🫠 This Week in Psychedelics

Welcome to Tricycle Day. This is a special issue, Cyclists. Not just because you’re reading it (aw shucks) but also because today is Bicycle Day! 🚲

On April 19, 1943, the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann experienced the first intentional LSD trip in history while riding his bike home from the lab. In case it isn’t obvious, the name of this newsletter is no coincidence. We’re paying homage to Hofmann’s discovery and the birth of the modern psychedelic era.

Our dream is that reading Tricycle Day is as transformative for you as Dr. Hofmann’s ride was for him… but maybe just a tad easier.

That’s enough history. Here’s what we’ve got this week:

• LSD works for depression, fast 🧪

• Hawaii is anticipating federal approval 🌺

• How to open a psychedelic therapy clinic 🏥

• Mints and breathwork to change your mind 🫁

Plus, we’ve made some creative tweaks. Give us a rating at the bottom of this email and let us know what you think of the new format!

RESEARCH

MindMed is building on Hofmann’s legacy

On the 80th anniversary of Bicycle Day, it’s only fitting that our first story comes full circle back to Dr. Hofmann’s chemical brainchild.

This week, MindMed released positive topline data from their Phase 2 trial of LSD for depression. Technically, we’re talking about their investigational drug MM-120, or LSD D-Tartrate, for major depressive disorder (MDD)... and the tl;dr is, it works.

Whenever clinical trials are conducted, the investigators set certain goals called endpoints that they hope the drug will meet. In this case, the primary endpoint was improvement in depression symptoms six weeks after the first dose of LSD.

For this study, no one was given a placebo. Instead, the researchers split the study participants into a high-dose group and a low-dose group. The high dosers took 100 μg of LSD one day and 200 μg four weeks later. The low dosers, who served as the control group, got a paltry 25 μg on both days. Sorry, guys.

The results showed that high doses of LSD led to statistically significant improvements in MDD symptoms lasting up to 16 weeks. The treatment was also well tolerated with no safety concerns, which bodes well for MindMed’s bigger plans. They think MM-120 could be used to treat anxiety, too.

The trial participants are happy. MindMed and their collaborators are happy. And call us crazy, but we’d like to think good ol’ Albert is smiling down on everyone, too. 👼

MICRODOSES

🧑‍⚕️ Healing the healers: ATMA has submitted a new trial application to Health Canada to investigate MDMA in frontline healthcare workers with mental health issues. A similar trial with psilocybin is already under way.

💉 Under my skin: atai Life Sciences has begun a Phase 1 trial to inform the dosing of a new subcutaneous injection of R-ketamine. They hope to bring the drug to market as a rapid acting antidepressant for at-home use.

🫂 I love you, man: Yale psychologists surveyed 1,200 people who tripped at multi-day music and art festivals. They concluded that taking psychedelics ‘in the wild’ leads to mood improvements, feelings of connection to others, and even changes in moral values.

🥊 Head to head: Researchers at the University of Iowa are planning a study to find out which psychedelic is more effective at treating alcohol abuse disorder — psilocybin or ketamine.

👾 Enter the matrix: Can virtual reality accurately simulate the effects of psychedelics? A new study suggests that drug-free VR experiences could help alleviate depression.

POLICY

Hawaii is preparing for federal approval of psychedelic medicine

In Hawaii, it’s all about riding the wave, right? 🌊🏄

That must be why Aloha State leaders are going with the flow of federal regulations. 🤙 This week, the Hawaii Senate approved a bill to create an advisory council responsible for keeping tabs on FDA “breakthrough therapies” like psilocybin and MDMA.

The bill would task the state Department of Health (DOH) with manning the so-called Breakthrough Therapy Designation Advisory Council. But here’s the rub.

The DOH already told us how they really feel. Last month, a DOH rep said legalizing psychedelics would be a “more meaningful” step than creating yet another study group. Like, why go through the trouble of establishing a council, re-researching what experts have already pored over, and sweating over a deadline, when we all know what the outcome will be?

They’d rather see psychedelics descheduled right away, so that real-world outcomes can push the public discussion forward.

Alas, the DOH doesn’t call the shots. Next, the Senate-approved bill heads back to the House for what may be a final vote.

MICRODOSES

🎰 Nevada lawmakers have approved a bill to create a psychedelics working group. Their assignment? Come up with a plan to ensure therapeutic entheogens are “safe, accessible, and affordable.”

🐷 North Carolina lawmakers want to allocate $4.5 million to fund two psychedelic studies. The same proposal would create an advisory board focused on making psychedelic medicine available in the state.

🏞️ Minnesota lawmakers are proposing a psychedelics task force to figure out how to legalize LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin. The provisions are attached to a broader health bill expected to reach the House floor soon.

BUSINESS

Numinus wants you to open a psychedelic therapy clinic

If you’ve ever considered opening a franchise, well, your options just got a whole lot trippier.

Forget burgers and fries or god-fearing chicken sandwiches. Now you can open your very own psychedelic-assisted therapy clinic in the Numinus Network.

Under the new licensing model from Numinus Wellness, franchisees (*ahem* partners) get access to the company’s complete operational playbook. They give you their clinic model, training curriculum, treatment protocols, ongoing support, and of course the right to use the Numinus brand. All you gotta do is fork over the cash. Just how much, we’re not sure.

The Vancouver-based company already has 5 clinics in Canada and 7 more in the US. They’re dreaming even bigger, but they know expansion is risky and expensive. (Remember how that overzealous growth plan worked out for Field Trip?)

Rolling out a franchise model is a clever solution. By sharing costs with franchisees, they limit their risk, expand their reach, and build a network of brand-loyal practitioners with skin in the game.

MICRODOSES

🎒 School’s in session: Cybin has opened doors to EMBARK, a free psychedelic facilitation training program open to anyone interested in offering psychological support.

💼 Perks of the job: TARA Mind is building out a network of vetted psychedelic-assisted therapists. To make it more accessible, they’re encouraging employers to add the network to the health benefits they offer their workers.

⛪ We must repent! Austin, TX-based Church of Psilomethoxin has been accused of misleading its congregation about the makeup of its namesake sacrament. Chemists say it’s just plain psilocybin, not the 5-MeO-DMT hybrid the church claims.

SuperMush Mints — We love these mints, so we’re hooking you up. They’re like Altoids, if Altoids made you smarter, more creative, and better looking. (Just kidding. You already look fantastic.)

SuperMush uses functional mushrooms like Cordyceps, Reishi, and Lion’s Mane to dial in the effects, which you can feel immediately. They also have a line of mouth sprays and some killer merch for all you mush-heads out there. Use our link to get $30 off your order.

Wim Hof Breathing — If you read our last Psychonaut POV, you know we’re big believers in breathwork. Wim Hof, the “Iceman” known for scaling Mt. Everest in short shorts, has his own breathing technique that reliably produces non-ordinary states of consciousness. (Boosts your immune system, too.) Give it a try at home with this guided video.

Mastering Microdosing — Microdosing is everywhere. You keep hearing good things about it, but you’re still on the fence because you just don’t have enough info. Worry not, Cyclists, because we found the ultimate guide to the practice of microdosing. Read it cover to cover and you’ll be spouting off all the protocols, benefits, drawbacks, and sourcing methods like a pro.

That’s all for today. Before you head off, don’t forget to share, rate, and review Tricycle Day below. Catch ya next time, Cyclists! ✌️

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DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. The use, possession, and distribution of psychedelic drugs are illegal in most countries and may result in criminal prosecution.