Podcast Summary
Leaders Jeanne Fontana and Robin Carhart Harris Discuss California's $5 Billion Initiative for Psychedelic Mental Health Research: Two healthcare leaders, Jeanne Fontana and Robin Carhart Harris, aim to revolutionize mental health care through California's $5 billion initiative for psychedelic research. With personal connections and expertise, they're driving progress in mental health and potentially setting a precedent for the US.
Jeanne Fontana and Robin Carhart Harris, leaders in their respective fields, are spearheading an ambitious initiative called Treat California to provide $5 billion in funding for mental health research using psychedelic medicines. Jeanne, a MD PhD and healthcare leader, has a personal connection to the cause as her mother had ALS and she's been instrumental in increasing federal funding for ALS research. Robin, founder of the Center for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, holds a PhD in psychopharmacology and has led neuroimaging studies and clinical trials for psychedelic therapies. They discuss the growing promise of psychedelics for mental health care and the potential impact of California's initiative on the US as a whole. To support the initiative, registered California voters can sign a petition and collect signatures, and anyone can donate at treatcalifornia.org. The immediate goal is to gather 1 million signatures.
Grassroots efforts driving progress in science and healthcare: Through advocacy and citizen-driven initiatives, significant impact can be made on scientific research and healthcare, leading to new therapies, jobs, and revenue.
Through advocacy and citizen-driven initiatives, it's possible to make a significant impact on scientific research and healthcare. The speaker's experience with ALS legislation and embryonic stem cell research demonstrates this. Despite political roadblocks and financial challenges, they were able to change laws, increase funding, and create a large-scale funding agency for stem cell research. This led to the development of multiple therapeutics and the creation of thousands of jobs and billions in revenue. It's a powerful reminder of the potential for grassroots efforts to drive progress in science and healthcare.
A researcher's journey from curiosity to pioneering psilocybin therapy: Robin Carhart-Harris, a researcher, explored the effects of psychedelics on the brain, led brain imaging studies, and set up a clinical trial for psilocybin therapy in treatment-resistant depression, now part of an initiative to transform mental health care with psychedelics.
Robin Carhart-Harris, a researcher in the field of psychedelics and the brain, has dedicated her career to studying the effects of these substances on the brain and their potential use in psychotherapy. Starting from her curiosity as a teenager, she pursued a degree in psychology and later a PhD in psychopharmacology, focusing on the serotonin system and the effects of MDMA on sleep. She was drawn to the historical use of psychedelics as tools for accelerated depth psychotherapy and, after completing her PhD, had the opportunity to conduct brain imaging studies using various psychedelic drugs. Based on the insights from these studies, she set up a clinical trial for psilocybin therapy in treatment-resistant depression. Now, she's part of the Transformational Education and Research for Psychological and Psychedelic Therapies (TREAT) initiative, which aims to transform mental health care delivery in California by combining psychedelic therapy with education and research. Despite the complexity of the project, the goal is to expedite bench-to-bedside research and bring new therapies to patients, potentially curing some incurable diseases and creating a new industry in medicine.
Bringing Psychedelic Medicines to the Public through the Treat California Campaign: The Treat Institute is launching a campaign to qualify for California ballot with a million signatures, aiming to make psychedelic-assisted therapies accessible to all, regardless of income or insurance status.
The Treat Institute is working to bring promising psychedelic medicines to the public through large-scale clinical trials, education, and making them accessible to all, regardless of income or insurance status. The initiative, called the Treat California campaign, aims to qualify for the ballot with a million signatures from registered voters and intends to educate the public on mental health and psychedelic-assisted therapies once qualified. The campaign is expensive and relies on donations, with a call for $10 contributions from supporters. The ultimate goal is to make these treatments available to those who need them most, as mental health affects everyone and underserved communities are disproportionately impacted.
Balancing research, decriminalization, and safety in the psychedelic movement: Jeanne Porter advocates for a medical model with proper safety guardrails and supervision in the psychedelic movement, emphasizing the need for responsible and ethical access to these substances to prevent tragic incidents.
