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Welcome to MAPS’ media archives. Here you can find media articles that discuss psychedelic and marijuana research, political issues that affect psychedelic and medical marijuana research, and other subjects of interest to MAPS and the MAPS community.

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Archived Media Articles by Year

2012 Media Articles...

May 10, 2012

PR Newswire "U.S. Appeals Court To Hear Oral Arguments In Medical Marijuana Case Challenging DEA" by MAPS.

Official press release announcing the date for the May 11, 2012, oral arguments in Lyle E. Craker v. Drug Enforcement Administration in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston, Mass.

Brain Blogger "A Trip for Terminal Patients" by Jennifer Gibson, PharmD.

Brain Blogger explores how patients may soon have more options for relieving the anxiety and stress that often comes with life-threatening illnesses. Researchers around the world working with MAPS and the Heffter Research Institute are finding ways to use psychedelics as part of a growing set of tools for treating end-of-life anxiety.

May 4, 2012

The Washington Post "Medical Marijuana Meets Hostility from Obama Administration" by Rob Kampia.

Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, explains in a Washington Post editorial how the Obama administration has repeatedly failed to uphold his campaign promises to respect medical marijuana and put science before drug war politics.

May 3, 2012

The Daily Reveille (LSU) "The New Frontiersman: Hallucinogens Pave Way for Medical and Scientific Advancements" by Clayton Crockett.

The Louisiana State University student newspaper publishes an enthusiastic op-ed about how research into the beneficial uses of psychedelics, like the space race, offers a major opportunity for scientific advancement and insights into new methods of healing.

April 30, 2012

io9 "Could A Single Pill Save Your Marriage?" by George Dvorsky.

Could pharmacologically-assisted therapy one day help people struggling with difficult relationships? This article explores a few areas currently being explored, and mentions past research on MDMA’s use in couples therapy.

April 26, 2012

AlterNet "5 Fascinating New Uses For Psychedelics" by Sarah Seltzer.

From alcoholism and PTSD to cluster headaches, anxiety, and depression, doctors and scientists are tuning in to the beneficial potential of psychedelics. AlterNet reports on the dramatic expansion of research in these compounds over the last ten years. The historical stigma on research into these tools is slowly but steadily evaporating.

April 24, 2012

Death and Taxes "Psychedelic Drugs: Lighting the Way to Death Since Aldous Huxley’s Last Trip" by DJ Pangburn.

Death and Taxes points out that “it has taken nearly 50 years for the medical profession to catch up” with writer Aldous Huxley’s final LSD experience. Now, however, international researchers are discovering through careful scientific studies what Huxley seemed already to know: that psychedelic-assisted therapy could help ease people’s passage to death.

Truthout "As FDA Loosens Stranglehold on Research, Studies Use Hallucinogens to Treat Psychiatric Illness" by Robert Wilbur.

Popular progressive media outlet Truthout reports on the worldwide surge in scientific interest in the therapeutic value of psychedelics, from LSD and MDMA to ketamine and psilocybin. The article takes a look at the most promising uses of psychedelic for conditions such as PTSD, anxiety associated with life-threatening illness, addiction, depression, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and explores the latest research into how these substances might work on the brain.

Fox News "Doctors Consider Using Street Drugs to Ease Suffering of Dying Patients" by Dr. Keith Ablow.

Fox News comes out with a refreshingly sober article about the promise of psychedelic-assisted therapy for helping people overcome anxiety related to life-threatening illness. As psychiatrist Dr. Keith Ablow, a member of “the Fox News Medical A-Team,” cleverly points out, “Stigmatizing miraculous substances which we then relegate to the exclusive domain of drug pushers and addicts makes precisely zero sense. Let’s open our minds to the possibilities [sic] that many perilous drugs also hold much promise.”

April 20, 2012

The New York Times "How Psychedelic Drugs Can Help Patients Face Death" by Lauren Slater.

A stirring article from the front page of The New York Times Magazine sheds light on how psychedelic-assisted therapy can help people with life-threatening illness overcome their anxiety and fear of death. Through real first-hand accounts of psychedelic therapy and earnest interviews with leading scientists from the Heffter Research Institute, MAPS, and other research centers from Harvard to Johns Hopkins, the article takes a comprehensive look at a fast-growing medical field that could bring hope to those who are dying.

