Shows
Business TripHow Gilgamesh Landed a $1.2B AbbVie Deal in PsychedelicsJonathan Sporn (CEO + Founder of Gilgamesh Pharma) joins for a deep dive into next-gen psychedelic medicines, why duration matters for real-world clinical use, and what it takes to build these therapies the way large pharma would—culminating in a partnership with AbbVie worth up to $1.2B.In this episode, we discuss: • Why Gilgamesh is building psychedelic medicines the way large pharma would • The thesis behind short-acting psychedelics and why long-duration trips are impractical for real-world psychiatry • How Gilgamesh designs molecules backwards from clinical needs • Effective approaches to the challenges of trial designs for ps...
2026-03-2526 min
Business TripInside Philanthropy’s Role in Mental & Brain HealthGreg speaks with three leaders in mental health philanthropy: Alyson Nieman from Mindful Philanthropy, Sabrina Gracias from Ortus Foundation, and Christena Huntsman Durham from Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, each offering a distinct perspective on how funding decisions get made and where the biggest gaps remain.In this episode we discuss:Trends in mental health philanthropy, and the 10-year challenge: how the field moves from roughly $2B to $35B in annual funding.Funding the clinic of the future: a $150M philanthropic gift behind the Huntsman Mental Health Institute’s crisis care centerYouth mental health: how the Ortus Fo...
2026-01-2742 min
Business TripRick Perry on paving the way for Ibogaine in AmericaGreg interviews Rick Perry, the former Governor of Texas and former U.S. Secretary of Energy and leading advocate for ibogaine, live at the Real Summit.In this episode, we discuss:How a former Texas governor moved from strict opposition to drugs to becoming a leading advocate for ibogaine after firsthand experience and veteran outcomes.Ibogaine’s impact on PTSD, opioid addiction, and traumatic brain injury, including Stanford-linked brain imaging data showing functional and structural improvement.How veterans are the proving ground that enabled Texas to commit $50M in public funding for ibogaine clinical trials.Why ib...
2025-12-1939 min
Neural CompassIs this the "Century of the Brain"? with Greg Kubin & Matias SerebrinskyWhat if the next breakthrough in mental health isn’t a molecule—but a mindset?In this episode of Neural Compass, PsyMed Ventures co-founders Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky join Jimini’s Mark Jacobstein to trace their journey from tech founders to frontier investors betting on the brain. They share how personal experiences with therapy and psychedelics reshaped their view of healing, and why the future of mental health may depend on tools that don’t just treat illness—but expand human potential.They cover:- How psychedelics opened the door to a new kind o...
2025-11-2543 min
Business TripBrain Shuttles: A New Path Into the Brain with James Gorman of the Wyss InstituteMatias interviews James (Jim) Gorman MD PhD from the Wyss Institute. Jim is Principal Investigator on the Wyss Institute Brain Targeting Program (BTP). Jim leads a team developing new approaches to transport drugs through the blood brain barrier (BBB) into the CNS.In this episode, we discuss:Why the BBB blocks most modern drugs from entering the brain, creating the biggest bottleneck in neuroHow brain shuttles hijack natural transport pathways like the transferrin receptor to move drugs across the BBBHow new modalities that reach the brain can potentially treat diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, and...
2025-11-2448 min
Business TripAI and the future of therapy with Luis Voloch of Jimini HealthGreg and Matias interview Luis Voloch, CEO and Co-Founder of Jimini Health, an AI behavioral health company. He previously co-founded and served as CTO of Immunai, where he applied machine learning to immunology and drug discovery. In this episode, we discuss: How LLMs expand the scope of machine learning from rule-based tasks to open-ended reasoning and dialogueWhy healthcare adoption is tiered, beginning with clinician-facing AI scribes and moving toward patient-facing companies with human-in-the-loop to enhance quality of careWhy human oversight is essential and how AI can augment complex clinical work instead of replacing itThe competitive advantage fr...
2025-10-1638 min
Business TripStartups, philanthropy, billionaires, academia, neuromodulation, psychedelics, AI and new therapies in bipolar, autism, and Parkinson’s with Rob MalenkaMatias interviews Rob Malenka.In this episode, we discuss:Why progress in psychiatry is slow because the brain is the most complex organ and many disorders are highly heterogeneousThe bottlenecks including weak replicability in research, academic politics, perverse incentives, and pharma’s avoidance of neuropsychiatryHow breakthroughs require early detection, rigorous science, and bridging academia with biotech through venture philanthropyHow success depends on mission-driven, ethical people who align science, capital, and patient impact.The opportunities in neuromodulation, data-driven precision medicine, and combination therapies.Credits:Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHo...
2025-09-231h 32
Business TripTransforming Skin Cells into Neurons to Treat Alzheimer’s with Brendon Boot of Skin2NeuronGreg and Matias interview Brendon Boot of Skin2Neuron. Brendon is a neurologist at Harvard and Mayo Clinic with prior experience as Medical Director at Biogen overseeing their Phase 1b Alzheimer’s trials.In this episode, we discuss:How skin-derived cells can be turned into neurons to repair the brain.Why replacing lost neurons may succeed where drugs have failed in Alzheimer’s.What makes autologous (self-derived) cell therapy safer and more effective.How testing in dogs brought stronger proof than traditional mouse models.Why this approach could shift Alzheimer’s treatment from slowing decline to restor...
2025-08-2154 min
Business TripMitochondria and the Future of Health with Natalie Yivgi-Ohana of MinoviaGreg and Matias interview Natalie Yivgi-Ohana of Minovia. Natalie is a life science entrepreneur with twenty years’ experience in mitochondrial research and received her PhD in Biochemistry at The Hebrew University in 2007, after which she performed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Weizmann Institute of Science until 2010. In this episode, we discuss:How mitochondria impacts health by not just regulating energy, but also hormones, cell survival, and overall cellular functionWhy mitochondrial dysfunction is a root cause of many conditions, from rare genetic disorders to aging and mental health issues.What mitochondrial therapy does by restoring function and imp...
