Newsletter: July 2022 - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

New Digital Learning Course: Psychedelic Fundamentals

July 27, 2022

This month has brought exciting forward momentum in the world of psychedelic research and education! Before we explore the latest news, we’d like to honor the legacy of Ann Shulgin, who passed away on Saturday, July 9 at the age of 91.

Ann was a psychedelic researcher and author who worked with psychedelics such as MDMA and 2C-B as a lay-therapist while they were still legal. Ann is well-known for co-authoring PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story and TiHKAL: The Continuation with her late husband, Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin.

We honor and appreciate Ann’s decades-long dedication and historic contributions to the field of psychedelic therapy. Ann will be remembered as a pioneer, researcher, author, and elder. Rest in psychedelic peace, Ann Shulgin.

Three weeks before Ann died, MAPS organized a screening of the documentary by Connie Littlefield about Ann and Sasha, Better Living Through Chemistry, at the majestic, historic Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, CA. Over 500 people came to the screening, as did Ann and her daughter Wendy and her husband Jason, Ann’s caretakers Greg and Tania Manning, Sasha’s protege, Paul Daley, and many others. Ann was able to see yet again the love the psychedelic community has for her and Sasha.

Psychedelic Fundamentals: First Course in MAPS Digital Learning Series
Psychedelic Fundamentals is the first course in the new MAPS Digital Learning series. This introductory course guides newcomers through the basics of psychedelics via a series of short, easy-to-follow lessons. Within a couple of hours, Fundamentals provides students with a broad overview of the most interesting and important aspects of psychedelic history, science, clinical research, therapeutic uses, and harm reduction, backed by over 36 years of MAPS experience.

In-depth courses on integration, peer support, and more are in development.

Use code HTCYM for 25% off registration for Psychedelic Fundamentals or pre-orders of other MAPS Digital Learning courses, coming soon!

Psychedelic Fundamentals Course

$29.99

Add to cart

Statement: Biden Administration Preparing for Potential FDA Approval of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD
Yesterday, a letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was made public describing the Food and Drug Administration’s “anticipated approval…within approximately 24 months” of psychedelic-assisted therapies. The letter indicated that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is exploring establishment of a Federal Task Force to address the complex issues associated with the commercialization of psychedelic medicines, including clinical, regulatory, and public policy matters. Read the full statement here.

MDMA-Assisted Group Therapy for PTSD Among Veterans Study Will Proceed Following Successful Safety Negotiations
After months of negotiations with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we have been permitted to initiate the MAPS-sponsored Phase 2 Open-Label Feasibility and Safety Study of MDMA-Assisted Group Therapy for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Veterans (MPG1). Despite its status as the world’s leading research center for PTSD, few Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities have hosted clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapies for PTSD.

Though the study was approved by the VA Portland Health Care System Institutional Review Board months earlier, the FDA placed a partial clinical hold due to a theoretical safety concern surrounding a perceived need for overnight stays at the trial location, a requirement that was not part of the proposed study protocol. In response to the clinical hold, MAPS submitted safety data from a Phase 3 sub-study; the FDA agreed to lift the clinical hold on June 15, 2022. We are thrilled to move forward with this study in hope of helping Veterans who are suffering from PTSD. Read the press release to learn more.

MAPS to Collaborate with MMS Holdings on New Drug Application for MDMA-Assisted Therapy
On PTSD Awareness Day, MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC), a fully owned subsidiary of MAPS, announced that it has selected MMS Holdings (MMS), an award-winning data-focused contract research organization (CRO), as its contract research organization (CRO) for the development of a New Drug Application (NDA) for MDMA-assisted therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This announcement comes on PTSD Awareness Day and follows MAPS PBC’s May milestone: completing enrollment for the MAPP2, the second, confirmatory Phase 3 trials.

MAPP1, the first of two Phase 3 trials conducted by MAPS PBC to evaluate investigational MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of PTSD, showed that 88% of participants experienced a clinically significant reduction (≥10 points) in PTSD symptoms two months after the last experimental session, with no serious safety signals emerging. In addition to being granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA, MDMA-assisted therapy has the potential to become the first-in-class FDA-approved psychedelic-assisted therapy.

The second Phase 3 trial of the Breakthrough-Designated Therapy for PTSD will be completed in late 2022, with a targeted NDA submission in 2023 supported by MMS Holdings. MMS Holdings was selected for extensive experience supporting neuroscience-related and first-in-class NDAs. Read the press release to learn more.

