Making Progress for Human Health

Since 2016, The Wallach Lab has been involved in the development of novel and innovative therapeutics for Central Nervous System disorders and diseases.

NEWS

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3/19/25

We have been sharing some interesting research-driven blog posts over the last year!

Read our latest blog post, “Junk Food, parts 1 & 2”, discussing bioactive opioid peptides that form when we eat our everyday meals.

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Dr. Jason Wallach obtained his BS degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of the Sciences. Currently Dr. Wallach is an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Saint Joseph’s University. Dr. Wallach has over a decade of research experience investigating N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists and serotonin 5-HT2A receptor ligands. His research interests include the medicinal chemistry and pharmacology of dissociative and psychedelic drugs, where he has authored many peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. Dr. Wallach also advises several pharmaceutical companies in drug development, leading several drug discovery projects.

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Here is an interview I did this week on psychedelics and mental illness with Scott LaMar @scottlamar5855 for his show The Spark on WITF @witforg . Was a pleasure and Scott asked some great questions! Link in bio
Here is an interview I did this week on psychedelics and mental illness with Scott LaMar @scottlamar5855 for his show The Spark on WITF @witforg . Was a pleasure and Scott asked some great questions! Link in bio
M.O.M. - Amphetamine Amphetamine or α-methylphenethylamine is a psychostimulant first synthesized in 1887 by Romanian chemist, Lazăr Edeleanu. However, it was not until 1927 that chemist Gordon Alles synthesized and tested “β-phenylisopropylamine” on animals and then himself in the search of an analog of ephedrine with an improved pharmacological profile. Following a 50 mg injection, Alles described a “feeling of well-being”. Following additional research, amphetamine was marketed and used as a decongestant, general stimulant, antidepressant, analgesic, weightless drug and more. Like cocaine and methylphenidate, amphetamine elevates levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain, most notably dopamine and norepinephrine. However, unlike the former which block reuptake, amphetamine does so by causing the release of these neurotransmitters. Amphetamine (and closely related compounds) remain in popular use today including in Adderall. written by Dr. Michael Dybek #chemistry #pharmacology #science #moleculeofthemonth #drug
last week we said goodbye to Dr. James Gamrat and Jitka Nykodemova as they continue their path of scientific discovery beyond our laboratory. They’ve both been pleasant and helpful members of our team for a long time, and it’s certainly s
last week we said goodbye to Dr. James Gamrat and Jitka Nykodemova as they continue their path of scientific discovery beyond our laboratory. They’ve both been pleasant and helpful members of our team for a long time, and it’s certainly sad to see them go. But we are at the same time proud of their progression and glad to have had the chance to progress alongside them in our ever present quest for psychedelic understanding! everyone say thanks, Jim and Jitka!
M.O.M. (Molecule of the Month!) PCP or phencyclidine is a dissociative drug first synthesized in 1956. It was used as an anesthetic under the name “Sernyl”, but was discontinued in 1965 after increasing reports of patients emerging from their anesthesia in an agitated hallucinatory state. It has since been seen as a drug of abuse under names like “angel dust”, “wet”, “sherm”, or “dippers”. In modern times it most frequently encountered as the freebase oil dissolved in solvent, which is soaked onto cigarettes or plant material and then smoked. Users report a state of mental dissociation, mania, stimulation, and at higher doses, anesthesia and vivid open eye visuals. This drug has become near-mythical as some craven poison that drives people into an unequenchable fury. The combination of mania, anesthesia, and hallcinatory psychosis have indeed led to instances of extreme behavior and violence, but the vast majority of use is much more mundane. Ketamine, now an FDA approved treatment for depression, is from the same structural class as PCP, and has similar pharmacological action (noncompetitive antagonism of the NMDA receptor). We are currently investigating other compounds with similar structure or activity to PCP for their potential as antidepressants, anesthetics, neuroprotectives, anticonvulsants, and more! [PICTURE IS FAKE] written by Adam Knapp #chemistry #pharmacology #psychedelicscience #phsychedelic #science #moleculeofthemonth
