Newsletter: October 2020 - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

Study Shows MDMA-Assisted Therapy Will Be Cost-Effective in the Treatment of PTSD

Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) Signed Between Bronx Veterans Affairs (VA) and MAPS for Phase 2 Study of MDMA-Assisted Therapy in U.S. Military Veterans with Chronic PTSD

October 30, 2020

Dear friends and supporters,

On October 14, 2020, a peer-reviewed study published in the research journal PLOS ONE demonstrated that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is cost-effective in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is estimated that a public healthcare payer or private insurer making MDMA-assisted psychotherapy available to 1,000 patients with PTSD would reduce general and mental health care costs by $103.2 million over 30 years. Read the MAPS press release here or watch the new video below.

MAPS is delighted to report an important milestone towards a randomized clinical trial at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Administration, where so many of our nation’s veterans are treated for PTSD. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently agreed to the first protocol submitted by MAPS in partnership with esteemed PTSD researcher Rachel Yehuda, Ph.D., through the VA’s investigator-initiated research program. She and her team plan to conduct this trial at the VA pending institutional and regulatory approvals.

We’re excited to share The Way of the Psychonaut: Stanislav Grof’s Journey of Consciousness, the documentary film about the life and work of human consciousness researcher Stanislav Grof, M.D., Ph.D., which recently won an award for Best Foreign Documentary at the First Hermetic Film Festival in Venice, Italy. Thank you to all supporters who contributed to the film’s success!

The Way of the Psychonaut audiobook is now available for purchase in the MAPS Store. The MAPS-published audiobook is a two-volume book set in single file. You can purchase access to the film and audiobook at thewayofthepsychonaut.com. The print book and Kindle version of The Way of the Psychonaut is also available for purchase.

Buy Now

Join the growing field of psychedelic research by applying to a job opportunity with MAPS, MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC), or MAPS Europe. Expand our education and fundraising initiatives as a Financial Controller. You can contribute to psychedelic scientific research by applying for one of our many open clinical research associate positions, or support access to psychedelic therapy in Europe by exploring research-based jobs at MAPS Europe in Portugal, Germany, and Amsterdam, North Holland.

Dr. Bronner’s Heal Soul campaign is continuing to support psychedelic-assisted therapy and medicines to treat depression, PTSD, addiction, and end-of-life anxiety. The company has donated over $3 million this year to support these efforts and created a special limited edition “Heal Soul!” label on its 32oz. Castile Liquid Soaps. The label aims to educate the public about these life-saving therapies and medicines–and the advocacy organizations and ballot initiatives that are advancing this work. During the month of October, all sales of these unique soap bottles will benefit MAPS and other initiatives that Dr. Bronner’s supports. Watch the new video or visit the Dr. Bronner’s website to learn more.

You’re invited to Zendo Project: Beyond the Festival, a 5-part webinar series hosted by the Zendo Project, taking place on Thursdays at 12:00 PM Pacific Time through November 19, 2020. The first session was free and is now available to watch on YouTube! You’ll learn how to provide support for people having difficult psychedelic experiences, how to access resources for safer partying and drug testing, and how to reduce the risks associated with psychedelics through preparation, integration, and ethics. You’ll also get a chance to ask questions and have them answered live. You can purchase the full series series for $120. Visit the Zendo Project website to learn more and register.

We are currently seeking research volunteers for Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. Trials are recruiting in Charleston, South Carolina, Boulder, Colorado, Fort Collins, Colorado, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, Boston, Massachusetts, Los Angeles, California, San Francisco, California. Volunteers will help contribute to scientific knowledge and will help us better understand if MDMA-assisted psychotherapy 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.

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

All experimental treatment visits have been completed at the sites for the MAPS-sponsored first of two Phase 3 studies of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Enrollment has started at six sites for our second Phase 3 study
You can help MAPS win the GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Award by writing us a brief review here

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

Stay tuned to the MAPS Newsletter for more psychedelic research news, events, and opportunities! Be sure to share with your friends.

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: Seeking Research Volunteers

We are currently seeking research volunteers for Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. Volunteers will help contribute to scientific knowledge and will help us better understand if MDMA-assisted psychotherapy works for the 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 are recruiting participants in the following locations:

Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Boulder, Colorado, United States
Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Los Angeles, California, United States
San Francisco, California, United States Private Practice

Not yet recruiting:

New York, New York, United States
San Francisco, California, United States Institution
Madison, Wisconsin, United States
New York, New York, United States
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Be’er Ya’akov, Israel
Tel Aviv, Israel

Phase 2 Study at the Bronx, New York Veterans Affairs Medical Center

MDMA Therapy Training Program Update: October 2020

Best wishes from the Training and Supervision Department at MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC)!

