Newsletter: July 2021 - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

MAPS Board of Directors Selects New Chair of the Board

July 27, 2021

Dear friends and supporters,

As we enter the second half of 2021, we feel humbled by the expansive support from MAPS donors who support our work. Following of Nature Medicine’s publication of successful results from MAPS’ first Phase 3 clinical trial of MDMA-assisted therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we are welcoming an unprecedented number of supporters who have chosen to help us fulfill our mission through becoming monthly donors.

In June, MAPS and MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) executive leadership members gathered for Board of Directors meetings in San Francisco, California, to review collective progress, become aligned on goals, and decide on next steps toward the fulfillment of our mission.

In this meeting, Victoria Hale was selected as the new Chair of the MAPS Board. Victoria is an experienced leader in non-profit drug development. Hale’s full biography is available on the MAPS Board of Directors webpage.

The Board also approved a fundraising plan for $50 million a year for the next three years for U.S. commercialization of the prescription use of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, globalization of Phase 3 MDMA/PTSD research starting with the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and covering all staff costs until we reach sustainability in the middle of 2024 when we project income from the sale of prescription MDMA starts to cover our costs. Our Strategy and Development Teams will be working to raise this funding through explorations of philanthropy. philanthropic debt, and partnerships.

The Board approved a plan for MDMA’s commercialization, which was developed in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group. This plan projects that 1 million PTSD patients will be treated with MDMA-assisted therapy within the next decade. The Board also reaffirmed our intention to bring MDMA-assisted therapy to Europe and to the globe.

On July 13, Ismail L. Ali, J.D., Acting Director of Policy and Advocacy at MAPS, delivered in-person testimony to the Health Committee of the California State Assembly in support of Senate Bill 519, which would decriminalize certain psychedelics throughout the entire state.

"Decriminalization will empower people to seek honest education, destigmatize their own behavior and that of the people around them, and facilitate, where needed, the ability to seek support for detrimental experience or relationship with substances," asserts Ali. Watch his full testimony beginning at 1:30:12.

This month, a new painting called Psychedelic Healing by artist Alex Grey was gifted to our founder, Rick Doblin, Ph.D. The painting is a visionary rendition of the MAPS logo given as a tribute to MAPS for 35 years of our historic service bringing education, political change, and healing to the world.

Limited edition fine art prints and posters of this painting are available for purchase in The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM) Shop! Each print is proofed, numbered, and signed by both Alex Grey and Rick Doblin. Proceeds for this print benefit MAPS and CoSM. There are only 66 prints of 300 left for purchase, and the price increases as the edition reaches its end, so get yours today!

CoSM is also offering Psychedelic Healing as a limited-release 100% recycled cotton blanket until 11:59 PM ET on August 1! These unique blankets are made by a small mill on the east coast, so only a limited number are woven per batch. Proceeds directly support both MAPS and CoSM’s project Entheon, a visionary art sanctuary.

MAPS has been featured in more major media outlets this month including The New York Times, Fox News, ABC News, and CBS Boston. Stay tuned to our media, multimedia, and podcast webpages for the latest coverage about MAPS.

Our team is still seeking research volunteers for Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. Trials are recruiting in Charleston, South Carolina; Boulder, Colorado; Fort Collins, Colorado; Boston, Massachusetts; Los Angeles, California; New York, New York; Madison, Wisconsin; San Francisco, California; and Tel Aviv, Israel. Volunteers should apply at mdmaptsd.org. Volunteers will help contribute to scientific knowledge and will help us better understand if MDMA-assisted therapy works for treatment of PTSD. MAPS conducts clinical trials under the guidance and regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in collaboration with 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.

We’re grateful that the newest Psychedelic Science Webinar Series was such a success! Did you miss the live webinars? You can still buy recording access to the latest advancements in psychedelic research, medicine, and policy with leaders in the field.

We’re continuing to hire for new job opportunities at MAPS, MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC), and MAPS Europe.

New positions at MAPS include Pharmaceutical Business Development Consultant and In-House Corporate Counsel. MAPS PBC is hiring a Clinical Research Associate – Contractor (Canada), Director/Associate Director of Clinical Operations (based on experience), Clinical Operations Development Manager, Clinical Trial Leader, CMC Senior Manager, Regulatory Publishing Specialist, and many more. MAPS Europe is hiring an Independent Rater.

In this edition of the MAPS Newsletter, you'll also learn:

We raised over $3.54 million for psychedelic research and education this month!
Save the date: MAPS is hosting Psychedelic Science 2023, a conference taking place from June 18-25, 2023, in Denver, Colorado
The Way of the Psychonaut audiobook is available on Audible and is also available in the MAPS Store

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

We’ll be announcing more exciting updates in the months to come! As always, stay subscribed to the MAPS Newsletter for the latest in psychedelic news. Be sure to share with a friend!

With appreciation,

Amy Mastrine
MAPS Web and Email Marketing Associate

CORRECTION: The email version of this newsletter contained a sentence which suggested MAPS was considering becoming a public, for-profit organization. We apologize: that is not an accurate reflection of our intentions or conversations. It is true that, in a deep investigation of all possible business models which might provide the resources needed to make MDMA a medicine, our Strategy Team considered an array of traditional business structure options for MAPS PBC. Ultimately, we determined that the model we have now is the best model for making MDMA a medicine while centering our principles and values: a nonprofit organization funded through the generosity of donors committed to our vision of healing for all. We may someday seek impact loans (which provide set, modest returns to lenders and maintain full non-profit ownership of our subsidiaries). However, we believe that the donors who brought us this far — and those new friends who will join them — will continue to make philanthropic investments in healing for all.

Treating PTSD with MDMA-Assisted Therapy

Phase 3 Trials of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD: Seeking Research Volunteers

Updates on the European Open-Label, Phase 2, Multicenter Feasibility Study of Manualized MDMA-Assisted Therapy in Subjects with PTSD

MDMA Therapy Training Program Update: July 2021

Support MAPS

June 2021 Giving Report: MAPS Raises Over $3.54 Million for Psychedelic Research and Education

We’re Hiring!

Psychedelic Peer Support

Zendo Project’s EntheoGeneration Speaker Series Update

MAPS in the Media

MAPS Store

Carry all of your MAPS merch around in the MAPS canvas tote bag! Printed on 100% cotton canvas material, our tote bags are the perfect way to keep all your belongings in one place and spark a conversation about MAPS. All proceeds support MAPS psychedelic research.

The Way of the Psychonaut audiobook is now available on Audible, along with the MAPS Store. The print book and Kindle version of The Way of the Psychonaut is also available for purchase.

Events

Browse our Event Calendar page for more opportunities.

Telluride Mushroom Festival, August 18-22, 2021, Telluride, Colorado

Since 1981, the Telluride Mushroom Festival has been celebrating all things mycological, from the newest advancements in mushroom science to our famous wild foods dinner demo. Held annually in Telluride, Colorado, TMF is a can’t miss event with a colorful history in one of the most beautiful locations on earth. • Learn More

Psychedelic Science 2023, June 18-25, 2023, Denver, Colorado

With an estimated 10,000 attendees, this week-long event will feature three days of lectures from leaders and visionaries from the psychedelic space, pre- and post-conference workshops, an exhibit hall, and a marketplace featuring artists, musicians, and other vendors from around the world. • 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 MDMA/PTSD trial participant enrollment is now open. Please bookmark our Participate in Research page and check it frequently for updates.

More News

Modern Recovery: Veterans & Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Online Course from Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS)

New Research Results: User Perceptions of Long Term Costs and Benefits of MDMA Use: Findings from a Large Online Sample

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