Completed: Second-Largest Trial of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD
Tickets for Psychedelic Science 2017 are selling fast
March 11, 2017
Dear friends and supporters,
Our Phase 2 trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are continuing to wrap up, clearing the way for Phase 3 trials. On February 24, our second-largest trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD was officially completed in Boulder, Colorado. We’re now preparing the protocol for our Phase 3 clinical trials—starting later this year—which will be the final stage of research needed to make MDMA a legal medicine.
Tickets for Psychedelic Science 2017 are selling quickly! With over 1,700 attendees and more than 175 presenters, this will be the largest-ever gathering of researchers exploring the scientific, medical, spiritual, and creative uses of psychedelics. Tickets for the 3-Day Conference (April 21-23) are extremely limited—register now to reserve your space.
In the March 2017 edition of the MAPS Email Newsletter, you’ll also learn:
- Our ongoing Phase 1 MDMA therapist training study enrolls the 24th participant
- The third pair of participants receives treatment in our ongoing study of MDMA combined with Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) for PTSD
- The second and third participants receive marijuana in our ongoing clinical trial of smoked marijuana for PTSD in U.S. veterans
- The Zendo Project provides psychedelic harm reduction services and assists over 100 guests at Envision Festival in Costa Rica
- We are excited to offer both Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Continuing Education (CE) credits at Psychedelic Science 2017
Stay connected by following MAPS on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, reddit, Tumblr, Pinterest, Google+, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
2017 is a pivotal year for psychedelic and marijuana research and education, and we’re excited and grateful for your support for this journey.
Always upwards,
Brad Burge
MAPS Director of Communications and Marketing
P.S. Watch and share this video to learn what’s in store at Psychedelic Science 2017!
Contents
Treating PTSD with MDMA-Assisted Therapy
Boulder: Study Officially Completed
Therapist Training Study: 24th Participant Enrolled in Colorado
Conjoint Therapy for PTSD: Third Pair of Participants Receive Treatment
MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Anxiety Associated with Life-Threatening Illness
Marin: 18th and Final Participant Enrolled; 17th Participant Treated
Medical Marijuana
Ayahuasca Research
Psychedelic Harm Reduction
Zendo Project Assists Over 100 Guests at Envision Festival in Costa Rica
MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Social Anxiety in Autistic Adults
February Giving Report: Looking Forward
MAPS Store
Psychedelic Science 2017 Shirt (Pre-Sale)
Events
Psychedelic Science 2017: April 19-24, 2017, Oakland, CA
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) Annual Conference: March 24-26, 2017, Portland, OR
International Drug Policy Reform Conference: October 11-14, 2017, Atlanta, GA
Register now for Psychedelic Science 2017.
Treating PTSD with MDMA-Assisted Therapy
Boulder: Study Officially Completed
On February 24, 2017, investigators gathered for the formal closeout of our Phase 2 study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in 23 subjects with chronic PTSD in Boulder, Colorado, led by Principal Investigator Marcela Ot’alora, M.A., L.P.C. The closeout was conducted by Senior Clinical Research Associate Charlotte Harrison, and included a thorough review of the study’s documentation, database, files, and adherence to regulations. All treatment sessions and long-term follow-up interviews for this study have now been completed. The final results are being prepared for publication, which is expected in 2017. Learn more…
Therapist Training Study: 24th Participant Enrolled in Colorado
On February 15, 2017, the 24th participant was enrolled in our ongoing Phase 1 study of the psychological effects of MDMA when used in a therapeutic setting by healthy volunteers. The new participant was enrolled at the Boulder, Colorado, study site led by Principal Investigator Marcela Ot’alora, M.A., L.P.C. Michael Mithoefer, M.D., and Ann Mithoefer, B.S.N., are serving as Principal Investigators at the site in Charleston, South Carolina. Enrollment in this study is limited by invitation only to therapists in training to work on MAPS-sponsored clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. This study has currently enrolled 24 out of 100 participants across the study sites in Colorado and South Carolina. Learn more…
| $429,000 estimated study cost | $160,000 raised | $269,000 still needed |
Donate Nowhelp fund more research |
Conjoint Therapy for PTSD: Third Pair of Participants Receive Treatment
On March 10, 2017, the third pair of participants received their second experimental treatment in our new study of MDMA combined with Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) for PTSD in Charleston, South Carolina. The study will enroll 10 dyads, with one participant diagnosed with PTSD and one concerned significant other who does not have PTSD but does experience psychosocial distress. The primary goal of this study is to develop a combined method of MDMA with CBCT for PTSD. MDMA will be administered to both participants to help facilitate communication and connection between participants and therapists. Learn more…
| $235,000 estimated study cost | $165,000 raised | $70,000 still needed |
Donate Nowhelp fund more research |
MAPS Bulletin Winter 2016: Vol. 26 No. 3 Annual Report
Art by Michael Divine
MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Anxiety Associated with Life-Threatening Illness
Marin: 18th and Final Participant Enrolled; 17th Participant Treated
On February 26, 2017, the 18th and final participant enrolled in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness On February 13, 2017, the 17th of 18 participants was treated. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with Co-Therapist Julane Andries, L.M.F.T., this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with diagnosis of a life-threatening illness in 18 participants. Learn more…
| $627,000estimated study cost | $248,000raised | $379,000still needed |
Donate Nowhelp fund more research |
Medical Marijuana
Second and Third Participants Self-Administered Treatment in Trial of Marijuana for Chronic PTSD in Veterans
On February 9 and February 22, 2017, the second and third participants in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans self-administered treatment at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Ariz. The second participant was enrolled on February 7, and the third participant was enrolled on February 17. This clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana to manage symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. Researchers have screened 131 candidates to date for participation this study. Learn more…
Ayahuasca Research
Survey: Ayahuasca for PTSD
As of February 27, 2017, we have received 310 completed responses for our new anonymous questionnaire about the potential risks and benefits associated with using ayahuasca as a therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The data collection is being sponsored by MAPS, with Jessica Nielson, Ph.D., as the Principal Investigator for this study. Take the survey…
Learn more about current and upcoming research at maps.org.
