Psychedelic Industry Revolution

According to a Harvard study, the medical cost of mental health is projected to increase to $6 trillion by 2030. A Research and Markets report also estimates the psychedelic drugs market to expand at a robust rate of 14.5% between 2021 and 2026 and will double in value from around $6.3 billion in 2026 from $3.2 billion in 2021. Moreover, the same report anticipates depression to dominate the mental disorder conditions as it has a more than 40% market share in 2021.

With recent approval by the FDA to allow entheogens with breath through therapies to enter the legal marketplace, Psychedelics have now become the hot new investment trend on Wall Street as billionaire entrepreneur Peter Thiel led a $125 million investment into Compass Pathways, focused on psychedelic therapies. Commercial Interests of Entheogens were re-sparked in the late 90’s when researchers re-explored the biological effects of psychedelics using neuroimaging techniques such as positron emission tomography, before and after volunteers entheogen use. The studies showed similarities in brain response to psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD, and DMT, the active ingredient in ayahuasca, as well as mescaline, the psychedelic compound derived from peyote cactus. These natural compounds all act on the Pineal Glands serotonin receptors, responsible for balancing and controlling one’s mood. As a vital biological compound, Serotonin is a predominant class of psychiatric drugs all its own, which are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. The Nueroscience community now believes that these antidepressants work not by flooding the brain with the neurotransmitter, as was initially assumed, but by stimulating neuroplasticity and the brain’s ability to forge new neural connections, which is quite a REVELATIONARY finding and significant change in medical philosophy, in essence proving that these compounds are repairing neurological pathways and healing our brains, allowing our body’s to more fully heal themself. Many Economists agree with Peter Thiel’s major investment and project that the global mental health costs could soar to $16 trillion annually by 2030, with the Psychedelic market exceeding $6.8 billion by 2027 and growing to over $100 billion moving into the 2030’s. “It’s like a gold rush,” says Julie Holland, psychiatrist and author of “Good Chemistry: The Science of Connection, From Soul to Psychedelics.” According to Julie, “The green rush for cannabis happened over decades. But for psychedelics it’s happening over a few months.” January 27th of this year did indeed mark a true first for our world as the first psychedelic focused ETF Horizons Psychedelic was launched in Canada, signaling a profound change in the relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and time-honored plant medicine remedies. This fund includes companies Revive Therapeutics, Mind Cure Health and Mydecine Innovations Group, who are capitalizing on the psychedelic revolution quickly sweeping the world. TOP COMPANIES COMPASS PATHWAYS (CMPS: $12.15 / share) Our vision is a world of mental wellbeing. COMPASS is a mental health care company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health. Our first program is researching how COMP360 psilocybin therapy could help people with treatment-resistant depression. We want to transform the patient experience in mental health care. MIND MED (MNMd: $1 / share) Mind Med (MNMD)became the first psychedelics firm to make its public debut on Toronto's NEO Exchange in 2020, earning the attention of investors as part of the new crop of psychedelics stocks to watch. The company is investigating the use of its 18-MC psychedelic drug candidate as an aid for battling opioid dependency. MindMed has earned the attention of investors thanks to two of its most significant backers: former Canopy Growth (NYSE: CGC, TSX: WEED) CEO Bruce Linton and notorious Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary. Trading at $1 a share from a high of $4 a few months ago, Mind Med is perhaps the most well diversified company in this space so far. Mind Med recently joined forces with MindShift Compounds AG of Switzerland with clinical trials taking place in the first quarter of 2022. The two companies are focused on treating depression, addiction and mental illness, all of which are on the rise and relying on Psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, DMT, and ibogaine derivative, 18-MC to do so. JR Rahn, co-founder director and co-CEO of the firm, previously told INN his company is squarely focused on the medical aspect of the psychedelic drug industry. MindMed reached the public markets as a way to raise capital in its pursuit of high-end medicine drug products aimed at treating opioid addiction. “We don’t see a future in recreational psychedelics,” the MindMed executive said. “The only future that we see is psychedelics medicines being passed through the (US Food and Drug Administration).” MindMed announced in December 2020 a successful pre-investigational new drug meeting with the FDA for a clinical study on using LSD to treat anxiety. Dubbed Project Lucy, the MindMed study will consist of a Phase 2b human trial, marking the first time the company will employ an “experiential” psychedelic therapy as part of its overall research pipeline. Numinus