Luxembourg first in Europe to legalize growing and using cannabis
Under the legislation, people aged 18 and over will be able to legally grow up to four cannabis plants per household for personal use.
Mental health & addiction
Johns Hopkins Medicine receives first federal grant for psychedelic treatment research in 50 years
Combined with preparation and structured support, psilocybin has shown promise for treating a range of addictions and mental health disorders.
Norway hopes to boost body image with retouching law
In Norway, images that have been altered to change a person’s appearance must now be labelled as retouched under new amendments to the country’s marketing act.
Charlotte, NC launches peer-run alternative to psychiatric hospitalization
The facility is entirely run by those who have experienced mental illness, psychiatric hospitalizations, homelessness, incarceration, or substance use. It is designed to be an alternative for those who are without physical injury who would otherwise be admitted to a psychiatric facility by an emergency room.
City of Madison will begin sending specialists to non-violent mental health calls instead of police
Madison’s CARES (Community Alternative Response to Emergency Situations and Services) team will feature two paramedics from Madison Fire Department, as well as two representatives from the Journey Mental Health Facility in Madison.
Psychedelics company approved for PTSD therapy study using MDMA in Canada
During the study, research, medical, and therapist staff at Numinus will collect data on the safety and effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy to inform Health Canada and support making MDMA-assisted therapy available to individuals living with PTSD in Canada.
America’s first transgender suicide hotline is up and running
The new hotline is staffed entirely by transgender people and dedicated to addressing and supporting members of the trans community in mental health crises.
New study shows psychedelic mushrooms are as effective as antidepressants
Psilocybin performed about as well as the SSRI escitalopram as a treatment for moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder, according to a new double-blinded, randomized experiment.
Oakland to launch alternative response program for nonviolent 911 calls
Following successful alternative policing programs in Denver and Newark, Oakland, California is the latest city to adopt such a program with an initiative to redirect nonviolent, noncriminal calls to mobile teams of civilians.
First Phase 3 trial data for MDMA therapy sets path for approval in the U.S.
The extremely promising data are the first Phase 3 results to be revealed for any psychedelic-based therapy, paving the way for a landmark US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2023.