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Mary Carreon // Senior Editor
30 May
Good morning and welcome to another edition of The Drop In! We're kicking things off with a public petition that's got everyone talking in the psychedelic space.
Here's the tea: Scholars and concerned citizens are urging the FDA to take a hard look at the risks of approving MDMA for PTSD therapy, specifically pointing fingers at Lykos Therapeutics. They're calling for an advisory committee session with an extended open public hearing to keep things transparent and thorough. And guess what? Both MAPS and Lykos are on board with the idea.
Let's drop in on this, and much more, below.
Enjoy the ride,
Mary Carreón
Senior Editor
Featured
Petition Urges FDA to Review Risks of Lykos Therapeutic’s Big for Legal MDMA
Scholars and concerned citizens file a public petition to the FDA to consider the unintended consequences of approving MDMA for PTSD therapy.
A recent petition has urged the FDA to carefully evaluate the risks associated with approving MDMA for PTSD therapy, particularly in the context of Lykos Therapeutics' application. Spearheaded by five experts in psychedelics and concerned citizens, the petition emphasizes the need for an advisory committee session with an extended open public hearing (OPH) to allow for comprehensive scrutiny and public input. It also raises concerns about the decline in such open forums within the FDA's approval protocol over the past decade and criticizes the lack of public announcement regarding a planned meeting between the FDA and Lykos, stressing the importance of transparency and advance notice for all stakeholders, including former clinical trial participants.
In response, both MAPS and Lykos have expressed willingness to engage in an advisory committee meeting with an open public forum. While MAPS supports thorough research and regulatory supervision, Lykos endorses the idea, emphasizing the significance of incorporating the perspective of PTSD patients. The petition maintains neutrality on the FDA's decision regarding MDMA's approval for PTSD, underlining the importance of public engagement and transparency in the decision-making process.
Together With…
By now, you’ve likely heard us talk about one of our latest legal plant medicine obsessions—KANNA. We’re BIG fans at DoubleBlind! 🌱
Kanna acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI), boosting serotonin levels in the brain. This mechanism fosters mood enhancement, stress reduction, and anxiety relief. Mesembrine, the primary psychoactive component, induces feelings of relaxation, euphoria, and mental clarity, similar to certain antidepressants.
So, when we found out our friends at Fun Guy blend kanna with damiana, cordyceps, and guarana, we knew we’d found a new staple for our plant medicine cabinet.
Ps. Kanna is not recommended for anyone taking SSRIs, MAOIs, or SNRIs.
Together With…
By now, you’ve likely heard us talk about one of our latest legal plant medicine obsessions—KANNA. We’re BIG fans at DoubleBlind! 🌱
Kanna acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI), boosting serotonin levels in the brain. This mechanism fosters mood enhancement, stress reduction, and anxiety relief. Mesembrine, the primary psychoactive component, induces feelings of relaxation, euphoria, and mental clarity, similar to certain antidepressants.
So, when we found out our friends at Fun Guy blend kanna with damiana, cordyceps, and guarana, we knew we’d found a new staple for our plant medicine cabinet.
Ps. Kanna is not recommended for anyone taking SSRIs, MAOIs, or SNRIs.
Our Latest
Big news: the DEA is moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This shift means state-legal cannabis businesses can finally take federal tax deductions previously off-limits. It's also a win for researchers, as it lifts barriers to studying Schedule I substances. Federal health officials highlight widespread medical use of marijuana and its low public health risks compared to other drugs.
A recent study is shaking things up in the psychedelic world, suggesting that full-spectrum psychedelic mushroom extract might pack a bigger punch than just plain old chemically synthesized psilocybin. Conducted by a team of 15 researchers from institutions like the Hadassah Medical Center and Boston's Human Metabolome Technologies, this study found that the mushroom extract had a stronger and longer-lasting impact on synaptic plasticity compared to psilocybin alone.
While microdosing is a trend, indie-rock sensation Indigo De Souza prefers to dive deep into psilocybin experiences. Known for her raw music and captivating visuals, De Souza's latest album, "All of This Will End," is a journey through growth and introspection. In our conversation, she shares how mushrooms fuel her creativity, from her mesmerizing music videos to her collaborative costume designs with her mom, artist Kimberly Oberhammer.
& More Must-Reads
Costa Rica’s Minister of Health threatens to close down some of the leading retreat centers over health and safety concerns.
A Miami real estate agent turned messianic Bufo facilitator and cult leader provides a window into the shadow side of the psychedelic retreat industry.
There’s a “mushroom dispensary” on Ocean Front Walk in Venice Beach. But do any of the products actually contain psilocybin?
Researchers believe that spiritual health practitioners “bring unique and specific expertise" to psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Trip Tales
“It was 4 a.m. and I was walking through a meadow with tall grass. I reached a clearing with some cliffs and sat down. I saw the sunrise reflect in the sea, listened to the wind, and felt a closeness to nature I’ve never experienced before.”
— Karl, 35, Denmark
Have you had a profound experience with psychedelics before? Share your story with us for a chance to be featured in The Drop In. Submit your entry here.
Join Us
Are you interested in dreamwork? What about tapping into gentle euphoria, relaxation, anxiety reduction, and improving your meditation practice? If you answered yes to the above, don’t miss our upcoming workshop on Blue Lotus Flower with Sian Seligman, herbalist, psychedelic researcher, and certified Master Gardener. We’ll explore everything you need to know about working with Blue Lotus Flower in a potent way that’ll improve your life. Registration is FREE when you sign up for a one-month free trial to DoubleBlind+. Click here to get on the list.
