Dear friends and supporters,
U.S. veteran and study participant Virgil Huston shares why he supports MAPS at the Grateful Dead 50th Anniversary shows in Chicago. View the photo archive…
This month, we are excited to announce that our largest study yet of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is nearing completion! We are approaching the end of our Phase 2 research program, and beginning to plan the large Phase 3 trials needed to make MDMA-assisted psychotherapy a legal treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
On July 31, 2015, the last experimental session was completed in our study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in 24 U.S. veterans, firefighters, and police officers with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD. Data from this study and our other ongoing and completed Phase 2 pilot studies will be submitted to the FDA in our request for Breakthrough Therapy Designation. The first treatments in this study took place in January 2011.
“It is always an honor to work with research participants who are committed to healing and willing to volunteer for our clinical trials,” reports Principal Investigator Michael Mithoefer, M.D. “Once again, the hard work of the MAPS team and the support of MAPS donors and volunteers have allowed us to add to the growing list of rigorously designed and conducted studies showing very strong effect sizes for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.”
In the August 2015 edition of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Email Newsletter, you’ll also learn:
- New subjects are treated in our ongoing studies of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD in Colorado and Israel
- The eighth subject receives their first treatment in our study of MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety in autistic adults in Los Angeles, Calif.
- 437 donors in 33 countries give $69,406 to expand our Zendo Project psychedelic harm reduction services at festivals and events worldwide
- The new edition of Zig Zag Zen: Buddhism and Psychedelics, edited by Alan Badiner and with artwork edited by Alex Grey, and many more items are now available in the MAPS Store
Join the expanding conversation—now you can connect with MAPS on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, reddit, Tumblr, Pinterest, Google+, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Since our founding in 1986, MAPS has disbursed over $23 million to scientific research and public education in accordance with our mission. We rely on your tax-deductible donations to continue our work developing safe, legal contexts for the use of psychedelics and marijuana for healing, spirituality, creativity, and personal growth.
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For growth and sustainability,
 Brad Burge MAPS Director of Communications and Marketing |
- Veterans: Last Subject Receives Final Experimental Session
- Boulder: Subject 19
Receives First Experimental Treatment - Israel: Fifth Subject Treated, One More Enrolled
- Social Anxiety in Autistic Adults: Eighth Subject Treated
- Zendo Project Report: Crowdfunding Campaign Raises $69,406 to Expand Festival Services
- July Giving Report: Our Special Thanks
- Are You an Academic Clinical Researcher? Here’s How You Can Help
- Newsweek, reddit, Huffington Post, Festival Insights, and more…
- Zig Zag Zen: Psychedelics and Buddhism edited by Allan Badiner NEW
- Modern Consciousness Research and the Understanding of Art by Stanislav Grof, M.D. NEW
- Visionary Convergence: September 25-27, 2015, Los Angeles, CA
- Telluride Mushroom Festival: August 13-16, 2015, Telluride, CO
- Drogas, Política y Cultura: Perspectivas Brasil-México: October 5-6, 2015, Guadalajara, Mexico
- Science and Nonduality: October 22-25, 2015, San Jose, CA
- Psychedelic Science 2017: April 19-24, 2017, Oakland, CA
- Updates from the Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance
Treating PTSD with MDMA-Assisted Therapy
MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Social Anxiety in Autistic Adults
Psychedelic Harm Reduction
Support MAPS
Media
MAPS Store
Events
More News
Pioneering psychiatrist Stanislav Grof’s newest book, Modern Consciousness Research and the Understanding of Art, including The Visionary World of H.R. Giger, is now available in the MAPS Store.
TREATING PTSD WITH MDMA-ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY
1. Veterans: Last Subject Receives Final Experimental Session
On July 31, 2015, the final experimental session took place in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for 24 U.S. veterans, firefighters, and police officers with treatment-resistant PTSD. "We had our last experimental session today," reports Principal Investigator Michael Mithoefer, M.D. "It was, once again, a wonderful example of the power of MDMA-assisted therapy to bring healing, and to change the lives of people who have been suffering for years with PTSD." On July 13 and July 28, two additional subjects completed long-term follow-up interviews, which 17 out of 24 subjects have now completed. We expect that primary data analysis will be completed by October 2015, and that the last long-term follow-up interview will take place in August 2016. We anticipate that the results will be published in early 2016, after the data from this study and all of our other international Phase 2 pilot studies is submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for consideration of Breakthrough Therapy status. Learn more…
$1,428,000 estimated study cost • $1,386,000 raised • $42,000 still needed
Learn about our Funding Priorities.