Wellness (NUMIF: $0.38 / share) Numinus Wellness of Canada is a healthcare firm focused on exploring the compelling new segments of available health treatments to patients. Thanks to specific licensing, the company is capable of operating in the cannabis and psychedelics industries. Through its Numinus Wellness division, the public company can research the development of psychedelic therapies for treatments related to physical, mental and emotional health. They are currently focused on growing and extracting psilocybin for distribution at its clinics and health centers, Aion therapeutic (ANTCF: $0.02 / share) In addition to Aion Therapeutics recent move into the psychedelics arena, the company also operates in the cannabis industry with a licensed production line in Canada. As far as its psychedelics business goes, the company’s lead, Dr. Stephen D. Barnhill, has said Aion is pursuing novel formulations of various natural compounds, including psilocybin and fungi. Better plant sciences (veggD: $0.15 / share) This wellness firm has a substantial investment in the psychedelics market thanks to a majority ownership stake in NeonMind Biosciences, previously known as Flourish Mushroom Labs. According to its parent company, NeonMind will carry out clinical trials on the therapeutic effects of psilocybin. NeonMind plans to eventually launch branded products such as mushroom-infused items designed to “support immune, cognitive, memory and other brain functions.” Cybin (CYBN: $0.79 / share) This life science company is pursuing the development of psychedelic drugs through detailed clinical trials meant to test the efficacy of its candidates. After going public in Canada, Cybin has moved forward with acquisition deals to expand its market presence in the psychedelics space at large. Field Trip Health (FTRP: $1.05 / Share) Field Trip Health is trying to encompass the entire new age psychedelic experience. Its primary business is the development of its clinic network across North America. The company opened its first ketamine clinic in Toronto while expanding into the US market via locations in New York and Los Angeles. In addition to the clinics, Field Trip holds separate divisions, including one that is looking into the research aspect of psychedelic compounds. The company also launched an official app to accompany its treatments, offering patients activities like meditation techniques to go alongside the psychedelics. Field Trip Health has chosen to focus on ketamine treatments to help with PTSD, depression, suicide, anxiety and help lessen reliance on opioid pain medications. During an online webinar, Dr. Michael Verbora, medical director with Field Trip Psychedelics, said the company’s flagship clinic in Toronto offers ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for depression, anxiety and in some instances even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Last February, Field Trip completed a private placement funding worth US$8.5 million. Ronan Levy, executive chairman of Field Trip, credited the sum raised to a mixed array of international investment figures, such as academics and investment funds. “(The investment) speaks profoundly to the level of interest, excitement and importance that people around the world are placing on the advancement of psychedelics and the role they may play in improving mental health, performance, general wellness and happiness.” One former athlete has also spoken at length about the benefits of these drugs for head-related injuries. During an online webinar with private Canadian firm Field Trip, former NHL player Daniel Carcillo, a two time Stanley Cup champion, spoke at length about the way plant-based medicine and in particular psychedelics helped his treatment after his departure from the world of hockey. Carcillo has stepped into advocacy work for novel therapies for the treatment of concussions and mental health disorders, alongside other head injuries for professional athletes. SEELOS Therapuetics (SEEL: $0.92) SEELOS Therapeutics is a conventional biopharmaceutical company who have chosen to focus on ketamine treatments to help with PTSD, depression, suicide, anxiety and help lessen reliance on opioid pain medications. In 2019, the company was awarded fast-track designation from the FDA for SLS-002, a therapy for acute suicidal ideation and behavior in patients with major depressive disorder. EHave (EHVVF: $0.01 / share) EHAVE is a digital therapeutics firm that specializes in data solutions for the health space. They are currently focused on a home delivery platform for patients prescribed ketamine treatments to help with PTSD, depression, suicide, anxiety and help lessen reliance on opioid pain medications. Captiva verde land (pwr) This cannabis and hemp company secured an entry point in the psychedelics space by forming a partnership with a Mexican company capable of distributing pharmaceutical and wellness products, including psychoactive and non-psychoactive drugs. Champignon brands (shrm) The public entity Champignon Brands manages an extensive psychedelics business with various divisions in charge of advancing its work through research, trials and product formulations. The company is pursuing operations in the US, more specifically California, after buying a company that owns a ketamine-infusion treatment. Champignon Brands plans to scale