We're here to bring you top-notch psychedelic science info—perfect for pharmacy professionals, allied healthcare providers, and curious minds everywhere! Think of us as your go-to news spot for all things psychedelic-assisted therapy, keeping you informed in a rapidly changing clinical and legal landscape.

 

This month, we’re excited to share upcoming psychedelic events and opportunities, introduce open leadership roles within the Psychedelic Pharmacists Association (PPA), and dish out the latest on psychedelic research and global policy updates!

 

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MAY 15 | VIRTUAL | PSYCHEDELICS & THE REIMAGING OF AGING | In this presentation, Abbie Rosner, author of the forthcoming book, Psychedelics and the Counterculture of Aging, explores how intentional psychedelic experiences are helping people reimagine what it means to grow older. Learn more here. 

 

JUNE 4-6 | THE NETHERLANDS | INTERDISCIPLINARY CONFERENCE ON PSYCHEDELIC RESEARCH (ICPR) | This conference is where science, practice, and policy meet. Where you'll find intellectual rigour, cutting-edge evidence, and meaningful discussions on the real-world applications of psychedelics. Learn more here. 

 

JUNE 6-7 | ASPEN, CO | ASPEN PSYCHEDELIC SYMPOSIUM | This event is a unique annual convening that brings together visionary researchers, clinicians, cultural leaders, and community members to explore the future of psychedelic healing. Learn more here.  

 

JUNE 20 | STOWE, VT | SOULQUINOX | This event celebrates the role psychedelics may have in personal growth, healing, and health. It will bring together themes of community, spirituality, and science through the lens of psychedelic experiences. Learn more here. 

THE PSYCHEDELIC PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION may be able to speak at your event. Complete the Speaker Engagement Form to request a PPA representative to discuss psychedelic science at your event.  

PROGRAM COORDINATOR | PINK ELEPHANT | Pink Elephant is hiring for a Program Coordinator to help hold the day-to-day rhythm of the program, support founders and mentors, coordinate logistics, and help create a high-touch experience for some of the most important builders in psychedelic and frontier mental health. Learn more here. 

 

TASK & FINISH GROUP | THE BRITISH PSYCHEDELIC SOCIETY | The British Psychedelic Society is looking for people to join a Task and Finish Group to help shape practice guidance for psychologists working in psychedelic-assisted therapy. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a pivotal piece of work that will produce recommendations on training, clinical delivery, and evaluation. Learn more here. 

Are you ready to help shape the future of pharmacy in the psychedelic space? Do you want to be part of the team that establishes the career pathway for pharmacists in this emerging ecosystem? If so, please consider joining the Psychedelic Pharmacists Association Executive Team to help us:

 

🧠 EDUCATE healthcare professionals and the public to increase psychedelic literacy, reduce stigma, and promote safe and ethical use practices.

⚖️ ADVOCATE for the therapeutic use of psychedelics as medicines and for pharmacists to play a central role in prescribing, guiding, and ensuring safe, evidence-based treatment across the continuum of psychedelic care.

🤝 COLLABORATE with like-minded stakeholders to inform on ethical and responsible decision-making surrounding psychedelic medicine initiatives and reform.

 

We are currently recruiting for the President, Vice President, and Secretary roles. If you are interested, submit a Statement of Interest and resume/CV. Click here to submit or learn more. 

MDMA AFTER SEVEN MONTHS | MDMA-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder showed significant and sustained reductions in depression and functional impairment over seven months in a small open-label study. Treatment was feasible and generally safe, with no increase in suicidality. Findings are promising but limited by sample size, requiring larger controlled trials for confirmation. Read more here. 

 

PSILOCYBIN EFFECTS ON ANHEDONIA | Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduced anhedonia in treatment-resistant depression, with improvements seen at two weeks and sustained up to six months. Effects appeared partly independent of overall depression changes, and baseline anhedonia did not predict response. Findings suggest promise, but larger controlled trials are needed to confirm efficacy and mechanisms. Read more here. 

 

PSILOCYBIN & OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD) | A randomized controlled trial found that a single dose of psilocybin produced rapid and significant symptom reductions in patients with treatment-resistant OCD, with effects evident within 48 hours and sustained for weeks. Results highlight psilocybin’s potential as a novel, fast-acting therapeutic approach warranting larger confirmatory studies. Read more here. 

 

ROLE OF THERAPEUTIC ALLIANCE | A recent analysis of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression found that the strength of the therapeutic alliance had only a weak association with clinical outcomes. Findings suggest that psilocybin’s antidepressant effects may be less dependent on patient–therapist rapport than traditional therapies, highlighting potentially distinct mechanisms of action. Read more here. 

 

TRANSCEND THERAPEUTICS PURCHASE | Japanese pharma company Otsuka has agreed to acquire Transcend Therapeutics in a deal worth up to $1.23 billion, gaining access to TSND-201, a methylone-based therapy for PTSD. The investigational drug, which enhances neuroplasticity without hallucinogenic effects, has shown promising Phase 2 results and is advancing into Phase 3 trials. Read more here. 

EUROPE | Bretisilocin acquired by AbbVie from Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals, is the first psychedelic to receive the Priority Medicines eligibility for the European Medicines Agency (PRIME). This is somewhat synonymous with the FDA breakthrough status, which is a step forward for the shorter-duration tryptamine being tested for treatment resistant-depression. Read more here. 

VA OFFICE OF NOVEL THERAPEUTICS | Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana has introduced the “Veteran Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act.” It would create an office within the VA system to plan and manage the rollout of unique modalities such as psychedelics. Read more here. 

LOUISIANA | Senate Bill 43 (SB43) has advanced. SB43 would allow for Department of Health oversight and Opioid Settlement fund allocations for FDA- and DEA-registered clinical trials using psychedelic-assisted therapy for opioid-use disorder (OUD), co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD), and treatment-resistant neurological or mental health disorders. The bill currently sits in the House Committee on Health and Welfare. Read more here. 

 

NEW MEXICO |  New Mexico has officially passed a budget allocating $630,000 to the Psilocybin Treatment Equity Fund established in parallel to the imminent medical program. In addition, it allocated $300,000 for universities to research psilocybin and end-of-life care. Of note, these funds are specifically allocated from profits generated by fossil fuel extraction on state lands. Read more here. 

 

MASSACHUSETTS | Representative O’Day has introduced a House Bill 4200 to create a pilot program in which up to three mental healthcare facilities partner with the Department of Public Health to administer “psychedelic materials” to “clinically appropriate patients” and overseen by a "multidisciplinary team”. The goal is to gather outcome data and establish practice standards.

 

MASSACHUSETTS | Representative Decker has introduced House Bill 2203 to create a psilocybin therapy pilot program for patients with PTSD, end-of-life distress, depression, and other specified conditions. The Department of Health would oversee universities and their community-based therapeutic partners in the study using naturally occurring FDA-approved research products.

 

UTAH | Utah has passed a bill allowing Huntsman Mental Health Institute to create a clinical trial using psychedelics (Psilocybin, MDMA, NN DMT, 5MEO DMT) for treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Veterans. Read more here. 

OFFICE HOURS | Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 12pm ET | RSVP Here

EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING | Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 7:45 PM ET | RSVP Here

POLICY AND ADVOCACY COMMITTEE MEETING | Tuesday, May 26, 2026 | 7 PM ET | RSVP Here

EVENT INTEREST FORM - share your idea for a PPA event (e.g. external speakers, movie screenings, socials, etc.)

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