Kathryn Walker, CEO, Revitalist Lifestyle and Wellness
Lauren Taus, Psychedelic Assisted Therapist, Inbodied Life
Lindsay Hoover, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, JLS Fund
Najla Guthrie, CEO, Wellbeing Digital Sciences
Natalie Ginsberg, Global Impact Officer, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, (MAPS)
What Is The Benzinga Psychedelics Advisory Council
Unlock the secrets of the psychedelics industry with the elite thought leaders of the Benzinga Psychedelics Advisory Council, an extension of Benzinga’s strong commitment to content and education through itsdaily psychedelics coverageand itsBenzinga Psychedelics Capital Conference.
Comprised of the industry’s most respected figures, the council members will share their unparalleled insights on the latest trends and news, as well as forecasts. The council not only recognizes the achievements of industry pioneers but also grants Benzinga readers and conference attendees access to credible, expert analysis.
From exclusive articles, expert opinions, and live discussions at theBenzinga Psychedelics Capital Conferences, to informative quotes on relevant news, the Benzinga Psychedelics Advisory Council is your ultimate guide to the psychedelics industry.
“Benzinga is a media giant that has dedicated a large amount of real estate to emerging markets, such as cannabis,crypto, and psychedelics. We truly care about the growth of these industries and strive to provide the most up-to-date news, data, and executive insights to the Benzinga community,” saysElliot Lane, Head of Cannabis and Psychedelics Partnerships at Benzinga. “A diverse group of thought leaders throughout the mental health industry has joined our Benzinga Psychedelic Advisory Council to communicate their firsthand knowledge directly to the individual, a value for consumers not found anywhere else in this space.”
More About The New Members
Kathryn Walker
CEO
Revitalist Lifestyle and Wellness
Kathryn Walkeris the CEO of Revitalist Lifestyle and Wellness (CSE: CALM) (OTCQB:RVLWF) (FSE: 4DO) which serves as a leading mental health and wellness company lead by a comprehensive team of specialty providers. Kathryn worked at a Level 1 Trauma Center inTennesseefor 9 years before attending anesthesia school at theUniversity of North Carolina-Charlotte. She practiced anesthesia of all specialties for 8 years before opening the first Revitalist location inKnoxville, TNin 2018. Today Kathryn operates as a leading advocate for psychedelic medicine as she continues to advance her comprehensive skill set recently graduating with her second Master’s degree in Psychiatric Nursing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Recognizing the need for community access, Kathryn founded the national mental health 501c3 nonprofit, Community Change Foundation (CommunityChangeFoundation.org). This nonprofit foundation focuses on providing financial assistance to veterans, frontline workers, and the financially disadvantaged seeking help with psychedelic therapies. Kathryn incorporated Community Change Foundation in 2019.
Recognizing the need for education and training advancements, Kathryn founded the American Association of Psychedelics (AAPsychedelics.org). This education non-profit 501c3 aims to continually bring high-quality education and training to all disciplines of providers. Kathryn incorporated the American Association of Psychedelics in 2021.
Lindsay Hoover
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
JLS Fund
Lindsay Hooveris a co-founder and Managing Partner of JLS Fund, a PsyTech venture fund. JLS is investing in the exciting convergence of science, technology and neurology, catalyzed by the enormous potential of plant-based and psychedelic medicines to heal illness and enhance wellness. We invest in drug development and delivery technologies, supporting and enhancing software and technologies, and related consumer products and services.
Najla Guthrie
CEO
Wellbeing Digital Sciences
Najla Guthrieis revolutionizing the way we treat and talk about wellness. Her extensive list of accomplishments includes founding KGK Science, publishing over 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals, becoming the CEO of Wellbeing Digital Sciences, and her research on the effects of citrus juices and their constituent flavonoids on breast cancer cells.
Najla is a global leader in the nutraceutical and emerging psychedelic industry with a focus on how the development of natural compounds can fundamentally change the way we treat and prevent mental illness. She continues to present and speak at a global level, lobby for the advancement of policy changes in the supplement and cannabis industries, and lead the team at Wellbeing Digital Science and KGK Science.
Natalie Lyla Ginsberg
Global Impact Officer
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, (MAPS)
Natalie Lyla Ginsberg(MSW) is the Global Impact Officer at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, (MAPS), and the co-founder of the Jewish Psychedelic Summit. She works for the ethical, accessible and safe integration of psychedelics in mainstream culture and society. Natalie joined MAPS in 2014, founding the Policy & Advocacy department, and serving as its director for 5 years. She also initiated and co-developed MAPS’ Health Equity program, including MAPS’ first MDMA Therapy Training for Communities of Color. Before joining MAPS in 2014, Natalie worked as a Policy Fellow at the Drug Policy Alliance, where she helped legalize medical cannabis in her home state ofNew York, and worked to endNew York’srace-based marijuana arrests. Natalie currently lives inLos Angeles, CA.She received her B.A. in history fromYaleCollege and her master’s of social work (M.S.W.) fromColumbia University.
Amanda Siebert
Author, Journalist, Photographer, Host
Amanda Siebertis an author and freelance multimedia journalist focusing on culture, science, business, and health in the cannabis and psychedelics spaces. She is currently a contributing writer at Healing Maps, DailyOm, and Forbes, the co-founder and editor-in-chief at Inside the Jar (on hiatus), and the host of the podcast, Root Medicine. Her first book, “The Little Book of Cannabis: How Marijuana Can Improve Your Life”, was published byGreystone Booksin 2018 on the same day cannabis was legalized inCanada. In 2019, it was named the #1-selling non-fiction cannabis book in the country. In her second book, “Psyched: 7 Cutting-Edge Psychedelics Changing The World,” (publishedOctober 2022) she breaks down the history, science, and cultural and medical uses of seven different psychedelic drugs and plant medicines, contextualized with case studies and interviews with scientists, doctors, therapists, advocates, ethnobotanists, practitioners, and users.
Lauren Taus
Psychedelic Assisted Therapist
Inbodied Life
Lauren Tausis a psychedelic-assisted therapist, trained to work with both psychoactive compounds and plant medicines. Lauren leads Inbodied Life, a group therapy practice that also offers immersive educational programs for clinicians to learn psychedelic-assisted therapy and integration in contexts that hold personal healing as essential to effective facilitation. Lauren is a lifelong student, educator and activist. For decades, Lauren’s work has focused on creating aligned, and kind mind-body connections to support complete health for individuals and the collective. Lauren is a regular speaker and contributor in the larger space of psychedelic medicine. Her work has been featured in DoubleBlind, Chacruna, The Guardian, NY Magazine and more.
About Benzinga
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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.”
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 4th 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
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.