University of Wyoming and CaaMTech Partner to Investigate Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Compounds for Addiction Treatment
Researchers at the University of Wyoming (UW) have partnered with CaaMTech, a company creating a library of pure psychedelic mushroom compounds, to investigate their potential medical benefits. Psychedelic mushrooms have been illegal in the United States since 1970 and are included in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. Ana-Clara Bobadilla, an assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy, is studying the use of these compounds to treat addiction. Bobadilla is specifically looking at substance use disorders and is using mice to test the effects of different psychedelic compounds. The lab is looking for compounds that have been modified so that they no longer produce a psychedelic high, but they are not ruling out the original compounds either. The partnership between CaaMTech and the Bobadilla UW Lab began last month and will continue for at least another two years. CaaMTech has also partnered with Dr. Elliott Hulley, a professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Washington, to synthesize and characterize these compounds.
Bobadilla’s research is shedding light on the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic compounds, which have been largely understudied due to their legal status. She is investigating whether these compounds can break through intrusive thinking associated with addiction and reduce cravings for addictive substances. The preliminary data shows that 80% of people were able to quit smoking after long periods of time with the use of psychedelics, compared to only 30% with traditional nicotine patches and other treatments.
The partnership between CaaMTech and the Bobadilla UW Lab is an important step in expanding the toolkit available to doctors and clinicians for treating addiction and other disorders. While the research is still in its early stages, the potential for these compounds to provide new and effective treatments for substance use disorder is promising.
However, there are also concerns about the potential for these compounds to create addiction themselves. Bobadilla’s lab is looking for compounds that have been modified so that they no longer produce a psychedelic high, but more research is needed to fully understand the risks and benefits of these compounds.
Overall, the partnership between CaaMTech and the University of Wyoming is an exciting development in the field of psychedelic research and could lead to new and innovative treatments for a range of disorders. As more research is conducted, we may gain a better understanding of the potential benefits and risks of these compounds and how they can be used to improve the lives of those struggling with addiction and other conditions.
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