Marcela Ot’alora, G, L.P.C., and Bruce Poulter, M.P.H., delivered the first and second weekends of a three weekend course on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in collaboration with Naropa University on September 25-27 and October 23-25. The remaining weekend will take place October 30-November 1. The 9-day course includes training in contemplative psychotherapy from Naropa faculty.

Annie Mithoefer, B.S.N., and Michael Mithoefer, M.D., will be providing an online training November 5-6 and November 9-12 to prepare additional therapists in Europe for MP18, the open-label lead-in study for the European segment of Phase 3, which is also researching MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a treatment for PTSD. The training will also include therapists from Somaliland and South Africa. In October, therapists preparing to work on MP18 in Europe will also participate in virtual training calls focused on culturally-informed care for refugee participants, led by Adele Meyer and Nooria Mehraby.

Over the summer, the training program launched the first of a series of Phase 3 Quarterly Consultation groups. These virtual group supervision calls are facilitated by trainers Marcela Ot’Alora, Bruce Poulter, Annie Mithoefer, and Michael Mithoefer, and cover therapeutic topics, peer discussion, case presentations, and consultation. Therapists have appreciated gathering in this community of their peers to learn from each other’s insights and challenges delivering MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. These are the MDMA Therapy Training Program’s first experiment with group supervision; we look forward to offering group supervision on the upcoming Expanded Access protocol as well, which will be facilitated by Associate Supervisors who have recently completed supervision training.

Support MAPS

September 2020 Giving Report: MAPS Raises Over $1.5 Million for Psychedelic Research and Education

In September 2020, MAPS raised $1,569,843 in donations and pledges from over 900 supporters. Of this amount, $1.346 million is for general support, $122,621 for MDMA related projects, $75,000 for Expanded Access, $25,000 for health equity, $658 for harm reduction and events and $250 for ibogaine research.

An additional $153,797 was raised by organizations that MAPS fiscally sponsors including Nierika ($43,050), ICEERS ($15,010), The Psychedelic Therapist ($15,000), Somatic Center Portland ($5,000), Psychedelic Seminars ($420), Bay Area Healers Resilience Fund ($100), Bluelight ($75), Ceremony Health ($70), MAPS Canada ($20), Psykia Institute ($10) and Kaphi ($2)

We appreciate donations of any size and are particularly grateful to the following supporters for their generous contributions of $1,000 or more:

Unrestricted

Anonymous ($900,000)

Mental Insight Foundation ($300,000)

David Golob ($50,000)

Eliza Palandjian ($25,000)

Lopker Family Foundation ($15,000)

Barbara Bartlett ($10,000)

Tom Hunden ($5,000)

Buckmaster Foundation ($3,000)

David and Karen Branson ($2,000)

Gates Industrial Corporation Foundation ($2,000)

Dieter Ramaekers and Susan Kavanagh ($1,013)

Dillon Chambers ($1,000)

Jiri Techet ($1,000)

Jordan Swartz ($1,000)

MUDWTR ($1,000)

Anonymous ($1,000)

Phase 3 Europe

Anonymous ($10,000)

Phase 3

William H. Donner Foundation ($100,000)

Anonymous ($3,600)

Fred Kang ($1,500)

AbbVie ($1,000)

Kevin L. Waldman ($1,000)

Marc Gunther and Karen Schneider ($1,000)

Expanded Access

Craig Nerenberg ($75,000)

Health Equity

Craig Nerenberg ($25,000)

Ford Smith, Ronin Health ($25,000 – North Star Project, Auryn Project)

MAPS relies on the generosity of individual donors to achieve its 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.

Together, we can legalize psychedelic medicine.
Donate now at maps.org/donate. Learn how to include MAPS in your will or estate plans.

We’re Hiring!

MAPS, MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) and MAPS Europe are currently hiring!

MAPS

Financial Controller
Remote

MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC):

Adherence and Supervision Coordinator
Remote
Clinical Data Manager (CDM)
Remote
Document Control Specialist
Remote
Executive Assistant
Santa Cruz, California
Manager, GxP Quality Assurance
Remote
Regulatory Operations Specialist
Remote
Staff Accountant
Remote
Study Coordinator
Boulder, Colorado

MAPS Europe:

Independent Rater
Portugal and Germany
Medical Monitor
Amsterdam, North Holland

Psychedelic Peer Support

Zendo Project: Beyond The Festival Webinar Series, October 22-November 19, 2020, Online

You’re invited to join Zendo Project: Beyond the Festival, a 5-part webinar series hosted by the Zendo Project, taking place on Thursdays at 12:00 PM Pacific Time through November 19, 2020. The first session was free and is now available to watch on YouTube!

