2nd Gen Psychedelic Drugs for Depression Can Be Safer for Older Adults

Psychedelic drugs lack the serious side effects of antidepressants, which stands to especially benefit older adults, reports Forbes . The Bright Minds biotechnology startup is developing second-generation analog compounds intended to overcome such health risks, including psilocybin-like compounds that are free of potential toxicities to deliver more attenuated treatment. "When you're dealing with an individual that's compromised in terms of their health, you're going to need to have them very carefully monitored if you're going to give them psilocybin itself," said Bright Minds lead researcher Alan Kozikowski. He also acknowledged the possibility that psilocybin could halt neurodegenerative processes, and even enhance memory in persons with Alzheimer's. "There is a possibility you can get formation of new neurons, and you might restore certain synaptic connections," Kozikowski said. Bright Minds is currently testing one of its designer compounds for the treatment of cluster headaches, which according a study in Neurology respond well to psilocybin. Kozikowski calculates that about two years of preclinical work will pass before his researchers discover an investigative new psychedelic drug, followed by two to three more years of clinical trials before Bright Minds can roll out a first drug onto the market.