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
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 4.960
Low
10.00
Averages
13.00
High
16.00
Current: 4.960
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 Speculated to Attract Takeover Interest
- Takeover Speculation: AtaiBeckley (ATAI) is rumored to be attracting interest from a large American pharmaceutical company, as indicated by a Betaville 'uncooked' alert circulating on Monday, highlighting market attention on its future prospects.
- Stock Price Movement: Following the takeover speculation, AtaiBeckley's shares fell by 6.4% on Monday, reflecting investor uncertainty and volatility in market sentiment regarding the potential acquisition.
- Year-to-Date Performance: Despite the recent decline, AtaiBeckley's stock has risen 21% this year, demonstrating the company's ongoing appeal in the mental health treatment sector and investor confidence in its prospects.
- Market Trends: Following Trump's order for expedited PTSD research, psychedelic stocks have rallied, with AtaiBeckley and Compass Pathways leading the gains, indicating a growing market focus on mental health treatments.
See More
AtaiBeckley Advances VLS-01 in Phase 2b Trial for Depression
- Clinical Trial Progress: AtaiBeckley has completed randomization of 156 patients in the Elumina trial, with topline data expected in Q4 2026, marking a significant milestone in the treatment of treatment-resistant depression, potentially paving the way for market applications.
- Drug Development Plans: VLS-01 is set to advance into Phase 3 trials for major depressive disorder, contingent on supportive Phase 2 results, demonstrating the company's strategic intent to expand its reach in the depression treatment landscape to cover a broader patient population.
- Multiple Indication Potential: In addition to major depressive disorder, AtaiBeckley views generalized anxiety disorder as a significant follow-on indication for VLS-01, given the substantial unmet need in this area, further enhancing the company's competitive positioning in the market.
- Innovative Delivery Method: VLS-01 utilizes a proprietary oral transmucosal film formulation designed to fit within a two-hour treatment session, potentially offering a more convenient treatment option for chronic patients, thereby improving adherence and treatment outcomes.
See More
AtaiBeckley to Join Russell 2000 Index
- Index Inclusion Announcement: AtaiBeckley (ATAI) is set to officially join the Russell 2000 and the broader Russell 3000 Index at the market open on June 29, 2026, which will enhance its market visibility and attract more investor interest.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following Trump's signing of an order to accelerate PTSD research, psychedelic stocks have rallied, with AtaiBeckley standing out as a leader, indicating its potential and investment value, which may further drive its stock price upward.
- Upgraded Investment Rating: Seeking Alpha's Quant Rating has classified AtaiBeckley as a 'Buy', reflecting analysts' optimistic outlook on its future performance, potentially drawing more institutional investor attention.
- Historical Performance Review: Historical earnings data for AtaiBeckley indicates its competitiveness in the psychedelic sector, and with increasing market focus on psychedelic research, the company is poised for higher revenue growth in the future.
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 Speculated to Attract Takeover Interest
- Takeover Speculation: AtaiBeckley (ATAI) is rumored to be attracting interest from a large American pharmaceutical company, as indicated by a Betaville 'uncooked' alert circulating on Monday, highlighting market attention on its future prospects.
- Stock Price Movement: Following the takeover speculation, AtaiBeckley's shares fell by 6.4% on Monday, reflecting investor uncertainty and volatility in market sentiment regarding the potential acquisition.
- Year-to-Date Performance: Despite the recent decline, AtaiBeckley's stock has risen 21% this year, demonstrating the company's ongoing appeal in the mental health treatment sector and investor confidence in its prospects.
- Market Trends: Following Trump's order for expedited PTSD research, psychedelic stocks have rallied, with AtaiBeckley and Compass Pathways leading the gains, indicating a growing market focus on mental health treatments.
See More
AtaiBeckley Advances VLS-01 in Phase 2b Trial for Depression
- Clinical Trial Progress: AtaiBeckley has completed randomization of 156 patients in the Elumina trial, with topline data expected in Q4 2026, marking a significant milestone in the treatment of treatment-resistant depression, potentially paving the way for market applications.
- Drug Development Plans: VLS-01 is set to advance into Phase 3 trials for major depressive disorder, contingent on supportive Phase 2 results, demonstrating the company's strategic intent to expand its reach in the depression treatment landscape to cover a broader patient population.
- Multiple Indication Potential: In addition to major depressive disorder, AtaiBeckley views generalized anxiety disorder as a significant follow-on indication for VLS-01, given the substantial unmet need in this area, further enhancing the company's competitive positioning in the market.
- Innovative Delivery Method: VLS-01 utilizes a proprietary oral transmucosal film formulation designed to fit within a two-hour treatment session, potentially offering a more convenient treatment option for chronic patients, thereby improving adherence and treatment outcomes.
See More
AtaiBeckley to Join Russell 2000 Index
- Index Inclusion Announcement: AtaiBeckley (ATAI) is set to officially join the Russell 2000 and the broader Russell 3000 Index at the market open on June 29, 2026, which will enhance its market visibility and attract more investor interest.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following Trump's signing of an order to accelerate PTSD research, psychedelic stocks have rallied, with AtaiBeckley standing out as a leader, indicating its potential and investment value, which may further drive its stock price upward.
- Upgraded Investment Rating: Seeking Alpha's Quant Rating has classified AtaiBeckley as a 'Buy', reflecting analysts' optimistic outlook on its future performance, potentially drawing more institutional investor attention.
- Historical Performance Review: Historical earnings data for AtaiBeckley indicates its competitiveness in the psychedelic sector, and with increasing market focus on psychedelic research, the company is poised for higher revenue growth in the future.
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
