Originally appearing at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/9/prweb8805306.htm. On September 21, nonprofit scientific and educational organization the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) will commemorate 25 years of groundbreaking research into the risks and therapeutic potentials of psychedelics and medical marijuana with an evening lecture series and benefit auction in Seattle, Wash. MAPS 25th Anniversary Tour—Seattle will spread awareness about the current state of research into the uses of psychedelics and medical marijuana for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pain, anxiety, addiction, and other hard-to-treat conditions. All proceeds will help fund MAPS’ sponsorship of a new wave of government-approved research into these historically controversial substances. The event will feature several lectures addressing the past, present, and future of research into the therapeutic applications of psychedelics and medical marijuana. Speakers will include MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., MAPS supporter Cody Swift of the Riverstyx Foundation, MAPS member and therapist Steve Cummings, and Seattle native artist George “Geo” Atherton. Auction items will include fine art, travel and adventure packages, unique collectibles, and much more, allowing attendees to take home a piece of psychedelic history while supporting MAPS’ work. Rick Doblin, Ph.D., founded MAPS in 1986 to return these substances to mainstream medicine by conducting rigorous scientific research into their safety and effectiveness for a number of hard-to-treat conditions. Prior to their criminalization, therapists worldwide used many psychedelics legally to assist in psychotherapy, including for couples counseling and PTSD treatment. These therapists found that when used carefully under the right circumstances, certain psychedelics could safely enhance the therapeutic process. For decades, government resistance was the biggest obstacle to research. Now that studies are again being conducted under federal guidelines and the public and media are again seeing the need for innovative treatments, the challenge has become one of funding. MAPS is now planning or conducting research in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Israel, Jordan, Mexico, and New Zealand, and expects that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy will be legally available within 10 years. MAPS 25th Anniversary Tour—Seattle will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 6-11 PM at the EM Fine Art Gallery at 410 Dexter Avenue North in Seattle, Wash. As a special offer, each ticket purchased online before the event will admit two. For more information, please visit seattle. This event is one of several regional events coordinated by MAPS in celebration of its 25th anniversary, culminating in Cartographie Psychedelica, a five-day conference and celebration from December 8-12 in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, please visit 25. On September 21, 2011, MAPS hosted an evening lecture series and benefit auction at the EM Fine Art Gallery in Seattle, WA, as part of the MAPS 25th Anniversary Cartographie Psychedelica Tour.
