Pharmaceutical grade psychedelics refer to psychedelic substances that are produced and manufactured to meet pharmaceutical quality standards. This term is often used to describe psychedelics that are being researched and developed for potential medical or therapeutic applications.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics such as psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD. These substances have shown promise in the treatment of mental health conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction. As a result, there has been a growing effort to develop pharmaceutical grade versions of these substances for use in clinical settings.

Producing pharmaceutical grade psychedelics involves rigorous quality control measures to ensure purity, potency, and consistency. This includes adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and conducting extensive testing to meet regulatory requirements. Pharmaceutical grade psychedelics are typically produced in controlled laboratory environments to minimize contamination and ensure precise dosing.

The development of pharmaceutical grade psychedelics involves conducting clinical trials to assess their safety and efficacy. These trials are conducted under strict protocols and guidelines to ensure the well-being of participants and to generate reliable data. The goal is to establish the therapeutic potential of these substances and obtain regulatory approval for their use in specific medical contexts.

It's important to note that while pharmaceutical grade psychedelics are being researched and developed, they are not yet widely available for clinical use. The regulatory landscape surrounding these substances varies across countries and regions, and their use outside of approved research settings is generally illegal.

The emergence of pharmaceutical grade psychedelics represents a significant shift in the perception and understanding of these substances. Through rigorous scientific investigation, there is hope that they may become approved treatments for various mental health conditions, offering new possibilities for individuals who have not found relief through traditional therapies. However, it is essential to continue conducting research, ensuring safety protocols, and navigating regulatory processes to fully explore the potential benefits and risks of these substances in a medical context.

“The world urgently needs a new way to treat mental health issues, and at PsyRx we believe psychedelics are a big part of the solution,” says Itay Hecht.

Hecht is CEO and co-founder of this Israeli company, which is developing standardized pharmaceutical grade psychedelics from natural sources — not synthetics — as active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Using an agro-medical bioreactor invented at the Hebrew University Faculty of Agriculture, PsyRx produces psychedelic botanic extracts psilocybin (from “magic” mushrooms) and ibogaine (from the root bark of the iboga shrub).

Psilocybin has been shown to have positive effects in treating depression, anxiety and addiction, and has been suggested as a potential treatment for obesity, PTSD, cluster headaches and more.

Ibogaine has shown promise as an anti-addiction drug, among other indications. PsyRx is focusing on its potential to improve current SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants.

“SSRIs have some very bad side effects on libido and appetite, and patients often stop using them. We believe adding a microdose of ibogaine will counter those effects and make a better drug,” Hecht says, emphasizing that microdoses of psychedelic substances do not cause hallucinations.

“We are starting small animal trials soon to check safety and efficacy. Hopefully, in a year’s time, we can start human trials” to test this ibogaine application, he tells ISRAEL21c.

ON-TREND

Adding psychedelics to mainstream drugs may seem a bit “out there,” but in fact it’s on-trend.

According to market intelligence report CB Insights, funding for psychedelic medicine companies is growing rapidly as traditional pharma giants see declines in return on investment for drug R&D and are interested in exploring alternative products. Consumer interest in hallucinogenic drugs also is growing, according to this report.