Capstone Challenge: Help MAPS Meet $10 Million Challenge Grant by September 10
June 30, 2020
Dear friends and supporters,
We’re inspired by the outpouring of support we have received for the $10 million Capstone Challenge, a 90-day fundraising challenge announced by Tim Ferriss on June 11 and ending on September 10, 2020. We have already raised $2,801,389 in tax-deductible donations from 1,718 international supporters toward the $10 million/90-day Capstone Challenge.
Capstone Challenge is part of our comprehensive $30 million Capstone Campaign fundraising initiative in partnership with the Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative (PSFC) to raise the final $30 million needed to make MDMA a medicine. This campaign will give MAPS the funds needed to complete the Phase 3 studies required for FDA approval of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and approval by Health Canada and the Israeli Ministry of Health. The Capstone Campaign will also fund the training of more therapists and preparations for prescription sales, in order to bring this much-needed treatment to patients.
We have already raised $10 million in pledges toward this $30 million Capstone Campaign from our Board of Directors, the Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative (PSFC), and core allies. We now have Tim Ferriss’ $10 Million Capstone Challenge.
We have until September 10 to raise another $10 million to meet the Capstone Challenge in order to unlock the final $10 million, dollar-for-dollar, thanks to challenge pledges funded by Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation ($5 million), Tim Ferriss ($1 million), James Bailey ($1 million), Peter Rahal ($1 million), Blake Mycoskie ($1 million), and John Griffin ($1 million). We need your help to complete the Capstone Challenge, which will enable us to complete the $30 million Capstone Challenge. Please consider making a donation, with any amount much appreciated.
We are thankful for receiving substantial support from Asana Co-Founder Justin Rosenstein, who generously donated $300,000 to support this fundraising initiative and published an original article about his motivations for contributing to our mission. Read the full article on Medium.
On June 10, 2020, MAPS announced the publication of the long-term follow-up results of six Phase 2 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the peer-reviewed journal Psychopharmacology. The paper is the most comprehensive analysis yet published of the safety and durability of treatment outcomes following MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.
The results show that for a majority of participants, the benefits of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD continue to grow after the therapy is concluded with the benefits sustained for at least 12 months after the treatment sessions. Sponsored by MAPS, the controlled, randomized, double-blind trials found that, two months following their last session, 56% of 100 participants no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. In the newly published analysis, 91 participants were interviewed at least 12 months later. Of these participants, 67% did not qualify for a PTSD diagnosis. One of the studies included data from an average of 3.8 years after treatment. Read the press release here.
The MAPS-sponsored Phase 3 study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic. With the guidance of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) has decided to close the study for administrative reasons on August 1, 2020. By August 1, all participants who have been able to continue study visits during COVID-19 lockdown will have completed the study by August 1. MAPS PBC is developing individual plans for participants who began treatment and had study visits delayed due to COVID-19. Visits will end for study participants who were enrolled but not randomized and treated due to COVID-19. We greatly appreciate our study participants, and we are committed to ensuring they have an opportunity to complete treatment within the study protocol as soon as possible.
This month, we celebrated Juneteenth on June 19, commemorating the end of the institution of slavery in the United States after almost 300 years. We are proud to share that starting in 2021, Juneteenth will be recognized as a paid company holiday for MAPS staff. We encourage people on this day to spend time studying Black history, donating to Black-led organizations, and amplifying the voices of Black people. Chattel slavery was only abolished 155 years ago; reverberations of intergenerational trauma continue to impact our minds, bodies, and institutions. We honor the resilience and healing capacity of Black Americans and we reflect on how to eliminate the ongoing violence against Black people, including the war on drugs. In this episode of the CIIS Public Programs Podcast, leading trauma researcher and educator Dr. Joy DeGruy joins the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) Dean of Diversity and Inclusion, Denise Boston, to explore how trans-generational trauma and systems of oppression continue to influence race relations in America.
In this month’s edition of the MAPS Newsletter, you’ll also learn:
- Rick Doblin, Ph.D., is interviewed for the INbodied Life Podcast about maximizing human potential and mainstreaming spirituality
- MAPS and MAPS PBC have released a Statement of Solidarity regarding recent events
- New job opportunities are available with MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) including Director of People Operations and Culture, Director of Data Management and Services, Head of Commercialization and Patient Access, Associate Director, Formulation Development, Quality Associate, and many more.
Follow MAPS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and reddit.
We hope you will support our new fundraising campaign and become a part of making MDMA a medicine.
