Newsletter: April 2022 - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

Revised Edition of The Secret Chief Revealed: Conversations with Leo Zeff, Pioneer in the Underground Psychedelic Therapy Movement Now Available

April 21, 2022

One of the most important texts in the history of psychedelic-assisted therapy, The Secret Chief Revealed, is again available from your local independent bookstore, the MAPS Store, and perhaps even at your library. The Secret Chief Revealed is an in-depth, first-hand account of Leo Zeff, Ph.D., a pioneering psychedelic therapist who conducted MDMA-assisted therapy sessions both prior to and following MDMA’s prohibition. Originally published by MAPS in 2004, The Secret Chief Revealed is written as a transcription of an interview conducted in the 1980s with Zeff about his research, studies, and practice with psychedelic-assisted therapy.

MAPS Places Fully Validated, Multi-Kilogram Synthesis of MDMA in the Public Domain
In a step forward that Dr. Zeff would have appreciated, MAPS and MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) have developed the first validated commercial synthetic process for producing multi-kilogram batches of MDMA under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). The availability of larger quantities of cGMP-compliant MDMA which can only be produced in pharmaceutical labs will facilitate ongoing clinical trials and provide MDMA for future therapeutic use following anticipated regulatory approvals.

MDMA is a promising psychedelic compound that is currently placed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Schedule I in accordance with the Controlled Substances Act. For legal research, MDMA has been produced in small batches by certified laboratories. Interest in clinical study of this 110-year-old compound for therapeutic purposes is ever-increasing, and the publication of this manufacturing process will contribute to our open science strategy by making the intellectual property public. Read our full statement here.

MAPS, MAPS PBC, and MAPS Europe Hiring
Our expansion continues: MAPS, MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, and MAPS Europe are hiring for a variety of unique full-time roles including Social Media Officer, Director of People, Strategy and Operations Officer, and State Government Affairs Lead. Refer a friend or apply today to advance your career in psychedelic research and education!

All Study Sites Open in Phase 3 Cross-Over Extension Study
On March 22, 2022, all study sites have met the criteria to provide treatment in the cross-over extension study for MAPS-sponsored Phase 3 trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

All the subjects who received the placebo, plus therapy, in the double-blind portion of our first Phase 3 study of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD have the opportunity to volunteer to participate in the study protocol again for free to receive therapy plus MDMA.

MDMA Therapy Training Program Update: April 2022

In April 2022, we launched our first 100-hour blended (online/in person) training program and hosted a week-long in-person training retreat in North Carolina (pictured above). We welcomed over 75 trainees from all over the U.S. and a few international locations including Canada and Brazil. The training retreat included learning seminars, case video presentations, ethics and safety education, practice scenarios, and guest speakers. A dozen new employees, including MAPS PBC’s new COO, Mike Mullette, participated in this training as part of a recent onboarding process.

In March 2022, the MDMA Therapy Training Program team kicked off the training season with a practice workshop with Naropa University and a week-long virtual training in collaboration with the Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research at Mount Sinai and the James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs.

New MAPS Products

Our new psychedelic products are sure to spark colorful conversation! Show your support for psychedelic science with these new items:

Celebrating the 79th Anniversary of Bicycle Day
This week marks the 79th anniversary of Dr. Albert Hofmann making history by becoming the first person to intentionally experience the psychedelic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). On April 19, 1943, three days after his accidental exposure to the psychedelic substance, Dr. Hofmann ingested 250 micrograms of LSD at Sandoz Laboratories in Basel, Switzerland, then rode his bicycle home as the psychoactive effects were taking hold.⁠ Today, we honor the long, turbulent journey of LSD—from counterculture to backlash—and look toward a bright future of responsibly integrating psychedelics into society.

Subscribe to the Psychedelic Science 2023 Email List

Get ready for Psychedelic Science 2023, taking place from June 17-25, 2023, in Denver, Colorado! MAPS members, researchers, students, clinicians, therapists, political leaders, leaders ahd shareholders of for-profit psychedelic companies and psychedelic enthusiasts will gather from around the world to share the latest advances in psychedelic research, art and culture. Be sure to sign up for exclusive email updates to receive news, schedules, and details about this extraordinary event.

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From the first intentional LSD experience 79 years ago to MAPS being founded 36 years ago, we cherish the opportunity to celebrate the rich history of psychedelics every April.