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A growing number of companies are exploring the possibility of offering psychedelic drug therapy for their employees as a cost-saving and effective means of mental health treatment, according to a report.

Recent research has shown that well-known party-drugs like MDMA [ecstasy], psilocybin [magic mushrooms] and ketamine which has been legalized for medicinal use are useful alternatives to treating a slew of mental health issues including depression, anxiety and PTSD.

Jorge Yant, founder of Plexis Healthcare Systems, told The Wall Street Journal that he has started offering psychedelic-assisted therapy coverage to his employees through benefits startup Enthea.

Ive experimented with psychedelics myself, and I could see how it could be helpful to people, Yant told the paper.

The businessman said he first began to consider covering psychedelic therapies after an anonymous summary report of prescription drug use at the company revealed how many on his staff were prescribed medications for their mental health.

The use of antidepressants among my employees and their families was off the charts, he said.

Yant said he believes the US healthcare system overly emphasizes prescription drugs and believes his workers could benefit from the alternative therapy. 

It will save money over time compared to expensive, traditional therapy sessions and will make his employees happier and more productive, he told WSJ.

Enthea offers its clients ketamine-assisted therapy coverage, and, in the coming months, will be able to cover psilocybin if they are based out of or willing to go to Oregon where it is now legal for medical use. 

The company said if MDMA is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, they will add it to their list.

Sherry Rais, Entheas CEO, said just this past year more than a dozen companies signed up for the therapy coverage and another 50 have signed letters of intent.

Psychedelic therapy is increasingly viewed as a legitimate treatment for mental health as it becomes more and more mainstream, especially among elites in Silicon Valley and Wall Street.

Elon Musk, among the wealthiest individuals in the world, has been candid about his ketamine use for health reasons going as far to say his use of the drug is beneficial to his investors and said the drug helps him manage a negative chemical state in his heated interview with Don Lemon last month.

Google co-founder Sergey Brin has said hes used psilocybin, while the late Steve Jobs was a vocal advocate of LSD.

Billionaire Peter Thiel dumped millions into ATAI Life Science, a firm that aims to use hallucinogens in medicine and last year, Mets owner Steve Cohen donated $5 million to MAPS, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies.

Last year, 17% of employers reported that they were investing into psychedelic-therapy solutions for their workers mental health, according to a survey conducted by benefits consulting firm NFP, cited by WSJ.

While many of Entheas new clients are excited to see how their employees respond, there remain concerns among companies about the risk of their workers using the drugs in a non-clinical setting.

Many doctors who arent trained as psychiatrists are now adding ketamine to their arsenal for patients to use at home, David Feifel, a psychiatrist and medical director of Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute in La Jolla, Calif., told the paper.

Deb Smolensky, the head of well-being and engagement with NFP, said that mental health has emerged as the single biggest concern among clients over the past three years.

The burnout rates are enormous, she told the Wall Street Journal.

The incredibly high cost of mental health medication is also burdensome for workers.

While ketamine is not FDA-approved to treat depression, doctors offer patients off-label alternatives like Johnson&Johnson’s nasal spray Spravato a chemically similar drug that has agency approval for adults with depression and is covered by some insurance companies, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Spravato reported full-year sales of $689 million in 2023, up 84% from $374 million the year before, according to a company spokeswoman.

Larger insurance companies are beginning to realize it’s more financially savvy to make an exception and agreeing to cover ketamine for off-label use.  

Smolensky predicted a wider movement towards covering psychedelic-assisted therapies.

Its going to come. We see the writing on the wall,” she said.

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Comedian and actor Russell Brand bailed after appearing in court charged with rape and sexual assault

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Comedian and actor Russell Brand bailed after appearing in court charged with rape and sexual assault

Russell Brand has been granted bail after appearing in court charged with sexual offences including rape.

During the brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the 49-year-old spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, and address, also confirming to the judge that he understood his bail conditions.