With appreciation,
Bryce Montgomery
MAPS Associate Director of Communications and Marketing
Treating PTSD with MDMA-Assisted Therapy
MDMA Therapy Training Program Update: June 2020
We hope you are finding care and support during these trying times in our world. It is a time of grief and mourning as well as a call to awareness, change, and action. You can read more about how MAPS-sponsored MDMA-assisted psychotherapy trials are responding to COVID-19 and the MAPS Statement of Solidarity. The MDMA Therapy Training Program is carrying out 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. This training design initiative includes the development of more extensive and effective training resources to support culturally-relevant and informed care in MDMA therapy protocols. Our program staff are currently engaged in expanding efforts to support therapists of color to receive training and resources to enter the practice of MDMA therapy. Our goal is for all people who could benefit from MDMA therapy to have access to compassionate and supportive treatment, including and especially communities of color that have been historically underserved.
Additionally at this time, the training program continues to support clinical supervision of active MDMA-assisted psychotherapy studies, as many study sessions are continuing with safety practices in place for COVID-19.
MAPS Trainers Annie Mithoefer, B.S.N., 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 a hybrid online and in-person format. The online training was delivered over two weekends in June with support from MDMA Therapy Training Program staff.
Sign up for the Training Program Newsletter to receive updates on upcoming trainings. • Learn More
Zendo Project Releases Statement of Solidarity
The Zendo Project is a program of MAPS’ Harm Reduction Department. You can read the Zendo Project Statement of Solidarity here.
Psyche Magazine interviews MAPS Director of Harm Reduction Sara Gael, M.A., about the process of navigating and integrating difficult psychedelic experiences. “Gael notes that integration therapists have different approaches and backgrounds. It’s important to find a guide or therapist whom you trust and who is nonjudgmental,” explains Psyche Magazine. Gael clarifies further, stating, “One helpful resource for finding integration support is the Psychedelic Support [network].”
Support MAPS
Amazon Smile: MAPS Raises $4,125.38
This quarter, MAPS raised $4,125.38 from Amazon Smile. We have raised a total of $42,361.22 from Amazon Smile supporters to date! Support MAPS by selecting us as your preferred charity at maps.org/amazonsmile.
May 2020 Giving Report: MAPS Launches $10 Million, 90-Day Challenge Grant
In May 2020, we raised $10,895,001 in donations and pledges from 900 supporters. Of that amount, $10 million was pledged toward our $30 million Capstone Challenge to complete Phase 3 and make MDMA a medicine by members of the MAPS Board of Directors ($4 million), the Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative (PSFC) ($4 million), and the visionary donors listed below under the Phase 3 (Capstone Campaign) section.
MAPS has been offered an all-or-nothing, 90-day $10 million challenge grant to help complete the $30 million Capstone Challenge. The conditions of the challenge require us to raise $10 million in donations and pledges (up to two years of funding) in order to unlock the $10 million in challenge funds. The challenge grant is funded by Tim Ferriss (author and entrepreneur), James Bailey (Founder and Managing Partner, Bail Capital), Peter Rahal (Founder, RxBar), Blake Mycoskie (Founder and Chief Shoe Giver, TOMS), and John A. Griffin (Founder, Blue Ridge Capital), who each offered $1 million, with $5 million from The Steve and Alexandra Cohen Foundation. MAPS has until September 10, 2020, to raise $10 million and unlock the $10 million challenge pledge.
Since the campaign launch on June 12, we’ve already raised over $950,000 from over 990 donors. Special thanks to the supporters listed under Phase 3 (Capstone Challenge) who have already pledged $1000 or more towards the $10 million challenge. Visit maps.org/capstone for more information.
Donations in May 2020 also include $212,768 for general support, $108 for the Zendo Project, and $250 for ibogaine research. An additional $59,671 was raised by organizations that we fiscally sponsor including VETS ($30,000), the Bay Area Healers Resilience Fund ($26,480), Psykia Institute ($2,000), Cosmic Sister ($444), ICEERS ($215), Expanded Access Clinics ($200), Psychedelic Seminars ($150), Ayahuasca Foundation ($100), Kaphi ($52), and MAPS Canada ($30).
The positive outcome of our interim analysis in March 2020 indicates that with sufficient funding, MAPS has an excellent chance of generating additional promising safety and efficacy data and potentially receiving U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD by the end of 2022.