MAPS Raises Nearly $1.6 Million in Christie’s NFT Auction
A recent curated digital art NFT sale – Cartography of the Mind: A Curated NFT Sale – raised $1,569,960 for MAPS! All proceeds of the auction, presented by Christie’s in collaboration with Ryan Zurrer, founder of Dialectic and Vine Ventures, will support psychedelic research and education.

Digital artists from all over the world, including Beeple, David Choe, Alex Grey, Sarah Meyohas, Refik Anadol, Mad Dog Jones, and IX Shells, donated their art to support MAPS. Read the press release here.

“On the heels of NFT.NYC, we were absolutely thrilled with the successful results of Cartography of the Mind: A Curated Sale to Benefit MAPS. Throughout the week, the physical exhibition at Christie’s new gallery on 6th Avenue drew impressive crowds of enthusiastic visitors. With competitive bidding, the sale realized over $1.5 million. It was 100% sold, and 130% sold hammer over low estimate. This is a true testament to the continued strength and vibrancy of the digital art market.”
Nicole Sales, Christie’s Business Director of Digital Art

Watch MAPS on Netflix
You can now stream How to Change Your Mind, featuring MAPS, on Netflix! Based on the best-selling book by acclaimed author Michael Pollan, Chapter 1: LSD, highlights our LSD-assisted therapy for end-of-life anxiety study. Chapter 3: MDMA spotlights our psychedelic research with MDMA-assisted therapy, featuring MAPS representatives including MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) Senior Medical Director for Medical Affairs, Training, and Supervision Michael Mithoefer, M.D., MAPS-sponsored researchers Annie Mithoefer, B.S.N., and Shari Taylor, Ph.D. Produced by esteemed filmmakers Lucy Walker, Alison Ellwood, and Alex Gibney, the documentary series explores the broad ecosystem of psychedelic science with additional episodes dedicated to psilocybin, LSD, and mescaline.

Watch now

We’ve curated resources and developed tools you can use to host a How to Change Your Mind watch party with your friends and family, discuss the latest research, and introduce them to our work as the leading psychedelic research organization.

MAPS, MAPS PBC, and MAPS Europe are Hiring
Refer a friend or apply for one of our many open job positions. All of our organizations — MAPS, MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, and MAPS Europe — are hiring for full-time roles including Major Gifts Officer, Medical Writer, Senior Director of Medical Science & Outcomes, and Head of Clinical Science. We’re always adding new jobs, so be sure to check our Careers page regularly for opportunities in psychedelic research!

Register for Psychedelic Science 2023

Psychedelic Science 2023 takes place from June 17-25, 2023, in Denver, Colorado! MAPS members, researchers, students, clinicians, therapists, political leaders, leaders and shareholders of for-profit psychedelic companies, and psychedelic enthusiasts will gather from around the world to discuss the latest advances in psychedelic research, art, and culture. Sign up for exclusive email updates to receive news, schedules, and more details.

Horizons Conferences in Portland and New York City

The Horizons Center Public Benefit Corporation has announced the debut of Horizons Northwest, a new conference featuring five days of learning, connection, and community that explores the many dimensions of psychedelics. Horizons Northwest will take place from September 13-18, 2022, at the Portland Art Museum in Portland, Oregon. During the event, MAPS Director of Policy Ismail Ali, J.D., will speak about MAPS’ current progress within the field.

Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics will take place for the 15th consecutive year in New York City from October 12-16, 2022. Horizons NYC is the longest-running annual psychedelic event in the world with five days of sessions, speakers, forums, and workshops.

As a proud community ally, MAPS is excited to share coupon code MAPS-NW-15 for our supporters to receive 15% off registration for Horizons Northwest and MAPS-NY-15 for 15% off registration for Horizons New York.

Jerry Greenfield, Co-Founder of Ben & Jerry’s, Scoops Ice Cream with MAPS

*From left to right: Rick Doblin, Ph.D., Natalie Lyla Ginsberg, M.S.W., conference organizer Dr. Rick Barnett, Jerry Greenfield, and Rick Doblin’s daughter, Ellie Doblin*

On June 21, Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s and a MAPS donor since 1994, scooped ice cream with MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., and MAPS Global Impact Officer Natalie Lyla Ginsberg, M.S.W., at the Vermont Psychedelic Society’s first Psychedelic Science & Spirituality Summit.

Special MAPS Discount Code for Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research 2022 in Haarlem, Netherlands

You’re invited to attend the 5th annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research from September 22-24, 2022, in Haarlem, Netherlands! ICPR features world-leading researchers from many academic disciplines, including psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, anthropology, ethnobotany, and philosophy. Use the code MAPS100 to receive a €100 discount on all tickets!

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We hope you’re having a fantastic summer! Thank you for supporting MAPS.