Newsletter: April 2020 - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

Psychedelic Events and Education Go Online

April 21, 2020

Dear friends and supporters,

On this day in 1943, Dr. Albert Hofmann became the first person to intentionally experience the psychedelic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). After Dr. Hofmann first discovered its effects on April 19, 1943, LSD quickly became recognized for its possible therapeutic effects. LSD also played a significant role in the discovery of the serotonin neurotransmitter system and the polymerase chain reaction.

To celebrate the 77th anniversary of Dr. Hofmann’s psychedelic discovery, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is proud to support multiple virtual events taking place today.

You’re invited to join us for virtual opportunities for psychedelic education and community connection:

Sacred Solidarity

Presented by SPORE
Sunday, April 19, 2020, from 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM (PDT)

Join the Society for Psychedelic Outreach, Reform, and Education (SPORE) from 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM (PDT) for Sacred Solidarity, a free online festival celebrating reciprocity and the power of psychedelics to help heal our relationship with the Earth and each other. MAPS is a proud co-host of Sacred Solidarity, which includes sessions featuring mycologist Paul Stamets, visionary artists Alex Grey and Allyson Grey, Dr. Gabor Maté, MAPS Founder Rick Doblin, Ph.D., MAPS Policy and Advocacy Counsel Ismail L. Ali, J.D., MAPS Public Education and Culture Specialist Bia Labate, Ph.D., and many others. SPORE is working to raise $50,000 in donations during the Sacred Solidarity event, with all proceeds going to mutual aid efforts in response to COVID-19.

Bicycle Night

Sunday, April 19, 2020, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (PDT)

April 19, 2020, marks a worldwide celebration of psychedelic research and education in honor of the 77th anniversary of the first intentional use of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), a watershed moment in the history of psychedelic research.

To celebrate the occasion, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is hosting Bicycle Night; a free virtual gathering with psychedelic education, music, dancing, and more, taking place online this Sunday, April 19, 2020, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (PDT). One of the unique events will be the reading of Albert Hofmann’s book, LSD: My Problem Child, with about 20+ readers including Albert’s grandson! The experience will be hosted virtually and co-curated by MAPS and other organizations and individuals. Additional details about how to join the event will be sent via email before Bicycle Night begins on Sunday. Sign up here to pre-register for the live event: bicyclenight.org

In 1943, Dr. Albert Hofmann, Ph.D., conducted an experiment where he ingested 250μg of LSD. Hofmann wrote a single entry in his lab journal before riding his bicycle from the laboratory to his home in Basel, Switzerland, leading to April 19 becoming an annual celebration known as Bicycle Day. This year brings an opportunity for a truly global commemoration of Bicycle Day in the digital space.

Before Bicycle Night begins on Sunday at 5:00 PM (PDT), join the Society for Psychedelic Outreach, Reform, and Education (SPORE) from 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM (PDT) for Sacred Solidarity, a free online festival celebrating reciprocity and the power of psychedelics to help heal our relationship with the Earth and each other. MAPS is a proud co-host of Sacred Solidarity, which includes sessions featuring mycologist Paul Stamets, visionary artists Alex Grey and Allyson Grey, Dr. Gabor Maté MAPS Founder Rick Doblin, Ph.D., MAPS Policy and Advocacy Counsel Ismail L. Ali, J.D., MAPS Public Education and Culture Specialist Bia Labate, Ph.D., and many others. SPORE is working to raise $50,000 in donations during the Sacred Solidarity event, with all proceeds going to mutual aid efforts in response to COVID-19. Learn more about Sacred Solidarity: thespore.org/sacred-solidarity

To learn more about Bicycle Night, please visit bicyclenight.org or send an email to bicyclenight@maps.org. We are excited to celebrate with you!