2025-07-2251 min
Business TripThe 4-Hour Sleepers Redefining Human Limits with Ying-Hui Fu of UCSFMatias and Greg interview Ying-Hui Fu, PhD, is a Professor of Neurology at UCSF and a world leader in the genetics of sleep. Her lab has discovered the first-known genes behind “natural short sleepers”. Her work bridges human genetics and neuroscience to uncover how to modulate sleep for brain health, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases.In this episode, we discuss:How some people thrive on 4–6 hours of sleep with rare genetic mutationsWhy sleep efficiency is more important than total hours sleptWhat short sleeper genes reveal about preventing Alzheimer’s and autismWhy current sleep research tools miss deeper brain ac...
2025-06-2633 min
Business TripWhat's wrong with US healthcare and how startups can fix it, with Justin MaresMatias and Greg interview Justin Mares, co-founder of TrueMed and Kettle & Fire on current US healthcare and how startups have the opportunity to change the system.In this episode, we discuss:How the US system profits from chronic illnessFixing the food system, environmental toxins, pharma incentives & moreOpportunities for founders building in brain and body health.Contrarian ideas Justin is investing in todayCredits:Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg KubinProduced by Caitlin Ner & Nico V. Rey Find us at businesstrip.fm a...
2025-04-1737 min
Business TripFrontier investable areas in brain health with PsyMed VenturesMatias and Greg sit down with Brooks Leitner, the newest venture partner at PsyMed Ventures, to explore the future of brain and mental health investing. Brooks, an MD/PhD with deep experience from Yale and the NIH, shares his insights on how a human-first approach is reshaping neuroscience innovation and venture investing. In this episode, we discuss:Broadening the Thesis: Evolving from a psychedelics-only focus to a comprehensive neuro investment strategy.Human-First Research: Shifting from animal models to clinical insights for better brain therapies.Key Investment Areas: Therapeutics, medical devices, d...
2025-02-2549 min
Business TripTemporal Interference: The Future of Brain Stimulation with Nir GrossmanMatias and Greg interview Dr. Nir Grossman, one of the world’s leading researchers in neurotechnology. Nir is a lecturer in the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London and a founding fellow of the UK Dementia Research Institute. In this episode, we discuss:What is temporal interference (TI), a non-invasive stimulation methodA comparison of TI with deep brain stimulation (DBS)How physics plays a crucial role in neuroscience innovationTranslating TI academic research to clinical useTI’s role in treating Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, depression, and traumatic brain injuryCredits:Created by Greg...
2025-01-3022 min
Business TripThe State of Autism Part 2 with James Adams of Gut-Brain-Axis Therapeutics Inc.Greg and Matias interview Dr. James Adams, professor and autism researcher at Arizona State University and President of Gut-Brain-Axis Therapeutics, on groundbreaking research in autism.In this episode, we discuss:The latest advancements in microbiome therapy for autismHow the gut-brain axis is shaping new therapeutic approachesThe role of nutritional interventions in supporting individuals with autismEnvironmental factors and toxins influencing autism developmentCredits:Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg KubinProduced by Jonathan A. Davis, Nico V. Rey & Caitlin NerFind us at b...
2024-12-2640 min
Business TripThe State of Autism Part 1 with Elizabeth Horn of 2m FoundationMatias interviews Elizabeth Horn, founder of the 2m Foundation, on the current state of autism and what can we do about it.In this episode, we discuss:The rising prevalence of autism and its impact on societyHow 2m Foundation is funding research and solutionsEnvironmental and biological factors contributing to autismPhilanthropy and venture capital through the Autism Impact FundCredits:Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg KubinProduced by Jonathan A. Davis, Nico V. Rey & Caitlin NerFind us at businesstrip.fm and p...
2024-12-1237 min
Business TripGenetic Medicine for Brain Health with Dana Watt of Breakout VenturesMatias and Greg interview Dana Watt, a Partner at Breakout Ventures, about genetic medicine for brain and mental health.In this episode, we discuss:How genetic therapies work: addressing underlying causes, not just symptomsThe opportunities and challenges for genetic therapies for brain healthExploring effective delivery of genetic payloadsCommercial viability and insurance considerationsCredits:Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg KubinProduced by Jonathan A. Davis, Nico V. Rey & Caitlin NerFind us at businesstrip.fm and psymed.venturesFollow us on I...
2024-11-1444 min
The Conscious Entrepreneur | Leadership, Self-Awareness & MindsetEP 60: Investing to End Mental Illness“Our fundamental belief is that what we currently understand as these conditions that are treatment-resistant or intractable, we will have ways to treat them such that people can not just get to their baseline, but actually ultimately flourish. And that’s really, I would say, a huge focus of ours,” says Greg Kubin, as he refers to conditions like depression and PTSD. He discusses the future of mental health solutions and the role PsyMed Ventures plays in driving this change.
In this episode, Alex Raymond is joined by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky, partners at PsyMed...
2024-10-2836 min
Business TripTranscranial Focused Ultrasound for Mental Health with Jay Sanguinetti of SanmaiGreg and Matias interview Jay Sanguinetti, founder of Sanmai Technologies, a startup using transcranial focused ultrasound for the treatment of mental health conditions. Jay has a background in academia, having worked at the University of Arizona and started the SEMA Lab (Science Enhanced Mindful Awareness).In this episode, we discuss:The science behind transcranial focused ultrasound and its therapeutic potential for mental healthThe risks and considerations involved in using focused ultrasound technology for mental health treatmentsJay's experience transitioning from academia to founding a mental health technology startupThe regulatory landscape that Sanmai Technologies will navigate a...
