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Red Light Holland $TRIP.ca $TRUFF Increases Points of Sale for iMicrodose Packs in the Netherlands by More Than 140% $RVV.ca $PSYC $FTRP $BUZZ

Posted by AGORACOM at 9:17 AM on Wednesday, April 21st, 2021
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Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE: 4YX) (OTC Pink: TRUFF) (“Red Light Holland” or the “Company“), an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, is pleased to provide an update on the distribution of its iMicrodose Packs in the Netherlands.

“Over the last few months, we have continued executing on our goal to increase both the availability of our products and our brand’s visibility. iMicrodose Packs powered by Red Light Holland are now available in 144% more locations than previously announced. Relationships held by our wholly owned distribution company SR Wholesale, already, account for 13 new locations, demonstrating some of the synergies that we strategically planned to realize from the recently closed acquisition,” said Todd Shapiro, CEO and Director of Red Light Holland. “With over $31 million of cash and cash equivalents remaining on our balance sheet, we look forward to continuing to conservatively deploy capital into growth opportunities that support our long-term business objectives, while SR-Wholesale continues to do a major sales push across the Netherlands. We have a clear plan to get Red Light Holland products into many more retail stores hopefully for the summer market, while also concentrating on growing our online sales at www.iMicrodose.nl. As I’ve said in the past, we’re proud to be providing access now and we continue to deliver on that mandate.”

About Red Light Holland Corp.

The Company is an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale (through existing Smart Shops operators and an advanced e-commerce platform) of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal market within the Netherlands, in accordance with the highest standards, in compliance with all applicable laws.

For additional information on the Company:
Todd Shapiro
Chief Executive Officer & Director
Tel: 647-204-7129
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://redlighttruffles.com/

Red Light Holland $TRIP.ca $TRUFF Enters into Letter of Intent to Acquire Controlling Stake in Happy Caps Mushroom Farm based in Halifax, Nova Scotia $RVV.ca $PSYC $FTRP $BUZZ

Posted by AGORACOM at 3:08 PM on Tuesday, April 13th, 2021
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  • Acquiring 80% stake in Happy Caps Farm
  • Realizing synergies by introducing Happy Caps to Europe via wholly owned distribution company SR-Wholesale
  • Making mushroom growing easy and accessible

Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE: 4YX) (OTC Pink: TRUFF) (“Red Light Holland” or the “Company“), an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, is pleased to announce it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to acquire an 80% stake in Happy Caps Farm (“Happy Caps“), one of Nova Scotia’s most unique gourmet mushroom farms, cleverly positioned in the mushroom plug spawn business, selling fresh mushrooms for the wholesale market and specializing in ‘grow your own mushroom kits’.

“Now this gets me excited! Happy Caps’ founders, Andrew Kobayashi and Andrew Hatfield will be strong additions to Red Light Holland. Not only are we expected to purchase an 80% stake in their growing and profitable business, but we will also gain valuable intellectual property as Andrew and Andrew both possess strong mushroom growing expertise and capabilities,” said Todd Shapiro, CEO and Director of Red Light Holland. “There remain a few details to iron out, but everyone at Red Light Holland is extremely excited by the potential to grow our business, our brand and our revenues in our home country of Canada and we look forward to potentially realizing synergies by introducing Happy Caps to Europe via our wholly owned distribution company SR-Wholesale.”

“Getting to know Todd Shapiro and the entire team at Red Light Holland has been a pleasure so far,” said Andrew Kobayashi, CEO of Happy Caps “We are very experienced Mushroom growers and can work effectively with all types of genetics and strains. We are looking forward to working with Todd and his team to drive growth in our Happy Caps homegrow kits, where we help you grow your own mushrooms.”

“We are making mushroom growing easy and accessible, and Red Light Holland gets that! They also get how magical growing mushrooms can be, which is why we are excited to effect this transaction,” said Andrew Hatfield, CMO of Happy Caps. “We look forward to working as Red Light Holland’s Master Growers in Canada, and believe that together we can contribute to future growth in the ever-expanding mushroom industry.”

Further details of the proposed 80% acquisition will be announced once available.

About Happy Caps Farm

Happy Caps is an urban gourmet mushroom farm located in Halifax, Nova Scotia that specializes in quality ‘grow your own mushroom kits’, mushroom plug spawn and fresh mushrooms for the wholesale market. Grow your own Mushroom kits are available at www.HappyCaps.ca

About Red Light Holland Corp.