The psychedelic movement is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Jeanne Porter, a key figure in the psychedelic renaissance, emphasizes the importance of balancing research, decriminalization, and safety. She shares her personal experiences growing up during the counterculture revolution and the societal fear surrounding psychedelics. While she respects the transformative experiences of the psychedelic community, she advocates for a medical model with proper safety guardrails and supervision. The recent tragic deaths of college-aged individuals using psychedelics without supervision underscore the need for responsible and ethical access to these substances. The Treat Institute, which Jeanne is involved with, is not a decriminalization or legalization effort, but rather focuses on bringing psychedelics to the public in a safe and responsible manner. The coalition being built in support of this cause includes individuals from various political backgrounds, highlighting the potential for unity and progress in the psychedelic space.
Revolutionizing mental health treatment with psychedelic medicines: The Treat Institute plans to conduct large-scale clinical trials with psychedelic medicines for anxiety, depression, and PTSD, offering personalized, integrative approaches and collaborating with federal authorities for approval and accessibility.
The Treat Institute aims to revolutionize mental health treatment by exploring the use of psychedelic medicines in a safe, effective, and culturally sensitive manner. They plan to conduct large-scale clinical trials with known indications like anxiety, depression, and PTSD, while considering various settings like group therapy, ceremonial settings, and religious settings. The ultimate goal is to provide personalized, integrative approaches that cater to individual needs, ensuring safety, efficacy, and accessibility for all. The Institute also intends to collaborate with federal authorities to gain approval for these treatments and scale them up responsibly. Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of honoring the spirituality and history behind these medicines, recognizing the potential for deep emotional healing.
The TREAT coalition gains support from diverse groups for psychedelic-assisted therapy: The TREAT coalition's approach of leading with competency, credibility, and compassion has gained the trust and endorsement of major unions, amplifying its reach and influence towards making psychedelic-assisted therapy a reality for mental health issues.
The TREAT coalition, led by its founder, has effectively brought together a diverse group of individuals and organizations, including major unions, to support the cause of psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health issues. By leading with competency, credibility, and compassion, they have gained the trust and endorsement of these influential groups, who see the potential value in addressing the mental health crisis affecting their members. This ground-level support not only validates the importance of the cause but also amplifies its reach and influence, bringing it one step closer to becoming a reality for those in need.
Communities rally behind psychedelic therapy for mental health: Psychedelic therapy shows promise for veterans, first responders, LGBTQ community, and university students, addressing unmet mental health needs and bridging political divide through human issues.
Psychedelic therapy, particularly psychedelic-assisted therapies, hold great promise in addressing unmet needs within various communities, including veterans, first responders, the LGBTQ community, and university students. These communities are rallying behind this cause due to the transformative effects of these therapies, which have been shown to help individuals struggling with PTSD, depression, and other mental health issues. The political divide in the country can be bridged through focusing on human issues, such as mental health and wellbeing, rather than partisan differences. The success stories of individuals who have undergone psychedelic-assisted therapies and returned with renewed hope and purpose serve as powerful testaments to the potential of this field. With growing support from various communities and political figures, research and funding for psychedelic therapies are gaining momentum, offering hope for those in need and a potential solution to the mental health crisis facing our nation.
MDMA and Psilocybin making strides towards federal approval for PTSD and depression: MDMA and Psilocybin are the frontrunners in psychedelic therapy's journey towards federal approval for treating PTSD and depression.
Psychedelic therapy, specifically MDMA for PTSD and psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, is making significant strides towards federal approval as prescribable medicines. MDMA is currently the closest, with two positive phase 3 trials completed, and forecasts suggest it could gain approval next year. Psilocybin therapy is also in a phase 3 trial, focusing on treatment-resistant depression. Other psychedelics like LSD, DMT, mescaline, and Ibogaine are also being researched for various conditions, but they are still in the trial stages. The approval process is expected to be slow, focusing first on PTSD and depression, with the possibility of off-label use for other conditions. Ketamine, a rapid-acting antidepressant, is already in use but is not considered a psychedelic by some. Overall, the research front in psychedelic therapy is rapidly advancing, with MDMA and psilocybin leading the way towards federal approval.
Understanding the safety profiles and toxicity levels of various psychedelic compounds: Psilocybin and LSD have large therapeutic indices but differ in potency and ease of overdosing. MDMA has neurotoxicity and toxicity to the liver and bladder, and is addictive. Ketamine is addictive and has high toxicity for the bladder and metabolites. Ibogaine faces research limitations due to cardiotoxicity concerns.
