This newsletter includes
- A policy brief discussing how psychedelic therapy could hold promise for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s
- A roundup of several states introducing psychedelic bills
- A Republican leader is optimistic about Trump nominee RFK Jr. on psychedelics
- Colorado opens for business
- Commentaries on clinical trial designs for psychedelics and DMT research quotas
Policy brief on psychedelics and neurodegenerative treatments
Reason Foundation has published a policy brief on the use of psychedelics to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Research shows psychedelic substances decrease brain inflammation and increase neuroplasticity, which can allay the onset of these diseases.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry praises Trump HHS pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry says that President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is a “gift” for psychedelics reform. Perry appeared on the Joe Rogan podcast with Bryan Hubbard, who advocates for the use of the psychedelic substance ibogaine to treat mental illness and opioid addiction.
States introduce psychedelics bills
A slew of bills have been introduced into state legislatures, from New York to Missouri, aiming to improve access to psychedelics. Multiple competing bills have been introduced in some states, such as Massachusetts. Read more details in Reason Foundation’s state roundup.
Colorado opens license application window
Colorado has begun accepting applications for the first set of licenses within its regulated psychedelic market. Ballot Proposition 122, passed in 2022, tasked state agencies with creating licenses for training schools, service centers, and manufacturers of psilocybin. A commercial market for regulated psilocybin services should become operational later this year.
Psychedelics need alternatives to ‘double-blind’ clinical trials
Reason Foundation analyst Madison Carlino offers commentary on why clinical trials with psychedelics should be able to use alternatives to “double-blind” placebo-controlled methods.
DEA increases 2025 DMT production quotas
In this commentary, Reason Foundation analyst Madison Carlino praises the Drug Enforcement Agency’s increased 2025 production quota for DMT so that more research can be performed with the substance.
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