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Gaining approval for the medical use of psilocybin, or “medical
psilocybin,” continues to be the current major aim of the Heffter
Research Institute. Our research focus is two-fold. First, we are
continuing our studies on how psilocybin affects various aspects
of consciousness. This research involves numerous fundamental
studies demonstrating that psilocybin can be safely used in medical
applications, especially in persons who have never taken a
psychedelic. The second prong of our research is the identification
of a medical indication for the use of psilocybin. The research
data we produce will be used to identify a medical indication for
psilocybin and to show it is safe enough for humans, the two key
requirements that must be met for psilocybin to be moved out of
Schedule I and developed as an FDA-approved medical treatment.
Under the direction of Franz
Vollenweider, M.D., the Heffter Research
Center Zürich is conducting two studies at
this time. A major Positron Emission
Tomography (PET) study with psilocybin
will be completed this year. By correlating
the PET results with changes in body
image and other variables, the study will
provide a scientific basis for treating
patients with eating and obsessivecompulsive
disorders. This information
will help us obtain the approval for
treatment research with actual patients,
which we plan to begin later this year. We
believe the PET data may also help to
attract funding from major foundations for
the treatment studies. The three-dimensional
EEG brain mapping study, which
compares psilocybin with meditation on
ego-functions, sense of self and perception,
also will be completed this year.
Board member Charles Grob, M.D.,
has an ongoing program at the Harbor-
UCLA Medical Center to study psilocybin
in the treatment of anxiety in advancedstage
cancer patients. The five subjects
treated so far have had very positive
responses. Unfortunately, we are finding that it takes a long time to recruit
subjects with the courage to commit to
this innovative treatment. MAPS members
can participate by spreading the word:
if you know of someone with a terminal
diagnosis who might wish to be a
subject, please direct them to
www.canceranxietystudy.org, where
they can obtain further information.
We continue to support a mix of both
clinical and basic science applications in
order to promote interest in psychedelic
research and medicine among both the
public and the scientific/medical establishment.
Our mission is to demonstrate to
the world the uniquely beneficial properties
of psychedelics as tools to help
alleviate human suffering. That goal
involves not only the development of
practical medical treatments, but also the
understanding of human consciousness.
Ideally, this research will enable humanity
to appreciate better who we are and the
relationship between our minds and
bodies, knowledge that could provide
numerous benefits to mental and physical
health and improve our quality of life.• |