While psychedelic compounds like psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, and ketamine share some therapeutic potential, their safety profiles and toxicity levels vary greatly. For instance, psilocybin and LSD have large therapeutic indices, meaning a large gap between therapeutic and lethal doses. However, LSD is more potent and easier to overdose on, posing both psychological and physiological risks. MDMA, on the other hand, has some neurotoxicity and toxicity to the liver and bladder, and is addictive. Ketamine, an analgesic, is also addictive and has high toxicity for the bladder and metabolites. Ibogaine, another psychedelic, faces research limitations due to cardiotoxicity concerns. Understanding these differences is crucial for building a well-governed therapeutic model and ensuring safety for those seeking help with these compounds.
Understanding the therapeutic potential and addictive properties of MDMA and Ketamine: MDMA and Ketamine have therapeutic potential, particularly for acute suicidality and mental health. MDMA's significant serotonin release sets it apart, but more research is needed on its addictive potential. Ketamine shows promise for acute suicidality and personalized treatments based on genetics and phenotypic expression are being explored.
While both Ketamine and MDMA have therapeutic potential, particularly for acute suicidality and mental health, they also come with addictive properties and unique physiological effects. MDMA, a type of amphetamine, stands out for its significant serotonin release, which is ten times that of dopamine. However, more research is needed to fully understand the addictive potential of MDMA. On the other hand, Ketamine is showing promise for acute suicidality, allowing patients to feel hope and potentially preventing suicidal thoughts. The Treat Institute plans to study true hallucinogens, focusing on personalized treatments based on genetics and phenotypic expression. A well-run clinical study can cost upwards of $100 million, as seen with the MAPS study on MDMA. The goal is to determine the most efficient and cost-effective studies to move forward with, leveraging the clinical trial infrastructure in academic institutions and contract research organizations.
Clinical trials for new therapies involve testing with large patient populations: Recent research indicates that classic psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, and DMT lead to a breakdown in brain network integrity, increasing communication between previously segregated networks and enhancing functional integrity, potentially contributing to their therapeutic benefits, primarily through interaction with serotonin 2A receptors.
The process of conducting clinical trials to discover safe and effective therapies involves running trials with large numbers of patients, typically in the range of millions, although the size can vary depending on the specific study. This is to ensure thorough testing and determination of appropriate patient populations. The speaker mentioned their experience with a treatment-resistant depression trial at Imperial College London, which had a smaller sample size due to funding and volunteer staff. When it comes to the effects of classic psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, and DMT on the brain, recent research suggests a breakdown in the integrity of brain networks, particularly high-level, transmodal networks. This leads to increased communication between previously segregated networks, resulting in a global increase in functional integrity. This is a key aspect of the psychedelic experience and is believed to be linked to their therapeutic potential. The speaker emphasized the importance of human research in understanding the mechanisms of these drugs, which primarily act on serotonin 2A receptors.
The 2A receptor initiates classic psychedelic effects, MDMA releases serotonin, DMT's role is debated, and new psychedelic compounds are being discovered.: Research explores the role of classic psychedelics' 2A receptor, MDMA's serotonin release, DMT's potential in near-death experiences, and new psychedelic compounds' possibilities.
The 2A receptor plays a key role in the initiation of the effects of classic psychedelics, while MDMA stands out for its ability to release serotonin. DMT, an endogenous neurotransmitter, is still a mystery regarding its functional role in the brain, and there's ongoing debate about its potential role in near-death experiences. The exploration of new psychedelic compounds is just beginning, with vast libraries of potential molecules being discovered through computer modeling and in-silico simulations. While we have a few notable compounds, such as MDMA and psilocybin, there are likely countless possibilities for new drugs that could offer improved therapeutic effects and reduced side effects. The field of psychedelic research is still in its infancy, and there's much to discover.
Exploring potential of bio-psychosocial interventions with psychedelics: Psychedelics offer promise for various conditions beyond traditional drug-centric approaches, including traumatic brain injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory diseases, depression, and Parkinson's disease. Research also emphasizes the importance of understanding spiritual aspects and exploring applications beyond psychotherapy.
