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
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.