April 18, 2012

MSN Health "Use of Ecstasy, Speed by Teens Tied to Later Depression" by Alan Mozes.

Despite the headline, researchers involved in a recently completed study of high school students in Quebec caution that a direct, cause-and-effect line could not be found between recreational Ecstasy and amphetamine use and depression. South Carolina psychiatrist Dr. Michael Mithoefer, who is also leading MAPS’ ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for veterans with PTSD, acknowledges that the study raises interesting points. However, Mithoefer and other experts agree that the study fails to differentiate between those students whose drug use led to depression, and those students who seek out drugs because of other factors that do lead to depression, such as academic or social struggles or other substance use.

April 13, 2012

BBC News "Can a Hallucinogen from Africa Cure Addiction?" by Stephanie Hegarty.

BBC News tells the story of Thillen Naidoo a South African man who found that ibogaine treatment helped him overcome his severe cocaine addiction. Increasing numbers of caregivers and patients worldwide are exploring the potential of ibogaine for addiction treatment, but the substance remains an illegal drug in most countries. In this article, experts in the UK discuss what it will take to make ibogaine and other psychedelics available as legitimate medicines for the people they could help most.

April 11, 2012

The Massachusetts Daily Collegian "Committee Holds Hearings on Medical Marijuana Possibility" by Claire Anderson.

Voters in Massachusetts may soon have the chance to decide whether to make medical marijuana legally available in the state. MAPS is currently supporting a federal lawsuit by University of Massachusetts-Amherst professor Lyle Craker, Ph.D., against the DEA for denying him a license to grow marijuana for research. If Massachusetts voters approve medical marijuana and the federal government continues to block research into its safest and most effective uses, the gulf between the war on drugs and the needs of patients will become clearer than ever.

The Daily Free Press "Students, Activists Present Argument for Cannabis at Suffolk University Symposium" by Alex Falco.

Boston University’s independent newspaper reports on a recent symposium hosted by NORML at Suffolk University on marijuana research. The symposium signals the increasing support for marijuana research and policy change among student groups at major universities. MAPS founder Rick Doblin, Ph.D., was among the many experts called in to address the politics, economics, and science of marijuana.

April 9, 2012

Boston Herald "Pot’s High on Agenda" by Laurel J. Sweet.

Legislators in Massachusetts are considering a new initiative that would make medical marijuana legally available in the state. With the support of MAPS founder Rick Doblin, Ph.D., and others, Massachusetts voters submitted over 80,000 signatures in support of the new law. If passed, Massachusetts would become the 17th state to contradict the federal government’s unethical and increasingly unpopular refusal to allow the medical uses of marijuana.

April 1, 2012

Kush Magazine "War Crimes: Suppressing Scientific Study of Cannabis is a Shocking Admission of Ulterior Motives" by David B. Allen, M.D..

Kush Magazine explains how despite having a patent on the medical use of cannabinoids and maintaining a monopoly on the supply of marijuana for research, the federal government continues to block research that could make marijuana into a medicine.

March 22, 2012

Boing Boing "Tim Leary’s Floatation Tank For Sale" by David Pescovitz.

The “floatation tank,” sometimes called the isolation or sensory deprivation tank, was developed in the mid-1950’s by psychoanalyst and consciousness researcher John C. Lilly, M.D. Lilly used the isolation tank to test the relationship between the mind and external reality. After extensive experimentation with the tank, he came to explore it for many potential applications, ranging from increasing creative problem-solving ability to facilitating meditation and prayer.

This tank was originally owned by the controversial psychedelic researcher Timothy Leary. In February of 1996, Dr. Lilly and the Samadhi Tank Company delivered the tank to Dr. Leary to help ease his end-of-life suffering. The current owner is Dean Chamberlain, photographer and renowned visionary artist who has generously agreed to share proceeds from the sale with MAPS to benefit of psychedelic and medical marijuana research and education.

Click here to view the eBay listing.

March 16, 2012

Medscape "Psychedelic Drug May Have a Role in Psychotherapy" by Megan Brooks.