Psychedelic therapy is not just about administering drugs, but also exploring the potential of bio-psychosocial interventions. The Shoguns' library, which contains around 200 compounds, offers opportunities for research beyond traditional drug-centric approaches. Psychedelics show promise for various conditions, including traumatic brain injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory diseases like asthma. Additionally, these substances may help desegregate certain areas of the brain, allowing access to previously siloed regions and potentially improving symptoms in conditions like depression and Parkinson's disease. The ongoing research in this field highlights the importance of understanding the spiritual aspects of these treatments and exploring their potential applications beyond just psychotherapy.
DMT experiences compared to dreams: DMT experiences may feel like encounters with other beings, but are likely illusions caused by internal brain models and the collective unconscious.
The experience of psychedelics, such as DMT, can be explained through the analogy of dreams. Although it may feel like encounters with other sentient beings during these experiences, it is likely an illusion caused by the brain's internal models and the collective unconscious. The dominant model in cognitive neuroscience, hierarchical predictive processing, supports this idea, suggesting that our brain experiences the world through internal models with a top-down information flow. The convergence of reports on the types of entities encountered during DMT experiences can be attributed to human nature and the collective unconscious, rather than requiring an explanation beyond the brain.
Impact of psychedelics on predictive models and new perspectives: Psychedelics like psilocybin can impact precision weighting, enabling new perspectives and experiences. They may disrupt entrenched thought patterns and reopen critical periods of plasticity, offering relief and personal growth.
Psychedelics, such as psilocybin, can impact the precision weighting or influence of our predictive models by dialing it down, allowing for new perspectives and experiences to emerge. This can be particularly beneficial in breaking free from habitual patterns of thinking and reacting, which are often at the root of ordinary suffering and mental health issues. The psychedelic experience is associated with the disintegration of the default mode network, a dominant hub of connectivity in the brain, leading to a sense of ego dissolution. Additionally, psychedelics may reopen critical periods of plasticity, allowing for increased learning and adaptability. These findings suggest that psychedelics could offer a unique opportunity for relief and personal growth by disrupting entrenched thought patterns and promoting openness to new experiences.
The potential benefits of psychedelics for learning and cognitive function are not yet compelling due to research challenges.: Despite some studies suggesting benefits of psychedelics, compelling evidence is lacking due to practical research challenges.
While there have been studies suggesting potential benefits of psychedelics like LSD for accelerating learning and even microdosing for enhancing cognitive function, the evidence is not yet compelling due to practical challenges in conducting research. Additionally, the relationship between spiritual experiences induced by psychedelics and organized religion is a complex topic, with some arguing that these experiences tap into a deeper sense of unity with the universe, which some call "God." However, the framing of these experiences through organized religion has been a source of division and conflict, and there is a need for a more sophisticated and non-sectarian understanding of these experiences in the 21st century.
Unexpected support for psychedelics from an unlikely source: People from diverse backgrounds can find common ground in the exploration of psychedelics, leading to new insights and perspectives in our quest for understanding consciousness and the world around us.
Despite the differences in beliefs and backgrounds, there's a shared recognition of the potential of psychedelics to bring about positive change and understanding. The speaker, who has worked on legislation related to psychedelics, shares a heartwarming story of receiving support from an unexpected source - a conservative Christian man. This experience underscores the idea that people from all walks of life and faiths can find common ground in the exploration of psychedelics and their potential benefits. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of recognizing the value of various human conversations and disciplines, including religion, philosophy, and science, in our quest for understanding consciousness and the world around us. The introduction of psychedelics into this conversation can offer new insights and perspectives, making the furthest reaches of human well-being and wisdom accessible to more people.
The role of compassionate approaches in healing and wellness: Historically, women priestesses administered medicines with compassion. Today, organizations like Tree California carry forward this tradition, focusing on safe and compassionate methods for bringing healing medicines to the public.
Importance of compassionate and thoughtful approaches to healing and wellness. This idea was highlighted in Brian's book, "The Immortality Key," which recounts the historical role of women priestesses in administering medicines. In today's age, this concept is being carried forward by organizations like Tree, California, which aims to bring healing medicines to the public in a safe and compassionate way. This approach goes beyond viewing individuals as mere collections of neurons and instead recognizes our interconnectedness as part of the larger human collective. It's a call to focus on helping others and taking agency over our own sense of self. The timing for this new approach may be right, as there seems to be a growing societal readiness to embrace alternative methods for dealing with pain and suffering. To learn more and get involved, visit Treecalifornia.org.
