Newsletter: July 12, 2013

In the July 2013 edition of the MAPS Email Newsletter you’ll also find:

• The protocol for our upcoming study of MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety in autistic adults is fully approved by the FDA
• MAPS executive director Rick Doblin talks and laughs with Joe Rogan about the politics of psychedelic research and the importance of awe-inspiring moments
• The results of our completed study of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness are submitted for publication
• The New York Times explores the rise of “Molly” in popular culture in the context of the broader history of MDMA research and therapy

Join the conversation—connect with MAPS on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

We have a lot to do to keep up with the unprecedented public support now being shown for psychedelic research and education, and we’re a smaller group than you might think. Thank you for getting us this far—we’re making big strides, and we need your support to keep up the momentum.

Always upward, Brad Burge MAPS Director of Communications and Marketing

MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Social Anxiety in Autistic Adults:

1. FDA Approves Revised Protocol; Documents Prepared for IRB

Treating PTSD with MDMA-Assisted Therapy:

2. U.S. Boulder Study: First Subject Receives MDMA-Assisted Therapy
3. Israel: Second Subject Completes All Experimental Treatment Sessions
4. U.S. Veterans Study: Site
   Passes Surprise DEA Inspection; 14th Subject Treated
5. Canada: Protocol Amendments Submitted to Institutional Review Board

LSD-Assisted Therapy for Anxiety Associated with Life-Threatening Illness:

6. Results Submitted for Publication in Peer-Reviewed Journal

Support MAPS:

7. Zendo Project Raises Almost $10,000 in First 10 Days—How Far Will We Exceed Our Goal?
8. Whether Small or Large, Every Gift Makes a Difference

Media:

9. The New York Times, Joe Rogan Experience, New Republic, and more…

MAPS Store:

10. The New Science of Psychedelics by David Jay Brown
11. Limited Edition Dichroic Glass Pendants featuring MAPS Logo

Events:

12. 15th International IONS Conference: July 17-21, 2013, Palm Springs, CA
13. Ninth International Amazonian Shamanism Conference: July 21-27, Iquitos, Peru

More Announcements:

14. Deputy Director Valerie Mojeiko Moves On After Decade of Service
15. MAPS Welcomes New Clinical Research Interns

MDMA-ASSISTED THERAPY FOR SOCIAL ANXIETY IN AUTISTIC ADULTS

1. FDA Approves Revised Protocol; Documents Prepared for IRB

Alicia Danforth, PhD, discusses the MDMA and Ecstasy experiences of autistic adults at Psychedelic Science 2013.

On July 8, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration fully approved the amended protocol for our planned study of MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety in adults on the autism spectrum, to be led by Principal Investigator Charles Grob, M.D., and Alicia Danforth, Ph.D., at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center/Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute. In their first review, the FDA requested several changes to the subject screening and enrollment process. In our June 4 response, we presented a clear scientific argument for why we did not feel those changes were necessary; significantly, the FDA found our argument persuasive and approved the protocol. We are now preparing to submit the study protocol and related documents for review by the Institutional Review Board at the study site. Learn more…
$256,000 estimated study cost / $255,000 still needed

TREATING PTSD WITH MDMA-ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY

Learn more about MDMA-assisted psychotherapy on or at mdmaptsd.org.

2. U.S. Boulder Study: First Subject Receives MDMA-Assisted Therapy

On July 12, 2013, the first subject received their experimental treatment session in our new study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD in Boulder, Colorado. Led by Clinical Investigator Marcela Ot’alora, this study is exploring the safety and effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for 12 subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD due to sexual assault, military combat, or other causes. Learn more…
$482,000 estimated study cost / $291,000 still needed

The treatment room for our ongoing Israeli study

3. Israel: Second Subject Completes All Experimental Treatment Sessions

On July 10, 2013, the second subject completed their last experimental treatment in our ongoing Israeli study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD. Data collected from this study will allow comparisons between the effects of different doses of MDMA on PTSD symptoms, and on symptoms of depression and sleep quality. Led by Clinical Investigator Moshe Kotler, M.D., at Beer Yaakov Mental Hospital, this study will treat 10 subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD. Learn more…
$468,000 estimated study cost / $429,000 still needed

