Originally Posted by
datlas
Speaking of LSD, the psychedelic drugs are getting a new life as they seem to possibly have a role in treating depression and other mental health conditions. I think this is quite interesting but the "problem" is since we are talking about old medicines and/or naturally occurring compounds, there is not a potential big payoff for Pharma, and so funding good studies may be a challenge.
Two of my band mates are licensed psychotherapists in clinical and research psychology and social work. They have been involved in some psychedelic-mediated studies.
Regarding LSD specifically, most routes do utilize a natural fungal extract (ergotamine tartrate) but it is a reasonably involved organic synthesis with that starting point. So unlike other compounds that can be simply extracted, it could have some pharma interest.