Biotechnology is emerging as startups pioneer “non-hallucinogenic psychedelics”
A new era in biotechnology is emerging as startups pioneer non-hallucinogenic psychedelic compounds designed to provide the mental health benefits of psychedelic drugs without the typical side effect
A new era in biotechnology is emerging as startups pioneer compounds known as “non-hallucinogenic psychedelics.” These compounds are designed to provide the mental health benefits of psychedelic drugs without the typical trips associated with them. Companies like Mindstate Design Labs and Delix Therapeutics are at the forefront of this transformative movement in psychiatric medicine, utilising advanced artificial intelligence in their research and development efforts.
How Psychedelics Without the Trip Work
Mindstate Design Labs, founded in 2021 and backed by Silicon Valley investors, uses AI to systematically map the biochemical data from psychoactive substances to thousands of real-life trip reports. Their proprietary models enable the design of novel compounds that are psychoactive, able to alter mood, perception, and cognition without causing hallucinations or the disorientation associated with classic psychedelics.
Delix Therapeutics is another leader in the field, developing molecules called “psychoplastogens.” These innovative agents promote brain plasticity and rapid antidepressant effects similar to psilocybin or LSD, but have been chemically modified to avoid triggering hallucinations, potentially making them safer and more scalable for clinical use.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
AI and machine learning are pivotal to this revolution. The platforms, such as Delix Therapeutics’ AI pipeline and Mindstate’s Osmanthus language model, process huge libraries of molecules and human-reported experiences, correlating subtle changes in molecular structure with nuanced mental effects. This precision allows for the tailoring of psychoactive effects, expanding the range of therapeutic possibilities beyond what nature provides.
Potential Impact and Future Directions
These new compounds hold promise for mental health treatment, specifically depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders, without the regulatory and practical hurdles of hallucinatory experiences. Early-stage clinical trials are underway, with candidates such as Delix’s DLX-001 and Mindstate’s “moxy” compound demonstrating well-tolerated, non-hallucinogenic action in the brain.
This breakthrough could dramatically expand access to psychedelic medicine, allowing more patients, providers, and payers to embrace these therapies without concerns about safety, stigma, or the resource-intensive management of psychedelic sessions.
The future of psychedelics, precisely engineered, non-hallucinogenic, and powered by AI, is swiftly becoming a reality in the biotech landscape.