The Company is an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale (through existing Smart Shops operators and an advanced e-commerce platform) of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal market within the Netherlands, in accordance with the highest standards, in compliance with all applicable laws.

For additional information on the Company:

Todd Shapiro
Chief Executive Officer & Director
Tel: 647-204-7129
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://redlighttruffles.com/

Red Light Holland’s $TRIP.ca $TRUFF Closes Acquisition of SR Wholesale Becoming a Leader in Distribution of Psychedelics $RVV.ca $PSYC $FTRP $BUZZ

Posted by AGORACOM at 10:28 AM on Friday, March 19th, 2021
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Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE: 4YX) (OTC Pink: TRUFF) (“Red Light Holland” or the “Company“), an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, RLH Netherlands B.V. (the “Purchaser“), has completed the acquisition (the “Acquisition“) of SR Wholesale B.V. (“SR Wholesale“), one of the Netherlands’ premiere distributors for quality psychedelic truffles. In 2020, SR Wholesale generated over $2.44 Million in revenues[1], and over $822,0001 in gross profit, with approximately $400,0001 of cash and working capital currently on hand. SR Wholesale also distributes popular CBD products, cannabis seeds, smart shop items, and headshop products, among others. SR Wholesale has established a distribution network of over 400 companies that sell their products across Europe, including working with sub-distributors which provide products to over 1,000 shops in countries like the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Czech, Greece, UK, France, and Portugal.

Founded in 2017, SR Wholesale has grown to become one of the most recognized and trusted distribution companies in the Netherlands. In connection with the Acquisition, Red Light Holland is excited to announce that Mr. Shai Ramsahai, Founder of SR Wholesale, has joined the Red Light Holland team on closing as Vice-President to oversee the integration of SR Wholesale into the Red Light Holland ecosystem, and grow the distribution business for Red Light Holland globally. The acquisition will create immediate synergies and enhance Red Light Holland’s growth and expansion strategy by:

  • Creating the necessary scale to support the growth of the continuing trend towards increased usage of psychedelics, including opening up the distribution channels to hundreds of stores for Red Light Holland’s iMicrodose Packs
  • Providing access to many new, unique and legendary product offerings within the Psychedelic sector including obtaining sole-ownership of the established Mister Maka Brand (www.MisterMaka.com) which produces Magic Truffles
  • Giving Red Light Holland the instant opportunity to white-label to help with brand growth, exposure and expansion
  • Creating new revenue generation opportunities across Red Light Holland’s e-commerce platform at www.iMicrodose.nl
  • Allowing Red Light Holland to have access to established brands and a vast array of products in sectors outside of Psychedelics, including existing inventory to reach sales opportunities and increased profit margins
  • Immediately becoming a distribution leader with expertise and know how, while looking to combine the complementary skill sets to focus on increasing SR Wholesale’s market share in the Netherlands and other global markets
  • Instantly, growing the Red Light Holland infrastructure and staff with current leaders in the psychedelic industry, including Mr. Shai Ramsahai, Founder of SR Wholesale, who will join Red Light Holland as the Company’s Vice-President
  • Gaining invaluable access to data and personal connections, including a plentiful and important list of email, production, white-label, retail store, retail product and social contacts

“The acquisition of SR Wholesale marks the latest step in the Company’s growth and expansion strategy, as we continue to move forward with a positive business outlook focused on achieving revenue growth, profitability and value creation for our shareholders. We expect this transaction to serve as a launchpad for Red Light Holland to broaden operations, create new homes for our iMicrodose packs and build brand exposure into multiple European markets. Others companies in the sector can keep telling people or assuming how people should consume psilocybin years from now, while we will continue offering people what they want right now, while concentrating on immediate revenue, profit and growth” said Todd Shapiro, the Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company. “We are quite thrilled, after months of tough negotiations and careful due diligence, to move forward as the largest legal psychedelic distribution publicly traded company in the world.[2] As well, we are truly so pleased to work closely with Mr. Shai Ramsahai, who is one of the brightest, most determined and likeable entrepreneurs I’ve ever come across. And he is an absolute legend in the Netherlands!”