4. U.S. Veterans Study: Site Passes Surprise DEA Inspection; 14th Subject Treated

On July 8, 2013, officials from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration conducted a surprise audit of the drug accountability logs for our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for U.S. veterans, firefighters, and police officers with service-related PTSD. The officials confirmed that all of the MDMA had been adequately tracked and labeled. According to Principal Investigator Michael Mithoefer, M.D., the officials were “friendly and helpful…they’re reasonable people and it feels like we have a good working relationship.” On July 5, the 14th subject received their first experimental MDMA-assisted psychotherapy session. This subject was enrolled on June 17. Learn more…
$1,379,000 estimated study cost / $500,000 still needed

5. Canada: Protocol Amendments Submitted to Institutional Review Board

On June 25, 2013, MAPS submitted for review by a Canadian Institutional Review Board an amended protocol and other study documents for our upcoming Canadian study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. Both Health Canada and the Canadian IRB have already approved this study. We are now requesting several changes to the study design to complement our other ongoing studies around the world, including changes to dose levels, the schedule of subject visits, and the timing of treatment outcome assessments. Aligning our study protocols across sites enables us to compare data and make a stronger case for future Phase 3 studies. Learn more…
$589,000 estimated study cost / $573,000 still needed

Michael Mithoefer, MD, and Annie Mithoefer, BSN, lead an all-day workshop on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD at Psychedelic Science 2013.
Learn more about MDMA-assisted psychotherapy at mdmaptsd.org.

LSD-ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR ANXIETY FROM LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS

6. Results Submitted for Publication in Peer-Reviewed Journal

On June 20, 2013, the paper reporting the results of our completed study of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness was submitted for review by a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Led by Principal Investigator Peter Gasser, M.D., this was the first completed study of LSD in humans in over 40 years. Learn more…
This study has been fully funded

SUPPORT MAPS

7. Zendo Project Raises Almost $10,000 in First 10 Days—How Far Will We Exceed Our Goal?

Wow! In just the first 10 days of our campaign, our supporters have already contributed almost $10,000—our entire goal—to the Zendo Project psychedelic harm reduction services on Indiegogo. We’re excited and humbled by the momentous support we have received for the Zendo Project. Our supporters have made themselves clear: there is more public support for these services than even we had anticipated. So we’ve created Stretch Goals to show you what we’ll do with contributions beyond our original goal. How about two-way radios for critical onsite communication, and even a solar-powered cooling system for the structure? Help us provide next-level compassionate care to people having difficult psychedelic experiences—contribute and share today! Update: We’ve exceeded our goal and are heading for our first stretch goal: radios for Zendo volunteers! Update 2: Now we’re heading for our second stretch goal: CPR/First Aid Training!

8. Small or Large, Every Gift Makes a Difference

This fiscal year, we need to raise just over $2 million to s
upport our planned and ongoing research and educational projects. We expect to receive this support in the form of donations and grants from visionary individuals and family foundations. Help us achieve our goals by donating today!

Since our last newsletter, 174 people gave $191,619 to support our psychedelic research and education programs. The Libra Foundation generously increased their gift to $90,000 in support of our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy study for veterans and first responders with PTSD. Adam Wiggins also gave $60,000 in general support, and Bill Linton gave $12,500 for our MDMA-assisted psychotherapy study in Boulder, Colorado. Shlomi Raz gave $10,000 to develop a new protocol for LSD and creativity, and Anthony Ralph gave $2,000 in general support. Steve Chapman gave $2,000 in support of Bluelight (a fiscal sponsorship project), Patricia Phillips gave $700 in honor of Charles Philips, and Robert Patterson gave $500 in general support. Just as significantly, 166 donors gave between $4 and $300, many of these as monthly contributions. We also want to give a special thanks to Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps for a lead gift of $2,000 for the Zendo Project on Indiegogo, and to Robert Barnhart for his Zendo gift of $1,008.

On behalf of everyone who may benefit from our research and education now and in the future, thank you to everyone who has given. We couldn’t do it without you. —MAPS

MEDIA

Explore MAPS in the Media for more psychedelic and medical marijuana research news.

9. The New York Times, Joe Rogan Experience, New Republic, and more…

The New York Times: Molly: Pure, but Not So Simple | view
Irina Aleksander | June 21, 2013

The Joe Rogan Experience: #371—Rick Doblin | watch
Joe Rogan | June 30, 2013

New Republic: The Painful Politics of Painkillers | view
Colleen Kimmett | June 13, 2013

South China Morning Post: Psychoactive Drugs May be Effective Treatments for Some Disorders | view
SCMP | June 23, 2013

The Intellectual Gentlemen’s Club: Interview with Brad Burge of MAPS | listen
IGC | June 14, 2013

The Fix: Hallucinogens in Addiction Treatment: The Trippy New Era | view
Kelly Bourdet | June 22, 2013

Not Just Paleo Podcast: Psychedelics for Addiction, and How to Change the World with Plants | listen
Evan Brand | June 19, 2013

Motherboard: Can a Low Dose Go a Long Way? | view
Brian Anderson | July 3, 2013

MAPS STORE

All proceeds from the MAPS Store support psychedelic and medical marijuana research and education.

