👁️ Magic Toad Healing and Important FDA Review

Did you know recent archaeological findings in Yaxnohcah, Mexico, have revealed that the ancient Maya embedded their ball games with deep religious (psychedelic) significance?

Under a ceremonial plaza that doubled as a ballcourt, researchers discovered remains of plants used in rituals, including those with medicinal and hallucinogenic properties.

This suggests that the Maya conducted rituals to bless these spaces, seeking divine favor for the activities held there. Such practices highlight how the Maya intertwined sport, spirituality, and nature, viewing ballcourts as places for entertainment and sacred spaces crucial to their cultural and religious life.

This discovery adds a rich layer to our understanding of Maya rituals, emphasizing the profound importance of these ceremonies in blessing and protecting their communal spaces. Read the full scoop here!

Gotta Blast 🚀:

• Sippin’ on Toad Toxins: A new study shows potential psychedelic healing powers secreted through the Colorado River toad. Although, it raises ethical concerns for the species itself…

• MDMA Therapy Up for Review: Next month, the FDA will review MDMA trials to review the medicine as a potential therapy for treating PTSD. This is the first FDA consideration for a psychedelic drug application!

• Flood Victims Get Psychedelic Help: Australia is designing a new program to help those affected by the 2022 floods with MDMA therapy. The 3.8 million dollar program is the first use of psychedelic-assisted therapy in a disaster recovery setting.

Quote of the Week 📖:

CHANGING MINDS 🧠

Tapping Into Toad Toxins ☣️

A new study, published in Nature, focuses on a modified analog of 5-MeO-DMT, a substance secreted by the Colorado River toad when threatened. This toad, native to the Sonoran Desert, has long been a subject of interest due to its potent psychoactive effects, traditionally through direct consumption or smoking of its dried secretions.

Unlike conventional psychedelics that primarily target the serotonin receptor 5-HT2A, the newly synthesized compound, named 4-F,5-MeO-PyrT, interacts with the 5-HT1A receptors. This interaction is pivotal as it does not induce the psychedelic experiences typically triggered by other serotonin-affecting drugs.

In experiments with mice, this compound successfully reduced behaviors associated with anxiety and depression, such as avoidance of social interaction and lack of interest in pleasurable activities.

Researchers believe this could potentially open doors to new, non-hallucinogenic treatments for mental health disorders, providing the benefits of psychedelic therapy without its sensory distortions.

However, the excitement around this discovery is tempered by ecological and ethical concerns.

The popularity of the toad's toxin is threatening the species' survival, with significant declines in its natural populations. The research highlights a crucial balance that must be struck between harnessing potential new treatments and preserving the natural world.

While the road to human application is long, the implications of this study are vast, hinting at a future where depression and anxiety might be treatable with the unusual help of a toad's defensive secretion.

Shrooms Show Promise Against Depression in UK Study 🍄

Published in The BMJ, this extensive review and meta-analysis drew from seven controlled trials, solidifying the case for psilocybin’s therapeutic potential.

The research carefully dissected variations in participant responses, pinpointing substantial improvements in depressive symptoms, particularly where self-reported measures were employed.

Despite the encouraging outcomes, experts such as Dr. Akanksha Sharma emphasize the necessity for further exploration to fully understand psilocybin’s therapeutic mechanisms and broader potential.

This study not only propels the conversation around psychedelic-assisted therapies forward but also edges psilocybin closer to mainstream psychiatric acceptance.

MOVING THE NEEDLE 🪡

FDA Sets Historic Review for MDMA Therapy for PTSD 📑

Next month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will break new ground by reviewing MDMA-assisted therapy as a potential treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), marking a significant stride in psychedelic research.

On June 4, FDA’s Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee is set to evaluate the legitimacy of clinical trials conducted by Lykos Therapeutics (formerly MAPS Public Benefit Corporation).

This pivotal review not only reintroduces a treatment option for PTSD—the first in 25 years—but also represents the first-ever FDA consideration of a psychedelic drug application.

The committee will scrutinize two comprehensive Phase 3 studies, which are double-blind and placebo-controlled, to assess the safety and effectiveness of MDMA concerning psychological support.

This meeting follows the FDA’s decision to grant priority review status to the new drug application earlier this year, a move underscored by MDMA’s previous designation as a “breakthrough therapy” in 2017 due to promising trial results.

Australia Tests MDMA Therapy for Flood-Related PTSD 🌊

Australia is channeling $3.8 million into a pioneering stepped-care program designed to alleviate PTSD symptoms in individuals affected by the 2022 floods.

Led by Professor James Bennett-Levy at Southern Cross University, this initiative marks the first use of psychedelic-assisted therapy in a disaster recovery setting.

The program begins with arts-based therapy sessions focused on fostering self-compassion among participants, followed by the potential for MDMA-assisted therapy for those whose symptoms persist.

This innovative trial aims to treat around 200 individuals, utilizing one of the largest grants ever received by the university, showcasing a significant governmental investment in exploring alternative therapies for mental health challenges triggered by natural disasters.

COMMUNITY PULSE 🌐

Turns out…most people who have tried Mary Jane or psychedelics have had a pretty good time.

A recent survey shows that most experiences with these substances are majority “positive.”

This should open conversations on how to mitigate negative experiences, or at least create dialogue about what creates a bad trip?

This can also act as a huge positive for psychedelic policy reform. If more people have beneficial experiences from these substances, what’s truly standing in the way of recreational and therapeutic uses?

Inside the Legal Gray Area of Selling Magic Mushrooms 🍄

Psychedelic Super Conference 2024

📅 Dates: May 20 - 26

Virtual Event

Featuring 40+ of the world’s top pioneers in the psychedelic space who will be sharing their groundbreaking research and practical applications for psychedelic-assisted therapies.Psychedelic Super Conference 2024