MOLECULE OF THE MONTH Mescaline is an alkaloid which was first isolated in 1897 from the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamssii) by the German chemist/pharmacologist Arthur Heffter. Mescaline is a psychedelic phenethylamine that is believed to act primarily through the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. In addition to peyote, mescaline is found in many other cactus species, most notably Trichocereus/Echinopsis pachanoi (Wachuma or San Pedro). Both peyote and San Pedro have a rich history of indigenous usage which continue to this day. written by Dr. Jason Wallach #mescaline #psychedelics #chemistry #pharmacology #peyote #moleculeofthemonth
A collection of some of our favorite pictures of compounds, crystals, and more made here in our lab. There’s much beauty revealed throughout these processes. As chemists, we pull from all colors across the spectrum and give them form in our wor
A collection of some of our favorite pictures of compounds, crystals, and more made here in our lab. There’s much beauty revealed throughout these processes. As chemists, we pull from all colors across the spectrum and give them form in our work. Science & Art are not mutually exclusive! #chemistry #psychedelics #pharmacology #crystals #extractions #tryptamines #science #microscope #chemicalreaction #laboratory #lab #sju #scienceisbeautiful #art
If you’re in the area this summer, Jason Wallach will be speaking at the PhilaDelic conference! Some others who work here at the lab are helping to organize as well, it would be a pleasure to see you there. #psychedelics #chemistry #pharmacolog
If you’re in the area this summer, Jason Wallach will be speaking at the PhilaDelic conference! Some others who work here at the lab are helping to organize as well, it would be a pleasure to see you there. #psychedelics #chemistry #pharmacology
Watch the full lecture by Jason Wallach at the Ketamine and Related Compounds Conference on youtube, link in bio! #ketamine #chemistry #disassociative #sciencelecture #lecture #science #pharmacology #medicine
What’s your favorite reaction? let us know! We sit down and read your comments and messages, apologies if we cant reply to all of them. #chemistry #pharmacology #chemical #chemicalreaction #styrenes #aldehides #science #medicine #psychedelics
Here is an interview I did this week on psychedelics and mental illness with Scott LaMar @scottlamar5855 for his show The Spark on WITF @witforg . Was a pleasure and Scott asked some great questions! Link in bio
M.O.M. - Amphetamine Amphetamine or α-methylphenethylamine is a psychostimulant first synthesized in 1887 by Romanian chemist, Lazăr Edeleanu. However, it was not until 1927 that chemist Gordon Alles synthesized and tested “β-phenyli
last week we said goodbye to Dr. James Gamrat and Jitka Nykodemova as they continue their path of scientific discovery beyond our laboratory. They’ve both been pleasant and helpful members of our team for a long time, and it’s certainly s
M.O.M. (Molecule of the Month!) PCP or phencyclidine is a dissociative drug first synthesized in 1956. It was used as an anesthetic under the name “Sernyl”, but was discontinued in 1965 after increasing reports of patients emerging from t
MOLECULE OF THE MONTH Mescaline is an alkaloid which was first isolated in 1897 from the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamssii) by the German chemist/pharmacologist Arthur Heffter. Mescaline is a psychedelic phenethylamine that is believed to act pri
A collection of some of our favorite pictures of compounds, crystals, and more made here in our lab. There’s much beauty revealed throughout these processes. As chemists, we pull from all colors across the spectrum and give them form in our wor If you’re in the area this summer, Jason Wallach will be speaking at the PhilaDelic conference! Some others who work here at the lab are helping to organize as well, it would be a pleasure to see you there. #psychedelics #chemistry #pharmacolog
Watch the full lecture by Jason Wallach at the Ketamine and Related Compounds Conference on youtube, link in bio! #ketamine #chemistry #disassociative #sciencelecture #lecture #science #pharmacology #medicine
What’s your favorite reaction? let us know! We sit down and read your comments and messages, apologies if we cant reply to all of them. #chemistry #pharmacology #chemical #chemicalreaction #styrenes #aldehides #science #medicine #psychedelics