💧 Lykos quietly moves to patent MDMA

Welcome back, friends! This is the 4th of July edition of The Drop In, DoubleBlind’s newsletter. What a funky “Independence Day,” no? The Universe clearly has a sense of humor because the timing of this holiday is ironic AF this year. Hot on the heels of the debate (or whatever that was), followed immediately by dramatic Supreme Court decisions, and now we wait for a tumultuous presidential election? Okay, LOL.. Fireworks, wooo! 🫠 

While we meditate on wtf is happening, we’ve got our eyes on Lykos Therapeutics this week for a few reasons. Between launching a crisis PR campaign—that Elon Musk has jumped in on—after the infamous FDA Advisory Panel meeting, a new report has surfaced showing that MAPS PBC filed MDMA patents a year ago, according to Psychedelic Alpha. After a decade of MDMA altruism and promising never to seek patent protections as part of its strategy, MAPS PBC (before it became Lykos) did exactly that. We can’t say we didn’t see it coming. The precedent for this was set by Compass Pathways and Atai Life Sciences (and other psychedelic corporations doing it on the low—we see you!), so why wouldn’t MAPS PBC also follow suit?

You might be thinking WAIT, YOU CAN’T PATENT MDMA! 

You’re right, technically…but, MAPS is a creative bunch and there’s actually a bit of nuance around drugs in the public domain. That’s all we’ll say. You’ll have to read the story linked below for all of the details.

In the meantime, enjoy the sunshine. And if you have LSD, today might just be the perfect day to take it and become one with the fireworks 😅.

Stay grounded 💙 ,

Mary Carreón
Senior Editor

Together With…

MICRODOSING FACILITATOR TRAINING

The Microdosing Facilitator Training begins July 14th, and seats are filling up fast! 

Elevate microdosing to a professional standard with this comprehensive four-month online certification. Learn from leading microdosing experts, including Dr. James Fadiman and Laura Dawn, and gain the knowledge to guide others safely and effectively. 

Don't miss this opportunity to become a certified microdosing facilitator and foster a supportive community. Spaces are limited—secure your spot now!

Use code DBMICRO for $250 off at checkout.

Sign up here or book a complimentary informational call to learn more. 

Ps. Want to learn more about the training before you sign up? Watch the free informational webinar here.

Our Latest

Several species of fish, such as the sea bream and stingray, have been known to cause accidental psychedelic experiences, leading to unpleasant trips for unsuspecting diners. Cases like a 90-year-old man in Saint Tropez and a 40-year-old man in Cannes highlight the rare but notable phenomenon of ichthyoallyeinotoxism, or hallucinogenic fish inebriation

After drinking ayahuasca at a Colombian retreat, 15-year-old Alex Renko from Russia launched $3,000 courses on enlightenment and success. Despite his young age and controversial methods, Alex claims his psychedelic experiences have transformed his life, leading him to create a social media presence and educational platform that has drawn both interest and criticism.

& More Must-Reads

• In the 1980s NYC art scene, art critic Carlo McCormick championed psychedelic artists, defying mainstream norms and the War on Drugs.

• The psychedelic chemist Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin left behind more than 500 psychedelic compounds. A research institute continuing his legacy is scouring the collection for overlooked gems.

• Whereas once the darknet was the go-to place for buying illicit substances on the internet, now many vendors have taken to "clearweb" platforms like Instagram. But is that the best place to procure drugs?

Trip Tales

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

Struggling with a broken heart or emotional pain? ❤️‍🩹 Join Britta Love, a somatic sex, love, and psychedelics educator, in a free workshop on using psychedelics to process grief and find joy on July 7. Gain new insights on navigating the emotional aftermath of breakups and losses.

Click here to register. This workshop will be recorded!

Learn with Us

🍄 Foraging for mushrooms has grown popular recently, but it's important to be aware of the risks of poisonous varieties; here's an introductory guide.

🧠Scientists are grappling with the question of what biological role DMT plays in the human body.

💊 MDA is a cousin of MDMA and the sassafrass tree, but the "sass drug" engenders a different experience in its own right.

☕ Mushroom tea is easy to make, but what are the benefits of drinking psilocybin extract rather than eating shrooms whole?

DoubleBlind Digs

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

1. Cutting down on alcohol can be very challenging, but it’s also a message a lot of folks get once they start using psychedelics. Luckily, the alcohol alternatives market is booming, and our favorite is BonBuz*—packed with nootropics and adaptogens.

2. We’re drizzling blue honey on our smoothie bowls this summer. 😏Honey is an ancient form of food preservation. Preserving your mushrooms in honey can improve their storage time. Here’s our recipe.

3. Mycologists Dr. K Mandrake and Virginia Haze released the second edition of the best book about growing mushrooms. The Psilocybin Mushroom Bible has received praise for its step-by-step photo series on the growth processes of different species and takes you through the whole process. Get the expanded second release here.*

4. Herbs can be valuable allies to have on-hand during a trip. Theywon’t necessarily extinguish challenging and uncomfortable thoughts completely, but what they can present those thoughts in a different light to keep you moving forward. Here are 6 herbal allies that can calm your nerves, induce euphoria, and complement your journey.

*We may earn a commission from this link, but we are very intentional about the people we partner with and we’ve been fans of BonBuz since they first launched.

*Dr. K Mandrake & Virginia Haze are regular contributors to DoubleBlind penning articles and providing support online to our mushroom-growing students. We are proud to support the second edition of their book, and we may earn a commission from this link.

From the Magazine

In "Holding the Mirror Pt 2," photographer Sam Stenson and model Olivia North collaborate to create a series of intimate, evocative images celebrating the bonds between women across generations. Captured on 35mm film, the photos feature Olivia and Cynthia, a 67-year-old performer and public school teacher, exploring themes of femininity, sexuality, and the ancestral burdens women carry. 

See the photo essay in DoubleBlind Issue No. 2.