The head of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) said there’s “growing evidence” that psilocybin could represent a novel therapy option in the treatment of substance misuse, depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions.

While NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli cautioned that the agency is not advising people to use the psilocybin for recreational purposes, initial studies looking into its therapeutic potential have shown promising results, especially as it concerns increasing plasticity in the brain that could help address major mental health disorders. Check it out: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/top-federal-health-official-highlights-growing-evidence-psilocybin-can-treat-addiction-depression-and-more/

A new study published in the The BMJ suggested that high doses of psilocybin appear to have a similar effect on depressive symptoms as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drug escitalopram.

Researchers noted that while most psychedelics were better than placebo in psychedelic trials, only high dose psilocybin was better than placebo in antidepression trials of escitalopram. Here’s more: https://www.bmj.com/content/386/bmj-2023-078607

MindBio reported durability data from its Phase 2A clinical trials in depressed patients testing MB22001, MindBio's proprietary self-administered take-home microdose of LSD. The Phase 2A clinical trial demonstrated excellent safety, adherence and tolerance profile in doses tested.

This was consistent with the Phase 1 trial results, and the findings augment the mounting evidence that MB22001 is a safe and effective drug for treating depression with a psychedelic medicine to patients.

The scientific manuscript has recently been submitted to the British Journal of Therapy for peer review and publishing. Check it out: https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/MINDBIO-THERAPEUTICS-CORP-154226655/news/MindBio-Therapeutics-Corp-Announces-Sustained-Antidepressant-Response-3-Months-Post-Treatment-in-Mi-47683638/

Did you know that the first time a specific function of the brain region was discovered was all the way back in 1811? To put that in perspective, this was a time when women were persuaded not to ride trains because it was thought that the velocity and inertia of a train would cause their uteri to fly out of their bodies at top speed.

Fortunately, there were enough smart people to ensure technological progress was still possible.

Such is the case of César Julien Jean Legallois, who defined a specific function of a brain region in 1811. He studied respiration in animal dissection and lesions, and found the center of respiration in the medulla oblongata, which is the connection between the brainstem and the spinal cord that carries multiple important functional centers. It comprises the cardiovascular-respiratory regulation system, descending motor tracts, ascending sensory tracts, and is the origin of certain cranial nerves.

Prior to Legallois’ work, hypotheses had emphasized the ability of the heart to act alone, without the influence of the brain. While he was not the first to hypothesize that vital functions are localized to the medulla, he was the first to provide clear experimental evidence linking the medulla to such functions.

You can read more about Legallois and his experiments here: https://neuroscientificallychallenged.com/posts/history-of-neuroscience-julien-jean-cesar-legalloi