2024-09-0559 min
Business TripNavigating FDA clinical trials in Neurotech with Tim MarjeninGreg and Matias interview Tim Marjenin, a regulatory consultant at MCRA with 16 years of experience at the FDA, to discuss the regulatory landscape for neurotechnology devices.Tim provides insights into the FDA approval process for neurotech devices, drawing from his extensive experience on the FDA's Neurostimulation-Neurology Devices Team. The episode explores the evolving field of neurotechnology and its regulatory challenges.In this episode, we discuss:Different regulatory pathways for neurological devices (510(k), De Novo, PMA)FDA's approach to novel neurotechnologies like brain-computer interfaces (BCIs)Considerations for invasive vs. non-invasive neurotech devicesThe importance of cybersecurity...
2024-08-2341 min
Business TripEnvironmental Toxins and Mental Health with Gurdane BhutaniGreg and Matias interview Gurdane Bhutani, an investor at MBX Ventures, to discuss the impact of environmental toxins on health and the field of exposomics.Gurdane is an expert in environmental health, with a background in Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences. He provided insights into the pervasive nature of environmental toxins and their implications for public health. This episode also has a guest appearance from Bruce Blumberg, a Professor of Developmental and Cell Biology at UC Davis.In this episode, we discuss:The widespread presence of environmental toxins and their link to diseases like...
2024-07-1849 min
Business TripFDA advisors say no to MDMA. What’s the impact? With Josh HardmanGreg and Matias interview Josh Hardman, founder and editor of Psychedelic Alpha, to discuss the recent FDA advisory committee meeting on Lykos Therapeutics’ MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD.Josh is a leading writer covering the intersection of psychedelics and business. He provided live reporting and analysis of the AdComm meeting.In this episode, we discuss:The FDA advisory committee process and its implications for drug approvalsFunctional unblinding and expectancy effects in psychedelic clinical trialsPotential impacts on the broader psychedelic medicine industryThe future of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy protocolsNeuroplastogen development and non-hallucinogenic approachesChallenges around therapy, safety, and regulatory pa...
2024-06-2156 min
Business TripInvesting in New Frontiers of Mental Health (Live at SXSW)Software, hardware, and biotechnology are playing an increasingly transformative role in our mental health and wellness. Join us as we discuss what investors look for in these new companies and how they separate what’s real — and what’s near-term — from what’s hype. We’ll explore AI-powered tools for mental health, the new area of “enerceuticals” (energy replacing the “pharma”), psychedelics, and why what’s in your gut is so important to your mental state. Hear from investors who have a wide view of this growing startup landscape and better understand which new ventures are likely to succeed.This is a liv...
2024-05-0750 min
Business TripComparing Psychedelic Compounds in Therapy (Live Panel at Battery SF)Matias hosted a panel at The Battery SF with renowned psychedelics experts, Nolan Williams, Allison Feduccia, Matt Baggott.Nolan is a Stanford professor currently researching ibogaine among other areas in psychiatry and radiology, and he's a founder of TMS company Magnus Medical. Allison is the founder of Psychedelic Support, a platform providing psychedelic education, community and a provider directory. And Matt is founder and CEO of Tactogen, a biotech company developing compounds similar to MDMA.In this episode, we discuss…The effects and mechanisms of different psychedelics (MDMA, psilocybin, ibogaine)The role of therapy/su...
2024-04-091h 01
Business TripWhat Payers Want with Lili BrillsteinMatias interviews Lili Brillstein about how to work collaboratively with healthcare payers (the ones that reimburse for medical expenses).Lili is a pioneer in the field, having previously led one of the largest bundled payment initiatives at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. She currently is the founder of her own advisory firm, BCollaborative, where she helps startups and providers develop value propositions that resonate with payers and create models that can be successfully administered. In this episode, they discuss:What payers want and their key prioritiesStrategies to communicate startup value propositions to payersThe role o...
2024-03-1448 min
Business TripDecoding the Brain with Ed BoydenGreg and Matias interview Ed Boyden about neuroscience frontiers and its applications to mental health.Ed is a pioneer in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of the brain. He runs a lab at MIT for Synthetic Neurobiology and is a professor across the departments of neurotechnology, biological engineering, and cognitive science at MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research. His inventions include optogenetic tools and expansion microscopy. He is co-founder of Cognito Therapeutics, Elemind, TI Solutions, and Synlife, and scientific advisor to several other companies. In this episode, we discuss…Academia vs. startups for...
2024-02-2250 min
Business Trip5-MeO-DMT in mental healthcare with Steve RioGreg and Matias interview Steve Rio about 5-MeO-DMT and its potential role in mental healthcare. Steve is a social impact cofounder, transformational coach, and practitioner at the Enfold Institute, one of the most reputable aboveground retreat centers working with 5-MeO-DMT. He shared many insights from his hands-on experience guiding hundreds of people through the medicine.In this episode, we discuss…5-MeO-DMT’s distinct psychedelic experienceEnfold’s protocol of screening, preparation and integrationWhy high doses may not fit into the mainstream medical model5-MeO's intense somatic release and non-dual experienceThe future of 5-MeO research and drug de...
2024-01-2550 min
Business TripTom Insel: Startups, AI, Psychedelics, and SSRIsTom Insel is an entrepreneur and former director of the US National Institute of Mental Health, the lead US agency supporting mental health research with a $2 billion budget. Since his time at the NIMH, Tom has built mental health technology, first at Verily and Mindstrong Health, and more recently founded Vanna Health, an online healthcare provider for serious mental illness.In his book "Healing", he talks about the importance of the 3 P's for solving the US mental health crisis: People, Place, and Purpose. Greg & Matias interview Tom on Business Trip to discuss the 4th "P": Payment. "We...
