Midomafetamine

Emyria (ASX: EMD) completes $2.25M capital raise, with Chairman Greg Hutchinson investing $1M. Hutchinson's investment signals confidence in EMD's potential. EMD aims to scale its novel mental health treatments, similar to Hutchinson's success at Sonic HealthPlus. The raise reduces funding risk and focuses on upcoming milestones: MDMA-AT Phase 2b recruitment, animal study results for fast-acting MDMA analogues, ketamine therapy approval, and securing a major payer partnership.

The psychedelic renaissance may see progress in 2025 with potential reforms under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at HHS and Nevada's working group on psychedelic compounds. Despite federal resistance, states like Nevada are advancing research and possible therapeutic use, driven by growing medical evidence and changing attitudes.

Victorian government launches first of 10 pill testing trial sites at Beyond the Valley festival, aiming to provide a judgement-free zone for safe drug checking. The service, operated by The Loop Australia, uses GCMS machines to identify substances, with particular concern over MDMA purity. The trial is part of a broader harm reduction strategy, despite opposition concerns about its efficacy.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other prominent Republicans have recently endorsed psychedelics, despite their historical association with the far-right libertarian crowd. This shift is seen as a potential revival for the psychedelic movement, which has shown signs of losing steam. However, concerns arise over the potential for right-wing leadership to fast-track psychedelics without ensuring adequate mental health and societal supports. Despite setbacks, such as the FDA's rejection of MDMA therapy for PTSD, momentum for psychedelic legalization continues, with states like Oregon and Colorado leading the way. The integration of psychedelics into mainstream politics reflects their growing acceptance across party lines, though the industry's future remains uncertain.

Police in the Netherlands found a 2kg MDMA garden gnome during a drug bust, leading to humorous remarks about the gnome's startled expression.

Kalesi Volatabu, Founder of Drug Free World Fiji, warns that Fiji’s drug crisis has escalated with users openly sharing illicit substances. The crisis extends beyond traditional drugs like crystal meth and heroin to include LSD, ecstasy, and ketamine. Volatabu emphasizes the urgent need for action and open dialogue to address the issue.

The FDA's rejection of Lykos Therapeutics' NDA for MDMA therapy for PTSD highlights the need for consistent clinical trial outcomes. Psychedelics show potential for rapid-acting benefits but require proof of lasting impact. Future research will refine treatments, focusing on safety and long-term efficacy. The regulatory landscape may shift towards drug-therapy combinations, necessitating collaboration between the FDA and professional organizations. NIDA's funding of a ketamine study signals a positive shift in regulatory attitudes towards psychedelics. Each psychedelic compound has unique properties suited for specific conditions, with MDMA for PTSD and psilocybin for depression showing promise. Further research is needed to determine the longevity of therapeutic effects. Challenges in conducting psychedelic trials include safety screening and regulatory navigation, which can be addressed through rigorous trial design and collaboration.

After years of delays, FDA approves Phase 2 of MAPS' study on smoked medical marijuana for PTSD in veterans, funded by Michigan's cannabis tax revenue.

Colorado finalizes pioneering psychedelic-assisted therapy program regulations, with two facilitator licensing tracks, closely watched as a national model. The state will regulate natural medicines, with DORA overseeing training and licensing, and the Department of Revenue managing cultivation, manufacture, and testing. Local communities are establishing rules for the new industry, with some considering temporary moratoriums. High fees and costs of licensing pose challenges for practitioners.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticizes FDA's suppression of non-patentable health products, including psychedelics, stem cells, raw milk, and vitamins, suggesting he may permit unapproved medical products and marketing claims, prohibit certain food additives, and allow interstate shipment of raw milk if appointed to HHS secretary.