We’re thrilled to welcome Francisca Silva to the PAREA team, joining us as a Project Officer! A neuroscientist by training, Francisca brings a wealth of knowledge and a genuine passion for brain health and mental well-being. Her interdisciplinary academic background includes a dual MSc in Brain and Mind Sciences from University College London (UCL) and Sorbonne Université, along with a BSc from the Maastricht Science Programme…

PAREA has issued a commentary in response to a recent high-level expert report commissioned by the European Commission, which outlines strategic recommendations for the future of the EU’s R&I Framework Programme. The report underscores the need for increased funding and prioritization of critical societal challenges like mental health, which is increasingly affecting Europeans but remains underfunded and under-researched.

Recently, PAREA’s Founder was interviewed by TVP World, discussing the challenges and policy opportunities in mental health. The interview highlighted the need to move beyond a purely biomedical approach, emphasizing that mental health issues differ fundamentally from typical physical diseases. Watch the interview on YouTube

As a member of the EU4Health Civil Society Alliance, PAREA co-signed an open letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, raising concerns about the priority given to health within the EU’s agenda. The letter follows the announcement of Commissioners-designate and emphasizes the importance of having a Commissioner with relevant expertise to address health policy adequately.

In September, PAREA engaged with key European institutions to build political support for mental health and psychedelic therapies. Following the recent EU elections, we see fresh opportunities to re-engage with the European Parliament, Commission, and Council. 

The PsychedeliCare European Citizens’ Initiative has been officially registered by the European Commission.

The European Citizens' Initiative is a mechanism that allows EU citizens to propose new legislation by gathering one million signatures from at least seven EU Member States, prompting the European Commission to consider and potentially act on the initiative.

On 17 and 18 August, PAREA's Founder attended the Hopkins-Oxford Psychedelic Ethics (HOPE) Summit in Washington, D.C.. Tadeusz spoke about PAREA’s work and the newly funded EU project on psychedelic therapies, PsyPal...

A recent study published in Nature Scientific Reports offers insights into the attitudes of European psychiatrists toward “psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy”. The study surveyed psychiatrists across 33 European countries, revealing that while there is a general openness to the potential of psychedelics in treatment, concerns remain about their associated risks...

The scale of human suffering caused by the war in Ukraine and the degree of unmet mental health needs create a sense of urgency and call for increased collaboration...

I co-authored an extensive position statement by Drug Science, PAREA, and Mind Medicine Australia published today. We are addressing key concerns discussed at the FDA Advisory Committee. Read the full position statement.

The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) has just released a FAQ document on the therapeutic use of psychedelic substances to enhance understanding of key developments, address policymakers' concerns, and provide insights into ongoing research. The document covers the therapeutic use and clinical research of psychedelics, as well as the prevalence and patterns of their use in Europe and the presence of unlicensed and illegal practices...

The European Medicines Agency has just released the extensive meeting report from EMA April's multi-stakeholder workshop on psychedelics: https://Inkd.in/ddrTvpR2 I had the pleasure and privilege to contribute to its development.

The EMA has significantly increased its focus on psychedelic therapies recently, resulting in several publications where EMA experts discuss the opportunities and challenges in the field. This report is the most comprehensive and wideencompassing state of play so far. The EMA has done an excellent job synthesizing the workshop discussions into a well-structured summary around several key themes...

Today, we are welcoming a new PAREA Community Supporter: Foundation for Therapeutic Advancement and Innovation with Psychedelics SA TAIP. TAIP is an Estonian organisation that advances science-based approaches to using psychedelics in contemporary therapeutic practices. ...

In April, the European Medicines Agency organized a workshop on psychedelic therapies to discuss the specific challenges of their research and application. The aim was to explore how the EU regulatory framework can support their development and marketing authorization...

PAREA is proud to be a supporter of this important initiative by one of our Founding Members.

The recent rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD by the FDA Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee (AdCom) was surprising to many working in the field of mental illness where MDMA-assisted treatment was seen as a vital innovation for PTSD. The panel voted 9-2 against the evidence showing real clinical efficacy and 10-1 that MDMA -assisted therapy had a negative benefit-risk ratio. These votes were surprising given the overwhelming clinical data in leading peer reviewed journals of highly significant clinical effects in two large phase 3 trials.

In May, PAREA submitted feedback to two European consultations focusing on mental health: the Horizon Europe work programme Cluster 1, addressing diseases and reducing disease burden, and the EU survey "Transforming Health and Care Systems."

Join our Founder and other co-organisers of Paths for the May 16th, 2024 Q&A session: OPEN Foundation, Norrsken Mind, Psychedelic Alpha, and Blossom will discuss online why access to psychedelic treatments is a pressing issue now. This is a unique opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and prepare for the groundbreaking discussions at the summit.

The EU4Health Civil Society Alliance, including PAREA as a member, has raised concerns regarding the reduction in the total budget allocated for the EU4Health Programme during the midterm review of the EU Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF). A strong and consistent budget is crucial for strengthening healthcare systems and addressing future health threats.