BetterLife Pharma Inc. has highlighted significant advantages of its proprietary drug candidate BETR-001, a non-hallucinogenic derivative of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), following recent Phase 2 trial results showing LSD microdosing is ineffective for depression. The company's compound remains non-hallucinogenic even at high doses and does not induce tolerance with repeated use, allowing for chronic administration while maintaining effectiveness.
Dr. Ahmad Doroudian, CEO of BetterLife, emphasized the importance of BETR-001's non-hallucinogenic properties. "The importance of being able to give full doses of BETR-001 without hallucinations cannot be over-emphasized," Doroudian stated. "Microdosing of psychedelics is often touted as the path forward to avoid the hallucinations of psychedelics full dosing and the need for treatment in specialized clinics with monitoring under special treatment protocols, which require in-clinic time of 8 to 12 hours. BETR-001 overcomes all these hurdles and can be administered at its full effective dose without any hallucinations."
BetterLife is completing remaining IND-enabling studies and plans to file an Investigational New Drug application and begin human clinical trials by the second half of 2026. The initial development scope targets treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI), cluster headaches, and migraine. The company also notes BETR-001 has potential for treating a broad range of psychiatric disorders that will be explored as development progresses.
BETR-001's unique regulatory status represents another advantage. As a non-controlled LSD derivative, it can be self-administered, eliminating the need for specialized clinic settings required for traditional psychedelic treatments. BetterLife's synthesis patent for BETR-001 removes regulatory hurdles, while pending composition and method of use patents cover treatment of various neurological disorders until approximately 2042.
The development of BETR-001 addresses significant limitations in current psychedelic-based treatments. Traditional LSD treatments require extensive clinical supervision due to hallucinogenic effects, creating barriers to accessibility and increasing treatment costs. By enabling full-dose administration without hallucinations, BETR-001 could potentially make neuroplastogenic treatments more widely available for neurological conditions. For more information about the company, visit https://www.blifepharma.com.
This advancement comes at a critical time when interest in psychedelic-derived treatments for mental health conditions is growing, but practical limitations remain. The ability to administer effective doses without hallucinogenic side effects could transform treatment protocols for millions suffering from neurological and psychiatric disorders. BetterLife's approach represents a significant shift in how neuroplastogenic compounds might be utilized in mainstream medicine, potentially expanding treatment options beyond specialized clinics to more conventional healthcare settings.
