Newsletter: November 2021 - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

Mainstream Media Starts the Morning with MAPS

November 24, 2021

Features about MAPS aired on several morning news shows this month! On November 14, CBS News aired an investigative report about treating PTSD with MDMA-assisted therapy on a new episode of CBS Sunday Morning. In interviews with David Martin of CBS, former Marine Scott Ostrom speaks about participating in a MAPS-sponsored trial, MAPS Founder Rick Doblin, Ph.D., outlines the process of overcoming obstacles associated with psychedelic research, entrepreneur Bob Parsons of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation explains why he donates to MAPS, and PTSD expert Rachel Yehuda, Ph.D., highlights the promising results from MAPS’ first Phase 3 trial. “Two-thirds of the people that were treated with a course of MDMA no longer have PTSD,” says Dr. Yehuda. “This may really end up being a game-changer for people that have suffered for way too long.” Watch the episode here.

In addition to prominent morning show coverage on CBS Sunday Morning, MAPS was featured on The TODAY Show this month! On November 5, NBC educated millions of people about psychedelic science by airing an interview with MAPS Founder Rick Doblin, Ph.D., and MDMA-assisted therapy study participants Andy Gold and SGT(R) Jonathan Lubecky. The discussion explores donor-funded, MAPS-sponsored clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD and anxiety associated with life-threatening illnesses.Watch the coverage here.

Double Your Gift: Every.org Fall Giving Challenge Ends November 30

All donations to MAPS on Every.org will be matched up to $100 while funds last during the Fall Giving Challenge in November! Generous donors have created a $525,000 matching fund to encourage more people to support non-profit organizations on Every.org, a philanthropy platform focused on supporting donors and charitable initiatives.Support psychedelic science to help change lives—your donation will be doubled! Visit every.org/maps.

Carl L. Hart, Ph.D., Elected to MAPS Board of Directors

We are honored to share the election of Carl L. Hart, Ph.D., to MAPS’ Board of Directors! Dr. Carl Hart, the Ziff Professor of Psychology and former Chair of the Department of Psychology at Columbia University, is one of the world’s preeminent experts on the effects of psychoactive drugs on the human brain, body, and behavior. His decades of work in the field have compelled him to examine how the War on Drugs and its effective propaganda strategy have shaped and reinforced global structural inequities. In addition to serving as one of nine Directors of the Board for MAPS, Dr. Hart has served as a member of the National Advisory Council of Drug Abuse. He is the author of High Price: A Neuroscientist’s Journey of Self-Discovery That Challenges Everything You Know About Drugs and Society and Drug Use for Grownups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear. Dr. Hart is the recipient of the prestigious 2022 Abraham L. Halpern Humanitarian Award, which recognizes extraordinary individuals who champion the advancement of human rights and the improvement of mental health.

“Carl’s distinguished career is built on an unwavering commitment to scientific evidence,” notes Rick Doblin, Ph.D., MAPS Founder and Executive Director. “Paired with his audacious dedication to humanizing people who use drugs, Carl challenges the fear-based dogmas of the War on Drugs. His courage is an inspiration to our community — the kind of courage we need to fortify MAPS’ bold vision of catalyzing mass mental health and fighting for cognitive liberty.” Read the full announcement here.

Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics Returns for 14th Annual Conference

Join staff and members of MAPS in New York City for Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics, from December 1-5, 2021. This is the 14th annual iteration of this unique conference dedicated to helping the public understand psychedelics. Horizons creates live and digital forums, classes, and films that examine the role of psychedelics and plant medicines in science, medicine, culture, and spirituality. Don’t miss the largest and longest-running annual gathering of psychedelic enthusiasts in the world!

MAPS Founder Attends Gala for Veterans Seeking Psychedelic Therapy

*VETS Gala Coronado, CA ©2021 Darin Fong Photography*

MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., joined former Texas governor Rick Perry and best-selling author Tim Ferriss on stage for a panel discussion at the Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) Strength in Numbers Gala to End Veteran Suicide on November 11, 2021, at Hotel del Coronado in Coronado, California. The evening took place on Veterans Day to raise awareness about the 400 Special Operations veterans who have received grants funded by VETS, a non-profit that connects veterans to psychedelic therapy for PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Prior to the Gala, Rick was joined by Marcus and Amber Capone, founders of VETS, for a very promising meeting at the VA San Diego Healthcare System. VA therapist and researcher Leslie Morland and her team to discuss a MAPS-sponsored study combining MDMA with cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy (CBCT) to take place at the VA San Diego Healthcare System.

Creating a Culture of Safety in Psychedelic Therapy

MAPS has published an update to our actions to ensure that a culture of safety is embedded in psychedelic-assisted therapy as these treatments become increasingly available through regulatory approvals. We encourage you to visit maps.org/safety to learn about these active measures — and check back regularly for updates!

Call for Papers for Frontiers in Psychiatry

We are still accepting manuscript applications for the Special Issue in Frontiers in Psychiatry, “MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Treatment of PTSD and Beyond,” which features guest editors from MAPS and MAPS Public Benefit Corporation. This is a unique opportunity to expand your presence in the field of psychedelic science! The deadline for abstract submissions is February 28, 2022. Submit your paper using this link.

MAPS Wins Several Microdose Awards

Last week, we received three awards at Microdose’s psychedelic conference!

MAPS won Not-for-Profit of the Year, MDMA Company of the Year, and MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., won Unsung Hero of the Year. Thank you for showing your support for MAPS in the 1st Annual Microdose Awards!

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

The MAPS Store sale launches on Friday, November 26
MAPS, MAPS PBC, and MAPS Europe are hiring!
Save the date: MAPS is hosting Psychedelic Science 2023, the fourth in a series of Psychedelic Science conferences to take place from June 19-25, 2023, in Denver, Colorado. Previous Psychedelic Science conferences took place in 2010, 2013, and 2017, with the 2017 conference being the world’s largest psychedelic conference ever with about 3,000 participants. We’re anticipating 10,000 people at Psychedelic Science 2023!

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

The monthly MAPS Newsletter is one of the most comprehensive sources of psychedelic news. Thank you for subscribing and be sure to share!

With appreciation,

MAPS

Treating PTSD with MDMA-Assisted Therapy

MDMA Therapy Training Program Update: November 2021

First Participant Consented to Screening in A Phase 2, Open-Label, Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Study for MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy in U.S. Military Veterans with Chronic PTSD

An Open-Label Feasibility and Safety Study of MDMA-Assisted Group Therapy for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans

Investigator-Initiated Trials Recruitment: A Phase 2 Open-Label Treatment Development Study of MDMA-Assisted Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD

Investigator-Initiated Trials: A Phase 1 Study on the Effects of MDMA on Prefrontal and Amygdala Activation in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Investigator-Initiated Trials: Now Enrolling: The Influence of MDMA on the Reward Circuits in the Human Brain of Healthy Individuals

Site Initiation Visit Conducted for Multi-Site Expanded Access Program for MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD

Support MAPS

October 2021 Giving Report: Donors Give Over $287,000 to Psychedelic Research and Education

We’re Hiring!

MAPS in the Media

Store

MAPS Store Sale: Friday, November 26

Support Psychedelic Science Canvas Tote Bag

Events

Browse our Event Calendar page for more opportunities.

Horizons: Perspectives On Psychedelics, December 1-5, 2021

Fluence: Access and Inclusion in Psychedelic Treatment Webinar Series, September 23 – December 9, 2021

Polaris Insight Center: Training and Retreats, January 2022-August 2022

Psychedelic Science 2023, June 19-25, 2023, Denver, Colorado

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.

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