This special issue of the MAPS newsletter commemorates the 50th anniversary of Dr. Albert Hofmann's discovery of LSD. Fifty years later, scientists are renewing the field of psychedelic research after being locked out of their laboratories for several decades.
In the United States, Drs. Albert Kurland, Richard Yensen and Donna Dryer are preparing to resume human studies with LSD investigating its use in the treatment of substance abuse. The first FDA-approved studies into the psychological and physiological effects of MDMA in healthy human volunteers will begin soon under the direction of Dr. Charles Grob (q.v http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v04n1/04102mrb.html). MAPS is raising funds for both these studies, while the National Institute on Drug Abuse is funding Dr. Rick Strassman's studies of DMT and psilocybin.
In Germany, Drs. Efi Gouzoulis and Leo Hermle are conducting research with the drug MDE (q.v. http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v04n1/v04117mde.html). In the Netherlands, ibogaine, an extract of the African root Iboga, is being used to treat substance abuse by Dr. Hans Bastiaans (q.v. http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v04n1/04132ibo.html). In Russia, the St. Petersburg Institute for Psychedelic Research and Therapy is being formed by Dr. Evgeny Krupitsky to conduct research with ketamine and MDMA (q.v. http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v04n1/04115tra.html).
Scientists are also paying close attention to the traditional use of psychoactive plants, the topic of a recent international conference in Mexico (q.v. http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v04n1/04125slp.html). The use of peyote by the Huichol Indians is only one example of such a tradition (q.v. http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v04n1/04129hui.html). The use of MDMA in communal settings within the context of Raves could be viewed as a modern version of a tribal ritual, though without the same degree of cultural sanction ( http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v04n1/04122mdm.html).
The renewal of psychedelic research and the associated interest in cultures that have successfully integrated traditions of psychedelic drug use raise questions about the proper role of government in regulating drug use. This issue is debated by Dr. John Morgan and Dr. Mark Kleiman ( http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v04n1/04136awe.html).
The newsletter also contains an article on nutrition and phenethylamines, and letters to the editor.
MAPS recently entered a new phase of growth and development. For the first time, MAPS has received a grant from a foundation. The Dartington Hall Trust in England has donated $28,000 to support research in Russia into the use of MDMA in the treatment of alcoholism and neurosis. MAPS also received a pledge of $50,000 from an individual in the Netherlands to support research into the use of smoked marijuana in the treatment of the HIV-related wasting syndrome (q.v. http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v04n1/04102mrb.html). Both these grants are to be spent entirely on the research projects. Funds for MAPS' operating expenses and other research projects comes from contributions from MAPS' membership, now approaching 500 strong. If you are not yet a member, I hope you will please consider joining.
On LSD's golden anniversary, MAPS enters its eighth year (founded April 8,1986) looking forward to a future of solid scientific psychedelic research.
Rick Doblin, MAPS President.