroke focused on AP-188 (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine or DMT), a known psychedelic compound, said Christopher J. Moreau CEO of Algernon Pharmaceuticals. Being added to the PSYK is a reflection of the important work Algernon has undertaken with its DMT stroke research program and will help bring a further level of awareness to the Company among a wide range of investors.

About Horizons Psychedelic ETF and the North American Psychedelic Index

The Horizons Psychedelic ETF is the world's first exchange traded fund offering direct exposure to North American publicly listed securities that have significant business activities in, or significant exposure to, the psychedelics industry. Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. which manages the fund, is a global ETF provider with ETF solutions available to investors across the globe. Horizons ETFs have over $17.5 billion of assets under management and 88 ETFs listed on major Canadian stock exchanges.

The underlying index for the Horizons Psychedelic ETF is the North American Psychedelic Stock Index, which is a proprietary index owned and operated by Horizons ETFs, with Solactive AG being the independent calculation agent for the index. The Index, which rebalances each calendar quarter, has been designed to provide a measure of the performance of North American publicly listed life sciences companies focused on psychedelic medicines, and other companies with business activities in the psychedelics industry.

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DMT Background

N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, or DMT, is a hallucinogenic tryptamine drug producing effects similar to those of other psychedelics like LSD, ketamine, psilocybin and psilocin. DMT occurs naturally in many plant species and animals and has been used in religious ceremonies as a traditional spiritual medicine by indigenous people in the Amazonian basin. DMT can also be synthesised in a laboratory.

At higher doses, DMT has a rapid onset, intense psychedelic effects, and a relatively short duration of action with an estimated half-life of less than fifteen minutes. Like other hallucinogens in the tryptamine family, DMT binds to serotonin receptors to produce euphoria and psychedelic effects. Because the effects of DMT do not last very long, it has been referred to in some circles as the businessmans trip.

Named the Spirit Molecule by Dr. Rick Strassman, an American clinical associate professor of psychiatry and DMT research pioneer, DMT has been shown to induce neuroplasticity in a number of key preclinical studies. DMT is believed to activate pathways involved with forming neuron connections and has been shown in studies to increase the number of dendritic spines on cortical neurons. Dendritic spines form synapses (connections) with other neurons and are a major site of molecular activity in the brain.

While Dr. Strassmans Phase 1 bolus intravenous human study identified the sub-hallucinogenic dose of DMT in humans, another preclinical animal study demonstrated this same dose level still retains the neuroplastic effect seen in higher hallucinogenic doses.

Algernon will be investigating an intravenous sub-psychedelic dose of DMT as a potential treatment for Stroke in its research and clinical studies.

Algernon has filed new provisional patents for new forms of DMT, in addition to formulation, dosage and method of use claims for ischemic stroke. The Company has also filed claims for combination therapy of DMT and constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT).

About Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Algernon is a drug re-purposing company that investigates safe, already approved drugs, including naturally occurring compounds, for new disease applications, moving them efficiently and safely into new human trials, developing new formulations and seeking new regulatory approvals in global markets. Algernon specifically investigates compounds that have never been approved in the U.S. or Europe to avoid off label prescription writing.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Christopher J. MoreauCEOAlgernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.604.398.4175 ext 701

info@algernonpharmaceuticals.cominvestors@algernonpharmaceuticals.comwww.algernonpharmaceuticals.com.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: No Securities Exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to product development, licensing, commercialization and regulatory compliance issues and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as will, may, should, anticipate, expects and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Companys expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities exchange(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.

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Algernon Pharmaceuticals Announces its Addition to the Market's First Psychedelic Stock Index ETF - Yahoo Finance

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 30, 2021) - NeonMind Biosciences Inc. (CSE: NEON) (FSE: 6UF) ("NeonMind"), a psychedelic drug development company, is pleased to announce that Robert Tessarolo, President & Chief Executive Officer, will be speaking at the Psychedelic, Therapeutics, & Drug Development Conference that will be held virtually from May 4-6. He will be speaking on the use of psychedelics in treating obesity and eating disorders.

Figure 1: NeonMind CEO Robert Tessarolo to Speak at the Psychedelic, Therapeutics, & Drug Development Conference

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7646/78904_neon2.jpg

The conference will unite the top business and academic leaders including Frederick Barrett, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, to discuss, analyze, and share intelligence on regulatory changes and other challenges on psychedelic research for treatment of a myriad of serious chronic medical conditions.

"The Psychedelic, Therapeutics, and Drug Development Conference is an excellent opportunity for NeonMind to share our vision and progress with other industry leaders and key stakeholders," said Rob Tessarolo. "I also look forward to listening to the many great experts and innovators who will discuss a number of regulatory and policy changes that will help unlock the full health potential of this emerging field."

NeonMind is currently advancing two (2) psilocybin-based drug development programs aimed at treating obesity. Psychedelic therapy has the potential to institute long term positive behaviours that may aid in weight loss and its maintenance, and psilocybin in low doses may help control appetite and satiety.

"There is a clear need for new treatments, new solutions, new approaches for the obesity epidemic and psychedelics are well positioned to offer new therapeutic breakthroughs," said Rob Tessarolo. "NeonMind will continue to advance our important research and be a leader in commercialization following regulatory approval."

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About NeonMind Biosciences Inc.

NeonMind is engaged in research and development of products to optimize human health and performance. NeonMind has two divisions, a pharmaceutical division engaged in drug development of psychedelic compounds, and a consumer products division with a focus on mushroom infused products. NeonMind's consumer division currently sells 4 NeonMind branded coffee products in Canada through NeonMind's direct to consumer e-commerce platform, and it has plans to launch products in Canada as natural health products once Health Canada approves its recent applications. NeonMind also plans to launch dietary supplements in the United States this spring.

In its pharmaceutical division, NeonMind has two distinct psilocybin drug development programs targeting obesity. NeonMind's first drug candidate aims to use synthetic psilocybin to enhance a patient's ability to adopt behaviours that cause weight loss and maintain that loss through psychedelic-assisted cognitive therapy. The second drug candidate offers low dose synthetic psilocybin as a treatment to suppress appetite.

NeonMind's first drug candidate employs psilocybin as an agonist to the serotonin receptor 5- HT2A, which is involved in the hallucinogenic effect of psychedelics, and the second drug candidate employs low-dose psilocybin as an agonist to the 5-HT2C receptor, which controls appetite.

For more information on NeonMind, go to http://www.NeonMindBiosciences.com.

Rob Tessarolo, President & Chief Executive Officer, NeonMind Biosciences Inc.rob@neonmind.com Tel: 416-750-3101

Investor Relations:Edge Communicationsinvest@neonmind.com Tel: 1-866-318-6874

Renmark Financial Communications Inc. Melanie Barbeaumbarbeau@renmarkfinancial.com Tel: 416-644-2020 or 212-812-7680

Media Inquiries:Exvera Communications Inc.brittany@exvera.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or NeonMind's future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected","estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on NeonMind's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, NeonMind's drug development plans, its ability to retain key personnel, and its expectation as to the development of its intellectual property and other steps in its preclinical and clinical drug development constitute forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements made in this press release are made as of the date hereof. NeonMind disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/78904

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NeonMind CEO Robert Tessarolo to Speak at the Psychedelic, Therapeutics, & Drug Development Conference - Yahoo Finance