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MAPS Email Newsletter:
Planning for the Future of Psychedelic Medicine
Canadian Study Treats First Subject;
MAPS Forms Public Benefit Corporation
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February 14, 2015
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Dear friends and supporters,
The Trip Treatment — Michael Pollan writes for The New Yorker about the resurgence of psychedelic science and spirituality.
Read | | Listen
The extraordinary efforts of countless individuals in the fields of psychedelic science, medicine, and spirituality over the last four decades are showing real results. It seems that every month we have even more exciting news to share with you, and this month is no different.
On February 3, the first subject was treated in our Canadian study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—the first legal experimental psychedelic therapy session in Canada in over 40 years.
We’re looking up the road ahead to plan for the approval of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a prescription treatment for PTSD. On February 13, we announced the formation of the MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of MAPS which will serve as a vehicle for conducting MAPS’ research, and balancing social benefits with income from the eventual legal prescription sale of MDMA, other psychedelics, and marijuana.
In Michael Pollan’s February 9 article in The New Yorker, MAPS Founder Rick Doblin, Ph.D., says, “Now mindfulness is mainstream and everyone does yoga, and there are birthing centers and hospices all over. We’ve integrated all these things into our culture. And now I think we’re ready to integrate psychedelics.”
In the February 2015 edition of the MAPS Email Newsletter, you’ll also learn:
- The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment approves our request for $156,000 in additional funding for our study of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in U.S. veterans
- The sixth subject of 12 is enrolled in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety in autistic adults
- The new organic cotton MAPS T-shirts are back in stock
- And lots more…
Stay connected with the psychedelic and medical marijuana research community by following us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and reddit.
Each step we take towards making psychedelics into legal medicines brings us closer to achieving our mission. As you enjoy and share this newsletter, please keep in mind that we couldn’t do it without you.
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For sustainability,
 Brad Burge MAPS Director of Communications and Marketing |
- Canada: First Subject Treated in Vancouver Study
- Boulder: Sixteenth Subject Treated; Two More Enrolled
- Social Anxiety in Autistic Adults: 6th Subject Enrolled
- Revised Grant Application Approved; Sue Sisley to Receive Researcher of the Year Award
- January Giving Report: The New Year Brings New Gifts and Enduring Generosity
- The New Yorker, NPR, Military Times, and more…
- Signed, Limited Edition Portrait of Sasha and Ann Shulgin by Alex Grey
- Organic Cotton MAPS T-Shirts BACK IN STOCK
- Book Launch: Ayahuasca Shamanism in the Amazon and Beyond: February 21, 2015, Santa Cruz, CA
- Exploring Transpersonal Psychology with Dr. Stan Grof: March 1-9, 2015, Israel
- American Psychiatric Association 168th Annual Meeting: May 18, 2015, Toronto, Canada
- At Home in the Dark: A Film About Trauma and PTSD by Charles Shaw
Treating PTSD with MDMA-Assisted Therapy
MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Social Anxiety in Autistic Adults
Medical Marijuana Research
Support MAPS
Media
MAPS Store
Events
More News
WATCH: In a promotional clip for MDMA: The Movie, author Ann Shulgin, MAPS founder Rick Doblin, Ph.D., and researcher Matthew Baggott, Ph.D., talk about why MDMA is often classified as a psychedelic.
TREATING PTSD WITH MDMA-ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY
1. Canada: First Subject Treated in Vancouver Study
On February 3, 2015, the first subject received their first experimental treatment in our Canadian study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. The purpose of this small Phase 2 study in up to 12 subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD is to train and gather outcome data from a new team of co-therapists, and lay the groundwork for a potential Phase 3 study site. This study has been in preparation for over eight years, since we began working on this project near the end of 2006. This is the first Health Canada-approved clinical psychedelic research to take place in over 40 years. “We are excited and inspired to finally start the clinical phase of the Vancouver MDMA/PTSD study,” wrote Sub-Investigator Donna Dryer, MD, FRCPC. “We are honored and proud to realize our dream with MAPS in Canada, the country that originally launched psychedelic therapy in the 1950s!” Learn more…
$443,500 estimated study cost • $46,000 raised + $7,500 raised by partners • $390,000 still needed
WATCH: Jason Silva expounds on how research conducted by MAPS and others is helping grow public knowledge of science, consciousness, and spirituality.