Read More: https://agoracom.com/ir/RedLightHolland/forums/discussion/topics/757666-red-light-holland-closes-acquisition-of-sr-wholesale-becoming-a-leader-in-distribution-of-psychedelics/messages/2308962#message

Red Light Holland’s $TRIP.ca $TRUFF Successfully Completes Sale and Import of iMicrodose Psychedelic Truffles into Canada Under a Health Canada Psilocybin Import Permit $RVV.ca $PSYC $FTRP $BUZZ

Posted by AGORACOM at 8:46 AM on Tuesday, March 16th, 2021
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Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE: 4YX) (OTC Pink: TRUFF) (“Red Light Holland” or the “Company“) an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, announces it has completed the sale and import (the “Transaction“) of the Company’s high-grade consumer packaged goods (“iMicrodose Packs“) from the Netherlands to Canada under a Health Canada psilocybin import permit obtained by CCrest Laboratories Inc. in partnership with Shaman Pharma Corp.

The Transaction between Red Light Holland and the Montreal, Quebec-based cGMP lab, CCrest Laboratories, is the first of a multi-phase project to expand into the mental wellness pharmaceutical sector by demonstrating a legally compliant route for supplying raw materials containing psychoactive molecules, produced abroad by Red Light Holland, and imported into Canada.

“Today is another ground-breaking, precedent setting and defining leap forward for the entire Psychedelic sector as Red Light Holland has successfully expanded the reach of iMicrodose packs across international borders. As interest in novel psychedelic therapies increase on a daily basis, we will continue to aim to take our natural-occurring packaged psilocybin products to global markets, allowing Red Light Holland to increase our distribution and sales channels. The agreement with Shaman Pharma to utilize its partnership with CCrest Laboratories is part of Red Light Holland’s growth strategy, complementing the international groundwork which we established in the Netherlands, as one of the only legal sources for producing natural raw materials containing psilocybin,” said Todd Shapiro, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Red Light Holland. “The collaboration with Shaman Pharma, who have successfully received our iMicrodose packs on Canadian soil, simply put, is a significant day for the Company and its shareholders. We are very proud to have our Netherlands grown Magic Truffles designed for responsible use via education and information, in Canada. They’ve arrived home and Red Light Holland continues to trailblaze across the world.”

The Transaction is performed with the intent of exploring continued collaboration beyond successfully completing the shipment of Red Light Holland’s consumer packaged goods under a Health Canada import permit. The multi-phase scientific undertaking by CCrest Laboratories is planned to perform each phase of developing viable ingredients to address the demanding requirements of clinical trials, patient’s Special Access Programs, and the downstream supply of production-ready substances.

“We are delighted to build a relationship with Red Light Holland as we access the global industry for the very best of both product supply and, with recognition of their position as a market leader in establishing a supply chain from Europe to North America, the ability to meet the exacting needs of a globalized medical marketplace,” stated Alex Grenier, Chief Executive Officer of Shaman Pharma and President of CCrest Laboratories. “Today, we succeeded in demonstrating our strong ability to navigate the stringent regulatory landscape for conducting international transactions of controlled substances and setting the bar for scientific excellence. Furthermore, through this collaboration with Red Light Holland, we were pleased to find that Mr. Shapiro’s vision and ethic is well aligned with compatible long-term objectives for pioneering the psychedelic therapy sector in a manner that exceeds the most complex compliance requirements.”

Read more: https://agoracom.com/ir/RedLightHolland/forums/discussion/topics/757414-red-light-holland-successfully-completes-sale-and-import-of-imicrodose-psychedelic-truffles-into-canada-under-a-health-canada-psilocybin-import-permit/messages/2308349#message

Red Light Holland’s $TRIP.ca $TRUFF Psychedelic Virtual Reality Experience, Wisdom, Narrated by Global Comedy Superstar Russell Peters, Accepted to Steam $RVV.ca $PSYC $FTRP $BUZZ

Posted by AGORACOM at 9:05 AM on Tuesday, March 9th, 2021
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  • Wisdom, Psychedelic VR experience has been accepted to Steam
  • Wisdom, narrated by Russell Peters, explains the effects of psychedelics on the brain
  • Takes users into a unique VR immersive experience providing stunning visuals and copious amounts of education and information promoting responsible use.

Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE: 4YX) (OTC Pink: TRUFF) (“Red Light Holland” or the “Company”) an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, is pleased to announce that the company’s Psychedelic VR experience named, Wisdom, has been accepted to Steam. Steam is a VR digital distribution platform for PC gaming which has an estimated VR install base of 3.45 million people worldwide[1]. Wisdom, narrated by Russell Peters, explains the effects of psychedelics on the brain within the predictive coding neuroscience framework and takes users into a unique VR immersive experience providing stunning visuals and copious amounts of education and information promoting responsible use. Wisdom is expected to launch on March 17th, 2021 on Steam and it will sell for $4.99 USD.

“Wisdom is another piece of Red Light Holland’s Digital Care program that combines cutting edge technology and human innovation to promote education, information and responsible use of our iMicrodose packs,” said Todd Shapiro, Red Light Holland CEO and Director. “Wisdom also provides Red Light Holland with another innovative and immediate revenue stream. We continue to cleverly create ways to grow a global psychedelics brand through unique and leading-edge product offerings. Simply put, in my opinion, we are trailblazers. The VR experience was originally designed for Smartshop patrons in the Netherlands, but with this acceptance on Steam, I’m thrilled to share it with the entire world. You should really check it out, including the cameo from Karim Rashid’s Wisdom Truffle!”

“I learnt a lot just by narrating it,” said comedian Russell Peters. “I wish they had Virtual Reality classes when I was in school. I hope this is the future of education and I feel grateful to be a part of positive change when it comes to understanding psilocybin while hopefully ending stigmas associated with it. The Wisdom VR experience is out of this world!”

Some of the scientific innovations in Wisdom include an accurate model of the 5ht2a neuronal receptor that is affected by the use of psychedelics. Players can fit the psilocybin molecule into the 3D model of the receptor and see what happens to the neuron. Wisdom also explains to players and lets them experience some of the phenomenological sensations that might happen on psychedelics like synesthesia, a perceptual phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to experiencing a second sensory or cognitive pathway.

Read More: https://agoracom.com/ir/RedLightHolland/forums/discussion/topics/756880-red-light-holland-s-psychedelic-virtual-reality-experience-wisdom-narrated-by-global-comedy-superstar-russell-peters-accepted-to-steam/messages/2307206#message

Red Light Holland $TRIP.ca $TRUFF Engages Former Canadian Special Operations Forces Officer, Glenn Cowan, Founder of One 9 Investments, to Advisory Board $RVV.ca $PSYC $FTRP $BUZZ

Posted by AGORACOM at 10:50 AM on Friday, March 5th, 2021
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Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (“Red Light Holland” or the “Company“), an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, is pleased to announce that it has engaged Glenn Cowan, a Veteran of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM,) to the Red Light Holland Advisory Board joining Chair, Bruce Linton, and a team of talented and experienced Advisors. Cowan is also the founder of One 9 Investments Inc. which he started in 2013 while serving as a Squadron Commander in the Armed Forces. Having operated on multiple combat deployments in Afghanistan, sensitive information operations in the Middle East, and Hostage Recovery operations in Africa, Cowan brings his strategic planning and tactical command experience coupled with his progressive stance for supporting Veterans plus his investment expertise to the Red Light Holland team.

“Having served in Special Operations Forces for most of my adult life, I’m intimately aware of the physical and psychological stressors that our service men and women face on a daily basis and in retirement. When mission planning we prided ourselves on ‘out of the box’ thinking, and it’s time we apply this same creative through process to the manner in which we support our Veterans and society as a whole especially given the increase attention to mental health awareness,” said Cowan, Founder of One 9 Investments Inc. “I was introduced to the, in my opinion, positive benefits of psychedelics and microdosing during my own journey of adapting to life after the military and now as a tech investor in venture capital, I’ve come to appreciate some of the best technological innovation is naturally occurring.”

“Adding Glenn Cowan to the Red Light Holland Advisory Board is an honour for the Company. I have the utmost respect for our Armed Forces, past and present, and we appreciate Glenn’s transparency and mission in supporting those who have served through his personal investments into their well-being and through his financial investments into companies who produce military technology. We look forward to his expertise and his empathetic and huge heart to continue to help support our Military men and women and our Veterans on all levels,” said Todd Shapiro, the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Red Light Holland.

Read More: https://agoracom.com/ir/RedLightHolland/forums/discussion/topics/756659-red-light-holland-engages-former-canadian-special-operations-forces-officer-glenn-cowan-founder-of-one-9-investments-to-advisory-board/messages/2306675#message

Red Light Holland $TRIP.ca Announces $5 Million Bought Deal Equity Financing $SHRM.ca $RVV.ca $MMED $PLNT.ca $HALO.ca $PSYC.ca

Posted by AGORACOM at 8:41 AM on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021
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Red Light Holland Corp. (“Red Light Holland” or the “Company”) (CSE:TRIP), an Ontario-based corporation positioning itself to engage in the production, growth and sale of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a letter of engagement with Eight Capital, under which Eight Capital has agreed to purchase, as sole bookrunner and underwriter, 11,600,000 units of the Company (the “Units”), on a “bought deal” basis pursuant to a filing of a short form prospectus, subject to all required regulatory approvals, at a price per Unit of $0.44 (the “Issue Price”) for gross proceeds of $5,060,000 (the “Offering”).

The Company has agreed to grant Eight Capital an over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Units at the Issue Price, exercisable in whole or in part, at any time on or prior to the date that is 30 days following the closing of the Offering. If this option is exercised in full, an additional approximately $750,000 will be raised pursuant to the Offering and the aggregate proceeds of the Offering will be approximately $5,750,000.

Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a “Common Share”) and one Common Share purchase warrant (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.70, for a period of 36 months following the closing of the Offering. If the daily volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange for any 10 consecutive days equals or exceeds $1.52, the Company may, upon providing written notice to the holders of the Warrants, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants to the date that is 30 days following the date of such written notice.

Read More: https://agoracom.com/ir/RedLightHolland/forums/discussion/topics/754514-red-light-holland-announces-5-million-bought-deal-equity-financing/messages/2301766#message

Red Light Holland $TRIP.ca Announces Closing of $9.77 Million Bought Deal Financing $SHRM.ca $RVV.ca $MMED $PLNT.ca $HALO.ca $PSYC.ca

Posted by AGORACOM at 10:48 AM on Thursday, January 28th, 2021

Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (“Red Light Holland” or the “Company“), an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced bought deal short form prospectus offering, including the exercise in full of the underwriter’s over-allotment option (the “Offering“). In connection with the Offering, the Company issued 38,334,100 units of the Company (the “Units“) at a price of $0.255 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $9,775,195. The Offering was conducted by Eight Capital (the “Underwriter“).

“To have Red Light Holland – The People’s Company, being supported by ‘The Suits’ alongside our new and existing shareholders truly strengthens our Psychedelic Movement and our growth. We are so grateful for all of our loyal supporters and we now have over $20 million[1] of capital available which is incredible! This funding will enable us to fully execute on our business plan and the Red Light Holland team will continue working hard towards our goal of developing a leading brand in this emerging industry. Our mission continues – providing legal and responsible adult access now,” said Todd Shapiro, CEO and Director of Red Light Holland.

Read More:https://agoracom.com/ir/RedLightHolland/forums/discussion/topics/754141-red-light-holland-announces-closing-of-9-77-million-bought-deal-financing/messages/2300783#message

Psychedelics: From Woodstock to Walgreens SPONSOR: Red Light Holland $TRIP.ca $SHRM.ca $RVV.ca $MMED $PLNT.ca $HALO.ca $PSYC.ca

Posted by AGORACOM at 9:34 AM on Friday, January 22nd, 2021

SPONSOR: Red Light Holland (CSE: TRIP) is engaged in the production, growth and sale (through existing Smart Shops operators and an advanced e-commerce platform) of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands. Learn more.

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Psychedelic experience is only a glimpse of genuine mystical insight, but a glimpse which can be matured and deepened by the various ways of meditation in which drugs are no longer necessary or useful. If you get the message, hang up the phone. For psychedelic drugs are simply instruments, like microscopes, telescopes, and telephones. The biologist does not sit with eye permanently glued to the microscope, he goes away and works on what he has seen…

– Alan Watts

What Are Psychedelics?

The term “psychedelic” was first used by psychiatrist Humphry Osmond in 1956 during a discussion with Aldous Huxley, the famous author and pioneer of psychedelic consumption. The etymology of the word is derived from the Greek meaning “mind-manifesting”. A more robust definition of the word was developed by Grinspoon and Bakalar:

“a psychedelic drug is one which, without causing physical addiction, craving, major physiological disturbances, delirium, disorientation, or amnesia, more or less reliably produces thought, mood, and perceptual changes otherwise rarely experienced except in dreams, contemplative and religious exaltation, flashes of vivid involuntary memory and acute psychoses.”

