Psychedelic Policy and Out-Of-This-World Views
We hope this email finds you with coffee. ☕️ Here’s a few interesting stories that caught our attention (and might spark a conversation or two this weekend).
"Like watching sunset at the beach from the most foreign seat in the cosmos."
Earlier this week, Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman shared a rare view of Earth setting behind the Moon, captured on his iPhone from 250,000 miles away. Then, in celebration of Earth Day, NASA also released new images of our planet taken during the historic mission.
Even as NASA shares out-of-this-world views (pun intended) from Artemis II, the agency continues full steam ahead with Artemis III preparations. This week, NASA transported the largest section of the rocket set to launch astronauts in 2027 — a reminder that while we’re still reflecting on the last mission, the agency is already pushing toward its next Moon landing.
🗣️ Your Conversation Starters:
🛟 3,500: The number of life jackets aboard the RMS Titanic. Earlier this week, we reported that one just sold at auction for $906,000 — identified as “the only life jacket ever sold from a Titanic survivor.” Here’s the survival story of the passenger behind the life jacket, Laura Mabel Francatelli.
💊 Psychedelic Push: President Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to fast-track reviews of psychedelic drugs for mental health treatment. An early, small Stanford University study suggests compounds like ibogaine may help treat traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and addiction, including among military veterans. But, according to The Associated Press, the drug carries “serious safety risks.”
🥃 Whiskey Women: In a typically male-dominated industry, more women are stepping into leadership roles across the whiskey business. In fact, a woman in the second century — Maria the Jewess — developed one of the earliest distilling instruments. For centuries after, societies often treated brewing as “women’s work.”
🏨 Uptick: Hospitals report more Americans are heading to the emergency room for tick bites. Whether it’s due to an increase ticks or greater awareness, we found this advice from The Washington Post on how to protect yourself worth a read.
📈 155%: The increase in the share of U.S. households paying for artificial intelligence subscriptions compared to last year, according to new data — though the number represents just 2% of households. Here’s a look at who’s subscribing and how much they’re paying.
🥔 Chip Breeding: The kind of science that goes into making the perfect potato chip. Did you know? About 70% of Michigan’s potatoes go toward chip production.
🐠 In More Cocaine News: As researchers study pharmaceuticals in waterways and their impact on marine life, new findings suggest salmon exposed to a cocaine byproduct swim nearly twice as far as those without — One of the study's authors warned: "The unusual part is not the experiment, it's what's already happening in our waterways."
🇺🇸 “Issues With the Office”: In this opinion piece from The New York Times, author and history professor H.W. Brands argues that George Washington’s decision to step away from the presidency was less about “preserving America from lifetime presidents,” and more about escaping a job that was “driving him mad.”
🎙️ This Week From Jenna:
Can AI be held responsible for a crime? Something to consider in this quick, and informative 15-minute report.
In this episode, Jenna breaks down a surprising move by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who announced a criminal investigation into OpenAI and ChatGPT following a tragic shooting at Florida State University.
At the center of the case: a new legal theory — if an AI chatbot “aids, abets, or counsels” a crime, could a company be held criminally liable?
WATCH ABOVE OR BY CLICKING HERE. You can also listen on podcasting platforms everywhere (Apple, Spotify).
SCOOP (approx. 36 minutes): MidEast Tensions, Missing Scientists & An Often Forgotten Story Brought Back Into The Spotlight. Watch or Listen. (SCOOP Insiders can attend this live broadcast once a week and get their news questions answered; they also receive the special video report EXCLUSIVELY delivered to their inbox along with a "cheat sheet" for the week ahead — learn more HERE).
🙌🏽 What We Found SmartHER This Week:
With Mother’s Day just two weeks away, we put together a SmartHER gift guide —of what moms really want — filled with things we have, love, or are eyeing this year. Plus a few thoughtful options for the mom who’s far away or perhaps in need of an extra pick-me-up this year (think: soup deliveries and beautiful bouquets).
And thank you to SmartHER Insider Barbara for reminding us that a simple, handwritten note can often mean the most. 🫶🏽
"Consider yourself fortunate to be a part of a great nation. Study our history so you have a better sense for what the future will be like. And be a citizen, not a spectator. And by that I mean participate in the process, but also love a neighbor like you’d like to be loved yourself.”
Former President George W. Bush, in an interview with his daughter, NBC Today co-host Jenna Bush Hager. President Bush joined fellow former presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton to share a message with Americans ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary in July.
In his interview, former President Barack Obama outlined what he believes will help carry the country through the next 250 years:
“If we hold true to that idea that we the people have been gifted this chance of self government ... if we pay attention to our responsibilities and our duties, and if we extend respect and thoughtfulness to our fellow citizens — even if we disagree with them — if we understand that part of this democratic project is to sort through our differences in peaceful, legal ways, then I’m confident that we’re going to have another 250-year run that’s going to be just as good.”
And that's The Weekend Digest!
❤️,
Jenna and the SHN Team
Daily news, interviews, our latest podcasts and more at www.SmartHERNews.com.
