DENVER, CO / ACCESS Newswire / October 19, 2026 / Dr. Lynn Puana, MD, is advancing physician-led psychedelic medicine through two organizations she founded: Premier Integrative & Cognitive Medical Institute (PICMI) and S&G Labs. Her work combines biomarker research, clinical care and patient storytelling to study how psilocybin may relate to mental health, cognitive function and chronic pain.

Research Examines Biology and Cognition

PICMI and S&G Labs are collaborating with Alan Wu, PhD, at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). The team is studying biological and cognitive responses linked to psilocybin, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), pro-BDNF and psilocin pharmacokinetics. Standardized cognitive assessments are part of the protocol.

S&G Labs provides laboratory and analytical expertise. Its specific roles in specimen testing, biomarker analysis and pharmacokinetic evaluation are defined by the research protocol and participating laboratories. The goal is to determine whether measurable biological responses to psilocybin are associated with changes in cognitive performance, and to produce evidence that can guide future clinical investigation.

Clinical Care Within Colorado's Regulated Framework

At PICMI in Denver, Dr. Lynn Puana and her clinical team apply emerging science within Colorado's regulated natural medicine framework. Care includes medical screening, licensed psilocybin facilitation, preparation and integration, and individualized follow-up. When appropriate, patients may also receive cognitive testing, qEEG brain mapping and neurofeedback.

PICMI treats psilocybin as one part of a broader approach to brain health, mental health and complex chronic conditions, not as a stand-alone intervention.

Patient Voices and Medical Education

Through testimonial videos and podcast conversations, PICMI documents patient experiences with depression, chronic pain, trauma and neurological illness. These accounts complement clinical research and do not replace controlled studies or objective measures of efficacy.

On October 2, 2026, Dr. Lynn Puana presented at the Texas Pain Society meeting in Dallas. Her talk covered the emerging science of psilocybin in pain medicine, including neuroplasticity, central sensitization and the psychological dimensions of persistent pain. It also distinguished established evidence from applications that remain investigational.

Physician Perspective

"We're at an extraordinary point in medicine where decades of research into psychedelics are beginning to move into real-world clinical practice," says Dr. Lynn Puana. "My passion is understanding how we can responsibly bring that science to patients who have struggled with conditions that conventional treatments have not adequately addressed. For me, the future of psychedelic medicine is about bringing together the science, the clinical care and the patient's experience."

Background

Dr. Puana earned her medical degree at Creighton University School of Medicine and completed her Internal Medicine residency at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas. She has more than two decades of experience in interventional pain and addiction medicine. Her commitment to proactive brain health is shaped in part by her father's Alzheimer's diagnosis, which came only at an advanced stage. She advocates establishing a brain health baseline early in adulthood and monitoring it over time.

About PICMI and S&G Labs

Premier Integrative & Cognitive Medical Institute (PICMI), founded by Dr. Lynn Puana, is a Denver clinic that offers advanced diagnostics, integrative therapies and state-regulated psychedelic-assisted treatment. S&G Labs, also founded by Dr. Puana, supports research through laboratory and analytical services. Together, the organizations aim to help patients understand how their brains function and to build evidence-based care for mental health and cognitive wellness.

Media Contact
Spokesperson: Dr. Lynn Puana
Organization: Premier Integrative & Cognitive Medical Institute
Website: premiercognitive.com
Email: staff@premiercognitive.com

SOURCE: Premier Integrative & Cognitive Medical Institute