Psychedelics have been used for many therapeutic purposes such as combating depression, issues with mental health, and even certain addictions. Currently, research is focused on better methods of administering these drugs to reduce possible side effects.
The therapeutic drug from mushrooms, known as psilocin, is being tested within a transdermal, wearable patch. The psychedelic medicine company from Hawaii, Ei.Ventures, plans to create a safe, but effective method to deliver the drug with fewer side effects.
“Our company in San Diego specializing in the research and development of skin-applied products will deploy our proprietary technologies and deep expertise to address key psilocin formulation issues, such as delivery and stability. A transdermal delivery route can circumvent issues with oral administration, such as nausea,” said John M. Newsam, the CEO of Tioga Research.
“One of the unique challenges with psychedelics is managing the peak experience, where people may experience some adverse effects. By utilizing transdermal technology, our hope is that we’re going to be able to essentially flatten the curve, make the acute peek a little bit less acute and also allow for a more extended duration of the sort of threshold effects,” said Tyler Strause, Ei.Ventures project development specialist.
The company would like to create various therapeutic products to offer many options for treatment, rather than just the patch. “There is a range of potential, therapeutic applications from microdosing up through sort of breakthrough doses. And even, potentially, what has been sort of described as heroic doses,” said Strause.
“I think that the psychedelic experience at this point needs to be done with a therapist. I used to think differently about that, but I’ve seen where psychedelics can be taken and used in too much of a recreational manner. To prevent misuse or abuse, the company’s research and development is primarily focused on psilocybin patches intended for use with the supervision of a mental health professional,” said David Nikzad, president of Ei.Ventures.
As more professionals use psychedelics for treatment, a safer dose can be determined as well as better over-the-counter products for public use. “The goal is to have a range of transdermal, psychedelic products that will give therapists and practitioners as many tools as they need in order to help people overcome their mental health challenges. But ultimately with an eye for the future, where people will be using these products, not just to alleviate their mental health challenges, but also for their more positive benefits,” said Strause.
Psilocybin (converted to psilocin by liver enzymes) is still being researched. Previous research has shown that when psilocybin is combined with psychotherapy, it can quickly be effective at treating depression. Additionally, it has proven to decrease both anxiety and depression in those with cancer.
Researchers are looking into other possible treatment uses for the drug including other mental health issues. “We’ve talked about everything from major depression disorder to schizophrenia and PTSD. There are so many needs out there,” said Linda Strause, Ei.Ventures’ director of clinical development, and a doctorate in neurophysiology and biochemistry.