2023-12-1557 min
Business TripFood as Medicine for Mental Health: Drew RamseyWhat if your next antidepressant was a clam or spinach?Greg & Matias invite Dr. Drew Ramsey to explore nutritional psychiatry - a field exploring how the food we eat can be as powerful as medication in treating mental illnesses like depression and anxiety.Dr. Drew Ramsey is a psychiatrist, entrepreneur and author focusing on nutritional interventions for mental wellbeing. Drew shares scientific research to make a business case for nutritional psychiatry - how customized food interventions could reduce healthcare costs for conditions like depression and anxiety. We debunk common myths around nutrition and m...
2023-11-3046 min
Business TripKetogenic Diet for Brain Health: Jan BaszuckiCan diet treat mental illness? Greg and Matias interview Jan Baszucki of the Baszucki Group whose son Matt overcame bipolar through the ketogenic diet.Jan has supported studies on ketogenic diets and fasting protocols for conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. In this episode we discuss:The powerful personal story behind Jan's passion for this fieldThe science and mechanistic details behind metabolic psychiatryMisconceptions about mental health and dietsChallenges to mainstream adoptionBusiness opportunities in metabolic interventionsThis is a must-listen for anyone interested in emerging non-pharmacological therapies for psychiatric disorders. Jan’s perspective as...
2023-11-1644 min
Business TripInvesting in Neurotech 101: Alex Morgan of Khosla VenturesAdvancements in neuroscience, AI, and bioengineering are unlocking new possibilities for neurotechnologies. Investors are paying attention.Alex Morgan of Khosla Ventures is an MD, PhD, physicist, and one of the most active investors in neurotech startups. He's backed companies harnessing neuromodulation for varied applications - from sleep (Somnee) to depression (Flow) to motor recovery (Syncron). In this episode, Alex shares an insider's overview of the neurotech landscape. We discuss when neurotech solutions make more sense than traditional pharma. Alex reveals which brain technologies excite him most, and why.We also unpack key business s...
2023-11-0254 min
Business TripAll you need is d̶r̶u̶g̶s̶ energy: Motif Neurotech's Implants for DepressionNeuromodulation flies in the face of modern psychiatry. It can significantly improve mental health without drugs. It allows us to stimulate or inhibit activity in precise regions of the brain using electricity, magnetism or ultrasound. Motif Neurotech is pioneering minimally invasive implants to precisely deliver neuromodulation for mental health. In this special episode, Matias joins Empath Ventures’ Brom Rector to interview Jacob Robinson, an entrepreneurial scientist who leveraged his academic research to start Motif Neurotech. PsyMed Ventures and Empath Ventures invested in Motif’s latest seed round. Motif's implantable device stimulates a region of the brain...
2023-10-2055 min
Business TripHoly poop! Mental health and the gut (part 2 with Bloom Science)In part 2 of a 2-part series, Greg and Matias explore microbial therapeutics for mental health with Dr. Christopher Reyes, biophysist, serial enterepreneur, and founder of Bloom Science. Dr. Reyes' research on leveraging microbes to treat neurological conditions began at UC San Francisco.He is now translating his microbiome research into startups targeting epilepsy, ALS, and even anxiety and depression. We discuss the science behind how gut microbes may influence neurotransmitters and mood. Dr. Reyes gives an insider perspective on the challenges of standardizing microbial therapies when each person has a unique microbiome fingerprint.We explore...
2023-09-2840 min
Business TripHoly poop! Mental health and the gut (part 1 with Holobiome)Business Trip launched in 2020 as a podcast focused on psychedelics. As Matias and Greg started to dive deeper into the complexities of mental health, they met more and more entrepreneurs and scientists creating novel treatments across many areas of mental health, including the gut microbiome.Dr. Phil Strandwitz pulls back the curtain on the gut-brain connection and the future of mental health. As founder of Holobiome, Phil is pioneering microbial therapies for conditions like depression and epilepsy.In part 1 of a 2-part series, we dive deep on how trillions of gut bacteria influence neurotransmitters, mood, c...
2023-09-1448 min
Business TripKetamine for OCD: Carolyn Rodriguez (Stanford pt 3)Stanford University is one of the leading universities in psychedelic science, focusing on understanding how psychedelics work in the body. This is part 3 of a 3-part series, where we will explore groundbreaking discoveries via leading Stanford researchers who are revealing the significance of psychedelic science in modern research. We conclude the series with Carolyn Rodriguez.Carolyn Rodriguez is Associate Dean at Stanford University School of Medicine and a psychiatrist at the Palo Alto VA. As Director of the Rodriguez Translational Therapeutics Lab, she leads studies on severe mental illness. Her clinical trials pioneer rapid-acting treatments f...
2023-08-2438 min
Business TripAre psychedelics effective under anesthesia?: Boris Heifets (Stanford pt 2)Stanford University is one of the leading universities in psychedelic science, focusing on understanding how psychedelics work in the body. This is part 2 of a 3-part series, where we will explore groundbreaking discoveries via leading Stanford researchers who are revealing the significance of psychedelic science in modern research. We continue with Boris Heifets.Boris Heifets, an assistant professor at Stanford's School of Medicine. Boris leads the Heifets Lab, which is dedicated to understanding and improving on powerful, rapid-acting therapies for psychiatric disease, such as ketamine, MDMA and psilocybin. Boris is an anesthesiologist and n...
