MAPS is currently designing and funding clinical trials intended to develop psilocybin and LSD into prescription medicines for treating end-of-life anxiety.
Experimental LSD capsule from our completed study in Switzerland
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), a compound whose psychoactive properties were discovered by Dr. Albert Hofmann on April 19, 1943. Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound found in psychedelic mushrooms (also discovered by Hofmann). Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for thousands of years by indigenous cultures for a variety of religious and therapeutic purposes.
The deep personal and often spiritual experiences enabled by the careful use of psilocybin and LSD are well known. MAPS is interested in these substances for their potential to help people with a variety of conditions, focusing primarily on the treatment of anxiety associated with life-threatening illness.
There has been substantial research demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of LSD for treating anxiety in cancer patients, but much of this research was conducted over 35 years ago. MAPS is developing new research protocols that meet modern drug development standards. Our pilot LSD and psilocybin studies will be used to guide the development of future treatment methodologies.
For media coverage of MAPS’ LSD and psilocybin research and other projects, see MAPS in the Media.
