Sunstone Therapies

Sunstone’s extensive experience conducting FDA-approved clinical trials across multiple psychedelic compounds to address complex mental health challenges has led us to identify five key elements to deliver this treatment safely and effectively. Join us this week as we explore each element, providing context and insights from the Sunstone Team. … 1. Therapists are an integral part of the treatment 2. Therapists need to be trained to address trauma 3. Group therapy can enhance the treatment 4. Rigorous screening protocols are necessary and dynamic 5. Patients need to be supported for more than a few weeks after treatment

Manish Agrawal MD, Sunstone's CEO, recently gave Grand Rounds at his alma mater, #GeorgetownUniversityHospital, speaking about the history and clinical research of psychedelic medicine. As interest in psychedelic medicine grows amongst medical professionals, there are potential applications across a wide range of specialties. Currently, it is not yet established as a distinct subspecialty. Professionals in #psychiatry, #neurology, and #oncology are actively studying it. Notably, cancer centers like Dana Farber and Ohio State have launched dedicated psychedelic centers. It is plausible that a specialized field of psychedelic medicine will emerge in the coming years, though its integration into existing training programs remains to be determined.

Sunstone is pleased to be working with Melissa Lavasani and enrolling patients in this innovative clinical study addressing postpartum depression. This study, sponsored by Reunion Neuroscience,?has the potential to be revolutionary–offering new treatment options to women who haven’t responded to or want alternatives to traditional treatments. Learn if participating in a research study for postpartum depression is an option for you. Compensation included.? https://lnkd.in/e2GpRy7u

Earlier this week, Sunstone's CEO, Manish Agrawal, joined Shereef Elnahal and fellow panelists Juliana Mercer, Genevieve Wolff Jurvetson and Riaz Valani at the #ViVe Conference in Nashville to discuss the potential benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapies for Veterans' mental health. To ensure safe access to these treatments, this type of discussion and collaboration between healthcare providers, researchers, veterans' advocates, and policymakers--while recognizing the critical role of philanthropists and investors–-is necessary.

In the most recent episode of The Living Medicine Institute podcast, Dr. Manish Agrawal joined host Sandra Newes, Ph.D. to discuss how psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) continues to revolutionize mental health treatment and what it will take to responsibly advance this field. Key discussion topics include: ?? How Dr. Agrawal’s background in oncology and philosophy informs his approach to patient care ?? The significant methodological and operational challenges of integrating PAT into medical practices ??Designing rigorous clinical trials that account for the multidimensional nature of therapy to ensure patient safety and trust ??The need for balancing quantitative measures with qualitative insights to capture the full impact of this treatment Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/ekxdAbdP

Did you know that 1 in 4 cancer patients experience depression, yet 73% don’t receive adequate mental health care? Existing psychological interventions often fall short in addressing the unique distress tied to cancer. At Sunstone, we believe it’s time to explore innovative solutions to support these individuals on their journey. Sunstone is currently running cancer focused clinical studies: ? Psilocybin for Major Depressive Disorder: A phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of up to two doses of psilocybin for the treatment of major depressive disorder. ? MDMA for Adjustment Disorder in Dyads: MDMA-assisted therapy for adjustment disorder (AD) in dyads of patients with cancer and a concerned significant other. To learn more about these studies and to express your interest, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gWwZMx3Y #CancerCare #WholePersonHealing #MentalHealthAwareness

5. Patients need to be supported for more than a few weeks after treatment Psychedelic-assisted therapy is often an intense and transformative experience that requires ongoing support to process. Short protocols place unnecessary pressure on the participants to ‘feel better’ or make sense of their experience immediately. Psychedelic-assisted therapy can offer new perspectives, but longer term support is needed to ensure that growth continues.?

4. Rigorous screening protocols are necessary and dynamic Rigorous screening for psychedelic-assisted therapy is essential to ensure that patients receive appropriate care. It helps match them with a compatible therapist and minimizes the risk of complications by considering specific diagnoses, trial criteria, and individual histories. This thorough approach is crucial for safe and effective treatment outcomes.

3. Group therapy can enhance the treatment Sunstone's inaugural clinical trial focused on psilocybin-assisted therapy for cancer patients with Major Depressive Disorder. Unlike typical studies, this trial incorporated group preparation sessions, synchronized dosing days, and integrated group therapy. Participating in a group can enhance feelings of connection and support the integration process, countering the isolating nature of mental illness. Remarkably, our monthly support group, initiated during our first trial, continues to meet over four years later.

2. Therapists need to be trained to address trauma Trauma can emerge during a psychedelic dosing session. It is crucial that therapists–present during the preparation, dosing, and integration sessions–are trained to appropriately address trauma. They must also be equipped to support their own well-being, mentally, physically, and emotionally to support patients in very vulnerable states.? It is important to acknowledge the risk of adverse events if patients are not supported by a skilled mental health practitioner.