2023-08-1737 min
Business TripThe Startup Landscape for Expanding ConsciousnessPsychedelics have long been known to induce altered states of consciousness. But there are many other techniques that can also expand our awareness - from meditation and breathwork to exploring dreams, prayer, light and sound. In this episode, Greg speaks with Scott Britton about the emerging startup landscape around tools for expanding consciousness.Scott is an entrepreneur who now writes a newsletter called Consciousness ∞ The Doorway to Human Evolution He also hosts a podcast called EvolutionFM.This special episode is a deeper dive into Greg & Scott’s recent article about the consciousness startup ecosystem....
2023-08-091h 21
Business TripStanford Psychedelic Overview: Robert Malenka (Stanford pt 1)Stanford University is one of the leading universities in psychedelic science, focusing on understanding how psychedelics work in the body. In this 3-part series, we will explore groundbreaking discoveries via leading Stanford researchers who are revealing the significance of psychedelic science in modern research. We start the series with Robert Malenka.Robert Malenka is a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University with over three decades of experience in preclinical neuroscience research. His primary focus is on the study of psychoactive drugs, including psychedelics, and their potential therapeutic applications. In addition to his academic role, Malenka i...
2023-07-2051 min
Business TripLive from Psychedelic Science 2023Psychedelic Science 2023, Learning Man, MAPS Burn...whatever you want to call it...was a magical conference organized by MAPS.12k people made the pilgrimage to Denver to discuss psychedelic science, culture, business, art, spirituality, and more.Rick Doblin called this the "Psychedelic 20's" and this event felt like a watershed moment.Luckily, Greg brought his microphone and recorded his experience for a special episode of Business Trip.Guests include Zach Haigney, Myriam Barthes, Lauren Taus, Hamilton Morris, and many more…Credits: Created by Greg Kubin and...
2023-07-0756 min
Business TripWhat VCs Look for in Psychedelic CompaniesWhat does it take for a traditional VC to fund a psychedelic company? In our latest episode, Matias takes us behind the scenes of a panel discussion at the Psychedelic Therapeutics & Drug Development Conference in San Francisco, CA. Matias talks with VCs at firms with $100M+ fund sizes: Anne Dwane, a partner at Village Global, Amanda Way, principal at Jazz Venture Partners and Dana Watt PhD, principal at Breakout Ventures.In this episode, we discuss: (1) How VCs identify and evaluate a strong founding team, (2) Evaluating scientific, technical, and market risk, (3) The pros and cons of platforms vs...
2023-06-0941 min
Business TripDeveloping Non-Hallucinogenic Psychedelics: Bryan RothIn our latest episode, Greg and Matias engage in an insightful discussion with Dr. Bryan Roth, the Michael Hooker Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Medicine, and the founder of the Roth Lab.Dr. Roth’s lab is on the cutting edge of researching the interaction between brain cell receptors and compounds like LSD and psilocybin. Their findings have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of psychiatric disorders, potentially creating new forms of psychedelics that offer the therapeutic benefits without hallucinations or other side effects.In this ep...
2023-05-1549 min
Business TripBehind the Scenes of PsyMed VenturesIn this week's episode, Greg and Matias take a moment to reflect on the opportunities and challenges they have faced while building the PsyMed Ventures syndicate and venture capital fund since starting the Business Trip podcast in 2020. Their ultimate goal is to support founders who are building ethical businesses in frontier mental health technologies with the aim of ending the suffering caused by mental illnesses. This conversation offers an honest insight into raising and deploying a venture capital fund as an emerging manager. Credits: Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: M...
2023-04-1435 min
Business TripThe 2023 Psychedelic Industry Landscape with Psychedelic AlphaIn this week’s episode, Greg and Matias chat with Josh Hardman, the founder of Psychedelic Alpha. Josh is a leading writer and founder at Psychedelic Alpha, an online resource, newsletter, and community covering the intersection of psychedelics and business. He regularly collaborates and writes with experts in the psychedelic field including entrepreneurs, academic researchers, non-profits, and more to provide a comprehensive understanding of the latest developments in the industry. Psychedelic Alpha recently released Psychedelics 2022: A Year in Review to comment on and analyze the industry across research, funding, and policy.Credits: Cr...
2023-02-2749 min
Business TripThe State of Psychedelics (Part 2): Dr. Rachel Yehuda and Zach Haigney (live recording at Soho House)In this week’s special episode, Matias chats with Dr. Rachel Yehuda and Zach Haigney at Soho House in New York City. This is part 2 of a moderated panel recorded in front of a live audience, with part 1 released in June 2022. Dr. Yehuda has spent the last 30 years doing research on PTSD and trauma and is leading the MDMA-assisted therapy research at the US Veterans Affairs Medical Center and serves as Director at the Mental Health at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center. She is also the Director of the Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Res...
2023-01-1853 min
Business TripThe quest to improve MDMAThis episode shares the story of Tactogen, a drug development company making new chemical entities inspired by MDMA. Co-founder Matt Baggott has been fascinated by MDMA and has studied it for 30 years. And while he believes that MDMA can be effective as a therapeutic, his company is developing an MDMA analogue that is designed to be gentler and safer, with the potential to be administered in an at-home setting. Links:Tactogen WeFunder: https://wefunder.com/tactogenCredits: Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Matias Sere...
2022-12-2055 min
Business TripTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) paired with ketamine: inside a clinic offering a frontier treatmentIn this new episode of Business Trip, we interview one of the first clinics to offer a protocol that includes TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) and ketamine infusion.TMS is a non-invasive procedure that sends electric currents to specific regions in the brain, including areas linked to depression. It's FDA approved and has been gaining adoption as clinical studies demonstrate safety and efficacy in treating mood disorders.So why the combination? TMS takes a local approach while ketamine stimulates global brain communication, according to Scenic City Neurotherapy founder Charles Miller. There's little data about the combination...
