Atai Life Sciences develops psychedelic nasal spray for depression

Biotech firm Atai Life Sciences has developed a fast-acting nasal spray using mebufotenin, also known as 5-MeO-DMT, to treat treatment-resistant depression. The compound is a synthetic recreation of a psychedelic substance naturally found in the secretions of the Sonoran desert toad.

A clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) indicates that a single dose of the spray eased depressive symptoms in patients, with benefits lasting throughout an eight-week trial period. Unlike traditional psychedelic experiences, the spray does not require an all-day trip, and most patients were cleared for release less than two hours after administration.

This lab-recreated approach aims to provide therapeutic benefits without the need to harvest secretions from the Sonoran desert toad, which could help protect overharvested amphibian populations.