Newsletter: May 2021 - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

MAPS Study Published in Nature Medicine, Featured in BBC, The New York Times, Newsweek, Scientific American, and CNBC

May 26, 2021

Dear friends and supporters,

We are still reeling with excitement from Nature Medicine’s publication of peer-reviewed results from our first Phase 3 trial of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, which suggest MDMA-assisted therapy will be an effective treatment for severe, chronic PTSD.

As a result of this historic accomplishment, major media is taking notice and has featured coverage about our work. Articles about the completed publication appeared in The New York Times, BBC, Scientific American, Newsweek, CNBC, and more.

On May 10, 2021, we won our appeal of the clinical hold on our Phase 1 multi-site study to assess psychological effects of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in healthy volunteers (MT2) after almost two years of clinical hold. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Division of Psychiatry placed a clinical hold on our study in 2019. The hold, lifted on May 11, 2021, was placed by the FDA due to concerns about the scientific merit of the study, risk-to-benefit ratio for healthy therapist participants, and the credentials of clinical investigators with FDA initially requiring the lead therapist to be an MD or PhD and that there should be a doctor on site rather than just on call. The Office of Neuroscience, to which the Division of Psychiatry reports and to which MAPS appealed, also ended the requirements that the lead therapist be an MD or PhD and that there be a doctor on site. We’re thrilled by this recent development in our efforts to deliver quality care to those seeking treatment for mental health issues. To read the press release, visit this link.

We are 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 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 had a great time during the first two sessions of the newest Psychedelic Science Webinar Series, a six-session educational offering taking place every Thursday until June 24. You still have time to buy tickets to sessions and explore the latest advancements in psychedelic research, medicine, and policy with leaders in the field as they share insights into the latest research into the medical and therapeutic uses of psychedelics. Topics include psychedelics for sports-related injuries, cultural considerations, integration, and more.

Due to unexpected scheduling conflicts, the Psychedelic Healing Potential for Sports-Related Brain Injuries webinar session scheduled for this week on Thursday, May 27 must, unfortunately, be canceled. However, we are excited to announce a new session will be added to the webinar series, MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Couples, featuring MAPS-sponsored researchers Anne Wagner, Ph.D., C.Psych., and Annie Mithoefer, B.S.N.

If you purchased a ticket for this single session that is being canceled, your registration will be automatically transferred to the new MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Couples session.

Save the date! Psychedelic Science 2023 takes place from June 18-25, 2023, in Denver, Colorado. Be a part of the psychedelic renaissance and join MAPS members, researchers, students, clinicians, advocates, patients, therapists, political leaders, and psychedelic enthusiasts from around the world at this revolutionary event. Psychedelic Science 2023 is a week-long event featuring three days of lectures from leaders and visionaries from the psychedelic ecosystem, pre- and post-conference workshops, an exhibit hall, and a marketplace featuring artists, musicians, and other vendors from around the world.

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 In-House Corporate Counsel, Full Charge Bookkeeper, and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (“JEDI”) Officer. MAPS PBC is hiring an Access and Strategy Intern, Executive Assistant, Director/Associate Director of Clinical Operations (based on experience), multiple Study Coordinators, Regulatory Medical Writer, Associate Director of Quality Assurance, and many more. MAPS Europe is hiring an Independent Rater and two Clinical Research Associates.

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

The first 1,500 monthly donors to MAPS will receive a commemorative enamel pin, exclusively available to our most dedicated supporters
MAPS Harm Reduction Officer Sara Gael, M.A., discusses the Zendo Project’s multifaceted approach to psychedelic harm reduction in a new interview with Yawn Together
This month, we raised over $440,000 for psychedelic research and education

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.

Buy Now

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

As we look forward to summer, we’re thankful for the incredible milestones we have reached this month.

With appreciation,

Amy Mastrine
MAPS Web and Email Marketing Associate

Treating PTSD with MDMA-Assisted Therapy

Phase 3 Trials of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD: Publication in Nature Medicine and Major Media Coverage

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

MAPS Wins Appeal and Authorization to Study MDMA in Healthy Volunteer Therapists

First Participant Completes Second Experimental Session in Open-Label, Phase 2, Multicenter Feasibility Study of Manualized MDMA-Assisted Therapy with an Optional fMRI Sub-Study Assessing Changes in Brain Activity in Subjects with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Europe

MDMA Therapy Training Program Update: May 2021

Support MAPS

April 2021 Giving Report: MAPS Raises Over $440,000 for Psychedelic Research and Education

We’re Hiring!

MAPS in the Media

MAPS Store

Proudly show your support for psychedelic science and harm reduction by shopping our new MAPS apparel and accessories in the MAPS Store! Featuring new t-shirts, eco-fleece hoodies, stickers, hats, pins, eye masks, tote bags, and more.• Buy Now

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.

Psychedelic Science Webinars, Now – June 17, 2021

In the Psychedelic Science 2021 Webinar Series, you’ll join leaders of the psychedelic renaissance for insights into the latest research into the medical and therapeutic uses of psychedelics. We’ll also get a sneak peek at key issues affecting the wider availability of psychedelics for healing and spirituality, and explore new approaches to harm reduction, and broaden our collective understanding of psychedelics. • Learn More

Polaris Insight Center: Trainings for Clinicians, Now – June 2021, San Francisco, California

Polaris Insight Center provides didactic, experiential, and residential trainings in ketamine-assisted therapy. These programs are designed to provide interested physicians, psychologists, therapists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals with principles and procedures of KAP and how to use ketamine in combination with psychotherapy in a clinical setting. • Learn More

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

Iboga Charting a Path Forward: Conclusions and Recommendations

University of Sussex Online Survey: Visual Experiences Under Psychedelics

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