Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
November 25, 2025
Ex-NHL Star Joins Biotech Firm to Advance Non-Hallucinogenic LSD Treatment
TLDR
- BetterLife Pharma gains competitive advantage by hiring former NHL champion Daniel Carcillo to advance their non-hallucinogenic LSD derivative BETR-001 for traumatic brain injury treatment.
- BetterLife's BETR-001 is a non-controlled LSD derivative in preclinical development that can be self-administered for neurological disorders with patent protection until approximately 2042.
- This development offers hope for athletes, veterans, and concussion survivors to heal from traumatic brain injuries and regain their quality of life through accessible treatment.
- A two-time Stanley Cup champion forced to retire from concussions now advises a biotech company developing a non-hallucinogenic LSD derivative to treat brain injuries.
Impact - Why it Matters
This development matters because traumatic brain injuries affect millions worldwide, from athletes and military veterans to accident survivors, often leaving them with lifelong cognitive and mental health challenges. Current treatment options are limited, and the regulatory hurdles for traditional psychedelic therapies have slowed progress. BetterLife's non-hallucinogenic approach could provide breakthrough treatment without the legal and practical barriers of controlled substances, potentially offering relief to those suffering from post-concussion syndrome, cluster headaches, and migraines. The involvement of someone with firsthand TBI experience like Carcillo brings crucial patient perspective to drug development, increasing the likelihood that resulting treatments will address real-world needs effectively.
Summary
BetterLife Pharma Inc., an emerging biotechnology company trading on the CSE as BETR and OTCQB as BETRF, has announced a significant strategic appointment that could accelerate development of its groundbreaking neurological treatment. The company revealed that Daniel Carcillo, a former NHL hockey player and two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, will join as Corporate Advisor to advance BetterLife's proprietary drug candidate BETR-001. Carcillo brings firsthand experience with traumatic brain injuries, having been forced into early retirement at age 30 due to Post Concussion Syndrome after suffering seven concussions during his professional career. His personal journey and subsequent advocacy work make him uniquely positioned to contribute to the development of treatments for TBI, cluster headaches, and migraines.
BetterLife's BETR-001 represents a revolutionary approach to neurological treatment as a non-hallucinogenic derivative of LSD that maintains therapeutic benefits while eliminating regulatory barriers. The company's synthesis patent makes the compound unregulated and potentially self-administered, distinguishing it from traditional psychedelic medicines. Carcillo's background includes founding Wesana Health, a life sciences company focused on psilocybin-based medicine for traumatic brain injuries, giving him extensive experience in the emerging field of psychedelic therapeutics. In his statement, Carcillo emphasized that joining BetterLife feels like "the natural next step in my mission to help concussion survivors" and highlighted the medicine's promise of "psychedelic healing without the regulatory barriers."
Dr. Ahmad Doroudian, CEO of BetterLife, expressed excitement about Carcillo joining the advisory group, noting that his "first hand experience with TBI and his passion to advance the development of medicines and treatments for those injuries will provide us with invaluable guidance." The company's drug candidate is currently in preclinical and IND-enabling studies, with composition and method of use patents pending that could provide protection until approximately 2042. This appointment signals BetterLife's commitment to advancing innovative treatments for neurological disorders through combining scientific innovation with real-world patient experience, potentially accelerating the development timeline for a treatment that could benefit millions suffering from TBI-related conditions.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, Ex-NHL Star Joins Biotech Firm to Advance Non-Hallucinogenic LSD Treatment