Our Psychedelic Science 2020 Webinar Series continues every Thursday until May 21, 2020!Buy tickets for an individual session or a Series Pass to explore the latest advancements in psychedelic research, medicine, and policy with host Bia Labate, Ph.D., and leaders in the field of psychedelic research. We are exploring the medical and therapeutic uses of MDMA, psilocybin, and more. All sessions are live, and take place every Thursday from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM (PDT). Ask questions and have them answered in real-time.

All new registrants for the Series Pass will receive access to recordings of past webinar sessions and live access to the remainder of the series.

$35 – Individual Session
$150 – Full Series (Save $95!)

Buy Series

The Spring 2020 Special Edition of the MAPS Bulletin is now available online and in subscriber mailboxes. The issue includes a dozen original articles, including:

From the Desk of Rick Doblin, Ph.D., MAPS Founder and Executive Director
The Commercial Chemistry of MDMA: From Research to Patient Access by Heather Clouting, M.Sc.
The Unified Field Theory of Psychedelic Integration and Portugal Style Decriminalization by David Bronner
The FDA and Psychedelic Drug Development: Working Together to Make Medicines by Victoria Hale, Ph.D.
Psychedelic Medicalization: How Do We Get It Right? by Greg Kearns
A North Star for the Emerging Psychedelics Industry by Liana Sananda Gillooly and Kat Conour
The Commercialization of Ibogaine to Treat Substance Use Disorders and Other Psychiatric Conditions in the United States: A Doctor’s View by Jeffrey D. Kamlet, M.D.
Sacred Peyote Conservation: Respecting Indigenous Traditions by Sandor Iron Rope, Refina Smith, and Steven Moore

This year, MAPS celebrated 34 years of commitment to expanding psychedelic science and strengthening mental health services. In the wake of COVID-19, we have released a statement regarding our research efforts to protect the safety of our study staff and clinical trial participants. We are taking active measures to minimize the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus and adhere to physical distancing.

While our studies are currently paused due to COVID-19, we are continuing to accept applications and begin the screening process for research volunteers for MAPS-sponsored Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. Volunteers in this study will help us better understand if MDMA-assisted psychotherapy works for the treatment of PTSD. MAPS conducts clinical trials under the guidance and regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in collaboration with all federal regulators, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). For more information on study participation, please visit our website.

Psychedelic Liberty Summit

Saturday, April 25 – Sunday, April 26, 2020, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (PDT)

Psychedelic Liberty Summit is a virtual opportunity to learn from leading psychedelic experts and discuss the legal, cultural, and political issues around the emerging psychedelic renaissance. The topics addressed will include the process of applying for religious exemptions with the DEA, psilocybin decriminalization initiatives, the right to ameliorate pain and suffering, cognitive liberty, and more. Watch a video about Psychedelic Liberty Summit on the Psychedelics Today podcast here.

The Way of the Psychonaut by Stanislav Grof, M.D., Ph.D., is available for purchase 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 this month’s edition of the MAPS Newsletter, you’ll also learn:

New career opportunities are open with MAPS and MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC)
Videos from the Sleeping Octopus Assembly on Psychedelics II, which took placein Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from September 27-29 2019, are now available online
The thirty-first participant receives experimental treatment in our ongoing study of the effects of MDMA on the startle response.

Follow MAPS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and reddit.

Stay safe, and we hope to see you at a virtual event!

With appreciation,

Amy Mastrine
MAPS Web and Email Marketing Associate

Treating PTSD with MDMA-Assisted Therapy

Phase 3 Trials of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD: Now Enrolling

While our studies are currently paused due to COVID-19, we are continuing to accept applications and begin the screening process for research volunteers for MAPS-sponsored Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. Volunteers will help contribute to scientific knowledge and will help us better understand if MDMA-assisted psychotherapy works for the treatment of PTSD. MAPS conducts clinical trials under the guidance and regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in collaboration with all federal regulators, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). To learn more about our clinical trials or apply to be a study participant, visit our website: mdmaptsd.org.