2. Boulder: Subject 19 Receives First Experimental Treatment
On July 17, 2015, subject 19 out of 23 was treated in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for subjects with PTSD from sexual assault, violent crime, war, natural disasters, or any other cause, taking place in Boulder, Colorado. Note: To more accurately reflect current progress and account for subjects enrolled but not included in the final analysis due to dropouts or not meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria for factors that were identified after enrollment, we are now reporting study subject numbers instead of the total number of subjects that have been enrolled. Several women from this study tell their stories in a feature article in the September 2015 issue of Marie Claire, expected on newsstands August 10. In addition to obtaining Phase 2 data on the safety and effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, this study is also comparing outcomes between different combinations of male/female co-therapist teams. Therapists for this study include and Marcela Ot’alora, M.A., L.P.C. (Principal Investigator); Sara Gael, M.A.; Jim Grigsby, Ph.D.; Allison McQueen, M.A., RPsych.; Bruce Poulter, R.N., M.P.H.; Saj Razvi, L.P.C.; Sandra Van Der Veer, M.A., C.H.T.; and Will Van Der Veer, M.D. We expect that the final subject will be treated in October 2015. Primary outcome data is anticipated to be available in December 2015, and the final results prepared for publication in late 2016. Learn more…
$771,000 est. study cost • $716,000 raised • $55,000 still needed
3. Israel: Fifth Subject Treated, One More Enrolled
On July 14, 2015, the fifth subject was treated in our ongoing Israeli study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. The seventh subject was enrolled on July 23, and the eighth and ninth subjects were enrolled on August 1. Led by Principal Investigator Moshe Kotler, M.D., this Phase 2 study will treat up to 10 subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD from any cause. “The entire clinical research team is pleased with the recent progress of our Israeli study, with four subjects enrolled in the last month,” reports MAPS Clinical Research Scientist Berra Yazar-Klosinski, Ph.D. This study is actively seeking Israeli participants. Learn more…
$509,000 estimated study cost • $87,000 raised • $422,000 still needed
Help make psychedelics and marijuana into prescription medicines—donate today!
MDMA-ASSISTED THERAPY FOR SOCIAL ANXIETY IN AUTISTIC ADULTS
4. Social Anxiety in Autistic Adults: Eighth Subject Treated
On July 25, 2015, the eighth subject was treated in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety in 12 adults on the autism spectrum. As of July 30, five subjects have completed their six-month follow-up visit. Sponsored by MAPS, this is a collaborative study between MAPS and the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, with blood plasma biomarker analysis being conducted by researchers at Stanford University. “The interesting thing about MDMA and similar drugs…is that they do have multi-targeted approaches,” says Stanford University School of Medicine researcher Dean Carson, Ph.D. “We’re talking about the effects of serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, cortisol, vasopressin…It’s really a systems-level approach that I think is very important in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.” Watch the video | Learn more at mdma-autism.org…
$336,000 est. study cost • $1,000 raised + $15,000 raised by partners • $320,000 still needed
PSYCHEDELIC HARM REDUCTION
5. Zendo Project Report: Crowdfunding Campaign Raises $69,406 to Expand Festival Services
From June 23 through July 24, 2015, 437 individual donors in 32 countries gave $69,406—exceeding our $50,000 goal—to expand the Zendo Project’s psychedelic harm reduction services at festivals and events worldwide. Approximately 70% of campaign contributors had never before given to MAPS. Donations included a $10,000 gift from Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, $10,000 from Britt Selvitelle ($5,000 of which was processed by Indiegogo), and two $10,000 matching donations, one a matching gift and one not processed by Indiegogo. The contributions we received will help us to (1) design and build a brand new Zendo structure from recycled cardboard, (2) train more volunteers, and (3) bring the Zendo Project to more events worldwide. The Zendo Project received significant news coverage in Fest300, Festival Insights, Care2, Playboy, and other media. The campaign also helped expand public education about psychedelic harm reduction, with over 22,000 campaign page visits and 2,600 referrals. Additionally, on July 15, we hosted a reddit “Ask Me Anything” session, generating over 88 comments and responses.
