16 min
Psychedelics Investing 101, with Dan Ahrens, Portfolio Manager, AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF Signals by AlphaSense
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- Business
Episode Summary
In this episode of Psychedelic Investment Insights, host Nick Mazing from AlphaSense sits down with Dan Ahrens, the portfolio manager at AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF (NYSE: PSIL). Together, they delve into the rapidly evolving world of psychedelic investments and the key differences between investing in the psychedelic and cannabis sectors. Dan highlights the importance of understanding the psychedelic market as a biotech-driven industry and discusses its unique challenges and opportunities.
Throughout the conversation, Dan outlines the factors investors should consider when examining psychedelic companies, such as their intellectual property and FDA pipeline. He also shares valuable insights about the major players in the sector, including Compass Pathways and Cybin, and how their groundbreaking treatments have the potential to revolutionize mental health care.
Finally, the discussion turns to the advantages of investing in a psychedelics-focused ETF, like AdvisorShares' PSIL, which offers investors transparency and exposure to a curated selection of innovative companies within the industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the growing field of psychedelic investments and the future of mental health treatments.
Guest-at-a-Glance
💡 Name: Dan Ahrens
💡What they do: Portfolio Manager, AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF (NYSE:PSIL)
💡Company: AdvisorShares
💡Noteworthy: Expert in cannabis and psychedelic investments
💡 Where to find them: LinkedIn Twitter Dan’s Book on Cannabis Investing
Key Insights
Differentiating Cannabis and Psychedelic Investments
In the episode, Dan Ahrens highlights the key differences between investing in cannabis and psychedelics. While cannabis stocks are evaluated based on revenue, cash flow, balance sheet, and survivability, psychedelic investments are treated more like biotech stocks, trading on intellectual property and FDA pipeline. These investments can be volatile, but offer long-term potential. Understanding these differences is crucial for investors looking to enter the psychedelics market.
Potential Applications of Psychedelics in Mental Health Treatments
Dan Ahrens discusses various studies examining the use of psychedelics, such as ketamine and psilocybin, in mental health treatments. The episode covers potential applications for depression, treatment-resistant depression, ADHD, and Alzheimer's. These promising developments showcase the potential of psychedelics in addressing a wide range of mental health issues and underscore the value of investing in this emerging sector.
Key Holdings in AdvisorShares' Psychedelic ETF (PSIL)
Dan Ahrens shares insights on the largest holdings in the AdvisorShares Psychedelic ETF (ticker: PSIL), which offers daily transparency on its investments. Compass Pathways and Cybin are among the top holdings in the fund, both working on psilocybin-based treatments. The ETF aims to provide pure exposure to the psychedelics sector, avoiding companies that only dabble in psychedelics. This approach allows investors to gain targeted exposure to the promising world of psychedelic therapies.
Episode Summary
In this episode of Psychedelic Investment Insights, host Nick Mazing from AlphaSense sits down with Dan Ahrens, the portfolio manager at AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF (NYSE: PSIL). Together, they delve into the rapidly evolving world of psychedelic investments and the key differences between investing in the psychedelic and cannabis sectors. Dan highlights the importance of understanding the psychedelic market as a biotech-driven industry and discusses its unique challenges and opportunities.
Throughout the conversation, Dan outlines the factors investors should consider when examining psychedelic companies, such as their intellectual property and FDA pipeline. He also shares valuable insights about the major players in the sector, including Compass Pathways and Cybin, and how their groundbreaking treatments have the potential to revolutionize mental health care.
Finally, the discussion turns to the advantages of investing in a psychedelics-focused ETF, like AdvisorShares' PSIL, which offers investors transparency and exposure to a curated selection of innovative companies within the industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the growing field of psychedelic investments and the future of mental health treatments.
Guest-at-a-Glance
💡 Name: Dan Ahrens
💡What they do: Portfolio Manager, AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF (NYSE:PSIL)
💡Company: AdvisorShares
💡Noteworthy: Expert in cannabis and psychedelic investments
💡 Where to find them: LinkedIn Twitter Dan’s Book on Cannabis Investing
Key Insights
Differentiating Cannabis and Psychedelic Investments
In the episode, Dan Ahrens highlights the key differences between investing in cannabis and psychedelics. While cannabis stocks are evaluated based on revenue, cash flow, balance sheet, and survivability, psychedelic investments are treated more like biotech stocks, trading on intellectual property and FDA pipeline. These investments can be volatile, but offer long-term potential. Understanding these differences is crucial for investors looking to enter the psychedelics market.
Potential Applications of Psychedelics in Mental Health Treatments
Dan Ahrens discusses various studies examining the use of psychedelics, such as ketamine and psilocybin, in mental health treatments. The episode covers potential applications for depression, treatment-resistant depression, ADHD, and Alzheimer's. These promising developments showcase the potential of psychedelics in addressing a wide range of mental health issues and underscore the value of investing in this emerging sector.
Key Holdings in AdvisorShares' Psychedelic ETF (PSIL)
Dan Ahrens shares insights on the largest holdings in the AdvisorShares Psychedelic ETF (ticker: PSIL), which offers daily transparency on its investments. Compass Pathways and Cybin are among the top holdings in the fund, both working on psilocybin-based treatments. The ETF aims to provide pure exposure to the psychedelics sector, avoiding companies that only dabble in psychedelics. This approach allows investors to gain targeted exposure to the promising world of psychedelic therapies.
16 min