Startle Testing with MDMA: Thirty-First Participant Receives Experimental Treatment

On March 25, 2020, the thirty-first participant completed experimental treatment in our ongoing study of the effect of MDMA on startle testing in healthy volunteers. Led by Principal Investigator Barbara Rothbaum, Ph.D., this study is conducted at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Enrollment to this study is currently on hold due to COVID-19. • Learn More

MDMA Therapy Training Program Update: April 2020

We hope that you and your loved ones are taking good care and finding opportunities for connection and community. In the midst of such uncertainty, we wanted to extend our best wishes to each of you.

How the MAPS-sponsored MDMA-Assisted Therapy trials are responding to COVID-19

Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD are currently underway in the United States, Israel, and Canada. Participants enrolled in the trial will continue to receive care from their study therapists. Preparatory and integration sessions are now being conducted virtually. The MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) video deparment has moved quickly to implement new systems and new uses of existing systems to support the delivery of virtual therapy sessions and the continuity of clinical supervision and adherence rating programs.

Since MDMA-assisted psychotherapy sessions must take place in person, many experimental sessions have been postponed until further guidance from public health officials. Study therapists are maintaining regular phone contact with enrolled participants to ensure their safety and to provide support during this challenging time. Enrollment of new participants is on hold.

Planned MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD studies in the European Union are currently on hold according to guidance provided by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

MAPS PBC is continuing to work diligently on protocol reviews, regulatory application materials, and follow-ups from previous clinical trials. With FDA granting the Expanded Access protocol in January 2020, preparations are continuing forward so that sites will be ready to initiate the study once public health status permits.

Clinical trials involving healthy volunteers are on hold to prevent participants, therapists, doctors, and other staff from being exposed to in-person contact.

Participant safety is our number one priority; digital technology provides a pathway to continue psychological support while decreasing exposure to COVID-19.

We wish everyone health, safety, and support. Our hope is that public health initiatives, the commitment and support of countless communities, and the hard work of courageous medical health professionals and researchers will bring us all to the other side of COVID-19 as safely and swiftly as possible.

MDMA Therapy Training Program

While MAPS PBC is not currently recruiting new sites and the MDMA Therapy Training Program is not actively enrolling new trainees, qualified and interested sites and therapists may still submit an application to be considered at a later date. Information about application requirements and instructions to apply and can be found on our webpage. The MAPS PBC Therapy Provider Connect Portal is a community discussion forum for therapy providers, physicians and facilities to connect with one another to develop a site or treatment staff, in order to become eligible to participate in a MAPS PBC MDMA/PTSD protocol.

Zendo Project: Psychedelic Peer Support Webinar and Burning Man Cancelled

On May 14, 2020, the Zendo Project will host Psychedelic Peer Support: Models of Community Care, a webinar and Q&A as part of MAPS’ Psychedelic Science 2020 Webinar Series. Join presenters Kwasi Adusei, Sara Gael, M.A., and Ryan Beauregard from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Pacific to learn about the four principles of psychedelic harm reduction, how these principles may be applied, and how they can assist in the process of ongoing psychedelic integration. • Buy Tickets

Burning Man 2020 in Black Rock City has been cancelled. The event will take place virtually. We will miss you on playa this year. In this strange and challenging time, may we practice compassion, presence, kindness, and patience for one another. You can read Burning Man’s full official statement on their website.

Support MAPS

March 2020 Giving Report: MAPS Raises over $44,000 in Donations and Pledges

In March 2020, we raised $44, 313 in donations and pledges from 768 supporters. Of that amount, $40,904 was for general support, $1,803 was for the Zendo Project, $1,356 was for MDMA related projects, and $250 for ibogaine research. Additional funds were raised for fiscal sponsorships ($23,132).

When research is safe to resume, and with sufficient funding, we are on track to receive FDA approval for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD by 2022.