Learn about our Funding Priorities.
2. Boulder: Sixteenth Subject Treated; Two More Enrolled
On January 9, 2015, the 16th subject was treated in our ongoing Boulder, Colorado study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD in 23 subjects with PTSD from sexual assault, violent crime, war, natural disasters, or any other cause. The 17th and 18th subjects were enrolled on January 5 and February 2. On February 6, NPR broadcast a special episode in which study participant Jennifer talks about her experience participating in the study. "This is definitely the most amazing thing that I have ever had happen in my life,” said Jennifer. "I don’t qualify for PTSD anymore…I was able to work through years and years of trauma, and just really come out the other side.” Listen | Learn more…
$726,000 estimated study cost • $313,000 raised • $413,000 still needed
MDMA-ASSISTED THERAPY FOR SOCIAL ANXIETY IN AUTISTIC ADULTS
3. Social Anxiety in Autistic Adults: 6th Subject Enrolled
On January 30, 2015, the 6th subject was enrolled in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety in 12 adults on the autism spectrum. This study, which is now halfway through enrollment, is exploring whether MDMA combined with therapy can enhance functional skills and quality of life in autistic adults with social anxiety. Principal Investigator Charles Grob, M.D., who is leading the study with co-investigator Alicia Danforth, Ph.D., appeared on KCRW/NPR’s February 6 episode of “To the Point”
to share his views on the resurgence of research into the risks and therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. MAPS is sponsoring this collaborative study in association with researchers at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and Stanford University. Learn more…
$336,000 estimated study cost • $1,000 raised + $15,000 raised by partners • $320,000 still needed
Learn about our work to make psychedelics and medical marijuana into prescription medicines at the redesigned maps.org.
WATCH: Dr. Stanislav Grof talks about Exploring Transpersonal Psychology, the educational series on psychology, psychedelics, and Holotropic Breathwork in Israel this March, presented by MAPS.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA RESEARCH
4. Revised Grant Application Approved; Sue Sisley to Receive Researcher of the Year Award
On January 30, 2015, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) approved our request for $156,000 in additional funding for our planned multi-site study of smoked marijuana for PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. These funds, from Colorado’s Medical Marijuana Research Grant Program, will supplement the $2 million grant awarded to MAPS by CDPHE on December 17, 2014, and will be used for administrative costs, salary support, and facility fees. Meanwhile, we’re still waiting for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to inform us when, which varieties, and at what cost it will make marijuana available to us for this study, even though we were approved for access to NIDA marijuana in March 2014. Principal Investigator Sue Sisley, M.D., will be honored with the Americans for Safe Access (ASA) Researcher of the Year Award at the National Medical Marijuana Unity Conference in Washington, DC, on March 30, 2015. Learn more…
SUPPORT MAPS
5. January Giving Report: The New Year Brings New Gifts and Enduring Generosity
In January 2015, 211 people gave $24,408 to support MAPS’ research and education programs. Special thanks to the Joshua Mailman Foundation for their contribution of $5,000, Jeremy Tarcher for his donation of $3,500, Christopher Lindstrom for his gift of $1,500, and the Google Matching Gifts Department for their employee match of $1,444. Also, thank you to Matthew London & Sylvia Wen, Tom Lehrer, and Threyda, who contributed $1,000 each in general support this month. Our gratitude extends to the 198 people who gave a total of $9,471. Fiscally sponsored projects this month include Bluelight, the Ethnobotanical Stewardship Council, and the Global Ibogaine Therapist Alliance.
Every gift is a generous gift. 142 of the smaller donations come from donors who are a part of our "Monthly Sustainers" program, where donors can easily set up an automatic credit card payment. These small donations add up to over $3,000 a month for MAPS’ mission. Just choose the Make this a recurring donation option on our donation page to join others who help sustain MAPS’ daily work to make psychedelics into prescription medicines.
Learn about including MAPS in your will or trust.
