This article is the second in a series that Psychedelic Science Review is publishing to keep our readers informed about some of the work being done by psychedelic research companies. Watching where these companies are heading and their research strategies is a critical part of staying up to date with psychedelic science. In particular, this series is focusing on companies using the entourage effect as part of their research and development activities.
Part 1 reviewed the expert opinions of two magic mushroom experts and two pharmacologists working in psychedelic research. Briefly, there is a lot of skepticism about whether there is an entourage effect when it comes to psychedelic compounds. Now, we pose the question, how are psychedelic research companies approaching the entourage effect? Here in Part 2, we take a closer look at Mydecine Innovations Group.
Mydecine’s Rationale and Research Paths
In a June 2020 press release regarding their partnership with the University of Alberta, Mydecine CSO Robert Roscow stated, “We are investigating the potential of mushrooms and their compounds to improve human health and wellness. This research partnership opens up, not only investigation of single molecules from mushrooms but also more complex formulations.”
The formulations Mr. Roscow mentions could contain one or more molecules found in magic mushrooms aimed at treating a particular condition. Additional molecules not naturally occurring in these mushrooms could also be added to give a desired effect or remove one or more side effects. These formulations are in contrast to whole-mushroom extracts, which likely have different effects. In this context, another name for the entourage effect concept could be ‘mushrooms versus molecules.’
NeuroPharm, Inc., the research and development division of Mydecine, clearly states their alignment with the entourage effect on their webpage.
Even in the most potent psychoactive mushrooms, psilocybin is only 1-2% of the total mass. This means that as much as 99% of that mushroom is composed of other molecules. While many of those molecules may have no therapeutic value, some of them are pharmacologically active — either taken alone or in synergy with known psilocybin derivatives.
NeuroPharm also states, “Our researchers will isolate and study all of the potentially ‘magic’ molecules in mushrooms. We are studying how these molecules work both alone and in combination with other molecules like THC and CBD.”
The company makes an important observation when it comes to understanding why creating formulations is critical to accurate dosing. NeuroPharm notes that eating magic mushrooms doesn’t give a person much control over what molecules they are ingesting and how much of each compound is entering their bloodstream. The company says, “Current methods for administering psilocybin [eating mushrooms] fail to provide reliable dosing, which makes the resulting effects both inconsistent and unreliable.” They go on to say, “Formulating the active components in ‘magic mushrooms’ into reliable dosage forms will allow users to know exactly what they are taking. Formulated products will provide the desired active ingredients without any undesired compounds…”
Mydecine’s Impact on Psychedelic Research
According to their website, Robert Roscow and his team at Mydecine/NeuroPharm are studying and applying what they understand as an entourage effect in magic mushrooms to their research and development efforts. It is too early to say what innovations may come from this work that could help people with medical conditions or those just wishing to improve their everyday lives. Based on press releases, Mydecine is currently making progress researching the single molecules psilocybin and psilocin.
NeuroPharm is conducting the first-of-its-kind clinical trial using psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for treating PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in Canadian Veterans. Also, Mydecine recently filed for a provisional patent for an ‘enhancer’ that reduces the enzymatic breakdown of psilocin in the body.
Barbara E. Bauer, MS
Barb is the former Editor and one of the founders of Psychedelic Science Review. She is currently a contributing writer. Her goal is making accurate and concise psychedelic science research assessable so that researchers and private citizens can make informed decisions.