Science in sixty seconds

How psychedelics change the brain

Psychedelics make the brain more malleable to change (‘plastic’) by inducing molecular processes that create new connection points ('spines') between neurons (brain cells). This increases communication between neurons and allows for growth and reorganisation. Psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity could be the mechanism underlying the clinical effects that are being observes, like reduced anxiety and depression. (Image created with BioRender.com).

RESEARCH UPDATES

Psychedelic Clinical Research

• Could psychedelics help autism symptoms? | A review explores the evidence for psychedelics holding therapeutic value in the treatment of some of the core features of autism spectrum disorder. [study]
• MDMA therapy improved eating disorder symptoms | MDMA-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduces eating disorder symptoms in adults with severe PTSD in a randomized placebo-controlled trial. [study]

Psychedelic Preclinical Research

• Expert perspective on the need for novel psychedelic-inspired medicines |An article on the promises and perils of psychedelics highlighted the importance of developing novel chemical entities based on classic psychedelics. It was written by Dr. Tristan McClure-Begley and Prof Bryan Roth, who is one of the scientific leaders of the field and published in the very prestigious journal, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. [article]

A quote from the article:
“…the emphasis at this stage should be on the discovery of new chemical matter with diverse target receptor engagements and intrinsic activities. Such efforts are active research pursuits and will be key to the longevity of effective psychiatric treatments inspired by psychedelic mechanisms of action.”

• Psilocin from magic mushrooms alters sleep activity | Psilocin was found to alter sleep-wake architecture and brain activity in mice, which may be relevant for its emerging anti-depressant activity. [study]
• Psychedelic receptor responsible for reducing alcohol consumption | Two separate studies identified the serotonin 5HT2A receptor as a target that reduces alcohol consumption in mouse models of alcohol use disorder. [study 1, study 2]
• AI used to study psychedelics | Machine Learning used to analyse language to map brain regions activated by different psychedelics [study] and to measure microdosing effects [preprint].

Other updates

• Why microdosing is gaining momentum in Australia - Australian Financial Review, 24 March 2022
• AI analyses drug users’ trip reports to better understand psychedelics - New Scientist, 16 March 2022
• Mainstream medicine is embracing psychedelic-assisted therapy. Johns Hopkins, Yale, and NYU are teaming up to tackle a key bottleneck that will arise as psychedelics come to market - Business Insider, 11 March
• ​At Harvard, Psychedelic Drugs' Tentative Renaissance - The Harvard Crimson, 19 Feb

PSYLO UPDATES

We are excited to announce that we are teaming up with A/Prof Luke Hunter from UNSW to expedite our development of next-generation, psychedelic-inspired medicines! A/Prof Hunter is an expert in innovative methods for incorporating fluorine atoms into drug molecules, which can improve their potency, metabolism, and side-effect profile. We’re very excited about this partnership and having A/Prof Hunter’s expertise applied to the development of improved treatments for mental illness!

We have also partnered up with the National Deuteration Facility at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to optimise the metabolism of candidates in each of Psylo's Product Families using deuteration.

Psylo in the Media

• Josh Ismin, co-founder and CEO, spoke with Yolanda Redrup at the The Australian Financial Review (AFR) about psychedelic medicines. What the science says about microdosing, AFR, 24 March 2022.

Upcoming

• Look out for co-founder and CEO Josh Ismin's appearance on the Innovation Bay podcast, which features the best and brightest founders and investors.
• Look out for co-founder and CSO Dr. Sam Banister's appearance on Hamilton Morris’ podcast. Hamilton is an American journalist/documentarian (creator of "Hamilton's Pharmacopeia" - VICE), a scientific researcher and psychedelics expert.
• Sam will be presenting at the Forensic & Clinical Toxicology Association meeting, 11-12 April
• Sam will also be speaking at the Sydney Vivid Ideas event, "The Future of Drugs" alongside Prof. Iain McGregor (University of Sydney) and Dr. Margaret Ross (St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne), 3 June. Secure your tickets now.

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