Welcome to the September 2012 edition of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Email Newsletter.
When we create contexts for the safe and beneficial uses of psychedelics and medical marijuana, we’re making spaces where accurate knowledge can be exchanged and legal, effective healing techniques can be applied. These spaces are in the treatment room (through legal clinical studies) and on the ground (through harm reduction at community events)—and now they’re even happening in cyberspace.
In March of this year, we launched mdmaptsd.org as part of our efforts to share information about this promising treatment with the military and medical communities. Our efforts have worked: While the U.S. military’s “zero tolerance” drug policy prevents most personnel from viewing our main website (maps.org), mdmaptsd.org makes the cut. Now, active duty personnel and their treatment providers can find accurate information about the risks and benefits of this promising treatment.
We have a lot to share this month, from key developments in our fast-growing international psychedelic research programs to major media coverage and a few special announcements. Here are my top highlights:
- Researchers prepare to start enrolling subjects in our new study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD in Israel
- An Institutional Review Board requests several changes to our FDA-cleared protocol for marijuana for veterans with PTSD
- The last subject completes follow-up in our observational study of ibogaine-assisted therapy for addiction in Mexico
- A wide range of events from Amsterdam to Los Angeles show the international reach of psychedelic and medical marijuana research
- MAPS volunteer JB Porter gives an update on the MAPS WWW Psychedelic Bibliography, the world’s largest collection of psychedelic research papers
Registration is now open for Psychedelic Science 2013, the next major international psychedelic research conference happening April 18-22, 2013. With three concurrent tracks of programming plus all-day workshops and one-of-a-kind social events, this will be the most exciting Psychedelic Science conference yet.
Keep up with all this news by connecting with MAPS on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube.
As you dive into this month’s Email Newsletter, please remember that your continued support makes our work (including this newsletter) possible.
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With gratitude,
 Brad Burge MAPS Director of Communications |
- Israel: Site Preparations Finalized at Study Kickoff Meeting
- Canada: Health Canada Confirms Security Upgrades to Study Pharmacy
- U.S. Veterans Study: DEA Approves Expanded Study Protocol
- Marijuana for PTSD: IRB Requests Changes to Study Protocol, Researchers Respond
- Ibogaine Treatment for Addiction: Last Subject Completes Follow-Up in Mexico Study
- LSD-Assisted Therapy for Anxiety Associated with Advanced Illness: Closeout Conducted in Switzerland
- A Message from The Evolver Network: Building Community for the New Planetary Culture
- The Huffington Post: Straight Trippin’
- Psychology Today: High Time to Destigmatize Psychedelics
- Reality Sandwich: Psychiatric Power and Taboo in Modern Psychedelia
- Santa Cruz Patch: Can Psychedelic Drugs Help Us to Die Gratefully?
- Video: Medical Marijuana Research Shackled by Politics?
- PSYCHEDELIC SCIENCE 2013: April 18-22, 2013, Oakland, CA
Psychedemia: September 27-30, Philadelphia, PA- Global Ibogaine Therapist Alliance (GITA) Conference: October 2-6, Vancouver, BC
- Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research: October 6-7, Amsterdam
- Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics: October 12-14, New York City
- Knowphest: October 12-14, Los Angeles, CA
- Visionary Arts Fair of Atlanta: October 19-20, Atlanta, GA
- Science and Nonduality Conference: October 24-28, 2012, San Rafael, CA
- Spirit Plant Medicine Conference: October 26-28, Vancouver, BC
- U.S. Psychiatric and Mental Health Congress: November 8-11, San Diego, CA
- The MAPS Psychedelic Bibliography by JB Porter, MAPS Volunteer
- New Album by Ben Lee Chronicles Ayahuasca Experiences; Proceeds to Benefit MAPS and ACT
MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD Research:
More Research:
Media:
Events:
More News:
MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD Research
Learn more about treating PTSD with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy on 
or at mdmaptsd.org.