2022-11-2950 min
Business TripPerspectives from Christian Angermayer, investor and founder in psychedelicsIn this week's episode, we chat with Christian Angermayer. Christian co-founded atai Life Sciences and was an early investor in Compass Pathways -- two of the first companies commercializing psychedelic medicine. Christian also launched a fund dedicated to mental and neurological health called re:Mind, is an investor through his family office Apeiron, and co-founded two longevity biotech companies.Credits: Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyProduced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack FrankFind us at businesstrip.fmFollow us...
2022-10-2742 min
Business TripSoltara: an ethical and profitable ayahuasca retreatIn this week’s episode, we chat with Melissa Stangl, co-founder of Soltara Healing Center. Soltara is an ayahuasca retreat center whose ceremonies are lead by Shipibo healers, with locations in Peru and Costa Rica. The Shipibo people are from the Peruvian Amazon and are part of a tradition that has been drinking Ayahuasca for healing and spiritual purposes for thousands of years. In their ceremonies, the Shipibo serve ayahuasca and sing songs, called Icaros, which guide the healing process and journey.Credits: Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Greg Kubi...
2022-09-1554 min
THE NEW HEALTH CLUB🍄#122 Dr. Gabor Maté on Ayahuasca, Thomas Mann & Healing in the Present. (I also get a free integration session in the podcast!)Good morning everyone!We are coming back to you know every Thursday again since we like to sync the newsletter with the podcast again. So you can look forward to two podcasts a month, a weekly newsletter every Thursday, recommendations, and pioneering thoughts on psychedelics! Today, I can finally welcome Dr. Gabor Maté to the show! One of the most empathic, unapologetic, and science-driven people in the mental health space. I love that combination! And yes, we are also talking about psychedelics and trauma, but what I really like about Gabor is that he sounds li...
2022-09-0156 min
Business TripMicrodosing (part 3): The path to FDA approval w/ MindMed and Diamond TherapeuticsThis is final episode in our 3-part series on microdosing that explores the science, history, and clinical applications. In this episode, we discuss the path to FDA approval for microdosing. We chat with the chief medical officers from Diamond Therapeutics and MindMed about their microdosing clinical programs. Diamond's program uses synthetic psilocybin and is focused on anxiety disorders. Meanwhile, MindMed is focused using low doses of LSD to treat adult ADHD. Our guests are Dr. Michael McDonnell (Diamond Therapeutics) and Dr. Dan Karlin (MindMed).In case you missed it: In part 1, we interviewed psychedelic researcher Ja...
2022-08-1658 min
Business TripMicrodosing (part 2): Placebo is a hell of a drug with Balázs SzigetiThis is part 2 or our 3 part series on microdosing that explore the science, history, and clinical applications. In part 1, we interviewed psychedelic researcher James Fadiman about the fundamentals of microdosing. In part 2, we wanted to understand the placebo effect. In particular, is it the microdose that makes people feel better or it is a placebo effect? We interviewed Balázs Szigeti PhD, who is a researcher associate at the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London. His team conducted the largest placebo-controlled microdosing study in 2020. Balázs unpacks the study and their findings in the episode.
2022-08-1037 min
Business TripMicrodosing (part 1): James Fadiman and the fundamentals of microdosingIn this 3-part series on microdosing, we explore the science, history, and its clinical potential. The anecdotal benefits of microdosing include better mood, creativity, and increased focus. But there are still many unanswered questions that remain. What is an effective dosing protocol? Is it safe in long term use? Does it even work or is it a placebo effect?In part 1, we chat with James Fadiman, Ph.D who has been researching psychedelics since the 1960’s. He's the author of several books, including the Psychedelic Explorer's Guide. He has collected thousands of microdosing reports and eve...
2022-08-0333 min
Business TripHow the DEA and FDA will regulate psychedelic medicineIn this week’s episode, we chat with Matt Zorn, an attorney at Yetter Coleman with expertise in DEA law, especially regarding psychedelics. Matt is currently challenging the DEA’s decision to schedule 5 new tryptamines, he recently argued Kathryn Tucker’s psilocybin “Right To Try” case against the DEA, and previously co-led Sue Sisley’s DEA case related to cannabis scheduling. Matt also writes the drug policy newsletter On Drugs.Credits: Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg KubinProduced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack FrankFind us at...
2022-06-2448 min
Business TripThe state of psychedelics: Dr. Rachel Yehuda and Zach Haigney (live recording at Soho House)In this week’s special episode, Matias chats with Dr. Rachel Yehuda and Zach Haigney at Soho House in New York City. The episode was recorded in front of a live audience. Dr. Yehuda has spent the last 30 years doing research on PTSD and trauma and is leading the MDMA-assisted therapy research at the US Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She is the Director at the Mental Health Patient Care Center at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Director of the Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research at Mount Sinai Hospital, as well as Professor of Psychiatry and Neu...
2022-06-0545 min
Business TripEmpowering the next wave of psychedelic therapists: Journey ClinicalIn Episode 18, we chat with Jonathan Sabbagh and Myriam Barthes, the co-founders of Journey Clinical, a platform that enables licensed therapists to offer ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP). Journey Clinical provides licensed therapists with an on-demand KAP-trained medical team, customized treatments for each client, and a portal to connect with other therapists and educational resources.In this episode, we discuss:The journey from idea to 100+ therapist membersHow ketamine-assisted therapy works and the Journey Clinical's vision for the futureBalancing growth with protecting the relationship between patient and therapistCredits: Created by Greg Kubin a...