– Grinspoon and Bakalar (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies)

Notice that this definition excludes drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and THC, all of which can produce psychedelic effects but are not their primary effect.

2D structural formula and 3D models of Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), also known as “acid”.

History of Psychedelic Use

Sacred Ceremonies

Psychedelics have been regarded as sacred plants since the dawn of civilization, with the earliest known consumption of plants containing psychedelic agents occurring in 5000 BCE in Southeastern Algeria . The use of psychedelics to conjure religious experiences was universal amongst humans, as evidenced by depictions of sacred ceremonies centered on these mind-expanding substances found across the globe. The plants which contain these psychedelic agents include mushrooms, cacti, morning glory vines, and even some grasses. Psychedelic ceremonies have shaped many religions and are still used throughout the world.

Examples include:

  • “Soma” found in Sanskrit texts of Hinduism, derived from the Amanita Muscaria mushroom (~1500 BCE)
  • Ergot fungus used in the Eleusinian Mystery Rites of the Greeks, the active ingredient being similar to the synthetic LSD (“acid”) (~2000 BCE)
  • Psylocibin mushrooms used in the town of Villar del Humo in Spain (earliest evidence of psychedelic mushrooms in Europe, ~4000 BCE)
  • Peyote used by the Native Americans, found in the Shumla Caves (~3700 BCE)
  • Modern day usage of psychedelics includes Ayahuasca in the Amazon (active ingredient is DMT), Peyote by the Native Americans in the Western USA, and the global use of Psilocybin.

Earliest depiction of a psychedelic ceremony. Frescos of mushroom-holding shamans were found in caves on the Tassili plateau of Southeastern Algeria.

Sacred ceremonies were (and are) typically led by a Shaman, a respected elder who plays the role of doctor, therapist, and priest. Along with administration of the psychedelic plants, the Shaman provides “non-drug” support to his “patient” to amplify and control the mind-enhancing effects of the compounds. The dreamlike states that the Shaman can invoke brings forth the shadows that lurk in the subconscious into the spotlight of the conscious mind. I have heard frequent users of psychedelics in religious contexts explain the experience as 10 years’ worth of therapy crammed into 4 hours… you are forced to confront your demons and reconcile your angst. These ceremonies are vital to preserving ancient cultures and should be respected as integral parts of religion Now that’s heavy stuff. Let’s move on to something a bit lighter…

Discovery of LSD

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (“LSD”) is probably the most widely recognized psychedelic substance. Colloquially known as “acid”, LSD was first synthesized in 1938 at the Sandoz research labs in Basel, Switzerland, by Dr. Albert Hofmann. While conducting research into ergot, a fungus that grows on grains and was the cause of mass poisoning in the middle ages (“Saint Anthony’s fire”), Dr. Hofmann realized that the panic-inducing effects of ergot consumption could be attributed to specific alkaloids present in the plant. The basic group of the primary alkaloid (ergobasine) was discovered to be lysergic acid, and several modifications were made to produce LSD as it is known today (“LSD-25”, the 25th modification to the lysergic acid base). The first clinical applications of LSD-25 were tested on controlling blood flow loss in the uterus, but it was quickly determined that the synthetic LSD was not as effective as the naturally occurring substance in ergot. Dr. Hofmann abandoned his research until he accidentally ingested a microscopic amount of LSD via absorption through his skin. According to popular lore, Dr. Hofmann then took an interesting bike ride home during which he was not completely sure whether he was actually moving… upon examination by a medical doctor it was determined that Dr. Hofmann experiencing the full-blown effects of the first acid trip, characterized by pleasant visual distortions and intensely bright colors.

Psychedelics in the Clinic

The LSD-25 compound was tested by other researchers at Sandoz for its potential medicinal benefits. Marketed under the name “Delysid”, Sandoz’s LSD-25 was approved for psychiatric use and disseminated to psychiatrists worldwide. Predicated on the large-scale manufacturing capabilities in the post-WWII 20th century, and the emerging field of psychiatric research and treatment, interest in LSD-25 skyrocketed and hit the public consciousnesses.

Much of the early research into using LSD-25 as a catalyst for inducing changes in brain states was conducted by the CIA in a project known as “MK-ULTRA”. The CIA speculated that LSD could be used as a “truth drug” to assist in interrogations, and in 1953 the agency was given formal approval to test a wide range of psychedelic substances as possible interrogation “enhancers” (LSD being the prime candidate). The MK-ULTRA story is fascinating, fraught with corruption and mysterious deaths, yet the conclusion of the program was uninspiring: LSD-25 is a very poor truth serum and the effects were largely unpredictable between recipients.

