At the start of the week, the School of Pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison unveiled its psychedelics center, named the Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances. Researchers will investigate the therapeutic potential of psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin in treating conditions such as opioid addiction, major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition to this, the center will also offer educational training for psychedelics practitioners and scientists.
In its press release, the department asserted that the institute would work to consider diversity participants used in research, noting that people of color were often underrepresented in psychedelics studies. Paul Hutson, a professor of the School of Pharmacy, who is also the founding center director, explained that there was a significant imbalance in the number of Black, Native American, Asian and Hispanic research participants in psychedelic studies. He stated that the center’s focus would be to look for opportunities that improved the representation of marginalized groups, the elderly and minorities.
The investigators also identified a lack of diversity in a recent psychedelics study that was published in the “Chronic Stress” journal.
In the press release, Hutson also stated that psychedelic substances such as MDMA and psilocybin were the new frontier for potential novel medications and therapies. The new institution is among the latest to prioritize research on the substances, as psychedelics reform continues advancing at the local, state and federal levels.
Earlier in June, Harvard Law School announced that it would be launching its psychedelics policy center, which would be useful to physicians navigating the flourishing medical space as psychedelic reform spreads. The center, called the Project on Psychedelics Law and Regulation, has been designed to promote equity, innovation and safety in psychedelics therapeutics, commerce and research.
The first center dedicated solely to research on psychedelics and their therapeutic potential was launched in 2019 by Johns Hopkins University.
This UW psychedelics research center comes almost a year after the city council of Ann Arbor, Michigan, voted to decriminalize various psychedelics. Psychedelics reform is also advancing in Arcata, California; Easthampton Massachusetts; and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Other cities that have enacted changes in policies that govern psychedelics include Cambridge, Somerville and Northampton, which are all in Massachusetts. In Washington, DC, voters approved a ballot initiative to decriminalize psychedelics in November 2020.
And with regard to marijuana, the state of Wisconsin is among the few states in the country that lack a medical cannabis program. The state’s governor Tony Evers tried to legalize medical and recreational cannabis via his proposed state budget. However, a Republican-led legislative committee removed marijuana language from the bill.
The academic institutions setting up psychedelic research centers bring a perfect complement to the research being done by companies such as Cybin Inc. (NEO: CYBN) (NYSE American: CYBN) since policy makers will have solid scientific information upon which to base their decisions.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Cybin Inc. (NEO: CYBN) (NYSE American: CYBN) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CYBN
About PsychedelicNewsWire
PsychedelicNewsWire (PNW) is a specialized content distribution company that (1) aggregates and distributes news and information on the latest developments in all aspects and advances of psychedelics and their use, (2) creates PsychedelicNewsBreaks designed to quickly update investors on important industry news, (3) leverages a team of expert editors to enhance press releases for maximum impact, (4) assists companies with the management and optimization of social media across a range of platforms, and (5) delivers unparalleled corporate communication solutions. PNW stays abreast of the latest information and has established a reputation as the go to source for coverage of psychedelics, therapeutics and emerging market opportunities. Our team of seasoned journalists has a proven track record of helping both public and private companies gain traction with a wide audience of investors, consumers, media outlets and the general public by leveraging our expansive dissemination network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets. PNW is committed to delivering improved visibility and brand recognition to companies operating in the emerging markets of psychedelics.
To receive instant SMS alerts, text “Groovy” to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information please visit https://www.PsychedelicNewsWire.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the PsychedelicNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by PNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.PsychedelicNewsWire.com/Disclaimer
Do you have questions or are you interested in working with PNW? Ask our Editor
PsychedelicNewsWire (PNW)
San Francisco, California
www.PsychedelicNewsWire.com
415.949.5050 Office
Editor@PsychedelicWire.com
PsychedelicNewsWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.