During Zendo Project: Beyond the Festival, you’ll learn how to provide support for people having difficult psychedelic experiences, how to access resources for safer partying and drug testing, and how to reduce the risks associated with psychedelics through preparation, integration, and ethics. You’ll learn from community leaders in the fields of harm reduction, therapy, and psychedelics. Discover how to apply their expertise and wisdom to your life. You’ll also get a chance to ask questions and have them answered live.

Video recordings of each webinar will be provided to all registered attendees after the series concludes. Webinar recordings are expected to be privately sent to you via email.

$120 – Full Series Pass, 5 Sessions

$420 and up – Community Supporter Tickets

Individual webinar sessions will be available for purchase after the conclusion of the series.

Policy and Advocacy

Peer Support Organizations in Jerusalem Support Protesters

Psychedelic peer support organizations in Jerusalem are sharing support skills they’ve developed and honed in psychedelic contexts to support the well-being of those taking part in political protests. These groups have historically offered peer support and harm reduction services at music and cultural events like those provided by the Zendo Project. Now, they are repurposing their expertise and joining forces to offer compassionate respite to protestors by establishing “The Safe Space” near protest perimeters and roaming protest crowds with offers of emotional support.

Media

MAPS in the Media:

PRESS RELEASE: Study: MDMA-Assisted Therapy Will Be More Cost-Effective than Other Treatments for PTSD
- October 14, 2020

Statement: MAPS Congratulates Compass Pathways on Initial Public Offering to Advance Psychedelic Therapies
- September 23, 2020

Women’s Health Magazine: Fresh Perspective
- September 30, 2020

Vox: The Case for Funding Psychedelics to Treat Mental Health
- October 9, 2020

The Conversation: PTSD and Psychoactive Drugs: MDMA Treatment Shows Potential, but Others Lack Evidence
- October 21, 2020

The Choose Your Own Religion Podcast: Revisiting the Good Friday Experiment with Rick Doblin
- September 24, 2020

Events

Browse our Event Calendar page for more opportunities.

Zendo Project: Beyond the Festival, Every Thursday until November 19, 2020, Online

You’re invited to Zendo Project: Beyond the Festival, a 5-part webinar series hosted by the Zendo Project, taking place October 22 – November 19, 2020, every Thursday at noon Pacific Time. You’ll learn how to provide support for people having difficult psychedelic experiences, how to access resources for safer partying and drug testing, and how to reduce the risks associated with psychedelics through preparation, integration, and ethics. You’ll also get a chance to ask questions and have them answered live. You can purchase the full series series for $120. Visit the Zendo Project website to learn more and register.

Polaris Insight Center: Trainings for Clinicians, July – November 2020, 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

MDMA and Psychedelic Assisted Therapy: Ethics and Law Webinar featuring Rick Doblin, Ph.D., November 7, 2020, Online

This conference will examine in depth ethical, clinical, and legal issues related to MDMA-Assisted Therapy, a new form of therapy that combines psychological treatment and a powerful psychoactive MDMA medication. Promising clinical research suggests that this unique therapy might become medically available in Canada and USA for treatment of trauma as early as 2022. Presenters will discuss issues such as safety, training and regulation, equity and access, and broader future healing potential such as relationship healing. The conference will consider MDMA-assisted therapy within the broader context of psychedelic-assisted therapy, and will offer global and historical perspectives on the issue. • Learn More

International Summit on Psychedelic Therapies for Mental Illness, November 16-19, 2020, Melbourne, Australia

Mind Medicine Australia is holding a two-day International Summit on Psychedelic Therapies for Mental Illness. This global event will bring together clinicians, scientists, academics, mental and public health professionals, philanthropists, government, law and policy makers, business, industry, investors, and other interested stakeholders. • 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.

Ayahuasca Ceremony and Retreat Participant Survey

This is an anonymous survey gathering preliminary data about the safety and ethics of ayahuasca ceremonies in various settings. The data collection is a part of the doctoral dissertation work of the principal investigator, Jessica Brown, M.A., L.M.F.T. • Learn More

More News

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