AI, Psychedelics, the Gut-Brain Axis, and New Frontiers in BioTech | From SXSW's Next Stage (Re-release)

Feb 27, 2025

In this insightful discussion, Amy Kruse, a neuroscientist and Chief Investment Officer at Satori Neuro, and Matias Serebrinsky, co-founder of PsyMed Ventures, delve into the transformative role of AI and biotechnology in mental health. They explore the hype around psychedelics and emphasize the significance of the gut-brain axis. The duo also highlights the evolution of neurotechnology and the potential for innovative treatments, alongside the challenges of funding health tech startups, particularly focusing on mental wellness and women's health.

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INSIGHT

Neurotech Advances Enabled by Moore's Law

Neurotechnology has rapidly advanced due to Moore's Law enabling miniature, on-brain computing.
Humans can now control robotic arms with brain implants, demonstrating huge progress in brain-computer interfaces.

INSIGHT

Limits of AI in Mental Health

AI is overhyped in mental health, lacking comprehensive brain data to match internet-scale models.
Chatbots aren't yet effective therapeutic tools but may have other uses like clinical decision support.

INSIGHT

Psychedelics Overhyped and Costly

Psychedelics hold potential but are overhyped and promoted for too many conditions dangerously.
Their treatments cost thousands, limiting accessibility compared to cheap conventional meds like SSRIs.

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CRAFTED. host Dan Blumberg will be at SXSW this year. Will you? If so, please reach out! DM me on LinkedIn or go to crafted.fm where you can email me. Let's get a taco!

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Software, hardware, and biotechnology are playing an increasingly transformative role in our mental health and wellness. On this episode of CRAFTED., recorded live on the “Next” stage at SXSW 2024, we discuss what investors look for in these new companies and how they separate what’s real — and what’s near-term — from what’s hype.

On stage with host Dan Blumberg are:

Amy Kruse, General Partner & Chief Investment Officer at Satori Neuro, and a trained neuroscientist
Matias Serebrinsky, Co-founder and General Partner at PsyMed Ventures, and the host of Business Trip, which is a great podcast if you want to go even deeper on these topics. Listen at businesstrip.fm
Christie Nicholson, Founder of Studio Lumina, and the co-host for this panel

We’ll explore AI-powered tools for mental health, the new area of “enerceuticals” (energy replacing the “pharma”), psychedelics, and why what’s in your gut is so important to your mental state. Hear from investment experts who have a wide view of this growing startup landscape and better understand which new ventures are likely to succeed.

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Key Moments:

01:38] Recent advances in biotech and why advances in data and AI are helping biology become a more “mature” science
[04:00] Why AI is overhyped, but also where it’s not
[07:37] Why psychedelics are overhyped, but also where they’re not
[10:04] What’s real and amazing: brain-computer interfaces, e.g. humans controlling robotic arms with the minds
[11:25] What’s real and amazing: precision psychiatry and neuroscience
[14:12] The emerging field of “enerceuticals” -- using energy instead of drugs, e.g. low intensity focused ultrasound
[16:17] Neuroplasticity: our brains can change!
[21:31] Mental health, the gut-brain axis, and food as medicine
[32:38] The business models of bio tech startups and how to know when a company is making progress on a years-long effort

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CRAFTED. is produced by Modern Product Minds, where my team and I can help you take a new product from zero to one... and beyond. We specialize in early stage product discovery, growth, and experimentation. Learn more at modernproductminds.com

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Check out Tech Now, the free "podcast mixtape" that host Dan Blumberg curates on Hark. Each week, Dan selects and introduces great moments from other podcasts that speak to the latest on artificial intelligence and its implications, new product innovations, the relationship between the Trump administration and Big Tech, and much more.