Psychedelic Stocks May Gain from Marijuana Rescheduling, According to Jefferies
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 19 2025
0mins
Source: SeekingAlpha
Psychedelics and Executive Order: Companies like Atai Beckley, Cybin, and Mind Medicine may benefit from President Trump's Executive Order to reclassify marijuana, potentially paving the way for similar changes for psychedelics if clinical data supports their efficacy in mental health treatment.
Current Classification: Psychedelic drugs are currently classified as Schedule I substances, indicating no recognized medical use and a high risk of abuse, similar to the current status of marijuana before the proposed reclassification to Schedule III.
Analyst Insights: Jefferies analyst Andrew Tsai highlighted that the stigma surrounding psychedelics has been politically driven, despite clinical evidence suggesting their potential in treating hard-to-treat mental health disorders.
Company Developments: Atai Beckley is advancing its pipeline for treatment-resistant depression, while Mind Medicine is preparing for significant Phase III data readouts in 2026, supported by a recent $225 million public offering.
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Analyst Views on ATAI
Wall Street analysts forecast ATAI stock price to rise
7 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
0 Hold
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Strong Buy
Current: 4.290
Low
10.00
Averages
13.00
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16.00
Current: 4.290
Low
10.00
Averages
13.00
High
16.00
About ATAI
AtaiBeckley Inc is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing rapid-acting, durable and convenient mental health treatments. The Company’s pipeline of novel therapies includes BPL-003 (mebufotenin benzoate nasal spray) for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), VLS-01 (DMT buccal film) for TRD and EMP-01 (R-MDMA HCI) for social anxiety disorder. The Company is also advancing a drug discovery program to identify novel, non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2AR agonists for opioid use disorder and TRD. BPL-003 is a proprietary synthetic intranasal formulation of mebufotenin benzoate being developed as a potential treatment for people living with TRD. VLS-01 is a proprietary oral transmucosal film formulation of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) being developed as a potential treatment for people living with TRD. EMP-01 is an oral formulation of R-MDMA, being developed as a potential treatment for people living with social anxiety disorder.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
AtaiBeckley to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences
- Investor Conference Schedule: AtaiBeckley will participate in multiple investor conferences in June 2026, including the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference in New York, showcasing its innovative advancements in mental health treatments, which is expected to attract investor interest and enhance the company's visibility.
- Dates and Locations: The management team will engage in fireside chats and one-on-one meetings at the Jefferies conference from June 2-4, and similar activities will occur at the Oppenheimer CNS and Neuro-Muscular Summit on June 10, highlighting its clinical-stage biotech products.
- Virtual Conference Participation: AtaiBeckley will also present virtually at the 7th Annual HCW Neuro Perspectives Hybrid Conference on June 15-16 and UBS Virtual CNS Day on the same day, further expanding its influence among investors.
- Pipeline Updates: AtaiBeckley's pipeline includes BPL-003 for treatment-resistant depression, VLS-01, and EMP-01 for social anxiety disorder, with BPL-003 in Phase 3 planning and VLS-01 and EMP-01 in Phase 2 clinical development, demonstrating the company's ongoing innovation in the mental health sector.
See More
Trump's Executive Order Accelerates Psychedelic Drug Development
- Investor Capital Influx: Trump's executive order has sparked interest among investors in psychedelic drug development companies, with Enveric Biosciences raising $5 million following the announcement, indicating heightened market attention despite researchers cautioning that new treatments are still far from realization.
- Improved FDA-DEA Coordination: Nine executives and investors noted that the order could shorten administrative timelines and enhance coordination between the FDA and DEA, potentially saving clinical-stage companies tens of millions in costs and improving overall research efficiency.
- Reduced Regulatory Uncertainty: Sa'ad Shah, co-founder of Noetic Fund, highlighted that the executive order may attract institutional investors like sovereign wealth funds and public pension plans into the psychedelic sector, alleviating previous regulatory uncertainties and signaling credible government backing for the industry.
- Accelerated Development Processes: Robert Barrow, CEO of Definium Therapeutics, stated that the implementation of the order will streamline regulatory processes, particularly allowing the DEA to begin scheduling controlled substances after FDA approval, which will facilitate faster market access for psychedelic drugs.
See More
AtaiBeckley and PsyPAN Win Silver Award for Participant Advocacy
- Significant Collaboration: AtaiBeckley Inc. and PsyPAN received a Silver Award in OVID Health's 2026 Patient Participant Index, highlighting their joint efforts to elevate participant voices in psychedelic clinical research, which is crucial for advancing mental health treatments.
- Participant Experience Research: Since 2023, Beckley Psytech and PsyPAN co-designed qualitative workshops to explore participants' experiences in psychedelic trials, with findings compiled into the white paper 'The Participants in Their Own World,' presented at the Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research in 2024.
- Independent Support Program: Building on these insights, Beckley Psytech provided PsyPAN with unrestricted funding for a 12-month independent peer-support pilot program aimed at enhancing participant safety and research quality, which has since expanded to include international advocacy groups and academic partners.