We appreciate donations of any size and are particularly grateful to the following supporters for their generous contributions of $1000 or more:
General Support
- Joe Green ($100,000)
- Adam Wiggins ($50,000)
- Hugo Barra ($5,000)
- John & Barbara Crary ($5,000)
- Bob Pittman ($5,000)
- AmazonSmile Foundation ($4,125)
- Mack Fuhrer ($2,500)
- Bruce Linton ($2,000)
- Curtis Stone ($2,000)
- Alan Bader ($1,800)
- Apple, Inc. ($1,112)
- William Danna ($1,000)
- Roger Mason ($1,000)
- MUDWTR ($1,000)
- Patrick Smith ($1,000)
- Anonymous ($1,000)
- Anonymous ($1,000)
Phase 3 (Capstone Challenge)
- Psychedelic Science Funder’s Collective (PSFC) ($4,000,000)
- Justin Rosenstein ($3,000,000)
- John Gilmore ($1,000,000)
- The Sarlo Foundation ($1,000,000)
- Frank & Susan Kavanaugh ($500,000)
- RiverStyx Foundation ($500,000)
Phase 3 (Capstone Challenge Grant Funders)*
*Pledges are contingent on raising $10 million in 90 days
- Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation ($5,000,000)
- Blake Mycoskie, Founder and Chief Shoe Giver – TOMS ($1,000,000)
- James Bailey, Founder and Managing Partner – Bail Capital ($1,000,000)
- John A. Griffin, Founder – Blue Ridge Capital $1,000,000)
- Peter Rahal, Founder – RxBar ($1,000,000)
- Tim Ferriss, Author and Entrepreneur ($1,000,000)
Phase 3 (Challenge Grant)
- Justin Rosenstein ($300,000)
- RiverStyx Foundation ($200,000)
- Julie & Jeff Brody ($150,000)
- Lyndon & Maddie Rive ($20,000)
- Christian Angermayer ($10,000)
- Steven Weinstein and Marcia Meislin ($1,000)
Fiscal Sponsorships
- William Draper – VETS ($10,000)
- Nathalie Marciano – VETS ($10,000)
- Justin Rosenstein – Bay Area Healers Resilience Fund ($10,000)
- Anonymous – VETS ($10,000)
- Rachel Ratliff – Bay Area Healers Resilience Fund ($5,000)
- Bruce Linton – Psykia Institute ($2,000)
- Dani Roth – Bay Area Healers Resilience Fund ($1,000)
- Anonymous – Bay Area Healers Resilience Fund ($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 Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) and MAPS Europe are currently hiring!
MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC):
- Director of Data Management and Services
Remote - Head of Commercialization and Patient Access
Remote - Associate Director, Formulation Development
Remote - Director of People Operations and Culture
Remote - Clinical Data Manager (CDM)
Remote - Regulatory Operations Specialist (ROS)
Remote - Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) Specialist
Remote - Clinical Research Scientist (CRS)
Remote - Quality Associate
Remote - IT Support Technician
Remote - Document Control Specialist
Remote - Media Technician (Contractor)
Remote
MAPS Europe:
- Clinical Research Associates
Finland, Germany, and Portugal - Independent Rater
Norway, Portugal, Germany and Finland
You can support MAPS by referring qualified candidates to these positions.
Media
MAPS in the Media:
- The Tim Ferriss Show: Rick Doblin, Ph.D. — The Psychedelic Domino That Tips All Others (Podcast #440)
- June 11, 2020
- PRESS RELEASE: MDMA-Assisted Therapy May Have Lasting Benefits for PTSD, Results Published in Psychopharmacology
- June 10, 2020
- Statement of Solidarity: MAPS Stands Against Systemic Racism and for Justice and Healing
- June 3, 2020
- Marijuana Moment: Psychedelics Decrim Activists Mark First Anniversary Of Denver’s Historic Psilocybin Mushroom Vote
- June 7, 2020
- MAPS Video: LSD My Problem Child: Reflections on Sacred Drugs, Mysticism and Science By Albert Hofmann, Ph.D.
- May 20, 2020
- NICE WORK! A Super Nice Club Podcast: Amy Emerson (MAPS) on Using Psychedelics to Win the War Against Suffering
- May 26, 2020
MAPS Store
Zendo Project Tank Tops
Enjoy the summer sun in a Zendo Project tank top to show your support for psychedelic harm reduction services. • Buy Now
Events
Browse our Event Calendar page for more opportunities.