Learn with Us
👅 Acid gel tabs tend to last longer than paper tabs, both in terms of their shelf-life and in terms of how long they stay in the body.
🍄 Research on G. aeruginosus has yielded conflicting findings regarding the presence of psilocybin, with studies in North America detecting it while those in Japan did not.
💊 First time tripper? We suggest taking some time to yourself, in a quiet environment, to journal and get clear on your intention candidly.
💧 Low-dose muscimol tinctures are becoming more common as sleep aids and anxiety relievers.
💥 Yes, ketamine dependence is a thing. “We are seeing more ketamine abuse, particularly in the last several years with all the publicity surrounding ketamine for depression,” Wesley Ryan, MD, tells DoubleBlind.
DoubleBlind Supports
LEARN: Registration is OPEN for the Psychedelic Liberation Training. In this 10-week training program, current and aspiring psychedelic therapists and facilitators will learn how to decolonize themselves and their practice to become stewards of collective liberation.
ATTEND: It’s official. The International Psychedelic Conference, hosted by our friends at Oakland Hyphae, is going down in Jamaica this September. Tickets are on sale now!
DONATE: The Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund is fighting for the sovereign protection and regeneration of the medicines, ecologies and traditional knowledges Indigenous communities have honored for centuries. Learn more about their work and donate here.
At DoubleBlind, we believe in reciprocity—the idea that everything in the world is interconnected and that we have a responsibility to uplift a psychedelic ecosystem that centers equity, inclusivity, and healing for all. Through our work, we hope to help our community participate in this effort with us.
DoubleBlind Digs
Here are today’s recommendations to help you live more psychedelically…
The best places to rave in the world. A “rave” can mean a lot of different things, and raves go down in all sorts of venues, including illegal and semi-legal warehouses, DIY spaces, and grassy fields in the middle of nowhere. As a kind of starter pack, DoubleBlind put together a guide that focuses on top-tier nightclubs in major cities where techno, house, disco, drum ’n’ bass, and other rave-friendly styles of electronic music are known to flourish.
Curious about how to approach ceremony with sacred medicines? People talk about it like it’s church or space travel or like it's intense therapy. It’s easy to feel intimidated. So, how do you go in best prepared—aside from just adhering to a dieta? How do we know if we’re actually ready? And what do we do post-ceremony? Learn how to navigate ceremony with sacred medicines, before you show up for your experience.
We watched Dune on acid and we were mesmerized. What makes it so great for tripping is the meticulous attention to detail, such as the cosmic costumes and bold cinematography, in which scenes shot in actual deserts are layered with CGI to mesmerizing effect. Add it to your must-watch on acid movie list.
We’re in love with kanna, and you will be too. Seriously. If you’re looking for a new plant medicine for your cabinet to help you disconnect from your brain, reconnect to your heart, and find deeper, more authentic relation with others and the world around you, we can’t recommend these fruit chews from Fun Guy enough. Try them out and thank us later.*
*Ps. This is sponsored by our friends at Fun Guy. At DoubleBlind we only partner with brands who we’ve tried and trust. Use code DOUBLEBLIND for 10% off your next purchase.
From the Magazine
Hot Goss with Mary Carreón: Right-Wing Conspiracy Theories, Matthew Perry, and Media Sensationalism
In March 2002, a healthy 90-year-old man in Saint Tropez, on France’s Mediterranean coast, purchased a type of sea bream which he had eaten before without any side-effects, directly from a fisherman. He then, much like other folks throughout humanity who have accidentally stumbled upon a naturally-occurring psychedelic, proceeded to have nightmares for two days following his dinner. Afraid that he may have been on the precipice of serious mental illness, he suffered in silence, until he overheard people at the fish market discussing the hallucinogenic potential of sea bream.
This 90 year-old is not the only person to have endured an unwanted trip, thanks to psychedelic seafood. Want to read more? Click here to get DoubleBlind Issue No. 11.
Latest Podcast Episode
Hot Goss with Mary Carreón: Right-Wing Conspiracy Theories, Matthew Perry, and Media Sensationalism
Shelby Hartman and Mary Carreón discuss the intricate relationship between psychedelics, media, and society, highlighting the critical need for accurate information and education to navigate the complexities of drug use and policy effectively.
Latest Youtube Video
Hot Goss with Mary Carreón: Right-Wing Conspiracy Theories, Matthew Perry, and Media Sensationalism
In March 2002, a healthy 90-year-old man in Saint Tropez, on France’s Mediterranean coast, purchased a type of sea bream which he had eaten before without any side-effects, directly from a fisherman. He then, much like other folks throughout humanity who have accidentally stumbled upon a naturally-occurring psychedelic, proceeded to have nightmares for two days following his dinner. Afraid that he may have been on the precipice of serious mental illness, he suffered in silence, until he overheard people at the fish market discussing the hallucinogenic potential of sea bream.
This 90 year-old is not the only person to have endured an unwanted trip, thanks to psychedelic seafood. Want to read more? Click here to get DoubleBlind Issue No. 11.
Around the Web
Magic mushroom edibles made with Amanita muscaria are on the rise thanks to a legal gray area. Read more from Forbes.
A rare condition called hallucinogen persisting perception disorder has puzzled researchers and raised alarms as psychedelics go mainstream. Read more from the LA Times.
After a 30-year battle with bulimia, a woman questioned whether she could keep living—and ayahuasca answered. Read more from Oprah Daily.
Employees are being offered ketamine through company health schemes as psychedelic-assisted therapy grows in popularity. Read more from the Financial Times.
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