Wesana Health, Boxing Sanctioning Body to Study Use of Psychedelics for TBI

Wesana Health Holdings this week announced that it is teaming with the World Boxing Council on a multi-year clinical research project to examine the potential of psilocybin-assisted therapy to reduce effects and symptoms of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in boxers.

The WBC will provide de-identified TBI data current and former boxers who volunteer their information to be studied. Wesana will collaborate with academic partners to establish personalized brain health baselines, along with diagnostic, rehabilitation and cognitive optimization programs.

Findings from the research in the collaboration could have implications far beyond boxing, Wesana CEO Daniel Carcillo said in a news release.

“The WBC is showing unprecedented foresight in working with Wesana to research the impact and value that psychedelic medicines and other evidence-based modalities can have on TBI suffered in the ring,” Carcillo said in a statement. “The research and clinical trials undertaken in partnership with the WBC will yield data which can inform treatments for anyone suffering a TBI, from soldiers returning from the battlefield to women suffering trauma from domestic abuse.

“Millions of people around the world experience injuries impacting their brain health, and we are confident in the therapeutic impact psychedelics will have to cure TBI and its associated symptoms like anxiety and depression.”