This sounds a little weird? Are we hearing right, Psychedelics for enabling De-addiction? Yes. In a recently submitted, research paper, author Andrea Martin, observed that there is a clear indication in the manner in which Psychedelics function as against addictive drugs such as tobacco, Cocaine and alcohol.
According to the author of the scientific study, Psychedelics have no affinity for dopaminergic signalling and do not act in the mesolimbic area of gratification as against addictive drugs, which act on brain receptors and trigger dopamine, while triggering a physiological response from the limbic and mesolimbic areas. More importantly as per the publication, psychedelics such as Ibogaine and Psylocibin, have a tendency to bring down addiction levels, thereby offering a new approach towards de addiction therapy.
According to Amit Srivastava, Chief Catalyst, Nutrify Today, “Practitioners of traditional Indian medicine has for long understood, the healing power of psychedelics and their positive impact on the human mind and body. Practitioners of Ayurveda have been known to use psychedelics for multi-medicinal purposes, including addiction issues.
Alcohol and drug abuse have been on high rise over the last five decades and the numbers are fast scaling up, especially in developing countries, with such a major “ Addiction-Pandemic,” spreading its tentacles across the world, experts believe that newer methods and means of healing must be tried. They pointed that this is where Psychedelics come in.
According to Dr Anand Swaroop, “A scientifically valid approach is required in the case of psychedelics. While the knowledge is available in our traditional texts, modern methodologies of extraction, isolation and clinical studies for ascertaining impact and dosage, need to be taken up.”
Considering the sheer volume of drug and alcohol abuse in India and the lack of facilities to deal with addiction, the psychedelic option could well turn out to be a boon, to the massive, suffering populace.
FDA approves additives to food grains and nutrition bars, what does this mean for India’s Nutra Inc?
The recent approval (circumstantial) provided by the Food and Drug Administration, USA, to allow Vitamin D3 as an additive in both food grains as well as nutrition bars, comes as a major shot in the arm for the Nutraceutical players, who have for long been demanding the approval for fortified food products.
According to Amit Srivastava, CCO, Nutrify Today, “This is exactly what we have been proposing to do in the Indian context and have pushed through a similar plan, where the fortified products, would display, the additive as well as the quantity, vis-a-vis, the main product.”
Reports reveal that the FDA had approved the adding of 560 IU of Vitamin D3 for every 100 grams of Kellogg’s cereal or 400IU for every 100 gram energy bar.
Indian Nutra Inc is closely watching these developments and are hoping that India would soon follow suit. According to Dr Rajiv Tandon, FTI, International, fortification as a process must be taken up cautiously, “ In India, there is a need for both contextualised and customised fortification. A unilateral approach towards fortification will not work as the diversity of the food habits, diversity in age categories and individual needs must be taken into account. It cannot be done otherwise.”
However, all said and done, the approval by FDA has boosted the chances for greater fortified products, especially in India. The Nutra Inc in India, is quite willing to make the most of this potential opportunity.
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