A new study conducted at Imperial College London and funded in part by MAPS finds that psilocybin’s ability to enhance memory recall in healthy adults can be measured through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Lead study author Robin Carhart-Harris, Ph.D., proposes that the results may have implications for the use of psilocybin in psychotherapy.

March 14, 2012

Voice of America "Scientists Explore Hallucinogen Treatments for PTSD, Sex Abuse Victims" by Adam Phillips.

International multimedia broadcaster Voice of America presents a fascinating and wide-ranging interview with MAPS founder and executive director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., and discusses the long history and promising future of psychedelics as tools for healing and personal growth.

Click here to listen to the interview (mp3).

March 9, 2012

TIME Healthland "LSD May Help Treat Alcoholism" by Maia Szalavitz.

TIME reports on the results of a new Norwegian study which found that 59% of subjects who were administered a single dose of LSD significantly reduced their alcohol use up to six months following treatment. The study was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, and takes up where earlier studies left off in the 1950s, revealing the immense potential of psychedelics to help people overcome addiction.

March 6, 2012

West Coast Leaf "Researcher Sues DEA for Blocking Medical Research" by Stephen Morseman, MAPS.

West Coast Leaf reports on how Prof. Lyle Craker’s efforts to start a medical marijuana production facility under license to MAPS are still being blocked by the DEA. While veterans’ groups, researchers, and state legislators alike already recognize the effectiveness of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD, the DEA continues to stand in the way.

February 24, 2012

The New York Times "Branding a Soldier With ‘Personality Disorder’" by James Dao.

The New York Times reports that a single diagnosis of PTSD can cost $1.5 million in taxpayer-funded benefits over a soldier’s lifetime. This gives military commanders an incentive to issue unwarranted but cheaper diagnoses, and highlights the need for cheaper and more effective treatments.

February 23, 2012

City on a Hill Press "Taking Psychedelics to the Next Level" by KellyAnn Kelso.

On February 15, Prof. James Fadiman and the UC Santa Cruz Brain Mind & Consciousness Society hosted an evening lecture event about the use of psychedelics for healing, personal growth, and creativity. Dr. Fadiman, author of the pathbreaking new book The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys spoke to a packed auditorium of students and local community members about what researchers know about the risks and benefits of psychedelics.

February 17, 2012

Wired "The Forgetting Pill Erases Painful Memories Forever" by Jonah Lehrer.

Neuroscience is shedding a new light on the way that memories are formed and remembered in the human brain. New research is showing that the very act of remembering changes the memory itself—that the context in which a specific event is remembered can dramatically influence that memory. When it comes to traumatic memories, then, drugs that positively alter the emotional context in which they are recalled—such as MDMA—could make it easier for people to confront their most painful memories.

February 9, 2012

Santa Cruz Patch "Psychedelic Anesthetic Helps Treat Depression" by David Jay Brown.

The dissociative anesthetic ketamine, which is both a legal anesthetic and a popular recreational drug, could have fast-acting, though perhaps short-lived, antidepressant properties. In the 1990s, MAPS helped fund a Russian study which demonstrated that ketamine combined with psychotherapy showed promise as a treatment for alcoholism and heroin addiction. Now, a series of new studies are once again renewing interest in the therapeutic properties of ketamine and its chemical cousins.

Also check out Karl Jensen’s Ketamine: Dreams and Realities on the MAPS Store for a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic and spiritual uses of ketamine.

February 1, 2012

The Huffington Post "Guided Psychedelic Sessions" by Craig K. Comstock.

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).

The Daily Collegian "Study: Marijuana negative health claims go up in smoke" by Ardee Napolitano.

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.

January 31, 2012

NPR "‘I Wanted To Live’: New Depression Drugs Offer Hope For Toughest Cases" by Jon Hamilton.

NPR explores new research suggesting that ketamine could be an effective short-term treatment for severe depression. Listen to the broadcast here.

Santa Cruz Weekly "MDMA And The Cure for PTSD" by Maria Grusauskas.

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.

January 28, 2012

Santa Cruz Patch "Can Ecstasy Help Treat Autism?" by David Jay Brown.

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.

January 27, 2012

Reality Sandwich "Two Psychedelic Conferences a World Apart" by Nese Lisa Senol.

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.

Psychology Today "New Treatments to Combat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" by Jared DeFife, Ph.D..

