Psychedelics

Aaron Pelley – Cultiva Law: VISIONS Act & The Future of Psychedelics

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8 months ago

October 2, 2023

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BY AARON PELLEY ● SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

As cannabis legalization and further medical implementation of the cannabis plant becomes more legal and accessible, the discussion surrounding the possible medicinal benefits behind other medicinal plants has also expanded and become more commonplace. In particular, the medicinal benefits behind psilocybin mushrooms are being discussed very frequently throughout all branches of government throughout the country. Way back in 2019, the city of Denver voted to decriminalize the mushrooms by an extremely slim margin. A month later, Oakland City Council decriminalized both psilocybin and peyote.

Since then, several local municipalities California to Massachusetts have either voted to decriminalize psilocybin or utilized their City Councils to pass decriminalization. From Cambridge to Santa Cruz and many cities in between, these measures are being signed into law in unexpected corners of America. Clearly, psilocybin may be the next frontier of widespread drug reform in America. Entire states like Oregon have even taken it a massive step forward and decriminalized not only psilocybin but other natural hallucinogens as well.

Possible psilocybin reforms have even reached their way to the United States Legislature, where a new congressional bill has been filed to protect the many local measures surrounding psilocybin passed against federal intervention. One of the Congressional representatives sponsoring this potentially groundbreaking bill is one of legal cannabis’ most ardent champions and chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer. Given that his state decriminalized all hard drugs via the 2020 election’s Ballot Measure 110, Blumenauer likely sees this new bill as the next step in full-scale drug reform.

Because every Congressional bill just absolutely must have a catchy name, the newest bill sponsored by Blumenauer and Rep. Robert Garcia of California is entitled The Validating Independence for State Initiatives on Organic Natural Substances (VISIONS) Act. Within the language of the legislation, the laws and protections promised read very similar to the promises of the Obama-era Cole Memorandum. This August 2013 memorandum was issued by United States Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole and stated that due to “limited resources”, the Justice Department wouldn’t unfairly enforce federal cannabis prohibition in states that have voted to legalize cannabis either medically or recreationally unless obvious federal criminal activity was occurring such as distribution to minors or organized crime.

Although the briefly serving Attorney General and Keebler Elf Jeff Sessions rescinded the Cole Memorandum in 2018 during his hilarious flop of a crusade against the states with legalized cannabis,the DOJ didn’t go after a single cannabis business that was operating compliantly and legally. This critical failure on Sessions’ part was just the latest in the many failures in Sessions’ war against cannabis that ended with his sudden firing following several months of openly bickering with President Trump.

“We reviewed DOJ press releases on approximately 50 federal prosecutions involving marijuana during the period 2018-2020 and did not find one that involved purely state compliant activity.” a review by the Global Cannabis Compliance Blog stated. “In fact, almost all involved Cole Memorandum priorities – most commonly, organized crime, the use of firearms, and trafficking of other illegal drugs.”

Likely inspired by the Cole Memorandum, The 2023 VISIONS Act reads very similar in terms of legislation and hopefully won’t be rescinded by a power-drunk Attorney General who sounds reminiscent of Foghorn Leghorn.

The Validating Independence for State Initiatives on Organic Natural Substances (VISIONS) Act calls for no federal funds to be used to “prevent any state or unit of local government from implementing such state’s or unit of local government’s own laws that authorize the use, distribution, sale, possession, research, or cultivation of psilocybin.”

If this bill is enacted, the protections that the bill ensures would be a tremendous victory towards future psilocybin medical legalization and utilization. Without having the weight and worry of federal intervention, medical research and reforms can be completed at a much greater speed. And even more, The VISIONS Act would guarantee those protections to both statewide legislatures and local municipalities simultaneously while also allowing for a possible legal psilocybin market in the future.

“Current federal law lags behind the growing body of evidence that suggests that the psychedelic treatment that psilocybin offers can provide relief for those suffering from anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. Here in the U.S. we have countless military and law enforcement veterans who have seen their lives improve thanks to these groundbreaking treatments.” said Congressman Garcia in a statement on his website. “The potential benefits of psilocybin have been overlooked for years and my aim is to protect the areas and states that want to delve into the real progress this treatment can offer for people in their communities.”

VISIONS Act & The Future of Psychedelics

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Psychedelics

Press Release: PsychedelicNewsWire Named Official Media Sponsor of the 4th Annual Psychedelic Therapeutics and Drug Development Conference

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2024

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LOS ANGELES, May 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PsychedelicNewsWire (“PNW”), a specialized communications platform for the psychedelics sector and one of the 60+ brands powered by IBN (“InvestorBrandNetwork”), is pleased to announce that it will be the Official Media Sponsor for the 4^th Annual Psychedelic Therapeutics and Drug Development Conference (“the conference”), an industry flagship event dedicated to research and development of psychedelics in the healthcare space hosted by Arrowhead SciTech Conferences & Events (“Arrowhead”). The event will be held at the iconic Revere Hotel Boston Common, 200 Stuart Street, Boston, MA 02116 on 23-24 May 2024

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Risks of Psychedelics for People with Personality Disorders

Published

2 weeks ago

May 9, 2024

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While psychedelics have shown promise in treating certain mental health conditions, a recent study suggests they may pose risks for individuals with personality disorders. The findings underscore the importance of careful screening and personalized approaches in psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Navigating the Psychedelic Landscape: Potential Risks for Individuals with Personality Disorders

Psychedelics, including substances like psilocybin and LSD, have gained significant traction in recent years for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. However, a recent publication in the Journal of Psychopharmacology has raised concerns about the suitability of these substances for individuals with personality disorders.

