http://www.maps.org/images/mapslogo-sm.gif http://www.maps.org/ 50 50 Psychedelic Research News http://www.maps.org/ Psychedelic Research News en-us editor@maps.org webmaster@maps.org Fri, 10 Feb 12 14:01:58 -0600 http://www.maps.org/media/view/guided_psychedelic_sessions/ http://www.maps.org/media/view/guided_psychedelic_sessions/#When:02:58:43Z The Huffington Post publishes a strong review of James Fadiman’s pathbreaking new book, The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys (available in the MAPS Store). http://www.maps.org/media/view/study_marijuana_negative_health_claims_go_up_in_smoke/ http://www.maps.org/media/view/study_marijuana_negative_health_claims_go_up_in_smoke/#When:02:19:33Z The results of a 5,000-subject, two-decade long study show that unlike tobacco, regular marijuana smoking does not damage lung performance over the long term. The results suggest that smoked marijuana may in fact be a safe medicine, though federal obstruction has blocked clinical research into this potential. University of Massachusetts-Amherst Prof. Lyle Craker comments on the results. Prof. Craker and MAPS are currently engaged in a lawsuit against the DEA to grow marijuana for FDA-approved clinical research. http://www.maps.org/media/view/i_wanted_to_live_new_depression_drugs_offer_hope_for_toughest_cases/ http://www.maps.org/media/view/i_wanted_to_live_new_depression_drugs_offer_hope_for_toughest_cases/#When:02:50:46Z NPR explores new research suggesting that ketamine could be an effective short-term treatment for severe depression. Listen to the broadcast here. http://www.maps.org/media/view/mdma_and_the_cure_for_ptsd/ http://www.maps.org/media/view/mdma_and_the_cure_for_ptsd/#When:01:31:58Z The front page article in the Santa Cruz Weekly tells the whole story: A traumatized veteran speaks out about how MDMA helped him, the black market widens the gulf between “Ecstasy” and pure MDMA, and MAPS finds real therapeutic benefit in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. http://www.maps.org/media/view/can_ecstasy_help_treat_autism/ http://www.maps.org/media/view/can_ecstasy_help_treat_autism/#When:01:01:58Z The Santa Cruz Patch reports on the latest from the field of psychedelic research: MAPS’ offer of $10,000 to a research team that can develop a new protocol to explore whether MDMA could help treat autism spectrum disorders or Asperger’s syndrome in adults. http://www.maps.org/media/view/two_psychedelic_conferences_a_world_apart/ http://www.maps.org/media/view/two_psychedelic_conferences_a_world_apart/#When:23:46:21Z An article on Reality Sandwich explores two sides of the psychedelic renaissance: Entheogenesis Australis 2011, an outdoor conference celebrating psychedelic culture and spirituality, and Cartographie Psychedelica, MAPS’ own 25th anniversary conference and celebration in December 2011. As the article points out, MAPS’ events are distinguished an innovative integration of culture, creativity, and rigorous science. http://www.maps.org/media/view/new_treatments_to_combat_post-traumatic_stress_disorder/ http://www.maps.org/media/view/new_treatments_to_combat_post-traumatic_stress_disorder/#When:23:39:04Z With PTSD affecting almost 7% of American adults and few effective treatment options available, research into innovative approaches to PTSD treatment is expanding rapidly. “The Shrink Tank” blog at Psychology Today explores some of the most promising approaches, including MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. http://www.maps.org/media/view/critics_counter_countys_claim_of_ecstasy_epidemic/ http://www.maps.org/media/view/critics_counter_countys_claim_of_ecstasy_epidemic/#When:21:45:15Z Health officials are concerned about a rise in recreational Ecstasy use, and law enforcement and researchers agree that the danger lies not in the MDMA (which illegal Ecstasy may or may not contain) but in the uncertainty of the criminal black market. http://www.maps.org/media/view/could_magic_mushrooms_help_fight_depression/ http://www.maps.org/media/view/could_magic_mushrooms_help_fight_depression/#When:21:40:30Z The New Zealand Herald reports on the results of two new UK psilocybin studies that researchers claim point to the drug’s possible use in depression treatment. The article also includes a few interesting facts about the history of psychedelic and medical cannabis research. http://www.maps.org/media/view/iraq_war_veterans_turn_to_marijuana_for_managing_ptsd_symptoms/ http://www.maps.org/media/view/iraq_war_veterans_turn_to_marijuana_for_managing_ptsd_symptoms/#When:21:19:17Z Jason Mays and Amy Herrera are among the many veterans struggling to find effective treatments for PTSD. While there may not yet be a cure, marijuana could provide these suffering patients with significant relief—yet the federal government so far continues to block MAPS’ efforts to conduct research for making it a legal prescription medicine. The Philadelphia Weekly reports on how researchers, doctors, and patients alike are calling on the government to allow the research.