Zendo Project volunteers at Envision Festival in Costa Rica.
Psychedelic Harm Reduction
Zendo Project Assists Over 100 Guests at Envision Festival in Costa Rica
At this year’s Envision Festival in Uvita, Costa Rica, 45 Zendo Project volunteers provided psychedelic harm reduction services for 101 guests having difficult experiences, as well as outreach and education for many more. A public training was hosted by Zendo Project staff and supervisors, which featured two hours of education about psychedelic harm reduction. Throughout the five-day event, volunteers worked closely with RGX Medical and security staff to reduce the number of psychiatric related hospitalizations and arrests. “The Zendo Project team recently returned from Envision Festival, where we were able to provide harm reduction services for the fifth year in a row. We express much appreciation to Envision Festival for continuing to lead the way providing harm reduction services within the festival community,” explains MAPS Director of Harm Reduction Sara Gael, M.A. Apply to volunteer…
Learn about psychedelic harm reduction by signing up for the Zendo Project Email Newsletter, and following the Zendo Project on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Support MAPS
February Giving Report: Looking Forward
In February 2017, MAPS received $93,000 in new donations and pledges from 250 supporters. The new year marked our final negotiations with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as we move onto our final Phase 3 trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. We are still on track to make MDMA a medicine by 2021, and in the coming years our funding needs will grow substantially. Our Phase 3 trials will cost at least $25 million. With $10 million in hand, there’s still a funding gap we need to close.
We extend a special thanks to those who generously supported MAPS this past month:
General Support
- John Gilmore ($30,000)
- Mai Family Foundation ($25,000)
- AmazonSmile Foundation ($1,564)
- Benjamin Marinoff ($1,000)
GMP MDMA for MDMA/PTSD Phase 3
- Anonymous ($10,000)
- Bonnie Brunet and Martin Rist ($1,000)
- Greg Logan ($1,000)
MDMA/PTSD Phase 3 Studies
- Peter Glynn ($5,000)
- Steven Weinstein and Marcia Meislin ($1,000)
Zendo Project
- David Bronner ($5,850)
MAPS relies on the generosity of individual donors to achieve our mission. Psychedelic science is again being conducted under federal guidelines, but no funding for psychedelic psychotherapy research is yet available from governments or major foundations.
Help us reach our goal to make MDMA a medicine by 2021 by establishing a monthly gift of $10 or more. maps.org/donate
Learn how to include MAPS in your will or estate plans.
Learn more about hosting a Global Psychedelic Dinner to fundraise for MAPS.
MAPS Store
Psychedelic Science 2017 Shirt (Pre-Sale)
 |
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Events
Browse our Event Calendar for more upcoming events.
Psychedelic Science 2017: April 19-24, 2017, Oakland, CA
TICKETS ARE SELLING FAST—DON’T DELAY
Join us from April 19-24, 2017, in Oakland, California, for Psychedelic Science 2017, a six-day international gathering featuring three days of Conference programming, three full days of Workshops, a Sunset Cruise on the San Francisco Bay, the world’s first Psychedelic Comedy Banquet, a free and expansive Marketplace of goods and ideas, participant-led Community Forums, and much more. Scientists, doctors, therapists, students, educators, policymakers, artists, and others from around the world will share recently completed and ongoing research into the risks and benefits of psychedelics and medical marijuana for science, medicine, spirituality, creativity, and more. Psychedelic Science 2017 is the third international Psychedelic Science conference, building on the success of Psychedelic Science in the 21st Century (2010) and Psychedelic Science 2013. Past Psychedelic Science conferences sold out early, so reserve your tickets soon. Register now…
Psychedelic Science 2017 is presented by MAPS and The Beckley Foundation
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) Annual Conference: March 24-26, 2017, Portland, OR
Hosted by Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), SSDP2017 will bring more than 400 student members, alumni, and supporters to Portland, Oregon, from March 24-26, 2017, for their annual gathering. The conference will feature educational programming, an awards ceremony, a student congress, networking opportunities, and more. Register…
International Drug Policy Reform Conference: October 11-14, 2017, Atlanta, GA
The International Drug Policy Reform Conference is a biennial conference hosted by the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), a leading drug policy reform organization. Taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, this event unites researchers, politicians, activists, and others for educational discussions about the global effects of the war on drugs. MAPS is a proud to be an official Co-Host of this event. Learn more…
Global Psychedelic Dinners
By hosting your own Global Psychedelic Dinner, you’ll join people around the world in gathering your community, having an open conversation about psychedelics, and raising funds to support MAPS. Host a dinner…