The study surveyed individuals who had used psychedelics and who were also diagnosed with personality disorders. A considerable number of respondents reported negative and persistent psychological impacts following their psychedelic experiences. Notably, these included heightened anxiety, paranoia, mood instability, and an exacerbation of existing personality disorder symptoms.

Researchers suggest that the vulnerability of individuals with personality disorders to the adverse effects of psychedelics may stem from pre-existing challenges in emotional regulation, self-identity, and interpersonal relationships. The profound and introspective nature of psychedelic experiences can intensify these issues, potentially leading to psychological distress and symptom aggravation.

This research highlights the critical need for thorough screening and assessment in the context of psychedelic-assisted therapy. It suggests that individuals with personality disorders might require tailored therapeutic approaches and robust support systems to navigate potential risks and to secure safe and positive outcomes.

Why It Matters

The burgeoning interest in psychedelic therapy underscores the necessity to discern both the potential benefits and risks across different demographic groups. This study contributes valuable insights, particularly for clinicians and researchers, stressing the importance of personalized treatment plans and the cautious consideration of individual vulnerabilities when administering psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Potential Implications

The findings from this study emphasize the need for ethical and responsible practices within the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. There is a pressing requirement for the development of detailed screening protocols that can identify individuals who may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of psychedelics. Furthermore, crafting specialized therapeutic strategies that cater specifically to the needs of individuals with personality disorders is essential for ensuring their safety and overall well-being during and after undergoing psychedelic experiences.

The Bigger Picture

The debate surrounding the therapeutic use of psychedelics is complex, with various factors influencing the suitability of these treatments for different individuals. While there are promising results in general populations, the nuanced needs and potential vulnerabilities of those with personality disorders require careful consideration to prevent harm and maximize therapeutic outcomes. This necessitates ongoing research, improved clinical protocols, and a commitment to patient-centered care in the burgeoning field of psychedelic medicine.

Source: Science Alert

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antidepressants

Treating Depression: Psychedelics vs. Antidepressants

Published

2 weeks ago

May 9, 2024

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Recent research suggests that psychedelics and traditional antidepressants, while both potentially effective in treating depression, work through distinct mechanisms. Understanding these differences could lead to more personalized and effective treatment approaches. Psychedelics vs. Antidepressants: What are the key differences?

Unlocking the Mysteries of Depression Treatment: Psychedelics vs. Antidepressants

The quest for effective depression treatments continues to be a significant focus in mental health research. Traditional antidepressants, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have been a mainstay in treatment, prescribed widely despite varying efficacy among individuals and often accompanying unwanted side effects. In contrast, psychedelics have recently garnered attention for their rapid and enduring antidepressant effects observed in clinical trials.

A recent study has delved into the distinct mechanisms of action of SSRIs and psychedelics, illuminating how they uniquely influence the brain and potentially alleviate symptoms of depression. SSRIs primarily increase serotonin levels in the brain, which is believed to enhance mood and diminish depressive symptoms. However, this process can require several weeks to manifest noticeable effects, and not all patients respond favorably to SSRIs.

Conversely, psychedelics such as psilocybin, found in “magic mushrooms,” operate through a different mechanism. Research indicates that psilocybin’s antidepressant effects are not directly due to elevated serotonin levels. Instead, psilocybin is thought to promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s capacity to reorganize and form new neuronal connections. This heightened neuroplasticity may facilitate more adaptable thought patterns and an improved ability to process emotions, contributing to the rapid and sustained antidepressant effects seen in clinical trials.

Moreover, the study examined the role of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor, a primary target for both SSRIs and psychedelics. While SSRIs inhibit this receptor’s activity, psychedelics activate it. Intriguingly, blocking the 5-HT2A receptor did not reduce psilocybin’s antidepressant effects, suggesting that its therapeutic benefits originate from other pathways.

Psychedelics vs. Antidepressants: Why It Matters?

Understanding the distinct mechanisms by which psychedelics and antidepressants affect the brain is crucial for the development of more personalized and effective treatment strategies for depression. This knowledge could lead to enhanced patient selection for specific treatments, reducing trial and error while optimizing outcomes. Furthermore, exploring the unique properties of psychedelics may pave the way for novel antidepressant medications that are quicker acting and have fewer side effects.

Potential Implications

This research could catalyze a shift in depression treatment paradigms, moving from a one-size-fits-all approach to more targeted therapies. By pinpointing the specific mechanisms that underlie different antidepressant interventions, clinicians can customize treatment plans based on individual patient profiles and needs. This personalized approach could improve treatment success rates and enhance the quality of life for individuals battling depression.

What Next?

While the study of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes is still in its nascent stages, the initial findings are promising and suggest that psychedelics may offer a valuable addition to the arsenal of tools for combating depression and other mental health conditions.

Source: Neuroscience News

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