👁️ Artificial Intelligence and Psychedelics

Did you know that Rick Doblin, the founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), was recently named one of Time's Top 100 in Healthcare?

Rick Doblin has been a leading figure in the push to integrate psychedelics into mainstream medicine. Under his leadership, MAPS has made terrific strides in changing the landscape of how we view and use psychedelics.

His work has been instrumental in demonstrating the potential of psychedelics to treat conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

Gotta Blast 🚀:

• AI Takeover?: A Johns Hopkins study shows psilocybin shifts perceptions of consciousness. Participants began attributing consciousness to non-human entities, including robots and AI, after their trips.

• Cali Fails Again: A California Senate committee kills a bill to legalize psychedelic service centers. Despite revisions, the measure didn't advance, disappointing advocates like Sen. Scott Wiener. Supporters warn that lack of regulation increases risks for psychedelic users.

• Lykos/MAPS Fight Back: Lykos Therapeutics disputes ICER's report calling MDMA therapy evidence "insufficient," criticizing the exclusion of key perspectives. ICER counters, citing Lykos' lack of cooperation. The clash highlights challenges in approving psychedelic therapies for PTSD.

Quote of the Week 📖:

CHANGING MINDS 🧠

How Psilocybin Shapes Perceptions of Consciousness 🍄

A new study from Johns Hopkins University found that while a psilocybin trip might not make you find religion, it could make you see consciousness in some unexpected places, like robots and AI.

Researchers surveyed participants before and after their psychedelic experiences and discovered that while religious beliefs stayed the same, perceptions of consciousness shifted significantly.

Participants began attributing consciousness to non-human entities, including insects, plants, and even inanimate objects like rocks and robots. This suggests that psychedelics can expand the boundaries of what people consider to be conscious, altering interactions with the world around them.

As psychedelic therapies edge closer to mainstream acceptance, understanding their full range of effects—especially on our perceptions of AI and other forms of consciousness—becomes crucial.

This study provides a fascinating glimpse into how psilocybin can broaden our understanding of consciousness, extending it beyond the typical human experience.

Seniors and Psychedelics: A Surprising Duo for Well-Being 👴🏻

A recent study explored how psychedelic retreats affect older adults, and the results are eye-opening.

Researchers found that older participants reported significant improvements in well-being after attending these retreats, rivaling the benefits seen in younger attendees.

Unlike their younger counterparts, the older adults' improved well-being was driven more by social and communal experiences rather than the intense psychedelic effects.

This finding is significant as it suggests that psychedelics, in a supportive group setting, could offer a novel approach to enhancing mental health in older adults. It highlights the potential for psychedelics to play a therapeutic role without relying heavily on their hallucinogenic properties.

What do you think?

MOVING THE NEEDLE 🪡

California's Psychedelic Bill Hits a Roadblock 🚫

A California Senate committee has effectively stalled a bill to legalize psychedelic service centers, where adults 21 and older could access psilocybin, MDMA, mescaline, and DMT in a supervised environment with trained facilitators.

The Senate Appropriations Committee's decision to hold back the measure, introduced by Sen. Scott Wiener (D), marks another setback for advocates who have been pushing for regulated access to these substances.

The “Regulated Therapeutic Access to Psychedelics Act” was designed to address concerns previously raised by Governor Gavin Newsom, who vetoed a broader proposal last year.

The revised bill aimed to provide regulated access to psychedelics without removing criminal penalties for possession outside of the supervised context. Despite these adjustments, the committee did not advance the bill to the Senate floor.

Sen. Wiener expressed his disappointment, noting the extensive effort over the past four years to bring safe and regulated psychedelic access to California.

Advocates argue that the absence of regulated access means many will continue to use psychedelics without guidance, increasing the risk of adverse effects.

The bill's failure to move forward is a significant blow, especially given the growing interest in psychedelic therapies for mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The new organization Alliance for Safer Use of Psychedelics (ASUP) expressed their discontent, emphasizing the importance of creating a responsible program for the safer use of psychedelics.

Industry and Researchers Clash Over ICER's MDMA-Assisted Therapy Report 😤

Lykos Therapeutics and industry experts are pushing back against a recent ICER report that deemed the clinical evidence for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD "insufficient."

Lykos, expressing disappointment, highlighted the report's failure to include critical perspectives from veterans, first responders, and trauma survivors.

They also emphasized their ongoing engagement with the FDA, which includes a Special Protocol Assessment and Breakthrough Therapy Designation.

ICER, however, countered Lykos' claims, stating that their attempts to engage Lykos were met with resistance. The organization stressed that its reviews frequently involve therapies under FDA consideration and criticized Lykos for not providing relevant contacts for consultation.

The debate underscores the complexities and high stakes involved in the approval and acceptance of psychedelic therapies, with both sides emphasizing the need for rigorous, unbiased research to address the significant unmet needs of PTSD patients.

COMMUNITY PULSE 🌐

Psychedelics: Lifting the veil | Robin Carhart-Harris

4th Annual Psychedelic Therapeutics and Drug Development Conference

📅 Dates: May 23 – 24

Boston, MA

This event has been organized to bring together the world’s leading researchers and leaders in academia, industry, the non-profit sector and government to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing those engaged in the research and development of psychedelics for various health conditions with considerable unmet need.

Aspen Psychedelic Symposium 2024

📅 Dates: May 31 – June 1

Aspen, CO

This two-day gathering will showcase expert panels, groundbreaking research, and firsthand insights into the transformative world of psychedelic medicines. Explore tradition, science, and advocacy; connect with scientists, doctors, and luminaries; and dive into the future of psychedelics.