Burnaby company granted Health Canada licence to produce 'magic mushroom' medicine
At Burnaby’s Albert Labs, it’s science meets nature. On the walls, you’ll find posters of various mushrooms next to scientific formulas, symbolizing the company's mission to develop mental health medicine derived from natural substances. The small team of around 20 employees recently received a Health Canada license to further pursue its work in producing psilocybin from mushrooms.
“Oh, it’s very big,” said Ali Gulamhusein, chief development officer for Albert Labs.
“That licence grants us the ability to produce, manufacture, export and import psilocybin.”
Gulamhusein refers to psilocybin as the magic medicine of the magic mushroom. The company also operates in the U.K. and Portugal, and plans to begin clinical trials in the U.K. this fall.
“(The) first early indications that we’re targeting is cancer-related anxiety,” said Gulamhusein, who adds that the company also hopes to treat people with depression, anxiety and PTSD.
Gulamhusein says the process involves isolating the psilocybin from the root and bio-engineering the drug in a controlled setting to help ensure consistency.
The company’s CEO says studies of the treatment have been overwhelmingly positive, calling psilocybin a potential game changer when it comes to mental illness therapy.
“One dose – and associated psychotherapy – cures anxiety for many months, and in some cases, permanently,” said Dr. Michael Raymont.
But it’s currently only available for Canadians with special permission from doctors. Christine Parlee lives with terminal stage four cancer and was granted permission for treatment to help ease her severe anxiety.
“It was phenomenal, probably one of the best experiences of my life to be honest,” said Parlee via Zoom from her home in Duncan.
“To say it changed me down to the bottom of my core is putting it mildly.”
One expert tells CTV News that despite high demand from patients, it could take two to three years before psychedelics become a common, more accessible treatment.
“I think there’s a lot of work to be done in training of professionals in understanding this new paradigm in mental health treatment,” said Dr. Devon Christie, senior lead of psychedelic programs at Numinus.
Meanwhile, if all goes well in the U.K., Albert Labs hopes to have its drug ready for trial in Canada by 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.