We are particularly grateful to the following supporters for their generous contributions:

General Support

- Hawley Family Foundation ($5,000)
- Buckmaster Foundation ($2,000)
- The Chan Currie Philanthropic Fund ($2,000)
- Jiri Techet ($1,000)
- Anonymous ($1,000)

Fiscal Sponsors

Shelby Clark (Auryn Project – $10,000)
Anonymous (ICEERS – $5,000)
Robert Malatest (Bluelight – $4,000)
Ginger and Brad Coy (Psychedelic Integration Esalen – $2,000)
Colm Walker (Psychedelic Seminars – $1,000)

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.

We’re Hiring!

MAPS, MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC), and MAPS Europe are currently hiring!

MAPS:

Financial Controller
Santa Cruz, California, or Oakland, California, Remote Considered

MAPS Public Benefit Corporation:

Chief Financial Officer
Santa Cruz, California, or Oakland, California, Remote Considered
Financial Controller
Santa Cruz, California, or Oakland, California, Remote Considered
Financial Analyst
Remote
Manager, CMC Regulatory
Remote
Director of Data Services
Remote
IMP Supply Manager
Remote
Media Technician
Remote
Administrative Assistant for Clinical Operations
Oakland preferred or Santa Cruz, California
Clinical Study Assistant
Oakland preferred or Santa Cruz, California
Clinical Research Associate
Remote
Video Systems Developer (Contractor)
Remote with occasional visits Santa Cruz, California
Study Coordinator
Fort Collins, Colorado

MAPS Europe:

Clinical Research Associates
Finland, Germany, and Portugal
Independent Rater
Norway, Portugal, Germany and Finland
Video Systems Support Specialist
European Union
Clinical Program Lead
European Union, Remote

You can support psychedelic science by referring qualified applicants to these open positions.

Media

Featured Media: April 2020

MAPS in the Media:

MAPS Statement: Clinical Trials, Safety, and COVID-19
- April 6, 2020

MAPS Statement: Protecting Participant Safety in MAPS-Sponsored Clinical Trials
- March 26, 2020

NPR Here and Now: Using Psychedelics To Treat PTSD
- February 21, 2020

The Sacramento Bee: Can Psychedelic Therapy Reduce the Mental Health Impacts of the Coronavirus Pandemic?
- April 2, 2020

Back from the Abyss Podcast: MDMA and the Inner Healer
- April 4, 2020

Reason Podcast: Rick Doblin: ‘People Should Have the Fundamental Human Right To Change Their Consciousness’
- April 8, 2020

MAPS Store

Ayahuasca Religions: A Comprehensive Bibliography & Critical Essays: Kindle Edition

Ayahuasca Religions includes two essays commenting on aspects of the bibliography. The first presents a profile of these religious groups, including their history and expansion, and a general assessment of the principal characteristics, tendencies, and perspectives evident in the literature about them. The second essay summarizes the most important studies of human subjects in the context of Santo Daime, Unio do Vegetal and Barquinha, evaluating their results, contributions, and limitations. The essay also offers some preliminary anthropological reflections on biomedical research of ayahuasca.

Three researchers located in different cities (Beatriz Caiuby Labate in São Paulo, Rafael Guimarães dos Santos in Barcelona, and Isabel Santana de Rose in Florianapolis, Brazil) worked in a virtual research group for a year to compile a list of bibliographical references on Santo Daime, Barquinha, U.D.V., and urban ayahuasqueiros, including the specialized academic literature as well as esoteric and experiential writings produced by participants of these churches. Ayahuasca Religions presents the results of that collaboration. • Buy Now

Events

Browse our Event Calendar page for more opportunities.

Head Talks with Shane Mauss Tour, United States

Shane Mauss is an award-winning stand-up comedian, science podcaster and a psychedelic advocate. Head Talks is his new tour where he is joined by a psychedelic researcher in each city for a show combining all three of his worlds into one two-hour show. You’ll get psychedelic comedy, a science talk, a Q&A, and a community meet & greet in one event. • Learn More

Sacred Solidarity Presented by SPORE, Sunday, April 19, 2020, from 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM (PDT), Online

Bicycle Night, Sunday, April 19, 2020, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (PDT), Online

To celebrate the occasion, the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is hosting Bicycle Night; a free virtual gathering with psychedelic education, music, dancing, and more, taking place online this Sunday, April 19, 2020, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (PDT). Additional details about how to join the event will be sent via email before Bicycle Night begins on Sunday. Sign up here to pre-register for the live event: bicyclenight.org

To learn more about Bicycle Night, please visit bicyclenight.org or send an email to bicyclenight@maps.org. We are excited to celebrate with you!

