Originally appearing at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/9/prweb8749437.htm. This September, the nonprofit research and education organization Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) celebrates the launch of its new Canadian affiliate, MAPS Canada*, with two historic benefit events in Victoria and Vancouver and. These events will spread awareness of and help raise funds for a new wave of research into the risks and benefits of psychedelic therapy in Canada. Out of Mind: The Therapeutic Application of Psychedelics to Treat PTSD & Addiction will take place on Tuesday, September 13, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Alix Goolden Hall (907 Pandora Avenue, Victoria BC), and will feature talks from MAPS founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., and Dr. Gabor Maté, M.D., author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction. Out of Mind will be hosted by MAPS Canada Board of Directors member and Victoria City Councillor Philippe Lucas, M.A. Vanguard Science: Psychedelics in the 21st Century will take place on Wednesday, September 18, from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. at the Granville Island Stage (1585 Johnson Street, Vancouver, BC). This evening gala and benefit auction will include discussions led by former Vancouver mayor Philip Owen, ayahuasca researcher Kenneth Tupper, Ph.D., and MAPS Founder Rick Doblin, Ph.D. Vanguard Science includes a live auction with fine art, unique collectibles, travel packages, and more. British Columbia artist Autumn Skye Morrison will also do a live performance painting to be sold that evening. Since 1986, MAPS has been committed to the systematic scientific evaluation of the risks and benefits of psychedelic substances as treatments for some of the most debilitating and hard-to-treat conditions. The organization also trains therapists to administer psychedelic drugs in therapeutic settings. MAPS is currently planning or conducting research in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Israel, Jordan, Mexico, and New Zealand. The goal of these international collaborations is (1) to stimulate psychedelic research in new countries, enabling further mainstreaming of psychedelic medicine and allowing cross-cultural comparisons of research data; (2) to provide tax deductions for international donors; (3) to build a community of researchers and mobilize a fast-growing network of volunteers; and (4) to educate scientists, therapists, teachers, students, and policymakers worldwide about the risks and benefits of psychedelics and medical marijuana for therapeutic purposes. Proceeds from both of these events will support MAPS Canada’s research on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD and ayahuasca treatment for addiction. For more information about these events and MAPS Canada’s innovative research, please visit outofmind and vanguard. In celebration of 25 years of psychedelic research and education, MAPS and its Canadian affiliate, MAPS Canada, are coordinating two of the the most cutting-edge and scientifically fascinating events of the year. MAPS sent out this press release announcing the launch of MAPS Canada and the two events MAPS Canada is hosting this September–one in Victoria on September 13, 2011 and one in Vancouver on September 18, 2011–to commemorate the launch of MAPS Canada, celebrate MAPS’ 25th anniversary, and raise funds for MAPS Canada’s research on psychedelics and medical cannabis for PTSD, addiction, and other illnesses.
*Edited to clarify: MAPS and MAPS Canada are independent organizations with independent governance, strategy, and missions. MAPS does not define governance, strategy, or mission for MAPS Canada nor its policies or personnel.
