👁 Drug Researchers Like Drugs

Did you know that ego death can completely dissolve your sense of self, leading to a profound transformation?

Ego death is an intense experience where individuals feel a complete dissolution of their personal identity, often described as a type of “death” of the ego.

This phenomenon can occur through the use of psychedelics, deep meditation, or extreme transformative events like near-death experiences or childbirth. While the experience can be unsettling, it often leads to feelings of enlightenment, connection, and freedom.

Gotta Blast 🚀:

• New research study shows drug researchers drug habits and everything in between.

• Three MDMA studies are retracted and Lykos makes big changes to the company.

• Olympia, Washington decriminalizes psychedelics like Oregon and Colorado.

Quote of the Week 📖:

CHANGING MINDS🧠

The Hidden Lives of Drug Researchers 💊

A new study pulls back the curtain on the world of drug research, revealing that 86% of researchers in the field have dabbled in the substances they study—sometimes recently. Nearly half of these researchers admitted to using drugs within the last three months, but only 11% feel comfortable acknowledging this in their academic work.

The reason?

Fear of being seen as biased, which could potentially undermine their credibility.

This reluctance to disclose personal drug use isn't just about professional reputation. It’s also about the broader stigma surrounding drug use, even within the research community. As one respondent put it, “He’s used drugs—he’s biased! He’s not a drug user—what would he know!”

The study, which involved 669 researchers from 43 countries, highlights a significant divide:

• 59% have shared their experiences with colleagues but stay silent in their published work.

• 17.8% consider themselves fully “out” as drug users, while more than half don’t use drugs at all.

Researchers are more likely to talk about using marijuana, which is decriminalized in many areas, than substances like cocaine or heroin.

This research shines a light on the complex relationship between personal experience and scientific objectivity. It begs the question: can researchers truly remain unbiased if they conceal their own experiences, or does their silence perpetuate misinformation and bias?

What do you think?

More in the Space 👁️

👁️ DMT's mind-bending visuals explained by new research.

👁️ Atai's DMT buccal film Shows promise in phase 1b trial.

👁️ FDA pulls back on kratom and psychedelics study proposal.

👁️ European psychiatrists weigh in on psychedelics.

MOVING THE NEEDLE🪡

MDMA's Rocky Road: Setbacks, Scandals, and Strategic Shifts 👀

Just days after the FDA rejected Lykos Therapeutics’ application for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, the scientific community was hit with another blow: a major journal retracted three key studies related to the treatment, citing "unethical conduct."

These papers, published in Psychopharmacology, were pulled due to undisclosed ethical violations at a Canadian testing site—violations that the study authors were reportedly aware of but failed to mention.

The retraction came as a shock, following on the heels of the FDA's rejection, which itself was a significant setback for Lykos. The company's application, heavily reliant on promising Phase 3 trial results, was deemed insufficient by the FDA, which has now requested another Phase 3 trial to further assess the safety and efficacy of MDMA as a treatment for PTSD.

Lykos plans to appeal the decision, but the road ahead looks increasingly challenging.

In the wake of these events, Lykos has announced a dramatic restructuring.

The company has laid off 75% of its workforce, shifting its focus back to clinical development and regulatory efforts.

David Hough, a pharmaceutical industry veteran, has been brought in to lead the company's resubmission efforts with the FDA. Meanwhile, Rick Doblin, a prominent figure in the psychedelic community and founder of MAPS, has stepped down from Lykos' board, expressing his deep disappointment with the FDA’s decision but remaining committed to advancing psychedelic research.

Lykos now faces an uphill battle to regain momentum and credibility in a field where the stakes—both scientific and financial—are incredibly high. As the company refocuses on the long road to approval, the broader implications for the future of psychedelic-assisted therapies hang in the balance.

More in the Space 👁️

👁️ Olympia, Washington decriminalizes psychedelics in a landmark vote.

👁️ Colorado finalizes psychedelic business rules for magic mushrooms.

👁️ U.S. ketamine clinics market to hit $6.9 billion by 2030.

COMMUNITY PULSE 🌐

_{LET’S LEARN}

The Underground Ecosystem of the Psychedelic Space 🤯

With the recent FDA announcement regarding MDMA, there are a lot of questions as to what’s next.

Well, lucky for us, there is a functioning billion-dollar underground psychedelic ecosystem already at play. That ecosystem is continuously growing and expanding like a mycelium network.

Since the FDA wants to delay the inevitable (legalizing psychedelics), there are thousands of people ready to help those in need. Say what you want about the “black market,” but it acts as a way to get immediate help from cultivators and healers who have been working with psychedelic medicines for decades.

The FDA setback was merely a hiccup to a greater tomorrow. Learn more about this journey and how psychedelics are following a similar path to cannabis.

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The Real Risks of Psychedelics

Existence - Alan Watts

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Psilocybin Conference 2024

📅Dates: November 9-10, 2024

Online

We’re thrilled to invite you to the Psilocybin Conference 2024, a two-day event where leading experts will dive deep into the latest research, therapeutic applications, and legal aspects of psilocybin. Featuring speakers from Zendo, DanceSafe, Chacruna and other renowned organizations, this conference will equip you with the knowledge and insights needed to understand the legality of psilocybin mushrooms and how they can be used to fit your unique needs.

BEFORE WE GO😢

Thank you for reading and being a part of this psychedelic journey! 🍄

👁️ Are you a psychedelic therapist/coach, retreat center, or brand looking to elevate your content? PSYCHSPACE Creations is here to help. Book a consultation call with us today and let’s bring your vision to life!

👁️ Have a question or want to build a partnership? Message us! [email protected]