At the beginning of 1996, the only scientific researcher in the world who is directly investigating the therapeutic potential of a psychedelic drug is Dr. Evgeny Krupitsky, the chief researcher at the Leningrad Regional Dispensary of Narcology. Dr. Krupitsky has been researching the use of ketamine in the treatment of alcoholism for ten years!
Dr. Krupitsky has expressed an interest in expanding his research to study the use of ketamine in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or drug addiction. MAPS will seek to obtain funding for Dr. Krupitsky to conduct a pilot study into one of these new areas of research. The estimated cost of such a pilot study is about $5,000.
Recent Life Values Study
Dr. Krupitsky's latest study, which was funded by MAPS, was designed to measure changes in alcoholic patients' life values, purpose and sense of meaning as catalyzed by Ketamine Psychedelic Therapy (KPT). Dr. Krupitsky also measured changes in the locus of control of the personality of his patients, a factor which is closely associated with the actualization of life values and the attainment of a sober life-style. A detailed report of Dr. Krupitsky's research findings will be published in the next issue of the MAPS Bulletin.
Dr. Krupitsky has applied for a grant to the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA) for funding for a ketamine study to be conducted in collaboration with Dr. John Krystal at Yale Medical School. The study would seek to determine ketamine's mechanism of action at the neurotransmitter level. If Dr. Krupitsky receives a NIAAA grant, he will move to the United States for a year or so and will postpone his pilot study into the use of ketamine in a new patient population.
Replication of the Russian research
In Tampa, Florida, Dr. Eli Kolp is still working to obtain permission to replicate Dr. Krupitsky's research into the use of ketamine in the treatment of alcoholics. When Dr. Kolp obtains permission for his study, MAPS will work to help him raise the resources he needs for his project.