- Raising Industry Standards: Kevin Craig, CMO of AtaiBeckley, emphasized the importance of incorporating participant insights as novel mental health treatments progress, with the recognition underscoring the growing significance of patient-partnership standards across the biopharmaceutical sector.
See More
AtaiBeckley Wins Silver Award in 2026 Patient Participant Index
- Significant Collaboration Outcome: AtaiBeckley's multi-year partnership with PsyPAN has earned the Silver Award in the 2026 Patient Participant Index from OVID Health, indicating a notable success in enhancing participant collaboration models in mental health treatment, thereby improving the ethical and safe conduct of clinical research.
- Integration of Participant Experience: In 2023, qualitative workshops co-designed by Beckley Psytech and PsyPAN explored the experiences of clinical trial participants, culminating in the white paper 'The Participants in Their Own Words,' which was co-presented at the 2024 Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research, emphasizing the importance of participant voices in the industry.
- Funding Support Program: Beckley Psytech provided an unrestricted grant to PsyPAN, enabling a 12-month independent peer-support pilot program in 2025 for UK participants from any psychedelic clinical trial, further strengthening community cohesion among patients.
- International Collaboration Expansion: The partnership has expanded to include international patient advocacy organizations and academic collaborators such as King's College London and the University of Exeter, showcasing AtaiBeckley's influence in the global mental health arena and its commitment to patient partnership standards.
See More
AtaiBeckley Reports Significant Efficacy of EMP-01 in Social Anxiety Disorder
- Significant Clinical Efficacy: EMP-01 demonstrated a clinically meaningful reduction of 38% and 32% in symptoms on the SPIN and SAFE scales, respectively, indicating its potential to improve patient quality of life significantly.
- Positive Patient Response: At Day 43, 49% of patients were rated as significantly improved on the global impression scale compared to only 12% in the placebo group, suggesting that EMP-01 may enhance treatment adherence through noticeable patient-perceived benefits.
- Good Safety Profile: Among 70 participants, EMP-01 reported no severe adverse events, and a 97% retention rate indicates excellent tolerability and high patient acceptability, laying a solid foundation for future clinical applications.
- Innovative Treatment Regimen: Unlike traditional daily dosing, EMP-01 requires only two administrations to achieve significant improvements by Day 43, suggesting its differentiated advantage as a new treatment option for social anxiety disorder that could transform existing treatment paradigms.
See More
Apple CEO Transition Sparks Market Reactions
- Apple CEO Change: Apple announced that hardware chief John Ternus will replace Tim Cook as CEO in September, with Cook transitioning to executive chairman; this surprising move shocked investors but is seen positively, as Ternus must address Apple's lag in artificial intelligence, impacting the company's strategic direction.
- Fed Nomination Hearing: Trump's nominee for Federal Reserve chair, Kevin Warsh, will face the Senate Banking Committee for confirmation, emphasizing the need for Fed independence from political influence, a stance that may affect his confirmation prospects amid Trump's push for lower interest rates.
- Market Volatility: The Nasdaq Composite ended its longest winning streak since 1992, while the S&P 500 also retreated, as market uncertainty grew due to Trump's military threats against Iran; however, small-cap stocks showed resilience, with the Russell 2000 reaching new highs.
- UnitedHealth Group Strong Performance: UnitedHealth Group's first-quarter results exceeded expectations, leading to a more than 7% stock price increase, driven by improved management of medical costs and a favorable medical benefit ratio, with optimistic earnings outlook for 2026 further boosting investor confidence.
See More
AtaiBeckley to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences
- Investor Conference Schedule: AtaiBeckley will participate in multiple investor conferences in June 2026, including the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference in New York, showcasing its innovative advancements in mental health treatments, which is expected to attract investor interest and enhance the company's visibility.
- Dates and Locations: The management team will engage in fireside chats and one-on-one meetings at the Jefferies conference from June 2-4, and similar activities will occur at the Oppenheimer CNS and Neuro-Muscular Summit on June 10, highlighting its clinical-stage biotech products.
- Virtual Conference Participation: AtaiBeckley will also present virtually at the 7th Annual HCW Neuro Perspectives Hybrid Conference on June 15-16 and UBS Virtual CNS Day on the same day, further expanding its influence among investors.
- Pipeline Updates: AtaiBeckley's pipeline includes BPL-003 for treatment-resistant depression, VLS-01, and EMP-01 for social anxiety disorder, with BPL-003 in Phase 3 planning and VLS-01 and EMP-01 in Phase 2 clinical development, demonstrating the company's ongoing innovation in the mental health sector.
See More
Trump's Executive Order Accelerates Psychedelic Drug Development
- Investor Capital Influx: Trump's executive order has sparked interest among investors in psychedelic drug development companies, with Enveric Biosciences raising $5 million following the announcement, indicating heightened market attention despite researchers cautioning that new treatments are still far from realization.
