New Law, New Leverage for Researchers Our Take: HALT Fentanyl Act
As a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the adoption of innovative, evidence-based mental health treatments, we engaged Congressional leaders in conversation about the HALT Fentanyl Act this spring.
Many of the recent headlines focused on the signing of this Act into law and its permanent classification of fentanyl-related substances in Schedule I. But our focus is on the less publicized but equally critical impact on reducing the extensive barriers to research for Schedule I controlled substances. This will allow the advancement of scientific exploration and the development of treatments.
Read an article co-authored by BrainFutures' Program Manager, Bridget McQuillan, and Senior Director, Jazz Glastra, that dives deep into some of the significant changes and complexities still to navigate. It's a big step forward, allowing for the advancement of scientific exploration and the development of needed mental health treatments.
"For all the headlines about fentanyl enforcement, the quieter story may end up being the most hopeful. The HALT Fentanyl Act marks a step forward that has the potential to accelerate psychedelic research in response to our nation's pressing mental health crisis."
In the first year of our executive function pilot program, students who completed high levels of both physical activity and computer-based training saw the greatest gains. The combination was a catalyst for skill growth.
Howard County students who reached 600 minutes of ACTIVATE™ computer-based training and had high levels of physical activity experienced:
✅2.5x greater gains in self-control
✅1.8x greater gains in working memory
Look at the improvements in working memory.
Physical activity in the program ranges from a calming yoga pose series to a fast-paced agility ladder. The exercises also include childhood favorites like head, shoulders, knees, and toes, and patterned movements that can challenge your brain and body. The activities engage the same critical brain systems as the computer-based training.
Executive Function Featured Programs
We're rolling out ACTIVATE™ in Baltimore County this school year. It's one of 40 executive function programs reviewed by BrainFutures and one of 10 that met the rigorous criteria threshold established by our expert advisors.
We believe the implementation of scientifically and technologically sound brain fitness interventions is a missing link in today's education system and a critical component for successfully addressing the many challenges students face.
Youth Executive Function Pilot Program To Be Featured At Conference
BrainFutures' Project Director, Jessica Rose-Malm, will hold a workshop with Dr. Bruce Wexler, Department of Psychiatry at Yale University Medicine, at the Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association Strive to Thrive Conference in Pennsylvania on September 9th.
The workshop will focus on evidence-based executive function interventions as low-cost, scalable programs to support student mental health and well-being. It will highlight the successful Howard County project and partnership between the community, parents, educators, and students in Title I public schools.
They'll show how the program works, including guiding attendees through easy whole-body movements that promote executive function skill development and amplify the effects of computer-based cognitive training.
Bruce Wexler, MD Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry & Senior Research Scientist Yale University School of Medicine
Jessica Rose-Malm Project Director BrainFutures
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