UCSF Private Funding To Form Neuroscape Division
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is advancing psychedelic research and treatments with a $6.4 million in funding. The university’s new ‘Neuroscape Psychedelics Division’ will focus on furthering both science and new technology.
Founding Director Robin Carhart-Harris holds the title of Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at UCSF and will head up Neuroscape. And Michael Pollan, author of How to Change Your Mind is pretty psyched about it, commenting “The combination of Neuroscape’s translational approach and Robin Carhart-Harris’ deep experience in psychedelic research makes this a promising and exciting initiative.”
In the pipeline
- Neuroscape will aim to improve the brain function of healthy individuals and current patients through psychedelic treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and different forms of addiction.
- Current project includes a MAPS phase III trial using MDMA to treat PTSD.
- The first FDA-cleared ‘video game as a medical therapeutic’ may prove to be especially key to creating personalized experiential medicines.
The case for this research…
- Over 500 million people worldwide are reported to suffer from mental health conditions.
- New therapeutic treatments will provide positive benefits to patients with maximized, extended, and sustainable neurological effects.
Celebrity investor and author, Tim Ferriss, is very hopeful about what the new UCSF division will accomplish. He was one of many private donors who contributed to the Centre, which also included George Goldsmith and Ekaterina Malievskaia, Dominic van Almsick, Drew and Amy McKnight, and the George Sarlo Foundation.
Aikido Pharma Trials Focus on PTSD and Beyond
Aikido Pharma (NASDAQ: AIKI) has sponsored research to treat post-traumatic stress disorder with psychedelic compounds. These sponsored trials will take place at the Mount Sinai Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research.
What the data says:
- Around 8.6 million adults suffer from recurring PTSD.
- Nearly 10% of Americans will experience PTSD at some time in their lives.
- About 11% to 20% of combat veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan experience PTSD.
- More than 500,000 veterans have requested treatment for PTSD in the last few years.
- Some patients have been following treatments for decades, with no lasting solution.
The Center utilizes MDMA, psilocybin, and other psychedelics through FDA-approved research protocols. And will soon begin clinical trials in partnership with Aikido. They’re currently the only academic institution to conduct research involving the administration of psychedelics inside the VA System.
Solutions Beyond PTSD
Aikido’s been around since 1967 and provides novel clinical therapies via the company’s platform of patented therapeutic drug technology.
Their current pipeline of licenses includes therapies for pancreatic cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), general oncology, and broad-spectrum antivirals (including Influenza, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, Ebola and Marburg viruses) from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Mind Trek: The Next Generation
A new generation of mind & soul navigators has been exploring, as a community, where no one has gone before. With combined education on technical and pharmacological aspects of hallucinogens, they know more about responsible drug use. And you can call them ‘psychonauts.’
Who are they?
These ‘cyber-shamanists’ aren’t in it for the party but the ritual, healing, and introspection. They share information and interact – often anonymously – on Internet forums ranging from private Facebook groups to more obscure websites such as Pillreports. The main focus of conversation being education on trends, dosage and safety.
Silicon Valley’s been the portrait child of responsible micro-dosing for many years. And so your typical psychonaut profile is a single, educated, young man with good computer skills. While on hallucinogens, they often experience positive, alert and creative ‘flow states.’ Surveys have revealed that members of this community may have higher cognitive ability for problem solving than non-users.
Club-drug users
Another group of ‘drug users’ is in it for the party. The lights, euphoria and extra sensory energy to go all night. Members are more likely to end up seeking help for addiction than education. Inversely, this surveyed group showed cognitive problems specific to learning and memory, with poor control over their own impulses. Remember the 1972 Stanford marshmallow experiment on delayed gratification? This is the group that can’t wait for the larger reward.
Education is the solution
The difference between these users appears to be that one group is able to integrate psychedelics into their lifestyles, while the other makes it their lifestyle. This begs the question, are the brains of informed psychedelic users truly different? The signs point to yes.
But more importantly, this highlights the dangers users face with little to no education on the latest hallucinogenic drugs. Novel substances hitting the streets are produced to mimic the effects of ecstasy, cannabis and others. And without education, users and legislators can’t keep up or make informed decisions.
Wesana Closes Large Private Funding Round
In February, Wesana Health agreed to a reverse takeover of Debut Diamonds Inc in order to fast-track Wesana’s path to IPO. They’ve now closed a $16.1 CAD private funding round and appointed investor George Steinbrenner IV to its Board of Directors; whom also participated in the financing.
Wesana’s roadmap aims to treat traumatic brain injury (TBI) by leveraging new, natural therapies with continued research and clinical trials. The company now benefits from increased credibility because of the institutional ownership by such a recognizable name. This new capital will go towards the continued clinical research and facilities, in an effort to bring alternative treatments to market.
Bringing out the big guns
With the combined efforts of CEO Daniel Carcillo and George Steinbrenner IV, Wesana possesses an exclusive edge to break into major sports leagues – where there is a high rate of TBI. The result is likely to deliver great opportunities for private contracts with the leagues down the line.
- Carcillo is a retired professional ice hockey player from Canada. He most recently played for the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL team).
- Steinbrenner IV is only 23 years old and the youngest owner of a team in the NTT IndyCar Series. He also owns a talent agency, business incubator, and a philanthropic foundation.
- The Steinbrenners are the 75th richest family in the US and owners of the New York Yankees (MLB team).
REPORT READOUT
Horizons completed a rebalance of its ETF holdings (NEO: PSYK). Four securities are in, one is out.
Mindmed (NEO: MMED) adds Stanford University neuroscientist as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board.
Minerco (OTC: MINE) finalized the closing of a lease on a prime location in Ann Arbor, Michigan, allowing it to expand domestic operations.
With the legalization of therapeutic psilocybin use, Oregon is now in a position to create their own roadmap.
Core One Labs (CSE:COOL) acquires company’s first psychedelics clinic in the US. Announces inclusion into the Horizons psychedelic ETF.
Denver-based non-profit Unlimited Sciences hopes to win over people with data collected from experienced and inexperienced psychedelic users.