- Improved FDA-DEA Coordination: Nine executives and investors noted that the order could shorten administrative timelines and enhance coordination between the FDA and DEA, potentially saving clinical-stage companies tens of millions in costs and improving overall research efficiency.
- Reduced Regulatory Uncertainty: Sa'ad Shah, co-founder of Noetic Fund, highlighted that the executive order may attract institutional investors like sovereign wealth funds and public pension plans into the psychedelic sector, alleviating previous regulatory uncertainties and signaling credible government backing for the industry.
- Accelerated Development Processes: Robert Barrow, CEO of Definium Therapeutics, stated that the implementation of the order will streamline regulatory processes, particularly allowing the DEA to begin scheduling controlled substances after FDA approval, which will facilitate faster market access for psychedelic drugs.
See More
AtaiBeckley and PsyPAN Win Silver Award for Participant Advocacy
- Significant Collaboration: AtaiBeckley Inc. and PsyPAN received a Silver Award in OVID Health's 2026 Patient Participant Index, highlighting their joint efforts to elevate participant voices in psychedelic clinical research, which is crucial for advancing mental health treatments.
- Participant Experience Research: Since 2023, Beckley Psytech and PsyPAN co-designed qualitative workshops to explore participants' experiences in psychedelic trials, with findings compiled into the white paper 'The Participants in Their Own World,' presented at the Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research in 2024.
- Independent Support Program: Building on these insights, Beckley Psytech provided PsyPAN with unrestricted funding for a 12-month independent peer-support pilot program aimed at enhancing participant safety and research quality, which has since expanded to include international advocacy groups and academic partners.
- Raising Industry Standards: Kevin Craig, CMO of AtaiBeckley, emphasized the importance of incorporating participant insights as novel mental health treatments progress, with the recognition underscoring the growing significance of patient-partnership standards across the biopharmaceutical sector.
See More
AtaiBeckley Wins Silver Award in 2026 Patient Participant Index
- Significant Collaboration Outcome: AtaiBeckley's multi-year partnership with PsyPAN has earned the Silver Award in the 2026 Patient Participant Index from OVID Health, indicating a notable success in enhancing participant collaboration models in mental health treatment, thereby improving the ethical and safe conduct of clinical research.
- Integration of Participant Experience: In 2023, qualitative workshops co-designed by Beckley Psytech and PsyPAN explored the experiences of clinical trial participants, culminating in the white paper 'The Participants in Their Own Words,' which was co-presented at the 2024 Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research, emphasizing the importance of participant voices in the industry.
- Funding Support Program: Beckley Psytech provided an unrestricted grant to PsyPAN, enabling a 12-month independent peer-support pilot program in 2025 for UK participants from any psychedelic clinical trial, further strengthening community cohesion among patients.
- International Collaboration Expansion: The partnership has expanded to include international patient advocacy organizations and academic collaborators such as King's College London and the University of Exeter, showcasing AtaiBeckley's influence in the global mental health arena and its commitment to patient partnership standards.
See More
AtaiBeckley Reports Significant Efficacy of EMP-01 in Social Anxiety Disorder
- Significant Clinical Efficacy: EMP-01 demonstrated a clinically meaningful reduction of 38% and 32% in symptoms on the SPIN and SAFE scales, respectively, indicating its potential to improve patient quality of life significantly.
- Positive Patient Response: At Day 43, 49% of patients were rated as significantly improved on the global impression scale compared to only 12% in the placebo group, suggesting that EMP-01 may enhance treatment adherence through noticeable patient-perceived benefits.
- Good Safety Profile: Among 70 participants, EMP-01 reported no severe adverse events, and a 97% retention rate indicates excellent tolerability and high patient acceptability, laying a solid foundation for future clinical applications.
- Innovative Treatment Regimen: Unlike traditional daily dosing, EMP-01 requires only two administrations to achieve significant improvements by Day 43, suggesting its differentiated advantage as a new treatment option for social anxiety disorder that could transform existing treatment paradigms.
See More
Apple CEO Transition Sparks Market Reactions
- Apple CEO Change: Apple announced that hardware chief John Ternus will replace Tim Cook as CEO in September, with Cook transitioning to executive chairman; this surprising move shocked investors but is seen positively, as Ternus must address Apple's lag in artificial intelligence, impacting the company's strategic direction.
- Fed Nomination Hearing: Trump's nominee for Federal Reserve chair, Kevin Warsh, will face the Senate Banking Committee for confirmation, emphasizing the need for Fed independence from political influence, a stance that may affect his confirmation prospects amid Trump's push for lower interest rates.
- Market Volatility: The Nasdaq Composite ended its longest winning streak since 1992, while the S&P 500 also retreated, as market uncertainty grew due to Trump's military threats against Iran; however, small-cap stocks showed resilience, with the Russell 2000 reaching new highs.
- UnitedHealth Group Strong Performance: UnitedHealth Group's first-quarter results exceeded expectations, leading to a more than 7% stock price increase, driven by improved management of medical costs and a favorable medical benefit ratio, with optimistic earnings outlook for 2026 further boosting investor confidence.
See More