Stay connected by signing up for the Zendo Project Email Newsletter, and following the Zendo Project on Facebook and Twitter.
SUPPORT MAPS
6. July Giving Report: Our Special Thanks
In July 2015, 484 individuals gave $96,640 to support MAPS’ psychedelic research and education projects. Our special thanks goes to these generous donors:
MDMA Research
• Britt Selvitelle ($10,000) for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD research
• Dr. Philip Wolfson ($2,000) for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness study
Outreach and Education
• Mental Insight Foundation ($10,000) for our participation in the Grateful Dead Fare Thee Well Tour
General Support
• Google Matching Gift ($2,723)
• Anonymous ($1,500)
• Robert & Margaret Gansser ($1,000)
• Anonymous ($1,000)
• Anonymous ($1,000)
Also, a warm thank you to all those who gave to our Zendo Project crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. We especially recognize Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, Britt Selvitelle, and two $10,000 anonymous donations, one a matching gift and
one not processed through Indiegogo. maps.org/donate
Learn about including MAPS in your will or trust.
7. Are You an Academic Clinical Researcher? Here’s How You Can Help
As MAPS’ clinical research programs continue to grow, we have decided to partner with Medrio, a leading clinical trial data management service. Medrio has agreed to give us free access in exchange for referrals to university or pharmaceutical industry researchers who might benefit from the software. To learn about this system and help us cover costs, take a free tour of Medrio and request a free test database to explore. Take the tour…
MEDIA
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8. Newsweek, reddit, Huffington Post, Festival Insights, and more…
FEATURED reddit: We are the Zendo Project, a non-profit harm reduction service. Ask us anything! | view
Zendo Project | July 15, 2015
FEATURED Newsweek: Could Pot Help Veterans With PTSD? | view
Johnna Rizzo | August 2, 2015
FEATURED VIDEO: San Francisco Book Launch and Art Gallery with Stanislav Grof and Rick Doblin Mendocino TV | view
Mendocino TV | July 19, 2015
Boston.com: Psychedelics Changed the Way a Mother and Daughter Experienced Death | view
Lara Salahi | July 30, 2015
Huffington Post: 10 Reasons Why Federal Medical Marijuana Prohibition is About to Go Up in Smoke | view
Steph Sherer | July 23, 2015
Maclean’s: Could Ecstasy be a Potential Treatment for PTSD? | view
Zoe Cormier | July 13, 2015
Tricycle: The Long, Strange Trip | view
Don Lattin | July 23, 2015
Playboy: Harm Reduction Offers a Sane Way of Dealing with Drug Use at Festivals | view
Yoonj Kim | July 21, 2015
Festival Insights: The Virtues of Psychedelic Harm Reduction at Festivals | view
July 15, 2015
Care2: Drug Use at Festivals Doesn’t Have to End in Hospitalization or Arrest | view
Chris Sosa | July 21, 2015
ATTN: Meet the Man Trying to Use Ayahuasca to Treat PTSD | view
Thor Benson | July 11, 2015
Explore MAPS in the Media for more psychedelic and medical marijuana research news.
MAPS Store
9. Zig Zag Zen: Psychedelics and Buddhism edited by Allan Badiner
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NEW! 304 pages | Published by Synergetic Press | 2015 Buddhism and psychedelic exploration share a common concern: the liberation of the mind. The new edition includes an expanded array of stunning art and six new contributions, including original essays by luminaries such as Ralph Metzner and Brad Warner; exciting interviews with James Fadiman, Kokyo Henkel, and Rick Doblin; and a discussion of ayahuasca’s unique influence on Zen Buddhism by David Coyote. Art edited by Alex Grey. $26.95 | Now available |
