💊 Axios PM: Hallucinogenic helper

Plus: Burger bot | Friday, April 28, 2023

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Instagram   Axios PM By Mike Allen · Apr 28, 2023 🥳 The weekend is nearly here! Today's PM — edited by Alex Fitzpatrick — is 551 words, a 2-min. read. Thanks to Sheryl Miller for the copy edit.     1 big thing: 💊 Depression alternative Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios   Ketamine, an anesthetic drug that can cause hallucinogenic effects, is surging in popularity as a depression treatment. But the industry is showing signs of buckling, leaving some patients stranded, Axios' Sabrina Moreno reports. Driving the news: The shutdown of some brick-and-mortar ketamine clinics has injected uncertainty into the industry. 👩‍⚕️ There aren't enough clinicians to fill the resulting gaps in care, stoking fears that vulnerable patients could seek unvetted options. What they're saying: "There are all these clinics that open that are charging a lot of money with a promise of feeling better with low screening requirements and high prices," Jeffrey Zabinski, a psychiatrist at Columbia University, tells Axios. 💉 Catch up quick: Ketamine is an old anesthetic with fast-acting antidepressant effects. It's administered through IV infusions, nasal sprays and lozenges. Some patients say it works in ways antidepressants like Cymbalta and Prozac never did — and with fewer side effects. Yes, but: The FDA has approved only one treatment, and most insurers balk at paying for off-label use. 🍄 Meanwhile: MDMA, psilocybin and LSD — combined with psychotherapy — have shown promise for treating a range of addictions and mental health disorders. Go deeper.     2. 🔌 Not ready for an EV? Try a plug-in hybrid Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios   Plug-in hybrids can be a great "bridge car" for drivers who aren't ready to go fully electric, Axios What's Next editor Alex Fitzpatrick writes. Alex recently swapped his 2016 Volkswagen Golf for a 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in. 🔋 The big picture: Electric vehicle chargers are quickly becoming more commonplace, but they can still be hard to find — or occupied or broken. Plug-in hybrids operate like an EV for short drives, then shift into traditional hybrid mode — meaning, the battery boosts the gas engine's efficiency. ⛽️ "I've had to fill up the gas tank far less often than with my VW," Alex writes. He's been charging the Sportage in his driveway each night and looking for opportunities to top off while he's out and about. And he's been experimenting with the SUV's various modes and settings for maximum efficiency. 💵 Yes, but: It's still unclear how all that charging will affect his monthly power bill. Go deeper.     A message from Instagram Explore 30+ tools for parents and teens on Instagram     Here's how: By allowing parents to view who their teen follows and who follows them, manage daily time limits and be notified when their teen shares reported accounts, once Supervision is set up. Set up Family Center supervision tools with your teen today.     3. Catch me up Photo: Yevhenii Zavhorodnii/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images   Above: Russia launched a barrage of missile strikes on cities across Ukraine today, as Ukrainian forces prepare for a spring counteroffensive. Go deeper. 🏦 The Federal Reserve is considering stricter banking regulations after an internal review found that looser rules helped cause Silicon Valley Bank's collapse. Go deeper. 📊 An overwhelming majority of American voters favor a wide variety of gun control measures, a new Fox News poll finds. Go deeper.     4. 🍔 1 fun thing: Burger bot GIF: Alex Golden/Axios Axios Northwest Arkansas co-author Alex Golden recently ventured to her local Sam's Club to see the retailer's latest technological advancement: a burger-making robot. 🤖 The machine grinds up beef, cuts it into patties, cooks them, adds seasoning, dispenses sauces and plops the burger onto a bun. 🥬 Employees then add other toppings — although the goal is full automation. 🍽️ Alex went with the California Classic, which comes with Thousand Island dressing, smoked cheddar cheese, pickles, tomatoes and onions on a brioche bun. The verdict: The burger holds up, especially for $5 — it's juicy and flavorful. Go deeper.     A message from Instagram How can parents view who their teen follows on Instagram?     Once Supervision is set up, parents can view who their teen follows and who follows them. Why it's important: With these tools, parents can work together with their teens to create a positive experience on Instagram. Explore 30+ tools for parents and teens on Instagram.   Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: