💧 Introducing The Drop In by DoubleBlind

Twice a week. Your essential newsletter covering the world of psychedelics.

Author

Mary Carreon // Senior Editor
06 Jun

Welcome to The Drop In, DoubleBlind’s brand new newsletter bringing you the latest in psychedelic news, culture, and current events, straight from the writers and editors at DB. We're excited to cultivate our relationship with you more deeply. Think of this as receiving a download from a best friend. Or checking in with your favorite colleague about the undercurrents of what’s happening in the industry.

Twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays you can expect a new drop in your inbox. We’ll give you explanations and breakdowns about situations happening in the industry (FDA-denial of MDMA, anyone?). You can anticipate deeper looks into our stories, spotlights on people and organizations doing stellar things, important headlines from the week that was, and thought-provoking features from the vault that will give you something to nosh on.

Speaking of news, did you catch what happened at the FDA panel meeting on Tuesday? 😳 An FDA panel rejected MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD due to concerns over clinical trial data versus risks. We’ve got the full story and you can find it below.

We have lots in store for you—this newsletter, upcoming stories, workshops, and our new podcast. The best is yet to come, and we’re excited to have you with us on this journey.

Let’s drop in,

Mary Carreón
Senior Editor

Ps. If you’re as stoked about our new newsletter as we are, forward this email to a friend and get them stoked too. 💌

The Movement to Legalize MDMA Just Came to a Standstill

FDA advisors rejected the use of MDMA as a treatment for PTSD, citing major concerns over flawed trial design.

High hopes for the legalization of MDMA therapy for PTSD were dashed on Tuesday after an FDA advisory panel voted overwhelmingly against the drug’s approval. The non-binding vote, which will likely influence the FDA's final decision in August, saw the panel critiquing the design of the studies submitted by Lykos Therapeutics, citing biases, significant drug risks, therapist misconduct, and a lack of diversity among participants. Concerns about the data integrity, highlighted previously by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, were echoed during the hearing, with experts noting the complications of "functional unblinding" and the challenges posed by the FDA's lack of regulation over psychotherapy.

Despite the setback, some industry insiders remain cautiously optimistic. Stephanie Karzon Abrams of Beyond the Bench expressed confidence that Lykos could address the issues raised, though the timeline for satisfying the FDA remains uncertain. The advisory committee's rejection underscores the complexities of psychedelic clinical trials and the unique regulatory hurdles they present. The FDA’s decision in August will ultimately serve as a moment of truth for the psychedelic legalization movement, while setting a precedent for ongoing efforts to legalize other psychedelics like psilocybin mushrooms.

Together With…

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Our Latest

Researchers observed a wild orangutan in Indonesia using a medicinal plant to treat a cheek wound. The orangutan, named Rakus, chewed leaves of the Akar Kuning vine, applied the juice to his wound, and used the leaves as a poultice. This first known case of self-medication in a wild animal highlights the plant’s analgesic and antibacterial properties, aiding in wound healing. 

Over 40 psychedelic research studies in California are on hold due to delays by the Research Advisory Panel of California (RAPC), including a key study on 5-MeO-DMT for depression. Researchers, facing bureaucratic hurdles, call for the panel’s dissolution, citing inefficiency. This impasse impacts critical mental health research, leaving scientists and potential study participants in limbo. Efforts are underway to find a legislative solution to restart the halted studies.

Authorities are investigating the death of Matthew Perry, famed for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends. Found face-down in his pool, Perry's autopsy showed ketamine levels typical of anesthesia. The LAPD, DEA, and USPS are investigating how he obtained the drug, which contributed to his death along with drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects.

& More Must-Reads

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.

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 Digs

Here are today’s recommendations to help you live more psychedelically… 

  1. 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.

  2. Processing grief can be incredibly challenging, but breathwork offers a powerful, holistic approach to healing. Focusing on our breath allows us to navigate intense emotions and find peace amid the turmoil. We invite you to join our next members-only breathwork session with the renowned Ellen Wong on June 19, where she will guide us through techniques to help release grief and restore balance. Best of all, this session is free with when you sign up for a free 1-month trial to DoubleBlind+.

  3. 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.

  4. We love Amanita muscaria for sleep, and you will too. Seriously. Psyched Wellness’ lab-tested CALM tincture delivers relaxation without the high. Crafted from hand-picked wild mushrooms, it’s your ticket to a night of peaceful slumber and waking up feeling truly refreshed.*

*Ps. This is sponsored by our friends at Psyched Wellness. At DoubleBlind we only partner with brands who we’ve tried and trust. Use code DOUBLEBLIND for 10% off single purchases.

From the Magazine

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 Dennis Walker: Psychedelic Conferences, MAPS, and Dangers of Corporate Psychedelics

Shelby Hartman and Dennis Walker sit down to discuss the arrival of the psychedelic trade show (think ketamine clinics and shroom gummies in a convention center), comedy as a tool for political commentary, and the corporatization of psychedelics.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and more.

Around the Web

  • Can psychedelics help stutterers? Researchers analyzed Reddit posts from stutterers sharing experiences with substances such as magic mushrooms and LSD. Read more from NYU.

  • Canada has licensed a startup to export psychedelics to Australia for patient use, the latest milestone in a contest to supply the potential growth of medical psychedelic drugs. Read more from the Financial Post.

  • Regular drug use – from caffeine to psychedelics – has become a fundamental part of modern life. A first-person Guardian US series explores America’s shifting relationship with mind-altering substances. Read more.

  • Long-COVID defeated by psychedelics? A recent case study published in Clinical Case Reports describes the journey of a 41-year-old woman who turned to psilocybin and MDMA to manage her debilitating post-COVID symptoms. Read more in PsyPost.

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