MAPS Continues to Expand: New Job Opportunities Available
Interim Analysis Shows At Least 90% Chance of Statistically Significant Difference in PTSD Symptoms after MDMA-Assisted Therapy
May 23, 2020
Dear friends and supporters,
We are grateful to be experiencing exciting growth! We are currently seeking candidates for multiple new job opportunities, including a Director of Data Management and Services, Senior Director, Head of Commercialization and Patient Access, and an Associate Director, Formulation Development, and more. You can help support MAPS by referring qualified candidates to our open positions.
We are excited to share the results of an interim analysis of the data from the first of our two Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These results suggest that MAPS’ research program is on track for approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The analysis was conducted by an independent Data Monitoring Committee, which reviewed the results from the first 60 out of 100 participants. The analysis revealed a 90% or greater probability that the trial will detect statistically significant results when all participants have been treated, and that the trial will not require additional participants beyond the first 100. The interim analysis was approved by the FDA as part of MAPS’ Statistical Analysis Plan approved by the FDA. You can read the full press release here.
On April 19, 2020,a full book reading of LSD My Problem Child: Reflections on Sacred Drugs, Mysticism and Science by Albert Hofmann, Ph.D., was recorded during MAPS’ Bicycle Night online event. Twenty-five luminaries from around the world read the book aloud in honor of Dr. Albert Hofmann’s discovery of the psychedelic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in 1943.
Thank you to all who attended our Psychedelic Science 2020 Webinar Series! Over 1,800 people tuned in to explore the latest advancements in psychedelic research, medicine, and policy with us over the last 7 weeks. If you purchased a session, links to the video recording will be sent to you in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to this monthly Newsletter to learn about future online events hosted by MAPS!
Now through August 27, 2020, join experts from The Way of the Psychonaut documentary for weekly livestream interviews followed by Q&As. A sneak peak of the full documentary, followed by a live Q&A with author Stanislav Grof, M.D., Ph.D., and psychologist and artist Brigitte Grof, will be aired once per month until August. You can purchase The Way of the Psychonaut by Stanislav Grof, M.D., Ph.D.,in the MAPS Store and on Amazon. One of the most important books ever written about the human psyche and the spiritual quest, this comprehensive work is possibly Grof’s greatest contribution. Purchase the two-book paperback set in the MAPS Store or buy eBook Volume 1 and eBook Volume 2 on Amazon.
In a new podcast episode from American Journal of Psychiatry Audio, Dr. Collin Reiff and Dr. William McDonald share their evidenced-based summary of the literature on clinical psychedelic research for the treatment of mental health conditions. The podcast takes listeners on a journey through the history of psychedelics, prohibition of psychedelic research in the 1960s to the current shift in mainstream perspective of psychedelics, MAPS-sponsored psychedelic-assisted therapy research, plus conclusions that researchers and mental health professionals may benefit from in their careers.
In this month’s edition of the MAPS Newsletter, you’ll also learn:
- Two online conferences are taking place this month: Catalyst Psychedelic Research Conference (May 29-31) and Boston International Trauma Conference (May 28-30)
- Rick Doblin, Ph.D., is interviewed about the potential of psychedelics to treat disease in a new podcast
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepts a new protocol amendment for our ongoing therapist training study
On March 18, 2020, we lost our dear friend and MAPS colleague, Sarah Sadler. Sarah started working for MAPS at the study site in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2010. She worked as study coordinator for four studies with Michael Mithoefer, M.D., and Annie Mithoefer, B.S.N., before she passed away, and was working with the Phase 3 team at the Charleston study site. Sarah was a bright light and will be missed. We send our deepest condolences to Sarah’s family.
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Thank you for reading the latest psychedelic research news!
With appreciation,
MAPS
Treating PTSD with MDMA-Assisted Therapy
Therapist Training Study: New Protocol Amendment Accepted by the FDA
On May 12, 2020, a new protocol amendment which increases the number of study participants to a total of 120 was accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This protocol amendment was submitted to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) on April 30, 2020. This study is our ongoing Phase 1 study of the psychological effects of MDMA when used in a therapeutic setting by healthy volunteers. Enrollment in this multi-site study is on hold due to COVID-19 and is limited by invitation only to therapists in training to work on MAPS-sponsored clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. The Boulder, Colorado, study site is led by Principal Investigator Marcela Ot’alora, M.A., L.P.C., the Charleston, South Carolina, is led by Principal Investigator Zhenya Gelfand, M.D., and the Santa Fe, New Mexico, study site is led by Principal Investigator George Greer, M.D. • Learn More
MDMA Therapy Training Program Update: May 2020
We hope that you are staying well and taking time for self-care and connection with others as we continue to navigate a time of physical distancing. You can read more about how MAPS-sponsored MDMA-Assisted Therapy trials are responding to COVID-19 here. The MDMA Therapy Training Program has initiated an educational design project to further develop the training pedagogy and competency framework to support the growth and continued quality of the program over the coming years. Additionally, the training program is supporting clinical supervision of active MDMA-assisted psychotherapy studies, as some sessions are still taking place virtually.