2022-05-2341 min
Business TripOsmind and the future of electronic health records in psychedelic medicineIn today’s episode, we chat with Lucia Huang, the CEO and co-founder of Osmind, an electronic health record software system for treatment resistant mental health practices that is already in over 300 clinics. In this episode, we discuss:How Osmind makes data-driven decisions Osmind’s quick growth in only 2 yearsWhat it will take for insurance to cover ketamine therapy, as well as other psychedelic therapiesCreated by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg KubinProduced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack FrankMarketing by DaisyMae VanValkenburghFind us at bus...
2022-04-1836 min
Business TripPalo Santo on investing in 2nd gen psychedelics and public marketsIn today’s episode, we chat with Tim Schlidt, a partner at Palo Santo. Palo Santo is a fund investing in psychedelic therapeutics. Palo Santo’s portfolio includes companies like Eleusis, Tactogen, and Journey Clinical.In this episode, we discuss:Tim’s background in healthcare financeInvesting in classic psychedelic compounds vs. 2nd generation compoundsHallmarks of a good first meeting with a prospective investmentCreated by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg KubinProduced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack FrankMarketing by DaisyMae VanValkenburghFind us at businesstrip.fm
2022-03-2148 min
Business TripDesigning psychedelic mindstates, with Mindstate Design LabsToday’s episode features Dillan Dinardo and Tom Ray, the co-founders of Mindstate Design Labs. Mindstate has a unique framework to design psychedelic compounds using what they call the “primer probe method.” This method involves combining a known psychedelic with a non-psychedelic compound. Mindstate just raised an $11.5M seed round.In this episode, we discuss:Tom and Dillan’s experience in YCombinator and raising an $11.5M seed roundTom’s friendship with the late psychedelic chemist Alexander ShulginMindstate’s lead programsThe role of mystical states in the healing processCreated by Greg Kubin and Ma...
2022-02-1056 min
Business TripPsyMed Ventures, our venture fund to invest in psychedelic medicine & mental health techToday’s episode announces the launch of PsyMed Ventures, a $25M fund we started with Dina Burkitbayeva to invest in psychedelic medicine companies and mental health technologies. PsyMed Ventures is a community-focused fund and syndicate providing capital and support to companies revolutionizing how mental health is treated.In this episode, we discuss:$25M fund to invest in psychedelic medicine companies and mental health techHow we evaluate new companiesExciting trends in mental health researchOur story from starting Business Trip to launching an investment syndicate and fundCreated by Greg Kubin and Matias Se...
2022-01-1043 min
Business TripMAPS PBC, rethinking the pharma business model and MDMA-assisted therapyToday’s episode features Amy Emerson, the CEO of MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), which is a fully owned subsidiary of MAPS, and its purpose is to commercialize MDMA-assisted therapy. We discuss the MAPS PBC and it’s business model for MDMA-assisted therapy.In this episode, we discuss:MAPS’ protocol and strategy behind FDA clinical trial for PTSDAmy’s views on the state of the industry, patents, and how to prioritize accessibilityThe unique business model between MAPS and MAPS PBCPsychedelics for kidsCreated by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Greg Kub...
2021-11-2451 min
Business TripOn transformational ketamine therapy and running an integrative psychedelic clinicIn today’s episode, we discuss what it’s like being a psychologist who owns a psychedelic clinic. Genesee Herzberg is the co-founder of Sage Integrative Health, an integrative clinic in Berkeley, CA that offers ketamine-assisted therapy (KAP), psychotherapy, somatic therapy, and acupuncture. Genesee discusses her holistic approach to healing, and shares her experience bootstrapping her clinic and setting up a non-profit to make KAP more affordable.In this episode, we discuss:Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and the difference between high and low dose ketamine treatmentsWhat it takes to get a for-profit clinic off the ground whil...
2021-10-281h 03
Business TripThe new frontiers of DMT therapiesIn today’s episode, we explore the therapeutic application of DMT across a range of diseases and conditions including Alzheimer’s, stroke, and organ transplants. While much of the attention in psychedelic medicine has been on their ability to address neuropsychiatric indications, research suggests that psychedelics like DMT have a far wider therapeutic potential. The episode features three biotech companies developing DMT therapies: Algernon, Psilera, and Pharmadrug.In this episode, we discuss:DMT therapies for organ transplants, stroke patients and substance abuse disordersResearch supporting NN-DMT’s antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and the rec...
2021-10-0642 min
Business TripScaling Psilocybin Therapy: Compass Pathways' Lars WildeEpisode 10 features Lars Wilde, co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Compass Pathways, a mental health company with an initial focus on psilocybin therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression.In this episode, we discuss:Lars’ experience overcoming Treatment-Resistant Depression with psilocybinThe nuances of clinical trials and psilocybin dosing protocolsCompass Pathways’ Intellectual Property strategyWhat additional indications and therapies Compass Pathways is interested inLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Compass Pathways, Lars WildeCOMP360SSRI, SNRIChristian Angermayer, Robin Carhart-Harris, Michael PollanVivaneoQuercis PharmaTRD (Therapy-Resistant Depression)Compass Phas...
2021-08-1359 min
Business TripAnalyzing the atai Life Sciences IPOToday's episode features three experts, Josh Hardman, Michael Haichin, and Graham Pechenik as they analyze atai’s S-1 in advance of their IPO. In this episode, we discuss:How atai went from idea to IPO in 3 yearsAn overview of atai’s drug development programs and enabling technologiesThe platform’s strategy and risksLinks to topics in this episode:Atai life sciencesEtifoxineEsketamine & arketamineAtai’s S-1Psychedelic Pharmacist AssociationCalyx LawPsilocybin Alpha, Noetic Fundkratom, Salvinorin A, BNC210, mitragynineMike Novogratz, Christian...
