MindSet Pharma believes it has developed psilocybin compounds with the “perfect microdosing drug profile.”
The drug development company announced on Thursday that preclinical research using its Family 3 compounds, which are long-acting psilocybin side-chain restricted analogs, have shown an extended duration of action and decreased effect size at the 5-HT2A receptor – a serotonin receptor in the brain that is an important target for psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin and LSD.
As opposed to macrodosing, where an individual consumes a large dose of a psychedelic drug, microdosing involves taking a much smaller dose to experience more moderate effects. Despite a recent surge in popularity, there is still limited scientific research on the practice and its benefits. In fact, a recent study from the Imperial College London suggests that psychedelic microdosing may be nothing more than a placebo. Many drug developments are pursuing microdoses of psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA as possible treatments for various mental health and physical conditions.
“The ideal microdosing drug would not be nearly as strong as a drug like psilocybin, but it would still activate similar receptors in the brain. It would also last a long time so that a patient taking it would experience its benefits over the course of the day,” explained Mindset Pharma CEO James Lanthier.
“Microdosing means that you take a dose so small that you don’t hallucinate, you don’t ‘trip’, you can function in the outside world, and you take it on a regular basis,” he said. “The scientific studies to really understand the benefits of microdosing are happening now, but we do know that people who microdose report improvements in their mood and mental clarity. The potential market for microdosing could be absolutely enormous because it is easier, more convenient, and more familiar.”
Lathier said that MindSet Pharma’s recent preclinical results show that its proprietary psilocybin compounds could possibly be ideal for microdosing. “They have about a tenth of the effect of psilocybin but with a long duration. This is the perfect microdosing drug profile. Instead of sacrificing duration by taking a minuscule dose of a strong psychedelic drug, our drugs may be able to provide the full benefits without activating an unwanted psychedelic trip.”
The company plans to continue testing its Family 3 compounds to discover if they have any other potential cognitive-enhancing effects. Based in Toronto, Canada, MindSet Pharma also recently patented its novel psilocybin synthesis method, which it says can produce the drug faster and cheaper than any other methodology currently being used.
