Psychopharmacology publishes MDMA research results
CBS News broadcasts an investigative report on MAPS-sponsored studies of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, featuring an overview of scientific success through interviews with MAPS Founder Rick Doblin, Ph.D., and U.S. Army SGT (R) Jon Lubecky.
Time publishes a new article by MAPS Founder Rick Doblin, Ph.D., outlining how current drug policies create barriers to psychedelic research that has potential to heal trauma.
Our highest priority project is funding clinical trials of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) as a tool to assist psychotherapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
We are also sponsoring ongoing clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness, and MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety in autistic adults.
Preliminary studies have shown that MDMA in conjunction with psychotherapy can help people overcome PTSD, and possibly other disorders as well.
In 2014, MAPS completed the first double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the therapeutic use of LSD in human beings since the early 1970s.
MAPS is interested in LSD for its potential to help people with a variety of conditions, focusing primarily on the treatment of anxiety associated with life-threatening illness.
Our Phase 2 pilot study in 12 subjects found positive trends in the reduction of anxiety following two LSD-assisted psychotherapy sessions. The study results also indicate that LSD-assisted psychotherapy can be safely administered in these subjects, and justify further research.
MAPS-sponsored researchers have published observational data from the first prospective ibogaine outcome studies in order to contribute to the growing scientific literature about ibogaine as a treatment for drug addiction.
Although first-hand accounts indicate that ibogaine is not popular as a recreational drug, ibogaine remains classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States (it is also scheduled in Belgium and Switzerland). Yet despite its classification as a drug with a "high potential for abuse" and "no currently accepted medical use," people who struggle with substance abuse continue to seek out international clinics or underground providers to receive ibogaine treatment.
MAPS supports research into the safety and effectiveness of ayahuasca-assisted treatment for drug addiction and PTSD. We also support conferences, meetings, and publications about the scientific, therapeutic, sustainable, and spiritual uses of ayahuasca. We also serve as non-profit fiscal sponsor for organizations that support these uses.
We recently completed the first North American observational study of the safety and long-term effectiveness of ayahuasca treatment for addiction and dependence. The paper describing the results of the study was published in June 2013 in Current Drug Abuse Reviews.
MAPS has been working since 1992 to sponsor FDA-approved clinical studies into the safety and efficacy of botanical marijuana as a prescription medicine for specific medical uses. We've obtained approval from FDA and from Institutional Review Boards for several different protocols but were unable to obtain approval to purchase federally-legal marijuana from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
On March 14, 2014, the U.S. Public Health Service approved our request to purchase NIDA marijuana for our study of smoked whole plant (botanical) marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in U.S. veterans, an historic shift in federal policy. On December 17, 2014, MAPS was awarded a $2.15 million grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to conduct the study. The ongoing study has received full approval from the FDA, DEA, and Institutional Review Boards (IRBs).
The Zendo Project provides a supportive environment and specialized care at festivals and events, designed to transform difficult psychedelic experiences into valuable learning opportunities, and even potentially offer healing and growth. In turn, our work reduces the number of drug-related hospitalizations and arrests.
Information is shared openly and clearly. Communications are respectful, honest, and forthright.
We persist in the face of challenges. We have a sense of urgency about our work, and know that it's a long-term effort.
Our decisions are informed by research. We try new things and learn from our mistakes.
We value integrity and honesty, and embrace high standards.