10. Modern Consciousness Research and the Understanding of Art by Stanislav Grof, M.D.
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NEW! 200 pages | Published by MAPS In 200 spellbinding pages—including over 100 full-color illustrations—Modern Consciousness Research and the Understanding of Art takes readers on an enchanting tour of the human psyche. In this beautiful display-quality book, Grof illuminates themes related to dreams, trauma, sexuality, birth, and death, by applying his penetrating analysis to the work of Giger and other visionary artists. “After Sigmund Freud…and Carl Gustav Jung…Grof is unquestionably the third giant in the psychological interpretation of art in the modern age.” —Ervin Lászlo $29.95 | Now available |
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EVENTS
11. Visionary Convergence: September 25-27, 2015, Los Angeles, CA
PlantTeachers presents Visionary Convergence 2015, a conference and community gathering about ayahuasca, psilocybin mushrooms, iboga, peyote, cannabis, San Pedro cactus, and other entheogenic, medicinal, and visionary plants. Join visionaries, doctors, researchers, spiritual teachers, healers, therapists, filmmakers, and artists for lectures and presentations, forums, dialogues, visionary art gallery, live painting, and more. MAPS Clinical Research Scientist Berra Yazar-Klosinski, Ph.D., will give a presentation on the “Clinical Development of Plant Medicines and Plant-Derived Semi-Synthetic Compounds.” Register now…
12. Telluride Mushroom Festival: August 13-16, 2015, Telluride, CO
The Telluride Mushroom Festival celebrates all aspects of fungi, focusing equal effort on foraging and the gourmet aspects of mycology, along with cultivation, mycoremediation, and other psychoactives. The theme of this year’s Telluride Mushroom Festival is “The Future of Fungi,” with workshops, lectures, facilitated group discussions, and panels. The festival is sponsored by the Telluride Institute, an innovative non-profit that fosters the transition to a sustainable world. Tickets available now…
13. Drogas, Política y Cultura: Perspectivas Brasil-México: October 5-6, 2015, Guadalajara, Mexico
This conference is a joint initiative of the Center for Research and Higher Studies in Social Anthropology (CIESAS) in Guadalajara, the Brazilian Platform for Drug Policy (PBPD), and the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on Psychoactive (NEIP) in Brazil. The conference—entirely in Spanish and Portuguese with no translation offered—will focus on traditional and contemporary uses of drugs in indigenous, mestizo, and urban communities in Mexico and Brazil. Includes a keynote address from Brad Burge of MAPS on “Psychedelic Scie
nce and Medicine in the 21st Century.” Registration is free. Learn more…
14. Science and Nonduality: October 22-25, 2015, San Jose, CA
Science and Nonduality provides a forum where preeminent scientists, philosophers, teachers, artists and the international community gather to explore the new paradigm emerging in spirituality, that is both grounded in cutting-edge science and consistent with the ancient wisdom of nonduality—the deep understanding of the interconnectedness of life. Register…
15. Psychedelic Science 2017: April 19-24, 2017, Oakland, CA
Mark your calendars—it’s official! Psychedelic Science is coming back to the San Francisco Bay Area. The conference will return to the Oakland Marriott City Center in California from April 19-24, 2017. The conference will feature the latest findings in the psychedelic research community and is expected to sell out early. We are incredibly excited to start coordinating this monumental event. We will announce ticket sales, as well as opportunities to participate, closer to the date. For past conference information, speaker videos, and more from Psychedelic Science 2013, visit psychedelicscience.org.
Looking for more ways to get involved? Check out our Student Resources page!
MORE NEWS
16. Updates from the Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance
We are happy to share the following updates from our friends at the Global Ibogaine Therapist Alliance (GITA):
- We have just opened the second public consultation period for our Clinical Guidelines for Ibogaine-Assisted Detoxification. The consultation period is open until August 10th, and the document is scheduled for publication online and in print this September.
- Save the date for the 2016 Global Ibogaine Conference taking March 14-16, 2016, in Tepoztlán, Mexico, organized by GITA and the International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research, and Service (ICEERS).
- GITA is offering a pre-session Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification course for ibogaine therapy, to cover cardiac screening and monitoring as well as emergency interventions.
MAPS serves as non-profit fiscal sponsor for GITA.