MEDIA
6. The New Yorker, NPR, Military Times, and more…
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FEATURED PRESS RELEASE: MAPS Announces Formation of New Public Benefit Corporation to Conduct Research and Sell MDMA by Prescription | view
MAPS | February 13, 2015
FEATURED The New Yorker (Article): The Trip Treatment | view
Michael Pollan | February 9, 2015
FEATURED The New Yorker (Podcast): Psychedelics and Therapy | view
Amelia Lester | February 9, 2015
FEATURED The New Yorker (Video): Magic Mushrooms and the Healing Trip | view
Sky Dylan-Robbins | February 9, 2015
The Lancet: Turn On and Tune In to Evidence-Based Research | view
Dr. Ben Sessa | January 2015
Military Times: Colorado Funds Study on Marijuana for PTSD | view
Patricia Kime | January 11, 2015
Al Jazeera America: Why is it Easier to Study Heroin Than Marijuana? | view
Jacob Ward | January 9, 2015
Haaretz: Can Israel Lead the World in Weed? | view
Dror Reich | January 15, 2015
CNN: Can LSD Make You a Billionaire? | view
Erica Fink | January 25, 2015
Shots of Awe: Drugs as Tools for Spirituality | view
Jason Silva | January 13, 2015
MDMA: The Movie – Teaser Trailer | view
Emanuel Sferios | January 17, 2015
MAPS: Legalizing Psychedelic Therapy Webinar | view
MAPS | January 8, 2015
MAPS: Exploring Transpersonal Psychology with Dr. Stanislav Grof in Israel | view
MAPS | January 30, 2015
Explore MAPS in the Media for more psychedelic and medical marijuana research news.
MAPS STORE
7. Signed, Limited Edition Portrait of Sasha and Ann Shulgin by Alex Grey
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On Saturday, April 17, 2010, at the Sasha and Ann Shulgin tribute dinner at MAPS’ Psychedelic Science in the 21st Century conference, Alex Grey unveiled his portrait of Ann and Sasha Shulgin, “The Shulgins and Their Alchemical Angels.” Fifty numbered 15×22″ prints, signed by Alex Grey, Sasha Shulgin, and Ann Shulgin are available through the MAPS Store. Nearly half have already sold. Proceeds are split between MAPS’ MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD research and Alex and Allyson Grey’s Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (COSM), with an honorarium to Ann Shulgin. “The Shulgins and Their Alchemical Angels” was featured on the cover of the January 2015 issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry (see above). $1,500 and up | Now available |
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8. Organic Cotton MAPS T-Shirts
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BACK IN STOCK!
These 100% organic cotton unisex tees are screen-printed by hand in Santa Cruz, Calif., by local artist Clay Chollar. Available in dark blue in limited sizes and quantities. These are selling fast!
$30 | Now available |
EVENTS
9. Book Launch: Ayahuasca Shamanism in the Amazon and Beyond: February 21, 2015, Santa Cruz, CA
Authors Beatriz Labate Ph.D. and Clancy Cavnar, PsyD, join Valerie Corral of the Wo/Mens Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM) and Annie Oak of the Women’s Visionary Congress, for a free conversation about the connections between marijuana, ayahuasca, and psychedelic culture, and about current regulatory models of plant medicines. Learn more…
10. Exploring Transpersonal Psychology with Dr. Stan Grof: March 1-9, 2015, Israel
From March 1-9, 2015, MAPS is sponsoring a series of lectures, seminars, and workshops in Israel with pioneering psychiatrist Dr. Stanislav Grof. Focusing on transpersonal psychology, psychedelic research, and Holotropic Breathwork, the educational series will bring together students, researchers, and Breathwork practitioners from around the world to learn about and raise awareness for these transformational fields. Learn more and register…
11. American Psychiatric Association 168th Annual Meeting: May 18, 2015, Toronto, Canada
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD researcher Michael Mithoefer, M.D., will present at the American Psychiatric Association annual symposium in Toronto, taking place from May 16-20, 2015. On Monday, May 18, Dr. Mithoefer will present results and discuss the implications of MAPS’ ongoing Phase 2 MDMA-assisted psychotherapy PTSD research program. Learn more…
Looking for more ways to get involved? Check out our Student Resources page!
MORE NEWS
12. At Home in the Dark: A Film About Trauma and PTSD by Charles Shaw
At Home in the Dark is an upcoming film about trauma and PTSD by Charles Shaw exploring how trauma affects people around the world and showcasing their profound ability to heal. Charles Shaw is the author of Exile Nation: Drugs, Prisons, Politics & Spirituality, and director of the documentary Edward James Olmos presents Exile Nation: The Plastic People. The Indiegogo campaign ends at 11:59pm on February 14. Learn more…
Help us make psychedelics and marijuana into prescription medicines—donate today!