Patients in the Delix trial that were given zalsupindole saw a rapid and robust reduction in symptoms of MDD that lasted for 4 weeks or more—long after the drug was cleared from the body. Given the safety profile of zalsupindole, the FDA is even allowing for at home administration in future trials!

The team was able to demonstrate that zalsupindole promotes neuroplasticity similarly to ketamine, DMT, and psilocybin without the hallucinogenic effects. Stay tuned for more updates as this compound progresses through the clinical trial process.

Behavioral changes appeared, but endogenous psychedelic levels remained largely unchanged suggesting alternative biosynthetic pathways at work.

This study opens the door to new questions about how the body might naturally produce psychedelic compounds.

Read the full study:

There’s still plenty to uncover, and an ongoing collaboration with #UCDavisIPN’s own @deolsonlab.bsky.social will be key to understanding the mechanisms at play and which compound might offer the greatest benefit with the fewest side effects.

At #UCDavisIPN we’re pursuing similar goals researching LSD analogues like JRT that boost neuroplasticity without hallucinations, a promising path towards addressing unmet needs in neuropsychiatric treatment. #psychedelic

#UCDavisIPN affiliate Danielle Stolzenberg, commented on the trial for the @sfchronicle.com: "It’s very encouraging to see PPD represented in the new wave of psychedelic research," though, she shares, "It’s unclear whether psychedelics will be safe during the postpartum period.”