Australia: ‘He wasn’t a reckless guy’: Sydney banker’s LSD / MDMA use revealed after festival death

Published

1 year ago

February 17, 2023

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News.com.au

A young Sydney banker took a combination of LSD and MDMA, according to a friend who was with him the night he died of a suspected overdose at a music festival.

Kieran Ngo, 26, died after attending the Transmission Festival held at the Sydney Showground on Saturday night.

But a friend who was with him at the festival exclusively told The Daily Telegraph that Mr Ngo was not a regular drug user but had taken approximately five MDMA pills during the event.

“He wasn’t a reckless guy … no way did he think this could cause him to die. It was just meant to be fun,” the friend said.

“I don’t want you making out like he was a big drug user because he wasn’t at all … we don’t even know definitely that’s why he died.”

The friend told the publication Mr Ngo, who worked as a senior lending associate at Commonwealth Bank, had taken LSD – or acid – while having a few drinks with friends before the festival.

Twelve other individuals were also taken to the hospital for suspected drug overdoses, while 130 others received medical attention for conditions related to drug use and heat exhaustion.

Mr Ngo was pronounced dead at Bankstown Hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning.

On Tuesday, an attendee of Transmission detailed concerns over the conditions of the festival.

“I went along [to the festival] on Saturday night, and I’m not surprised. Security on entry was a joke,” they told Ben Fordham’s 2GB Breakfast show.

“Inside was bloody hot – and only those lucky people with hand fans were able to stay cool inside.

“Bottles of water were extortionate … charging $5 or more. I don’t think there were enough police on hand. At about 9pm, I saw ambulance paramedics rushing someone out.”

Fordham took aim at the irony of signage at the festival which stated: “Don’t push your limits, be responsible.”

“People who go to these festivals pay eye-watering amounts of money,” Fordham said.

“This particular one, they charge between $144 to $270 a ticket, and event organisers make a motza out of alcohol.

“The least they can do is provide free water. They should be forced to do so.”

According to NSW Police, Mr Ngo’s death is still being investigated, and a potential drug overdose is being considered as the cause

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Lykos In Patent Mode On MDMA

Published

3 weeks ago

July 5, 2024

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We don’t believe in taking out IP on MDMA

oh actually we do

Double Blind

In a shocking move that contradicts its previous stance on intellectual property, Lykos Therapeutics (formerly known as MAPS PBC) — the organization leading the movement to legalize MDMA–assisted therapy — has filed multiple patent applications for specific forms and formulations of MDMA. Prior to this revelation, which was first reported on by Psychedelic Alpha, Lykos had long been praised in the psychedelic community and media for its “altruistic stance” in not seeking patent protections as part of its strategy, instead choosing to publish its research findings in scientific literature.

MAPS’s anti-patent stance, which intended to prevent MDMA from being monopolized, stood in stark contrast to the aggressive patent strategies of competitors like Compass Pathways and Atai Life Sciences. Rick Doblins, the founder of MAPS, had been analyzing the non-patentable status of MDMA since the late ‘80s, and in an article titled “MDMA Patentability and Orphan Drug Designation,” published in 1992, he wrote:

“It could be a major setback if MAPS funded MDMA research and secured approval for its medical use only to have someone else control it through an inexpensively obtained use patent.”

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Lykos Therapeutics Quietly Moves to Patent MDMA

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Psychedelics

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

Published

2 months 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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individualized treatment

Risks of Psychedelics for People with Personality Disorders

Published

3 months 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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