Meanwhile, psychiatrists were developing two new models of psychedelic-assisted therapy: psychedelic therapy and psycholytic therapy. Both paradigms involved the use of LSD in treatment, but psycholytic therapy was much a softer approach that involves substantially lesser amounts of LSD than psychedelic therapy, with the goal of bringing about gradual change in personality over the course of months. The underlying theory of psycholytic therapy was based upon Freudian psychoanalysis, with the idea that LSD served as a priming agent by inhibiting the portion of the brain responsible for the ego-identity. LSD was intended to break down the ego and render the patient in a naïve, infantile state of feeling, often associated with derealization and mystic experience. Contrastingly, psychedelic therapy was an attempt to wage total war on the brain using extremely high amounts of LSD dosed in a single session, with the goal of bringing about a symptomatic change in behavior (poorly defined). The original theory was that extremely high doses of LSD could shock alcoholic patients and scare them away from drinking permanently by giving them a horrific experience… but to the clinicians’ surprise the patients experienced very pleasant effects. Emphasis of psychedelic therapy switched to creating a mystical type of experience to re-wire the patient’s brain in a way directed by the psychiatrist or therapist.

“Many people remember vaguely that LSD and other psychedelic drugs were once used experimentally in psychiatry, but few realize how much and how long they were used. This was nota quickly rejected and forgotten fad. Between 1950 and the mid-1960s there were more than a thousand clinical papers discussing 40,000 patients, several dozen books, and six international conferences on psychedelic drug therapy. It aroused the interest of many psychiatrists who were in no sense cultural rebels or especially radical in their attitudes.”

– Grinspoon and Bakalar, 1979

Turn On, Tune in, Drop Out

The popularization of LSD as a substrate for religious-like experiences in American culture was pioneered by the likes of Aldous Huxley, Gerald Heard, Timothy Leary, and Richard Alpert (later to be known as Ram Daas). Their collective work chronicled the psychonaut’s journey through time and space, blending Eastern philosophy with Western ideas. These writings were often written like a piece of “gonzo journalism”, the focus being on the author’s own lived experience. These first-person essays galvanized the public’s curiosity into using psychedelics to unlock latent mental bandwidth and enhance the sensory world.

“The really important facts were that spatial relationships had ceased to matter very much and that my mind was perceiving the world in terms of other than spatial categories. At ordinary times the eye concerns itself with such problems as where? — how far? — how situated in relation to what? In the mescaline experience the implied questions to which the eye responds are of another order. Place and distance cease to be of much interest. The mind does its perceiving in terms of intensity of existence, profundity of significance, relationships within a pattern.”

– Aldous Huxley, The Doors of Perception

Back in the day, loose regulations around controlled substances allowed psychiatrists to give people LSD with little oversight in questionable environments, leading to a surge in recreational use beginning in 1962. FDA regulations began to tighten around the same time, and the introduction of the Kefauver-Harris Drug Amendment forced Sandoz to limit the supply of LSD to physicians at the National Institute of Mental Health. Not long after, the 1965 Drug Control Amendment forced Sandoz to stop supplying LSD entirely (it was later deemed a Schedule 1 substance by the FDA, 1970). As the counter-culture movement of the ‘60s took off, illegal manufacturing and distribution of LSD kept the hippy generation satisfied.

State-of-the-Science

Mechanism of Action

The discovery of the psychedelic effects of LSD in 1943 was followed by the detection of serotonin in the brains of mammals (1953) . Comparison of the serotonin structure with that of LSD revealed a striking similarity in the scaffold of the molecules. Could LSD’s mechanism of action in the brain rely on the same neuronal pathways that serotonin signals through? It was quickly discovered that the mind-altering effects of LSD were attributed to an interference in serotonin signaling in the brain (via competition for the 5-HT2 serotonin receptors) . This discovery catapulted research into the role of serotonin in neuroscience.