up these operations and expand the number of clinics offering psychedelic treatments to patients. Codebase ventures (BKLLF: $0.05 / share) Codebase Ventures is an investment firm offering investors a diverse portfolio of opportunities, including a direct stake in Red Light Holland, a publicly traded entity involved in the psychedelics market through its subsidiary Titan Shrooms & Psychedelics. Core labs one (cool) Core One Labs is looking into the development of psychedelic medicines for a frontfacing market. Thin-film oral strips are one of the potentially novel delivery methods the firm will seek to employ. The company is looking to develop intellectual property related to the psychedelic drug space. Empower clinics (CBDT) This company operates as a healthcare firm involved in various aspects of medical care for patients through clinical and digital solutions. Empower Clinics got access to the psychedelics space by way of a subsidiary launched to investigate the use of psilocybin for anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction. Global Trac solutions (PSYC) This digital media company has dedicated itself to the psychedelics space through its website Psychedelic Spotlight, where it showcases some of the most recent developments for the psychedelics industry. Graph Blockchain (GBLC) After embarking on a search for alternative business models to incorporate and support its blockchain technology, Graph Blockchain determined it would acquire Shroom Street in a deal worth C$1 million. The purchase was done in an attempt to integrate product tracking tools of the much-touted blockchain technology into the emerging psychedelics space. Havn Life Sciences (HAVN: $0.04) Havn Life Sciences is a newcomer to the psychedelics industry, boasting an impressive lineup of advisors from the Canadian cannabis space. Among these is Vic Neufeld, who used to run Aphria (NASDAQ: APHA, TSX:APHA). Rick Brar, former CEO of Zenabis Global (TSX: ZENA), is another ex-cannabis executive who is on the roster advising the company. The company holds a Section 56 exemption from Health Canada, meaning it can research and develop psilocybin for scientific use. Havn sells itself to investors as a company investigating psychoactive compounds to develop natural health products. Hollister Biosciences (HOLL, HSTRF) As a way to pursue exposure to the psychedelic arena, this cannabis player confirmed an acquisition deal worth C$1.2 million for AlphaMind Brands, which, according to the public company, will develop a “portfolio of certified legal mushroom-based natural health products.” Carl Saling, founder and CEO of Hollister, has called the acquisition a promising opportunity that could complement its cannabis brand business. Lobe Sciences (LOBEF: $0.02) This Vancouver-based company has a focus on the development of products and technologies in the emerging psychedelics industry based on high-end medical research. The company’s current flagship study is a collaboration with the University of Miami. The preclinical study is investigating the treatment of mild traumatic brain injuries/concussions with post-traumatic stress disorder with psilocybin and NAcetylcysteine. Mind Cure Health (MCURF: $0.09 / share) Mind Cure Health brings together a variety of medical expertise to pursue the advancement of psychedelics as an active mental health treatment option for patients. As part of its business, the company wants to develop products with the ability to help enhance mental health and wellness. In addition to its research efforts, it offers a variety of consumer products based on organic mushroom nootropics. Mindset Pharma (MSET) This drug development company is pursuing the creation of next-generation “psilocybin-inspired” medicine for unmet medical needs from neurological and psychiatric disorders. Mindset Pharma wants to develop a library of psychedelicsrelated intellectual property to tackle neuropsychiatric disorders. Mydecine Innovations Group (MYCOF: $0.10) Formerly known as NewLeaf Brands, Mydecine Innovations Group is advancing new medicine methods, including natural health products. The previous entity acquired Colorado-based Mydecine Group for C$1.2 million. The fungi acquisition was led by Robert Roscow, who served as the director of research with Ebbu, a cannabinoid research company bought by Canadian giant Canopy Growth. The company holds a portfolio dedicated to the development of its psychedelics business, with three ventures so far: Mydecine Health Sciences, Mindleap Health and NeuroPharm. New Wave Holdings (SPOR) Investment firm New Wave Holdings offers shareholders an advanced strategy into three segments of the psychedelics space: a recreational product line, a passive cosmetic lineup and the possibility for further high-end medical research-grade items. New Wave touts a production presence in Jamaica as the core of its psychedelicsbased business. NeonMind Biosciences (NMDBF: $0.05 / share) NeonMind Biosciences is a company working with psychedelic compounds for the development of legal products. The company has set a target of treating obesity and related illnesses through its psychedelic products in a preclinical trial. Nova Mentis Life Science (NOVA, LIBFF) Formerly known as cannabis operator Liberty Leaf Holdings, this medical company is exploring the medical benefits of psilocybin. The company has taken