PsychedeLinks is a curated selection of top news stories impacting business, research, and culture in the psychedelics ecosystem, crafted by Emerge Law Group’s groundbreaking Psychedelics Group.
Emerge’s Hot Take
Bend psilocybin center becomes first in Oregon to offer insurance coverage
Oregon-based non-profit Bendable Therapy and insurance provider Enthea have partnered, making the Bend service center the first psilocybin center in Oregon to accept private insurance. Notably, Enthea’s coverage applies not only to Oregon residents, but also allows patients from across the country to access Bendable’s services. According to executive director Amanda Gow, Bendable has provided over $275,000 in financial aid since launching. Gow hopes that the partnership with Enthea provides additional means of expanding access to psilocybin services, and that the agreement signals a significant shift towards the mainstream recognition of psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment.
“It is promising to see these types of agreements start to take shape,” notes Emerge law clerk Leticia “Tish” Maskell. “The hope is that these agreements pave the way to more insurers acknowledging that psilocybin is no longer fringe and should be recognized as the legitimate treatment option that it is.”
Other Noteworthy News
HARVARD INDEPENDENT – Beginning Fall 2025, Harvard undergraduates can enroll in Neuro 101EE: Neuroscience of Psychedelic Experiences, a new course taught by Dr. Chloe Jordan. The class will explore how substances like psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, and ketamine affect the brain, while also examining their historical, cultural, and ethical dimensions. Dr. Jordan aims to provide a balanced, interdisciplinary understanding of psychedelics, highlighting both their therapeutic potential and risks. The course begins with the traditional Indigenous use of these substances and transitions to their neurobiological mechanisms and modern applications.
Can psychedelics break compulsive eating habits in obesity?
MEDICAL LIFE SCIENCES – In a recent review published in the Journal of Eating Disorders, Oxford researchers suggest that psychedelics could rewire brain circuits involved in reward processing and cognitive rigidity, offering a new approach to managing obesity. While there is currently no direct evidence from clinical trials in obese populations, findings from addiction studies and preclinical models suggest psychedelics may enhance cognitive flexibility, reduce compulsive food cravings, and improve responsiveness to psychotherapy. While promising, research on this topic is still theoretical, and requires additional testing and clinical trials to assess safety and efficacy.
Psilocybin use is on the rise as public perception changes, report shows
NBC NEWS – A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine finds that psilocybin use has risen in the U.S. since 2019, coinciding with changing public perception, increased decriminalization, and growing interest in its mental health benefits. Adults aged 18 – 29 saw a 44% increase in the past year, and adults aged 30+ saw usage nearly triple. Researchers attribute the trend to decriminalization efforts (like in Denver, Oregon, and Colorado), cultural influences (e.g., books like How to Change Your Mind), and emerging studies showing potential therapeutic effects.
LISTEN – Is Ireland in a psychedelic renaissance?
NEWS TALK – “Science is rediscovering the medicinal potential of things like magic mushrooms for treatments. UCC recently held a research day about this, and Oliver Davis, Professor of French at UCC and former Co-Editor of the Frontiers in Psychology series joins Tom Dunne to discuss.”
LISTEN – Why it’s hard to study the neuroscience of psychedelics
NPR SHORT WAVE – “Researchers are studying psychedelics as a possible treatment for conditions like depression, PTSD and substance use disorders. But they don’t know exactly how these drugs work…”
Legislative Updates
Nevada Senate approves psychedelics resolution with overwhelming bipartisan support
THE MARIJUANA HERALD – “The Nevada Senate voted 18 to 2 [April 18th] to approve Senate Joint Resolution 10, a measure urging Congress to reschedule certain psychedelic compounds and expand research into their therapeutic use for treating mental health conditions.”
MARIJUANA MOMENT – “Colorado lawmakers have introduced a bill that would empower the governor to grant pardons to people who’ve been convicted of psychedelics-related offenses, while revising rules for the state’s psychedelics legalization law…”
MARIJUANA MOMENT – “Florida’s Senate [on April 16th] passed a wide-ranging agricultural bill that contains provisions to outlaw fungal spores that produce mushrooms containing psilocybin or psilocin. The vote came a day after a House committee advanced a companion bill in that chamber…”
New bill could create VA centers to treat vets with psychedelic therapies
TASK & PURPOSE – “The legislation, introduced by Rep. Lou Correa, a Democrat from California, and Rep. Jack Bergman, a Republican from Michigan, would create an ‘integrated national system’ within the Department of Veterans Affairs to oversee education, clinical, and research activities with MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, ibogaine, DMT and other potential therapies…”
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