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.

January 25, 2012

Silicon Valley Metro "Critics Counter County’s Claim of Ecstasy Epidemic" by Maria Grusauskas.

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.

New Zealand Herald "Could Magic Mushrooms Help Fight Depression?" by Independent.

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.

Philadelphia Weekly "Iraq War Veterans Turn to Marijuana for Managing PTSD Symptoms" by Randy LoBasso.

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.

January 24, 2012

UK National Health Service "Scans Reveal Brain Effects of Magic Mushrooms" by NHS.

The UK National Health Service published this report in response to the extensive media interest in a pair of recent studies led by former UK government drugs advisor David Nutt. The research, funded in part by MAPS along with the Beckley Foundation, the Neuropsychoanalysis Foundation, and the Heffter Research Institute, suggested that psilocybin’s possible antidepressant effects may be connected to its effect on specific brain regions. The NHS points out that the studies were preliminary, and that research has yet to determine whether psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is a viable treatment for depression.

January 23, 2012

Bloomberg "’Shrooms May Help Treat Depression: Study" by Makiko Kitamura.

Bloomberg reports on the results of a pair of studies published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and the British Journal of Psychiatry hinting at psilocybin’s effect on brain function and memory. The results are encouraging for researchers interested in the possible role of psilocybin in the treatment of anxiety and depression.

The Scientist "Scanning the Psychedelic Brain" by Ruth Williams.

A new brain imaging study suggests that psilocybin’s effect on human consciousness may be linked to how it suppresses, rather than activates, certain brain areas. This fascinating finding was the outcome of research conducted by UK researchers and funded in part by MAPS. The Scientist interviews several leading psychedelic researchers about the possible therapeutic implications of these results as well as the challenges of conducting government-approved research on psychedelic drugs.

BBC News "Mind-Altering Drugs Research Call from Prof David Nutt" by Pallab Ghosh.

BBC News reports on new research funded in part by MAPS into the effects of psilocybin on memory and brain function. Senior study investigator Prof. David Nutt, who was fired as lead drugs advisor to the UK government for saying that MDMA and LSD were less harmful than alcohol, saw the results as evidence for the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. According to Prof. Nutt, “We need to have a more scientific rational approach to drugs, and vilifying drugs like psilocybin whilst at the same time actively promoting much more dangerous drugs like alcohol is totally stupid scientifically.” Watch the interview (scroll down) with lead study author Robin Carhart-Harris on the BBC website.

Reuters "Psychedelic Mushroom Trips Point to New Depression Drugs" by Kate Kelland.

Two new British studies funded in part by MAPS—one a brain imaging study and one involving memory—have produced additional evidence for psilocybin’s possible role in the treatment of anxiety and depression. The studies are preliminary, but highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to psychedelic research.

Nature "Psychedelic Chemical Subdues Brain Activity" by Mo Costandi.

Nature News reports on the results of a new brain imaging study by neuropsychopharmacologist David Nutt and colleagues at Imperial College London that psilocybin decreased activity in parts of the brain associated with depression and anxiety. The authors suggest the results could help explain some of psilocybin’s therapeutic benefits. MAPS contributed funding for the study, as did the Beckley Foundation, the Neuropsychoanalysis Foundation, and the Heffter Research Institute.

January 22, 2012

The Oxford Student "Happy Birthday MDMA" by Jack Hutchison.

The Oxford Student recaps the turbulent history of MDMA one century after its creation. From an unrecognized chemical to a widely used (and abused) party drug to a promising therapeutic tool, MDMA has challenged and excited researchers for generations.

January 17, 2012

The Atlantic "The Case for Treating PTSD in Veterans With Medical Marijuana" by Martin Mulcahey.

The Atlantic makes a compelling case for the federal government to allow MAPS’ FDA-cleared study of marijuana for veterans with PTSD to move forward: In the struggle between legitimate medical research and irrational government fear, veterans are the ones caught in the crossfire.

Correction: The Atlantic writes: “The plan is contingent upon final approval by a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) scientific review panel, which is likely to ratify the proposal after the project leader, Dr. Sue Sisley, alleviated the Food and Drug Administration’s concerns over safety precautions.” In fact, the FDA cleared the protocol in April 2011, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse and Public Health Service (which are part of HHS) review committee later rejected it, refusing to sell MAPS the marijuana needed to conduct the study. The study is on hold either until NIDA agrees to sell our researchers the marijuana, until MAPS succeeds in growing its own marijuana for research, or until the marijuana can be legally imported.