For the 6th consecutive year, MAPS Trainers Annie Mithoefer, BSN, and Michael Mithoefer, M.D., are collaborating with the CIIS Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research program to deliver training in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. In response to current public health needs, the Mithoefers are working with CIIS to modify the training retreat into a hybrid online and in-person format.
Sign up for the Training Program Newsletter to receive updates on upcoming trainings. • Learn More
Zendo Project: Event Industry Peer Support Services
Zendo Project is teaming up with our friends at DanceSafe to offer free Event Industry Peer Support Groups for individuals currently or recently employed or contracted (part-time or full-time) within the event, festival, nightlife, and music industries whose livelihood has been impacted by COVID-19.
Event Industry Peer Support Groups are held weekly and are 2 hours long. Group maximum capacity is 10. These sessions are facilitated by Zendo Project staff and volunteers and are opportunities for event and festival staff to come together to share their experiences in a community format.
For more information on eligibility and how to apply, click here.
Support MAPS
April Giving Report: MAPS Raises Over $70,000 in Donations and Pledges
In April 2020, we raised $78,054 in donations and pledges from 2,512 supporters. Of that amount, $76,634 was for general support, $389 was for the Zendo Project, $780 was for MDMA related projects and $250 for ibogaine research. Additional funds were raised for fiscal sponsorships ($35,002).
The positive outcome of the interim analysis in March 2020 indicates that with sufficient funding, we have an excellent chance of generating additional promising safety and efficacy data and potentially receiving FDA approval for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD by the end of 2022.
We are particularly grateful to the following supporters for their generous contributions of $1000 or more.
General Support
Anonymous – $10,256
Andrej Cvoro – $1,726
Leonard and Vivian Lehmann – $1,000
MUDWTR – $1,000
Christian Saenger – $1,000
Jiri Techet – $1,000
Anonymous – $1,000
Fiscal Sponsorships
Auryn Fund, Donor Advised Fund via Schwab Charitable – $25,000 (Auyrn Project)
Anonymous – $7,000 (Auryn Project)
Ryan Zurrer – $1,500 (Auryn Project)
Salesforce – $1,000 (Psychedelic Seminars)
MAPS relies on the generosity of individual donors to achieve its mission. Psychedelic science is again being conducted under federal guidelines, but no funding for psychedelic psychotherapy research is yet available from governments or major foundations.
Together, we can legalize psychedelic medicine.
Donate now at maps.org/donate. Learn how to include MAPS in your will or estate plans.
Media
Featured Media: May 2020
MAPS in the Media:
- Forbes: Psychedelic Pioneer Rick Doblin On FDA Trials Of MDMA: Most Important Reality Check Of MAPS’ 34-Year History
- May 12, 2020
- 60 Minutes Australia: Revolutionary Drug Trial Using Ecstasy to Treat PTSD and Mental Illness
- Written on May 10, 2020
- Andy’s Treasure Trove Podcast: Psychedelic Drugs as Medicine, with Terence McKenna and Rick Doblin of MAPS
- May 6, 2020
MAPS Store
The Way of the Psychonaut by Stanislav Grof, M.D., Ph.D., Kindle Book
The Way of the Psychonaut is one of the most important books ever written about the human psyche and the spiritual quest. The new understandings were made possible thanks to Albert Hofmann’s discovery of LSD—the “microscope and telescope of the human psyche”—and other psychedelic substances. This comprehensive work is a tour de force through the worlds of psychology, psychotherapy, Holotropic Breathwork, maps of the psyche, birth, sex, and death, transpersonal experiences, psychospiritual death and rebirth, reincarnation, karma, mystical states, archetypes, spiritual emergency, art, artists, and higher creativity. • Buy Volume 1 • Buy Volume 2
Events
Browse our Event Calendar page for more opportunities.