10. The New Science of Psychedelics by David Jay Brown

The New Science of Psychedelics: At the Nexus of Culture, Consciousness, and Spirituality by David Jay Brown Published May 2013 Sharing insights from his discussions with luminaries such as Terence McKenna, Edgar Mitchell, Candace Pert, Deepak Chopra, Andrew Weil, Jerry Garcia, Albert Hofmann, Annie Sprinkle, and Rupert Sheldrake, author David Jay Brown explores revelations from his own experiences and his work with visionaries of the psychedelic and scientific communities. $18.95 | Now available

11. Limited Edition Dichroic Glass Pendants featuring MAPS Logo

Limited Edition Dichroic Glass Pendants featuring MAPS Logo Show your support for psychedelic science with pride and style with this unique dichroic glass pendant. Each unique handmade pendant contains subtle variations with a shimmering MAPS logo embedded in sturdy blown glass. We have only commissioned a limited number of these, so get yours while supplies last. These also make spectacular gifts. Made with love by Atlantis Arising Inc./Dichroic Alchemy $25 | Now available

EVENTS

See our Events Calendar for more!

12. 15th International IONS Conference: July 17-21, 2013, Palm Springs, CA

13. Ninth International Amazonian Shamanism Conference: July 21-27, 2013, Iquitos, Peru

Help us make psychedelics and marijuana into prescription medicines—donate today!

MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS

14. Deputy Director Valerie Mojeiko Moves On After Decade of Service

After devoting close to ten years of uniquely outstanding full-time work to MAPS, Valerie Mojeiko is moving on. Valerie began volunteering for MAPS in 2000 as a first-year student at New College of Florida, began working part-time in 2001, and full-time from 2003 to 2013. She has served in most of the positions at MAPS and rose to the number two position as Deputy Director. She’s been the spark that has catalyzed much of MAPS’ development, created an organizational structure that enabled MAPS to successfully manage growth, pioneered our psychedelic harm reduction project, recruited and managed most of our staff, and created the Department Head positions that collectively replaced the role of Deputy Director. Valerie and MAPS grew up and have blossomed together. Much of what we have accomplished and will accomplish is due to and has been made better by Valerie. Working with Valerie has been a privilege. Now, Valerie is taking a break from work, will be completing her Masters degree in Organizational Development, and is having a baby in a few weeks with her husband Josh, who also skillfully helped build MAPS for about six years. If you’d like to stay in touch with Valerie, she invites you to follow her website at www.becomingtheboss.com. —Rick Doblin, Ph.D., MAPS Founder and Executive Director

Support psychedelic harm reduction—contribute to the Zendo Project on Indiegogo!

MAPS Harm Reduction Coordinator Linnae Ponté leads a psychedelic harm reduction training in 2012. Learn more about the Zendo Project…

15. MAPS Welcomes New Clinical Research Interns

Our successes rely in large part on the skill and dedication of our interns and volunteers. This month, we welcome two new Clinical Research Interns:

Bryson Bellaccomo hails from the high mountain tops of Northern Utah where he recently finished his B.S. in Molecular Biology at Utah State University. Bryson is excited to be involved and immersed in the groundbreaking research at MAPS, which he was exposed to while working on a group project in a “Statistics for Scientists” course. During his undergraduate he attended courses on Psychology and Neurobiology, which sparked his curiosity in research involving psychoactive therapy. He plans to spend his spare time in Santa Cruz exploring the roads and trails on his bike, and he is in the process of applying to dental school.

Ben Shechet makes his way to Santa Cruz from Lexington, Kentucky, where he spent the past three years working as a personal trainer. A graduate of Princeton University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, Ben is interested in the potential of entheogens both to treat illness and to catalyze psychospiritual transformation in healthy individuals. He hopes one day to be able to offer entheogen-assisted therapy to people from all walks of life. In addition to his academic interests, Ben is a long-time practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and is excited to continue his training in the Santa Cruz area
.

Looking for more ways to get involved? Check out our Student Resources page!