Pic: Reuters
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Russell Brand outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Pic: Reuters

Brand, who has been living in the US, was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape – as well as two counts of sexual assault – in connection with incidents involving four separate women between 1999 and 2005.

The allegations were first made in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023.

Rusell Brand
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The comedian and actor did not say anything as he entered the court

The comedian, actor and author has denied the accusations and said he has “never engaged in non-consensual activity”.

Appearing before Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring, Brand stood to confirm his name and address. He then sat down while the charges were read to the court.

Russell Brand surrounded by media as he arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
Pic: Reuters
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Brand surrounded by media. Pic: Reuters

Brand is charged with the rape of a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area. She alleges that after meeting Brand at a theatrical performance and chatting to him later in her hotel room, she returned from the toilet to find he’d removed some of his clothes. She claims he asked her to take photos of him, and then raped her.

The court also heard of another of Brand’s alleged victims, who has accused him of indecently assaulting her in 2001 by “grabbing her arm and dragging her towards a male toilet” at a TV station.

Brand is accused of the oral rape and sexual assault of a woman he met in 2004 in London. He is accused of grabbing her breasts before allegedly pulling her into a toilet.

The final complainant is a radio worker who has accused Brand of sexually assaulting her between 2004 and 2005 by “kissing” and “grabbing” her breasts and buttocks.

Russell Brand leaves court.
Pic: Reuters
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Brand leaves court. Pic: Reuters

The judge referred the case up to the Crown Court – informally known as the Old Bailey.

Brand was asked to supply both his US and UK addresses to the court.

When asked if he understood his bail conditions, he replied, “Yes”.

The case was adjourned and Brand, of Hambleden, Buckinghamshire, was told he must appear at the Old Bailey on 30 May.

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Daughter of Sir David Amess praises ‘swift action’ of counter-terror police’s Kneecap investigation

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Daughter of Sir David Amess praises 'swift action' of counter-terror police's Kneecap investigation

The daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess has praised “swift action taken by law enforcement” after counter-terror police confirmed they are investigating claims the band Kneecap called for people to kill their MPs.

The Metropolitan Police revealed on Thursday that its Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit has found “there are grounds for further investigation into potential offences” in connection to two videos of the rap group.

The first, believed to be from a Kneecap gig at London’s Kentish Town Forum in November 2024, allegedly shows one member of the band shouting: “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.

The second, thought to be from a separate concert in November 2023, reportedly sees another say: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

Sir David, Conservative MP for Southend-on-Sea, was murdered by Ali Harbi Ali at his constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in October 2021.

It was the second murder of a British MP in less than 10 years, following the murder of Labour’s Jo Cox by Thomas Mair in 2016.

David Amess
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Sir David Amess. Pic: PA

Jo Cox shooting
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Jo Cox. Pic: PA

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Why are Kneecap controversial?
Murdered MP’s daughter ‘happy to meet’ rappers

More on Sir David Amess

Previously the Met said it was assessing whether the two clips of the Irish language trio met the threshold for an investigation.

Katie Amess said in response to their decision on Thursday to pursue an investigation: “Kneecap’s rhetoric is not only abhorrent but poses a direct threat to the safety and well-being of elected officials and the democratic institutions they represent.

“The glorification and incitement of violence have no place in our society and must be unequivocally condemned.

“I commend the swift action taken by law enforcement agencies in addressing this and urge a thorough investigation to determine the full extent of any criminal activity.”

She added that musicians “must be held accountable” for rhetoric that “incites violence and hatred” and that cultural venues should “not be exploited to propagate messages of hate”.

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Kneecap comments ‘dangerous and heartbreaking’

In a statement posted on Instagram, the group – made up of Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh – addressed the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, saying: “We never intended to cause you hurt.”

But Ms Amess accused them of “gaslighting”, saying their comments were “absurd” and “not an apology”.

Sir David and Katie Amess
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Katie Amess with her MP father Sir David Amess

Dozens of artists come out in support

Since the controversy emerged amid a backlash over their performance at US festival Coachella, in which they displayed the message “Free Israel. Free Palestine”, more than 40 artists have come out to support them.