2021-06-1050 min
Business TripA 30 year journey towards ibogaine approval: Deborah Mash, CEO of DemeRxToday's episode features Deborah Mash, founder and CEO of DemeRx, a clinical stage company developing ibogaine therapies to treat substance use disorders.In this episode, we discuss:The science, experience and the safety behind Ibogaine’s “neurochemical reset”Navigating US drug regulatory system and securing Intellectual PropertyDeborah’s 30 journey through Amsterdam, Miami and the Caribbean aiming to get Ibogaine therapy approvedPartnership with ATAI Life SciencesLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Deborah MashDemeRxIbogaineNoribogaineTabernanthe IbogaBwiti ReligionHoward LotsofSerotonergicsLambarene - promoted...
2021-05-0444 min
Business TripClinical trials, media, reciprocity, open science: Founder of The Trip Report, Zach HaigneyToday's episode features Zach Haigney, creator of The Trip Report, a newsletter about psychedelics, policy and business.In 2019, Zach started writing The Trip Report and quickly grew his readership by analyzing psychedelic news headlines from every angle. He’s able to break through all the noise and report with a sense of fairness.In this episode, we discuss:Origin story of The Trip ReportThe complexities of clinical trialsDiversity, inclusion and reciprocity in psychedelic companiesLinks to topics discussed in this episode:The Trip ReportZach HaigneyOregon Measure 109 - 2020MA...
2021-03-1621 min
THE NEW HEALTH CLUB🍄 #53 - Dr. Jeremy Weate - Is Ibogaine the “grandaddy” of psychedelics ?What we are up to...Hi everyone, we hope you are doing good! We are getting excited and I think we have some news for you...Last week I took part in the Ibogaine Conference from Microdose and it was incredible to see, how the African root is becoming a more and more important topic, plus a serious tool to treat heroin, alcohol, and the current opioid addiction. Universal Ibogaine, one of the leading companies in the field, presented their approach and it was great fun to be on the panel with Shayne...
2021-02-251h 14
Business TripHow to (legally) make psychedelic medicine: CEO of Psygen, Danny MotykaToday's episode features Danny Motyka, founder of Psygen, a Canadian manufacturer of psychedelics, like MDMA, LSD, DMT, and synthetic psilocybin.Psygen makes pharmaceutical grade psychedelic medicines for clinical research and therapeutic applications. They have a license to be one of the first manufacturing facilities dedicated to the synthesis of psychedelic medicine. In this episode, we discuss:Behind the scenes of Psygen’s manufacturing processNatural vs Synthetic psychedelicsNavigating regulations for manufacturing Schedule 1 substancesLinks to topics discussed in this episode:GMPDr. Peter van der HeydenCOMP360Entourage Effect
2021-02-2430 min
Business TripFrom serving medicine to company founder: NANA founder Flor BolliniToday's episode features Flor Bollini, founder of NANA, an online platform that guides patients on using psychedelic medicine for holistic healing.NANA provides personalized protocols based on an assessment of your mental, emotional and physical health. From there you are partnered with a Nana or guide who leads telemedicine therapy that incorporates ketamine, cannabis and CBD.Flor hopes these protocols will become best practices for patients, clinics, and the psychedelic medicine ecosystem.In this episode, we discuss:Why Flor transitioned from serving medicine to company founderDeveloping protocols where the FDA doesn’t re...
2021-01-0533 min
Business TripHelping psychedelic practitioners through software: Maya Health CEO David ChampionToday's episode features David Champion, CEO and co-founder of Maya, a software platform that helps practitioners and clinics manage psychedelic-assisted therapy practices. The data collected from treatments will help psychedelic stakeholders, from researchers to pharmaceutical companies, discover insights for safer and more effective treatments.In this episode, we discuss:Removing the guesswork from developing psychedelic therapy protocolsFundraising tips for psychedelic company foundersThe role of data in surfacing safer and more effective treatmentsA big announcement from Matias and Greg!Links to topics discussed in this episode:Zendo Project - Subsidiary of MAPS
2020-10-1929 min
Business TripHow to invest in psychedelic companies: Vine Ventures' Founder Ryan ZurrerToday's episode features Ryan Zurrer, founder of Vine Ventures, one of the first venture capital funds investing in psychedelic medicine. Ryan has deep roots in psychedelics culture and understands the many cultures within the psychedelic space. His fund is aligned with those values.If you’re a founder, investor, or early hire at a psychedelic company, this episode is a must-listen!In this episode, we discuss:Which psychedelic business models are a good fit for venture capital?Why did Ryan start Vine Ventures?What traits of entrepreneurs does Ryan invest in?Which fo...
2020-09-1757 min
Business TripBuilding a psychedelic media company: DoubleBlind's Shelby Hartman and Madison MargolinToday’s episode features Shelby Hartman and Madison Margolin from DoubleBlind, a psychedelic magazine and media company founded in 2019 covering timely, untold stories about the expansion of psychedelics around the globe. Focused on how the industry can engage in sacred reciprocity and ethical psychedelic therapies, DoubleBlind is a for-profit company working on becoming a fully licensed certified B corporation.Links to topics discussed in this episode:What It’s Like to Have Sex on Different Kinds of Psychedelics How Oregon is Leading the Country in Drug Policy Reform Entheogen: Definition and...
2020-08-1326 min
Business TripDylan Beynon: ketamine-assisted therapy for anxiety and depressionToday’s episode features Dylan Beynon from Mindbloom, a mental and wellbeing startup that is currently offering ketamine-assisted therapy to treat anxiety and depression. Mindbloom is opening clinics across the country and is using technology to lower the cost of treatment. Host Greg Kubin participates in a ketamine-assisted therapy session in the episode. And that ethereal track you hear during the ketamine session is called Happiness Frequency by Conscious Sounds 432hz.Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Greg KubinProduced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack FrankMarketing by DaisyMae VanValkenburgh...
2020-06-2131 min