steps to solidify its drug development program and holds two subsidiaries: NovaMentis Biotech and Pilz BioScience. Novamind (NVMDF: $0.17) Novamind is focusing on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy through clinics available to patients. The company also plans to approach in-depth research on psychedelic compounds to find more applications that are practical for patient use. The company has longtime cannabis executive Chuck Rifici, who co-founded Canopy Growth, as a member of its board of directors. Nutritional High International (EAT, SPLIF) This primarily cannabis operation acquired an entry into the psychedelics business when it purchased an entity named Psychedelic Science. The psychedelics division is researching psychedelic cacti strains in the treatment of weight loss, insomnia, anxiety and pain. Pharmadrug (BUZZ) Pharmadrug is an international medical company focused on its presence in the European market, thanks to an ownership stake in Pharmadrug GmbH, a German medical cannabis distributor. The company has gained psychedelics exposure thanks to the key acquisition of Super Smart, a Netherlands-based retailer looking into the legal availability of magic mushrooms in the country. PharmaTher (PHRRF: $0.18 / share) This company plans to focus on ketamine as its psychedelic drug of choice for research potential. PharmaTher wants to develop new treatments for Parkinson’s disease, depression and general pain. Psyched Wellness (PSYCF: $.10 / share) Psyched Wellness is a health supplements company looking to offer extracted natural oil products. Besides its product offerings, the company is engaged in various research efforts to look at the medical uses of its products. Psyence Group (PSYGF: $0.09) Psyence Group jumped into the psychedelics listing rush and touts itself as a scienceled company with a drug development program in place, including a psilocybin cultivation facility based in Lesotho. Red Light Holland (TRIP) This firm is focused on a business model of producing and distributing legally sanctioned recreational psilocybin truffles in the Netherlands. The public listing represents a business evolution for the firm as it pursues higher-stakes capital from the market, Chairman and CEO Todd Shapiro said in a statement. This firm has financial backing from publicly traded investment firm Codebase Ventures. Revive Therapeutics (RVVTF: $0.18 / share) Revive Therapeutics bought its way into the promising psychedelic space thanks to a C$2.75 million acquisition agreement with Psilocin Pharma, which has successfully developed unique product formulations for the psilocybin agent. In the wake of the acquisition deal being announced, Michael Frank, CEO of the public firm, said the deal would add to his company’s “clinical initiatives in liver disease and inflammation.” Roadman Investments (LITT) In early 2020, this venture capital investment firm confirmed an entry into the new space with a joint venture alongside Psychedelic Insights. The public firm committed to a US$500,000 injection to kickstart an operation agenda for the joint venture. The goal of this partnership is to create a line of clinics capable of offering guided therapies utilizing the much-promoted psilocybin. Silo Pharma (SILO: $0.15 / share) This company is focused on the biopharmaceutical development process for psilocybin and other psychedelic compounds. Silo Pharma has indicated it plans to follow an established drug development model, including the possibility of utilizing FDA designations meant to help the process for psychedelic drugs. Thoughtful Brands (PEMTF: $0.00 / share) Formerly known as MOTA Ventures, Thoughtful Brands has developed an ecommerce platform for hemp-derived cannabidiol products in the US and Europe. Now the company plans to expand its operations in Europe to explore the potential of psychedelic treatments. The public firm brought in privately held Verrian, which owns a manufacturing facility in Germany. The goal is for this facility to become a psychedelics research hub for psilocybin mushroom therapies against opioid addiction. Tryp Therapeutics (TRYPF: $0.10 / share) This medical company is engaged in the medical investigation of psychedelic compounds for the treatment of rare diseases or conditions with unmet medical treatment. Tryp Therapeutics is currently researching the use of psilocybin in the treatment of fibromyalgia through its TRP-8802 drug candidate, among other studies with psilocybin. ETF (Diversified funds) PSYK ETF The PSYK ETF is comprised of a portfolio of companies involved in the research, development, production and/or use of psychedelics to address medical conditions in multiple jurisdictions allowing investors to diversify their risk. Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. BHVN, Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. ITCI and Sage Therapeutics SAGE are the top three holdings of the fund. HORIZONS PSYCHEDELIC ETF REVIVE THERAPEUTICS – MIND CURE HEALTH (MCURF) – MYDECINE INNOVATIONS GROUP The HORIZONS ETF is comprised of a portfolio of companies involved in the research, development, production and/or use of psychedelics to address medical conditions in multiple jurisdictions allowing investors to diversify their risk. Revive Therapeutics, Mind Cure Health (MCURF) and Mydecine Innovations Group are the top three holdings of the fund.