The Bloom #139 Free Edition recovering from TBI ​

It's been anything but a slow week in the world of psychedelics. We saw MAPS PBC transform into Lykos Therapeutics (and raising $100 million to get MDMA-AT through the FDA process), atai invested $50 million in Beckley Psytech (betting on them commercializing 5-MeO-DMT), and a widely shared study on ibogaine for TBI was published.

The Stanford study brings to light an underserved population: people suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI). In our report on TBI, I've noted the lack of treatment options before and noted that only a few companies are working on treating this population with psychedelics. This study might give impetus to exploring ibogaine for TBI further (whilst also recognizing the amazing improvements in the psychological measures).

Floris - Founder of Blossom

ps We’re on the cusp of a true psychedelic resurgence, a new world is forming before our very eyes. The Vital Program by Psychedelics Today is an essential steward of this new paradigm, attracting luminaries, visionaries and leaders from across the spectrum of psychedelic practices. Applications for the January 2024 cohort close in 3 days. Check out the program and see if it's a fit for you!​

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Latest Psychedelic Research

1 Magnesium–ibogaine therapy in veterans with traumatic brain injuries​

This observational study (n=30) evaluates ibogaine (up to 980mg/70kg) in combination with magnesium (1-2 hours before and 12 hours later) in male Special Operations Forces veterans with predominantly mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The study assessed changes in disability, PTSD, depression, and anxiety immediately and one month after treatment using various scales. Results show significant improvements in functioning and psychological symptoms with no serious adverse events.

Related: Psychedelics for acquired brain injury: a review of molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential​

2 Potential therapeutic effects of an ayahuasca-inspired N,N-DMT and harmine formulation: a controlled trial in healthy subjects​

This crossover RCT (n=31) investigates the effects of a novel ayahuasca-inspired formulation containing harmine and DMT in healthy male subjects. It finds that the combination of DMT and harmine, but not harmine alone, leads to a psychedelic experience with psychological insights, emotional breakthroughs, and low challenging experiences. The study reports positive persisting effects at 1- and 4-month follow-ups, with no changes in personality traits, psychological flexibility, general well-being, or increases in psychopathology.

3 Effects of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD on self-experience​

This re-analysis of an RCT of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD finds that study participants (n=90) had significant improvements in the measures of self-experience (e.g. alexithymia - the inability to identify & describe emotions experienced by oneself). The change in scores of self-experience correlates with recovery from PTSD.

Related: Preliminary evidence for the importance of therapeutic alliance in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder​

More new research

• ​Neural Mechanisms of Resting-State Networks and the Amygdala underlying the Cognitive and Emotional Effects of Psilocybin​
• ​Spiritual health practitioners’ contributions to psychedelic assisted therapy: A qualitative analysis​

New on Blossom

1 Blossom Pro: Research Briefing #3 – Ibogaine & Ayahuasca Trials, Psychological Factors in MDMA-AT​

Investigating psychedelics in trials that we haven't seen there before (ayahuasca and ibogaine), plus the psychological factors in MDMA-assisted therapy

2 Psychedelic Research Recap December 2023​

December's psychedelic research looked at group therapy, personality, costs and microdosing LSD. We added 22 articles to the database.

3 Psychedelic Research Links 2024​

All the other papers that have come out this year that don't have a separate entry in the database.

Spotlight

Spotlight

1 VITAL Program by Psychedelics Today (Course)

We’re on the cusp of a true psychedelic resurgence, a new world is forming before our very eyes. The Vital Program by Psychedelics Today is an essential steward of this new paradigm attracting luminaries, visionaries and leaders from across the spectrum of psychedelic practices.

Applications for the January 2024 cohort close January 14, 2024 at 11:59pm PST. With only 20 spots remaining in their 100+ cohort, the opportunity to deepen your leadership status and join an empowered community is fast approaching.

If you decide to sign up for VITAL, we will get a referral fee.

2 MAPS PBC Closes $100m Series A, Rebrands to Lykos Therapeutics (Article)

MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) has successfully raised $100 million in a Series A funding round and rebranded itself as Lykos Therapeutics. Founded in 2014 as a subsidiary of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), MAPS PBC focused on advancing MDMA-assisted therapy for FDA approval. The rebranding to Lykos Therapeutics marks a strategic shift towards greater commercial viability while maintaining its foundational mission. This move includes a name change representing qualities like bravery and intelligence, aligning with the company's innovative approach to mental health treatment.

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