Similarity in the serotonin and LSD molecular structures

Clinical Research

The clinical research on psychedelics of the 20th century ended with the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Fortunately, the recent resurgence in interest into the medical benefits of psychedelics has led to the renewal of experimentation in humans.  On March 5, 2019, esketamine (Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a J&J company) became the first approved psychedelic drug by the FDA for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Delivered as a nasal spray, esketamine is a pure ketamine substance that has been indicated for major depressive disorder (MDD). Some patients report immediate relief from suicidal ideations, although the greater scientific community is not completely convinced due to the small effect size.

Clinicians are also promoting the use of psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) as a means to increase the patient’s receptivity to talk therapy. A quick search of the ClinicalTrials.gov site reveals that there are 53 ongoing human clinical studies on the therapeutic effects of psilocybin for a wide range of diseases, from anorexia to cancer. Leading the way, a Phase 2 study (N=80; NCT03866174) investigating the antidepressive effects of a single-dose psilocybin administration is currently being conducted by the Usona Institute and was recently granted “Breakthrough Designation”. Compass Pathways is also currently conducting a Phase 2b study (N=216, NCT03775200) for the use of psilocybin in treating treatment resistant depression.

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies (MAPS) recently raised $30M for its MDMA study in the treatment of PTSD . Granted the “Breakthrough Therapy” designation by the FDA. MAPS’ Phase 3 clinical trials are ongoing with expected approval as early as 2022 . There are 90 other trials currently being conducted on MDMA.

SOURCE: https://www.medicalgold.ca/posts/psychedelics-from-woodstock-to-walgreens

Red Light Holland $TRIP.ca Engages Graham Pechenik, Respected Patent and IP Lawyer and Editor-at-Large of Psilocybin Alpha, as Senior Advisor to Advisory Board $SHRM.ca $RVV.ca $MMED $PLNT.ca $HALO.ca $PSYC.ca

Posted by AGORACOM at 9:09 AM on Thursday, December 31st, 2020
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 Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE: 4YX) (OTC: TRUFF) (“Red Light Holland“) is pleased to announce it has engaged Graham Pechenik to serve as a Senior Advisor to its Advisory Board. Graham is a registered patent attorney, with degrees in Biochemistry and Cognitive Neuroscience. Mr Pechenik gained over a decade of experience representing Fortune 500 companies in the agricultural, chemical, pharmaceutical, biotech, and technology industries before founding Calyx Law in 2016, the first intellectual property law boutique to focus on cannabis and psychedelics. Graham is also editor-at-large of Psilocybin Alpha, where he tracks patent filings and writes about patent issues in the psychedelics space. 

“Adding Graham Pechenik, who is a well-respected lawyer who develops IP strategies, protects IP through patent and trademark filings, and uses IP to generate value and growth, coupled with his strong support and advocacy of responsible use of psychedelics, to Red Light Holland’s Advisory Board, as a Senior Advisor, is another magical moment for the Company,” said Todd Shapiro, the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Red Light Holland. “During the last seven months we have compiled an incredible Advisory Board, including our chair Bruce Linton. Graham was, simply put, another desired piece of the puzzle we were searching for to help round out this very important and active team. We are elated to have Graham join Red Light Holland and our visions of providing responsible legal access of psilocybin, through education and information align tremendously.”

“Having experienced firsthand the benefits of psilocybin mushrooms and microdosing, including for issues involving anxiety, alcohol use, and attention, I’m a strong supporter of making these benefits I’ve seen personally (without making medical claims) available to responsible adults everywhere,” said Graham Pechenik, Founder of Calyx Law. “However, even just discussing the use of mushrooms is heavily stigmatized in most places. I look forward to the day when psilocybin mushrooms and truffles are hopefully more legally accessible, and I am thrilled to help Red Light Holland raise awareness of the magic truffle worldwide. I’m honoured and delighted to work toward this vision with such a stellar team.”

In consideration for his services as Senior Advisor, and subject to all applicable laws (including the rules and policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) (“Applicable Laws“) the Company has granted to Mr. Pechenik 250,000 incentive stock options (the “Options” and each individually, the “Option“). Each Option will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one common share in the capital of Company for a period of three years from the date of issuance, at an exercise price of $0.315 CND. The Options shall be subject to Applicable Laws and the terms and conditions of the Stock Option Plan of the Company.  

About Red Light Holland Corp.

The Company is an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale (through existing Smart Shops operators and an advanced e-commerce platform) of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, in accordance with the highest standards, in compliance with all applicable laws.

For additional information on the Company:

Todd Shapiro
Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and Director
Tel: 647-204-7129
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://redlighttruffles.com/