Paul Weller, Primal Scream and DJ Annie Mac are among the music stars to have signed an open letter claiming there has been a “clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately de-platform” the band.

Kneecap had their concert at the Eden Project in Cornwall cancelled on Wednesday.

In its statement on Thursday, the Met Police confirmed: “Both videos were referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment by specialist officers, who have determined there are grounds for further investigation into potential offences linked to both videos.

“The investigation is now being carried out by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and inquiries remain ongoing at this time.”

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Kneecap row: Paul Weller and Primal Scream lead musicians in signing open letter in support of rap trio

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Kneecap row: Paul Weller and Primal Scream lead musicians in signing open letter in support of rap trio

Paul Weller, Primal Scream and DJ Annie Mac are among the music stars who have signed a letter in support of rap group Kneecap.

The politically-charged Belfast trio, who are no strangers to controversy, have faced criticism in recent weeks following a performance at US festival Coachella in which they displayed the message “F*** Israel. Free Palestine”.

Then came the emergence of footage, taken from a gig at London’s Kentish Town Forum last November, which appeared to show one member of the group shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.

Video also emerged from a November 2023 gig, appearing to show one member of the group saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for Kneecap to face prosecution over the two videos, while Glastonbury Festival is now facing pressure to drop them from this year’s line-up.

A handful of the group’s gigs have been cancelled, including one that was set to take place at Cornwall’s Eden Project.

In an open letter, the group’s record label, Heavenly Recordings, said there had been a “clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform” the group.

More than 40 music acts have now signed the letter.

Paul Weller poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere for the film 'Blitz' and the opening gala of the London Film Festival on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)
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Former The Jam frontman Paul Weller is one of the artists to have given Kneecap their backing. Pic: AP

It reads: “As artists, we feel the need to register our opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom.

“In a democracy, no political figures or political parties should have the right to dictate who does and does not play at music festivals or gigs that will be enjoyed by thousands of people.”

It also accuses politicians of “strategically concocting moral outrage over the stage utterings of a young punk band” while ignoring a “genocide” in Gaza.

“Kneecap are not the story. Gaza is the story. Genocide is the story,” it says. “And the silence, acquiescence and support of those crimes against humanity by the elected British Government is the real story.

“Solidarity with all artists with the moral courage to speak out against Israeli war crimes, and the ongoing persecution and slaughter of the Palestinian people.”

Read more:
Why are Kneecap controversial?

The full list of signatories

Annie Mac, Beoga, Bicep, Biig Piig, Blindboy Boatclub, Bob Vylan, Christy Moore, Damien Dempsey, Delivery, Dexys, English Teacher, Enter Shikari, Fontaines D.C., Gemma Dunleavy, Gurriers, Idles, Iona Zajac, Jelani Blackman and John Francis Flynn.

Joshua Idehen, Katy J Pearson, Kojaque, Lankum, Lisa O’Neill, Lowkey, Massive Attack, Martyn Ware, Paul Weller, Peter Perrett, Poor Creature, Primal Scream and Pulp.

Roisin El Cherif, Shirley Manson, Sleaford Mods, Soft Play, The Mary Wallopers, The Pogues, Thin Lizzy and Toddla T.

Instagram accounts belonging to other acts, including Mercury Prize nominees Yard Act, have commented on post featuring the statement, asking to be added.

Elsewhere, trip hop collective Massive Attack put out their own statement supporting Kneecap.

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Kneecap comments ‘dangerous and heartbreaking’

It comes as the Metropolitan Police is assessing the “kill MPs” video clip, along with the 2024 video in which a band member appeared to say “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.

In a statement posted on Instagram, the group – made up of Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh – addressed the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, saying: “We never intended to cause you hurt.”

Read more:
Kneecap remarks ‘dangerous’ says Sir David Amess’s daughter

Kneecap said they “reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual”.

“Kneecap’s message has always been – and remains – one of love, inclusion, and hope,” the post added.

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