Psilocybin

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in 'magic mushrooms,' is compared to the antidepressant escitalopram in a six-month trial for depression. Psilocybin showed greater flexibility in brain states and higher well-being scores, but both treatments had comparable depressive symptom improvements. Critics argue for more extensive trials and addressing issues like cost and patient selection before widespread use.

Psyence Group's associate, Psyence Biomedical, recruits Empax Center in Australia for Phase IIb trial on psilocybin-based treatments for Adjustment Disorder in palliative care. First patient expected in early December, with topline data anticipated by second half of 2025.

Psyence Biomed recruits Perth's Empax Center for its Phase IIb trial of nature-derived psilocybin for Adjustment Disorder in Palliative Care, aiming for topline data in H2 2025.

Lykos may use third-party review for Phase 3 data; VA funding possible. Precision Psychiatry Platform faces pressure as Alto's ALTO-100 fails in MDD trial. Antidepressant withdrawal doesn't affect psilocybin efficacy, Compass study shows. Massachusetts: MAPS funds Yes on Question 4. Czech Republic creates low-risk psychoactive substance category. Other stories include Eli Lilly's Alzheimer's drug blocked by NICE, SXSW's 2025 psychedelics lineup, Imperial's UK psilocybin study funding, Seaport Therapeutics' $225M Series B, and FDA's complete response letter to PharmaTher.

New study in *Neuron* reveals DOI, a psychedelic drug, reduces anxiety by activating ventral hippocampus neurons in mice and rats, offering insights into potential future anxiety treatments.

Psyence Biomed adds Empax Center in Perth as second trial site for Phase IIb psilocybin study for Adjustment Disorder in Palliative Care, with patient recruitment starting this quarter and topline data expected in H2 2025.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) merges psychotherapy with psychedelic states, facilitated by substances like LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA, showing potential in treating PTSD, TRD, MDD, and other conditions. Despite being classified as Schedule I drugs, their therapeutic potential is increasingly recognized, leading to FDA Breakthrough Therapy designations for MDMA and psilocybin. Recent research suggests these substances reopen a 'critical period' in the brain, enhancing social reward learning and brain plasticity. Methodologically rigorous clinical research indicates substantial long-term symptom alleviation, with single sessions leading to significant symptom reduction and remission lasting up to twelve months. Despite regulatory challenges, ongoing research and clinical trials continue to explore and validate the therapeutic benefits of PAT.

Psilocybin vs. escitalopram in treating depression: Psilocybin showed greater joy and well-being at six months, but challenges remain in scaling and cost. Brain scans revealed increased flexibility in psilocybin users, predicting better outcomes.