• 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

University College London (UCL) Psychedelic Survey

Researchers based at University College London (UCL) are aiming to better understand the relationship between psychedelic drug use and characteristics of people who have used them at least once. We are firstly interested to learn about both the ‘mystical’ and challenging experiences which can occur. We are also interested in psychedelic drug use in people who do and do not meditate, and finally in whether psychedelic use is related to mental health. • Take the Survey

More News

Statement from the National Council of Native American Churches and the Indigenous Peyote Conservation Initiative regarding Decriminalization of Sacred Plants Ordinances at the City or Other Jurisdictional Level, As They Pertain To Peyote

The National Council of Native American Churches (NCNAC) and the Board of the Indigenous Peyote Conservation Initiative (IPCI) have released a statement addressing the complex relationship of the law, history, and social/cultural realities in the U.S. to the peyote cacti (Lophophora williamsii).

Attention: A Love Story, a book by Casey Schwartz

Schwartz (In the Mind Fields, 2015) spent ten years using the ADHD drug Adderall, “attention weaponized, slashing through procrastination and self-doubt.” Written in the aftermath of quitting the drug, which she began taking in college, this book expands on Schwartz’s New York Times magazine article “Generation Adderall” to examine attention as both a concept and an action, especially in our smartphone-obsessed era. “Stripped of my pills in an age of distraction, what did it even mean to pay attention?” Schwartz’s question takes her on a far-reaching journey through the work of scientists, scholars, physicians, philosophers, and writers. She finds an obsession with attention in the words of David Foster Wallace and Aldous Huxley. She studies what the psychedelic movement did for tuning in, and the ways in which the more recent trend of microdosing with LSD is an exercise in focusing. As Schwartz’s quest began on a personal note, so it ends, as a family crisis preoccupies her on a Central American ayahuasca retreat. With fascinating research and illuminating interviews, this is ruminative, provocative, and discussion- worthy. • Buy on Bookshop • Buy On Amazon

Military and Veteran Perceptions of Psychedelics

Researchers at Austin Peay State University are looking for United Stated active duty and veteran military members from all branches to participate in an online research study. The study will take about 40 minutes and assess military and veteran perceptions of psychedelics. Participation is completely voluntary and your answers will be kept anonymous. For questions please contact principal investigator, Roxanne Hallisey (rhallisey@my.apsu.edu) or Dr. Emily Pica (picae@apsu.edu). • Learn More

Liberate Plant Teachers: Help Grow the Ayahuasca Defense Fund

The ICEERS Ayahuasca Defense Fund (ADF) helps people who have been arrested by uniting state-of-the-art legal, scientific, community, and public policy expertise. In addition to providing educational information to prevent legal incidents, we promote best practices and sensible policy that respects indigenous cultural heritage and human rights. • Learn More

The Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research: Europe’s Psychedelic Science Renaissance Has Started

The past decade has seen a new wave of academic research into psychedelicsThis piece gives the most complete overview of the current wave of psychedelic science happening on the European continent. • Read the Article

Job Opening: Associate Director of the Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research Certificate Program at California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS)

California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco, California, is hiring an Associate Director of the Psychedelic Therapies and Research Certificate Program (CPTR). This is a multidimensional role; the Associate Director will be responsible for administration of the communication, educational, and technological needs of the Center and for oversight of the operation of the certificate program in collaboration with the Center Director. • Learn More

Thank you to Dr. Bronner’s for their company’s support of the MAPS Newsletter!