Psychedelics 101 and 102 for Clinicians, July 18-19, 2020, Online
This 2-day training offered by psychologists Ingmar Gorman and Elizabeth Nielson is designed for clinicians and healthcare providers who want to learn more about current psychedelic research and clinical practice, including how to work with patients who have a history of psychedelic use or have expressed an interest in using psychedelics. This interactive training includes role plays, demonstrations, case examples, and experiential learning opportunitie. • Learn More
Understanding Ketamine, August 1-2, 2020, Online
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic also classified as a psychedelic. In the last decade it has become frequently sought as a treatment for depression and mood disorders. This training is designed for therapists, psychologists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals who want to better understand the basics of ketamine and how they can ensure the best clinical outcomes for patients. •Learn More
Canada and Psychedelics Research Conference 2020, September 20, 2020, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
This conference is aimed at creating an interdisciplinary space for Canadian academics who are interested in research relating to psychedelic compounds. Our primary goal is to foster dialogue between distinct disciplinary and methodological approaches to psychedelic research, and to help facilitate a greater Canada-wide psychedelic research community. • 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, Online
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.
PsyCOVIDelic Survey
The Centre for Psychedelic Research is looking for people who have had a psychedelic experience since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and who would like to contribute to science by reporting on their experience. The PsyCOVIDelic Survey is a short anonymous online survey with which we aim to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychedelic experiences. • Take the Survey
More News
The Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCC) Internship Opportunities
The Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCC) is seeking interns to support the organization. The SCC is a nonprofit educational and scientific society of physicians and health care professionals dedicated to the education and research support of cannabis for medical use. • Learn More
Collective Insights: The Impact of Psychedelics on Our World
On this episode of Collective Insights, Rick Doblin, Ph.D., Founder and Executive Director of MAPS, shares the in-depth founding story of MAPS and gives a glimpse into what he’s currently working on. Psychedelics have played a huge role in shaping cultures throughout history. Join us to learn about what we can expect for the future of psychedelic research and how the way they are perceived in our culture will continue to change. • Learn More
Nice Work! A Super Nice Club Podcast: Amy Emerson (MAPS) on Using Psychedelics to Win the War Against Suffering
In this episode, Amy Emerson, Executive Director at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Public Benefit Corporation, talks about the work MAPS is doing to study the benefits of MDMA for use in beneficial psychotherapy. • Learn More
Good Chemistry: The Science of Connection, from Soul to Psychedelics by Julie Holland, M.D.
Good Chemistry: The Science of Connection, from Soul to Psychedelics, the new book authored by psychiatrist and psychedelic researcher Julie Holland, M.D., explores the science of connection as revealed in human experiences from the spiritual to the psychedelic. The key is oxytocin—a neurotransmitter and hormone produced in our bodies that allows us to trust and bond. It fosters attachment between mothers and infants, romantic partners, friends, and even with our pets. There are many ways to reach this state of mental and physical wellbeing that modern medicine has overlooked. The implications for our happiness and health are profound. • Learn More
Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative (PSFC): Job Openings
Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative (PSFC) is currently hiring a Director of Funder Engagement and Director of Scientific Research and Partnerships. •
Read the Paper
Fluence Diversity Fund
Fluence has established a Diversity Fund through a fiscal sponsorship agreement with Access Mindfulness, a 501(c3) devoted to diversity in education in contemplative practices. Through our agreement with Access Mindfulness, contributions to the Fluence Diversity Fund are tax-deductible. We are also thankful for the guidance we received from our friends at Chacruna in the establishment of this fund. • Learn More
Videos from the Ayahuasca Religions Conference 2019
The Ayahuasca Religions: The Sacrament, the Traditions and the Science was held at St. James United Church, Montreal, QC, Canada, on October 19th, 2019 Montréal, Québec, Canada. Videos of the conference are now available for download. • Watch the Videos
Entheogenesis Australis
We invite the Australian ethnobotanical and psychedelic community to contribute original video content to our livestream taking place on Sunday, June 28, 2020. (more details on the livestream soon). Submissions are due Wednesday, June 24, 2020. • Learn More
Ayahuasca Timeline
This history timeline covers key moments in ayahuasca’s journey from its mythic and evolutionary origins to its global popularity. Like all attempts at describing the past, this history is simply a history and not the history of ayahuasca. • Learn More
Lucid News: Psychedelic Journalism Website Launches
Lucid News is a new psychedelic journalism organization covering psychedelics in culture, politics, business, science, and the arts. • Learn More
Intercollegiate Psychedelic Network (IPN)
The Intercollegiate Psychedelics Network (IPN) is a youth-led umbrella organization dedicated to fostering the development of students into the next generation of diverse and interdisciplinary leaders in the field of psychedelics. This summer, IPN is kicking off Phase 1 Launch: Leadership Recruitment. Applications are open for IPN leadership and team members. • Learn More
Thank you to Dr. Bronner’s for their company’s support of the MAPS Newsletter!