New study outlines the safety profile of a novel, naturally-occurring methylxanthine compound (paraxanthine) in foods and provides a direct head-to-head comparison between paraxanthine Px and caffeine.

Wellbeing Digital Sciences Inc. (“Wellbeing” or the “Company”) (NEO: MEDI) (OTC: KONEF) (FRA: SQ2), an evidence-based mental healthcare company focused on the development and implementation of innovative clinical solutions, including psychedelic medicine and digital therapeutics as supported by clinical research, announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary KGK Science Inc. (“KGK”), completed preclinical safety studies for Rarebird Coffee (“Rarebird”), a manufacturer and own label distributor of coffee crafted with paraxanthine (Px), a caffeine replacement.

KGK has authored a manuscript entitled “Paraxanthine safety and comparison to caffeine,” which was published in the journal “Frontiers in Toxicology on February 2, 2023. Paraxanthine, the predominant metabolite of caffeine, is found in small amounts in coffee and other plants. Our bodies routinely convert caffeine into Px, but the pharmacological effects resulting from this metabolism, have not been well characterized. Preclinical studies of safety, using Rarebird Coffee’s Px ingredients, were conducted as a first step prior to market entry. Px has been proposed as a safer alternative to caffeine for use in foods and beverages, and the comparison study to caffeine lends support this premise.

The extensive battery of safety tests suggested a lack of genetic toxicity and mutagenicity. Repeat-dose safety studies indicated a larger No-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level (NOAEL) for Px in comparison to caffeine, suggesting an improved safety profile for Px. These findings further the scientific understanding of the safety profile for Px, a subject that has largely been ignored despite the prevalence of caffeine-containing food products in the marketplace.

“This study represents an important first step to both further our understanding of caffeine safety and highlight the use of Px as a potential caffeine replacement” says Najla Guthrie, CEO of Wellbeing Digital and KGK.

“The safety profile of Px, in comparison to caffeine, is apparent in this study. It is imperative that consumers understand how caffeine is metabolized and to know whether those metabolites are more or less safe than caffeine. The head-to-head comparison in this study suggests paraxanthine Px has an improved safety profile over caffeine, and one of our goals is to increase consumer awareness of Px as an innovative caffeine replacement,” says Jeffrey Dietrich, founder and CEO of Rarebird, Inc.

ABOUT Rarebird, Inc

Rarebird is a coffee company whose goal is to turn people’s coffee routines into wellness rituals. Founded in 2020, Rarebird produces Px coffee, a ground coffee that contains paraxanthine instead of caffeine.

ABOUT KGK SCIENCE

Subsidiary of Wellbeing Digital Sciences, KGK is a leading North American contract research organization based in London, Ontario that primarily provides high-quality clinical research trials with a focus on nutraceutical and emerging health care products. Founded in 1997, the business has successfully helped hundreds of companies with custom designed clinical trials and claim substantiation strategies to move products into global markets. KGK’s other existing service lines include expert regulatory support and compliance solutions, participant recruitment, research support services and consulting services. Furthermore, the company has produced over 150 publications, executed over 400 clinical trials across more than 40 indications, amassed 25,000 participants in its database and collected 10 million data points. For additional information, please visit kgkscience.com.

ABOUT WELLBEING DIGITAL SCIENCES

Wellbeing Digital Sciences Inc. is an evidence-based mental healthcare company focused on the development and implementation of innovative clinical treatment solutions, including psychedelic medicine and digital therapeutics, as supported by clinical research. Its mission is supported by a network of North American clinics that provide forward-thinking therapies and other types of treatment to patients as well as through a contract research organization that offers clinical trials services to clients pursuing drug development. For additional information, please visit wellbeingdigital.co.

On behalf of:

Najla Guthrie

Chief Executive Officer

WELLBEING DIGITAL SCIENCES

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