Researchers compare notes to prepare
for the launch of our new Israeli study
of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD
1. Israel: Site Preparations Finalized at Study Kickoff Meeting
On August 30, 2012, the official study kickoff meeting took place for our new Israeli study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. Israeli CRA Mimi Peleg traveled from Israel to meet with MAPS Lead Clinical Research Associate Berra Yazar-Klosinski, Ph.D. (who was visiting family) in Turkey for training prior to the kickoff meeting in Israel. The meeting took place at Beer Yaakov Mental Health Center, where the study will be conducted. Learn more…
$381,000 needed to complete this study
2. Canada: Health Canada Confirms Security Upgrades to Study Pharmacy
On September 7, 2012, Health Canada notified the manager of the pharmacy where the MDMA will be stored for our planned Canadian study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD that the security upgrades planned for the pharmacy could meet legal requirements. The creation of additional security regulations following the initial inspection has delayed study initiation by more than 14 months, and Health Canada’s letter indicates that this will be the last round of changes required. Once the upgrades are complete, Health Canada will schedule their fourth inspection and hopefully grant the Controlled Substances License. View the timeline…
$500,000 needed / $15,000 already raised
3. U.S. Veterans Study: DEA Approves Expanded Study Protocol
On August 22, 2012, the Drug Enforcement Administration approved Principal Investigator Michael Mithoefer, M.D.’s April 24 application to proceed with the amended study protocol for our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for veterans, firefighters, and police officers with service-related PTSD, The amended protocol, which was cleared by the FDA and an Institutional Review Board in February 2012, expanded the study from 16 to 24 subjects and added the possibility of enrolling firefighters and police officers. Learn more…
$357,000 needed / $888,000 already raised
More Research
Looking for more ways to get involved? Check out our Student Resources page!
4. Marijuana for PTSD: IRB Requests Changes to Study Protocol, Researchers Respond
On August 31, 2012, the Institutional Review Board at the University of Arizona responded to our July 30 submission of the protocol for our planned study of smoked or vaporized marijuana for 50 U.S. veterans with chronic PTSD. After a meticulous review, the IRB committee sent Principal Investigator Sue Sisley, M.D., a list of nine issues to address, requiring relatively minor changes to the protocol and informed consent documents. The IRB’s letter indicated that they were satisfied with the key protocol design elements. MAPS and Dr. Sisley responded to the IRB’s comments on September 14, and we are hopeful that the protocol will be approved at the upcoming meeting of the IRB on September 25. Learn More…
$10,000 needed for protocol development / $10,000 already raised
5. Ibogaine Treatment for Addiction: Last Subject Completes Follow-Up in Mexico Study
On September 10, 2012, the 30th and final subject completed the 12-mo
nth follow-up in our observational study of ibogaine treatment for addiction in Mexico. This will be first long-term outcome study ever conducted with ibogaine in the treatment of addiction. In this study, Principal Investigator Thomas Kingsley Brown, Ph.D., is observing the long-term effects of ibogaine treatment for individuals undergoing treatment at an independent clinic in Mexico. Data from this study will be compared with our concurrent, ongoing study of ibogaine treatment for addiction in New Zealand. Learn more…
$10,325 needed / $30,375 already raised
The last remaining capsule of experimental
lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) from our
now-completed Swiss study
From September 3-7, 2012, MAPS Lead Clinical Research Associate Berra Yazar-Klosinski, Ph.D., visited the study site for our completed Swiss study of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with advanced-stage illness for the final closeout meeting with Principal Investigator Peter Gasser, M.D. During the visit, the researchers collected study case report forms, ensured that data accountability procedures were in place, and the data files were complete and ready to be stored. The team also made progress preparing the results for publication. Learn more…
Media
Explore MAPS in the Media for more psychedelic and medical marijuana research news.
7. A Message from The Evolver Network: Building Community for the New Planetary Culture
Designed for this time of accelerated awakening, The Evolver Network is a learning laboratory of local communities bringing people and groups together to learn new skills, collaborate, celebrate, and manifest change. The 50 Evolver Spore chapters are regional hubs that raise awareness about today’s most pressing issues, inspire activism, and explore transformative practices such as yoga, permaculture, gift circles, and shamanism. Evolver is dedicated to creating a more mature dialogue around entheogens and the rising “Psychedelic Renaissance,” with local Spores hosting regular salons, book tours, film screenings, potluck discussions, and conferences on this multidimensional topic. Click here to find or start a Spore, or to financially support this new planetary culture.
8. The Huffington Post: Straight Trippin’
Gabriel Mizrahi writes for The Huffington Post about how MAPS and other institutions are conducting research into psychedelics as new treatment options for PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, alcohol dependency, and more. (August 22, 2012)
9. Psychology Today: High Time to Destigmatize Psychedelics
Jonathan D. Moreno writes for Psychology Today about the history of psychedelic research and therapy in hopes to change public perception of drugs such as LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin. (August 11, 2012)
10. Reality Sandwich: Psychiatric Power and Taboo in Modern Psychedelia
Reality Sandwich posts an article about the cultural taboo surrounding psychedelics and how research into drugs like LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA is changing public perception of them. (August 16, 2012)
11. Santa Cruz Patch: Can Psychedelic Drugs Help Us to Die Gratefully?
Author David Jay Brown writes about research into LSD- and psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy as treatment methods for anxiety in people with life-threatening illnesses. (August 31, 2012)
12. Video: Medical Marijuana Research Shackled by Politics?
azfamily.com speaks with researcher Sue Sisley, M.D., about Arizona citizens’ and researchers’ struggles to gain access to medical marijuana due to political obstacles. (August 10, 2012)
Events
See our Events Calendar for more!