Psychological Trauma in the Age of Coronavirus, May 28-30, 2020, Online
The study of trauma has been the single most fertile area to help us develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between the emotional, cognitive, social and biological forces that shape human development. This knowledge has particular relevance for how we currently are able to help people and systems cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This conference will present both basic research about the effects of trauma and attachment disruptions on the developing mind and brain, and offer a range of effective interventions that can be applied in clinical settings, including communities, clinics, schools, prisons, and families around the world. • Learn More
Catalyst Psychedelic Research Conference, May 29-31, 2020, Online
Catalyst is a non-profit initiative between a number of individuals in Calgary Alberta and Syntac Institute and the Calgary Psychedelic Medicine Society. The desire is to see psychedelic medicines de-stigmatized and brought to intentional use in therapeutic ways. The conference is being launched to help with these efforts, and to see the stigma dropped, therapy increased, and people brought to higher states of awareness and healing through their use. • Learn More
Psychedelic Psychotherapy Forum, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, October 14-18, 2020
Now in its 5th iteration, the 2020 Psychedelic Psychotherapy Forum // Vision & Visionaries is Canada’s premiere conference, facilitating dialogue and shared learnings about psychedelic-assisted therapies and research, including the ethical, cultural, indigenous and spiritual use of plant medicines and psychedelic substances for personal and collective healing and transformation. Our forum and workshops offer continuing education credits for health practitioners including psychologists, clinical counsellors, psychotherapists, nurses, and family physicians. • Learn More
The Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research, September 24-26, 2020, Haarlem, The Netherlands
This is the fourth edition of the Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research. ICPR 2020 takes place from Friday, April 24 to Sunday, April 26, 2020, in the beautiful city of Haarlem, The Netherlands. ICPR 2020 is an academic conference focused on high quality scientific and scholarly research into psychedelics. Many academic disciplines have important contributions to make within the field of psychedelic studies. ICPR aims to bridge and connect these disciplines, and to facilitate a dialogue between the diverse academic fields and researchers involved in the study of psychedelics. • Learn More
Participate in Psychedelic Research
MDMA Studies Sponsored by MAPS
MAPS sponsors clinical trials around the world that offer volunteers the opportunity to participate in our research studies. Our studies have strict enrollment criteria based on the goal of the study and the condition the study is investigating.
Phase 3 trial participant enrollment is now open. Please bookmark our Participate in Research page and check it frequently for updates.
University of Amsterdam Research Study: What are the Long-Term Effects of MDMA?
Researchers at the University of Amsterdam are investigating the long-term impact of MDMA – which may have both positive and negative sides. How do you think MDMA has affected you? Help us gain more insights into the possible effects. • Take the Survey
More News
In Memory of Rodrigo Niño
The psychedelic community is mourning the loss of Rodrigo Niño. His generosity to MAPS and the world was extensive, including providing a home for MAPS’ Phase 3 private practice site in Manhattan. After getting cancer, he attributed his extended survival time, in part, to his ayahuasca experiences. His legacy will live on through the many people he helped and inspired. Rodrigo hosted several events for MAPS at the Assemblage. He will be greatly missed.
New Job Opportunity: Development Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy
Do you have significant experience fundraising from major donors and foundations? Have you always wanted to drive development strategy for a grassroots policy change organization? Are you ready to take our ethical philanthropy program to the next level alongside a team of compassionate, hard-working staff and members? Do you know someone who is? We invite you to check out the position description and apply today for this position based in our Washington, D.C. headquarters. • Learn More
Study Published: Reviewing the Potential of Psychedelics for the Treatment of PTSD
A new research paper has been published in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology on the potential of psychedelics to treat PTSD. • Read the Paper
Have A Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics Now Streaming on Netflix
Released on Monday, May 11, Have A Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics is a documentary featuring comedic tripping stories from A-list actors, comedians, and musicians. Star-studded reenactments and trippy animations bring their surreal hallucinations to life. Mixing comedy with a thorough investigation of psychedelics, Have A Good Trip explores the pros, cons, science, history, future, pop cultural impact, and cosmic possibilities of hallucinogens. • Watch the Trailer
Can Psilocybin Help Treat OCD Patients?
Orchard is a new charity that seeks to accelerate the development of new and better treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Orchard is currently raising funds to study whether psilocybin might help treat OCD. • Donate Now
PSA from The Nowak Society: Let’s Talk About Psilocybin
Learn about psilocybin mushrooms by watching Let’s Talk About Psilocybin, a new public service announcement (PSA) video produced by The Nowak Society. • Watch Now
Psychedelic Video Museum
The Psychedelic Video Museum is the world’s first museum of psychedelic art and video. It is the fruit of a decade-long effort which began in April 2010, and the foundation of the Daily Psychedelic Video, a group blog. The videos constitute the first ever attempt to showcase the variety and creativity of psychedelic video artists from across the globe, since the early 20th century to this day. • Browse Videos
New Book from Psychedelic Researcher Adele Lafrance, Ph.D.
Psychedelic researcher Adele Lafrance, Ph.D., a collaborator of MAPS working on an MDMA/eating disorder study, is expanding her educational offerings beyond psychedelics in a new book about mental health and parenting, co-written by Ashley Miller, M.D, What to Say to Kids When Nothing Seems to Work.
Thank you to Dr. Bronner’s for their company’s support of the MAPS Newsletter!