Joseph Tucker, Ph.D., CEO of Enveric Biosciences, offered valuable insight into the issues spotlighted by the FDA’s decision. “The thematic challenges that came to light in the Lykos Adcomm largely focused around two elements: expectation bias and the delivery of the psychological therapy,” Tucker explained. These concerns are deeply intertwined with therapies that involve hallucinations and require extensive psychotherapy, making them difficult to disentangle from the overall treatment process. However, Tucker pointed to the emerging field of non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogens as a promising solution. These next-generation compounds could potentially replicate the therapeutic effects of traditional psychedelics, such as MDMA, while sidestepping the regulatory and clinical hurdles associated with hallucinogenic experiences. This could lead to more widespread acceptance and use of psychedelic medicine within mainstream healthcare, offering patients the benefits of these therapies without the associated risks.