13. PSYCHEDELIC SCIENCE 2013: April 18-22, 2013, Oakland, CA
Join scientists, researchers, medical professionals, students, and the intellectually curious at the second international Psychedelic Science 2013 conference from April 18-22, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. More than 65 lecturers from over 11 countries will share their research at the 3-Day Con
ference and pre- and post-conference Workshops. A limited number of student tickets are available. Just email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with a copy of your current student ID asking for the student price. For vendor and sponsor information, contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Registration is now open and tickets have been selling steadily, so don’t delay!
14. Psychedemia: September 27-30, Philadelphia, PA
Get 15% off registration for Psychedemia through September 20 with discount code MAPS. Featuring university scholars and researchers from across the U.S. in the fields of medicine, psychology, neuroscience, ethics, rhetoric, and anthropology to discuss recent ideas and discoveries in psychedelic studies.
15. Global Ibogaine Therapist Alliance (GITA) Conference: October 2-6, Vancouver, BC
Including “The Northwestern Door: Iboga and Ibogaine in Ritual and Clinical Practice,” a panel discussion with MAPS ibogaine researcher Thomas Kingsley Brown, Ph.D., and others.
16. Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research: October 6-7, Amsterdam
Featuring a presentation by MAPS Research and Information Specialist Ilsa Jerome, Ph.D.
17. Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics: October 12-14, New York City
Featuring a presentation by MAPS Director of Clinical Research Amy Emerson.
18. Knowphest: October 12-14, Los Angeles, CA
Featuring the MAPS Art Gallery and an exhibition of rare historic artifacts from psychedelic history.
19. Visionary Arts Fair of Atlanta: October 19-20, Atlanta, GA
20. Science and Nonduality Conference: October 24-28, 2012, San Rafael, CA
Featuring a psychedelic research panel including MAPS Director of Development Virginia Wright, ibogaine researcher Thomas Kingsley Brown, Ph.D., and ayahuasca researcher Jessica Nielson, Ph.D. Enter coupon code MAPS for 15% off registration!
21. Spirit Plant Medicine Conference: October 26-28, Vancouver, BC
With presentations from psychedelic researcher James Fadiman, Ph.D., and ayahuasca researcher Bia Labate, Ph.D.
22. U.S. Psychiatric and Mental Health Congress: November 8-11, San Diego, CA
Michael Mithoefer, M.D., will share the latest results from our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for U.S. veterans with PTSD, and MAPS will host an exhibit booth with additional information about our research program.
More News
23. The MAPS Psychedelic Bibliography by JB Porter, MAPS Volunteer
Are you an interested individual, writer, scientist or health professional looking for accurate information about psychedelics? Well, your one-stop place to find the knowledge you need is the MAPS World Wide Web Psychedelic Bibliography (W3PB). Everyone from laymen to scientific professionals can use this comprehensive database to find what they want to know about this fascinating subject. The W3PB contains nearly 10,000 articles from scientific and popular periodicals, free and downloadable in PDF format. It has the largest collection of scientific literature concerning MDMA and Ecstasy in existence; plus over 3,200 full-text articles on LSD alone, and hundreds on many other psychoactive compounds.
MAPS super-volunteer JB Porter
(stealth mode)
This knowledge needs to be built upon in the 21st century so we can progress to the next level in our symbiosis with these extraordinary compounds. I’ve spent over 1,500 hours working on this project (over more than three years—and it’s still a work in progress), trying to make it easier to use and more comprehensive in its content, because I believe this treasure trove of knowledge should be shared with the world and put to good use. One of the main missions of MAPS is education and information, and the W3PB is an excellent resource that helps fulfill that mission. Knowledge is free to all—so get connected, start exploring, and help change the future.
Help MAPS make psychedelics and medical marijuana legally available medicines—check out our current volunteer opportunities!
24. New Album by Ben Lee Chronicles Ayahuasca Experiences; Proceeds to Benefit MAPS and ACT
Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Ben Lee is excited to share the news of his upcoming album “Ayahuasca: Welcome to the Work”. The album is designed as a sonic diary of Ben’s experiences with the South American healing medicine ayahuasca. It is framed to reflect the inner journey: dynamic and joyful, meditative and tender, playful and experimental. Ben has just launched a Pledge Campaign in which he makes a variety of exclusives available to people who support his album, such as behind-the-scenes interviews and conversations about ayahuasca, demos, and photos unavailable to the general public. 100% of the album artist royalties will be split between the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT).