Psilocybin Could Unlock Key Mental Health Treatments for Millions of People

Psilocybin could be the key to unlocking key treatments for mental health issues. "Existing antidepressant drugs don't work well for an estimated 30 to 50 percent of the people who try them; when they do work, the effects can take weeks to kick in. Psilocybin, a compound that can profoundly alter consciousness and perceptions of reality, might be a powerful alternative, says Roland Griffiths, a neuropsychopharmacologist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine," as quoted by Science News.

Better still, the drug can reportedly promote neuroplasticity in the brains of rats. According to a study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, "The present study demonstrates that psilocybin rapidly induces gene expression related to neuroplasticity, biased towards the prefrontal cortex, compared to the hippocampus. Findings provide further evidence for the rapid plasticity-promoting effects of psilocybin."

The U.S. is seeing broader support of psilocybin use, as well.

For example, Oregon became the first state to legalize psilocybin in a therapeutic setting. With Measure 109, the psilocybin movement is about overcoming depression, as noted by KATU 2 ABC. In addition, "An estimated 1 in every 5 adults in Oregon is coping with a mental health condition," 20 doctors and other health care workers wrote in the voters' pamphlet.

"We support Measure 109 because it provides a new treatment for many that might break through where others fall short."

Better Plant Sciences (CSE: PLNT) (OTCQB: VEGGF) Just Received Health Canada Approval to Advance its Psilocybin Research

The company just announced that its majority owned subsidiary NeonMind Biosciences obtained Health Canada approval to advance its preclinical trial on psilocybin-based research. The Trial is intended to determine the capacity of psilocybin to dose-dependently cause weight loss and prevent weight gain, measuring glucose metabolism, weight loss and effect on food cravings.

NeonMind has engaged the University of British Columbia to conduct the Trial. The services are provided by the University under the supervision of Dr. Alasdair Barr, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, who is authorized by Health Canada to act as the Principal Investigator for the Trial.

Dr. Barr is a tenured faculty member at the University and has extensive experience working with controlled substances as part of his research. His doctoral and post-doctoral research involved a significant body of work using controlled substances.

Before psilocybin, a restricted substance, can be used for a scientific purpose in Canada, the Canadian Minister of Health must grant authority or an exemption pursuant to Subsection 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, S.C. 1996, c. 19.

On July 27, 2020, an application regarding the NeonMind Trial was submitted to Health Canada and on October 7, 2020, pursuant to section J.01.059 of Part J of the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR), Health Canada granted authorization to the Principal Investigator to carry out the Trial using psilocybin at UBC.

For more information, visit the company's website at https://betterplantsciences.com.

Legal Disclaimer

Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this article contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Winning Media is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release.

For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Winning Media is only compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation. Pursuant to an agreement between Winning Media and Better Plant Sciences Inc., Winning Media has been paid two thousand dollars for advertising and marketing services for Better Plant Sciences Inc. We own ZERO shares of Better Plant Sciences Inc. Please click here for full disclaimer.

Contact Information:
2818047972
ty@lifewatermedia.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/68472

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

The Conversation (0)
Cannabis buds on a wooden surface with Australian banknotes nearby.

Australia's Cannabis Import Quota Slashed Amid Surging Local Production

Australia’s Office of Drug Control (ODC) said the country’s 2025 cannabis import quota has been reduced by the International Narcotics Control Board from 101 tonnes to 88 tonnes, Business of Cannabis reported.Over-projected demand and idle permits that limited operational flexibility were cited... Keep Reading...
Gavel resting on cannabis leaves.

Cannabis Crossroads: Record US Demand Meets Federal Gridlock

The US cannabis industry is at a turning point. State-level legalization and retail growth continue to accelerate, but federal policy remains stalled, leaving businesses navigating both opportunity and uncertainty. Record consumer demand is driving sales, yet outdated regulations, restrictive... Keep Reading...
Cannabis leaf.

10 Biggest Cannabis Stocks in the US and Canada in 2025

After initial optimism for rescheduling in the US, the cannabis market has faced challenges in 2025. Despite signs of support from US President Donald Trump and members of his administration, regulatory uncertainty persists in the US. Companies are shifting focus to match changes in consumer... Keep Reading...
Field of cannabis plants under bright sunlight.

Cannabis Market Update: H1 2025 in Review

The first half of 2025 played out differently than many cannabis market participants expected. Heading into the year, there was optimism that rescheduling in the US would reduce or eliminate challenges, but the industry continued to grapple with persistent federal regulatory uncertainty,... Keep Reading...
Closeup of lush green cannabis leaves.

Thailand Reverses Course on Cannabis, Moves to Recriminalize Amid Political Fallout

Thailand’s groundbreaking experiment with cannabis decriminalization is rapidly unraveling, with the government formally moving to reclassify the plant as a narcotic and ban recreational sales.The decision has sent shockwaves through an industry once projected to be worth over US$1 billion.The... Keep Reading...
Cannabis leaf over map of Australia.

A State-by-State Guide to Cannabis in Australia

Australia federally legalised medicinal cannabis in 2016, and Australia's cannabis market has seen major growth since then.Medical cannabis approvals were up by 120 percent in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Statista forecasts that Australian cannabis revenue will... Keep Reading...

Latest Press Releases

Related News