The McLean Hospital Corporation

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.

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.

PharmAla Biotech signed a contract to supply MDMA to Harvard Medical School for a clinical trial on borderline personality disorder. The trial, pending grant funding, aims to study MDMA's mechanistic effects. PharmAla supports researchers with a customer-centric approach, facilitating the complex regulatory process required for MDMA trials.

Cannabis may soon be rescheduled in the US, potentially moving from Schedule I to a less-restricted category, which could ease federal restrictions. This process involves multiple agencies and is supported by scientific evidence for its medical use, particularly in treating chronic pain. Dr. Staci Gruber emphasizes the importance of informed consumer choices, verifying product contents, considering age and personal health history, and understanding the potential for drug interactions.

PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc. will supply MDMA for a clinical trial at Harvard Medical School’s McLean Hospital. The company is the only supplier of clinical-grade MDMA for patient treatments outside of clinical trials. PharmAla also plans to attend the CPHI pharmaceutical conference in Milan to meet with potential European distribution partners. Harvard renews its focus on psychedelic research with a $16 million program.

The FDA approved Cobenfy, a new schizophrenia drug with fewer side effects, marketed by Bristol Myers Squibb. Unlike traditional dopamine-focused drugs, Cobenfy targets muscarinic receptors, reducing negative symptoms like apathy. Available from October at $1,850/month, its long-term safety and efficacy remain uncertain.

KarXT, a new antipsychotic targeting muscarinic receptors, received US approval, offering potential for more effective and better-tolerated schizophrenia treatment. It modulates dopamine release and improves cognitive function without severe side effects, marking a shift in psychosis treatment. Future drugs may further refine this approach, tailoring treatment to individual needs.