January 13, 2012

Macleans (Canada) "The Ecstasy and the Agony" by Colby Cosh.

A well-written article in Macleans explains how the illegal status of MDMA creates a dangerous black market in adulterated Ecstasy pills. The gulf between the relative safety and healing potential of MDMA in therapeutic contexts and the uncertainty of recreational Ecstasy use is widened by current harm-maximization drug policies.

January 4, 2012

Vancouver Observer "Despite death and overdose, therapeutic Ecstasy shows promise" by David P. Ball.

MAPS researchers share their frustrations getting our planned Canadian study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD up and running. After three inspections of the Vancouver pharmacy that will be used to store the MDMA to be used in the study, Health Canada has changed the requirements for receiving a Controlled Substances license and requested that additional changes be made. The Vancouver Observer speaks with lead investigators Ingrid Pacey, M.D., and Andrew Feldmår, Ph.D., about the challenges of initiating psychedelic psychotherapy research in Canada.

January 3, 2012

The Chronicle of Higher Education "Does Ecstasy Really Cause Brain Damage?" by Tom Bartlett.

The Chronicle of Higher Education speaks with MAPS Director of Communications Brad Burge about a new study of recreational Ecstasy use, the tricky issue of study design, and how sensationalist headlines can dangerously distort scientific results.

2011 Media Articles...

December 28, 2011

Catalyst Magazine "Academia on Acid" by Greta Belanger deJong.

Catalyst Magazine publishes this enthusiastic review of MAPS’ 25th anniversary “Cartographie Psychedelica” conference and celebration, highlighting the various facets of the four-day event that made it such a success. From academic discussions to participatory artwork, the conference brought together researchers, academics, artists, and activists of all kinds.

December 21, 2011

MAKO News (Israel) "Without Ecstasy, I Would Not Be Here Today" by Eleanor Fox.

An Israeli news source describes MAPS’ upcoming Israeli study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. The article includes an excellent interview with Tali Nachshoni, M.D., who was one of three therapists who recently participated in MAPS training study for MDMA-assisted psychotherapists in the U.S. Dr. Nachsoni describes her own experience undergoing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as part of MAPS’ training program for clinical MDMA-assisted psychotherapy investigators. The study will begin enrolling and treating subjects in early 2012.

December 20, 2011

Shroomfest "Showcasing Telluride at the MAPS Conference" by Shroompa.

The Telluride Mushroom Festival was one of the many partners and exhibitors that helped make MAPS’ 25th anniversary conference and celebration such a huge success. Here is their own account of the sights, sounds, and knowledge shared at Cartographie Psychedelica.

December 19, 2011

TIME Healthland "The Case Against the Ban on ‘Bath Salts’ and Fake Marijuana" by Maia Szalavitz.

An incisive article on TIME.com points out the severe restrictions that emergency bans place on research than can be done to determine the actual risks and safety of new compounds. MAPS was founded in 1986 after such an irrational scheduling—that of MDMA. The tide is only now starting to turn—25 years later, we’re learning what emergency bans can do to hinder careful scientific investigation.

December 18, 2011

Vision Thing "MAPS 25th Anniversary Conference Report" by Bruce Eisner.

Author and psychologist Bruce Eisner recalls his own experience watching MAPS grow from a twinkle in Rick Doblin’s eye into the fast-growing international non-profit research organization it is today. MAPS’ 25th anniversary was an excellent opportunity to reflect on all the domains—scientific, medical, legal, spiritual—in which MAPS’ research now plays an important role.

December 13, 2011

HealthDay "‘Ecstasy’ May Cause Long-Term Changes in Brain Chemistry" by Alan Mozes.

A new study shows an association between long-term illegal Ecstasy use and long-term changes in brain chemistry. The researchers note, however, that they did not find any associated changes in mental health or cognitive functioning, nor do they know whether the chemical changes last forever. The study’s implications are also limited for other reasons, as MDMA-assisted psychotherapy research Michael Mithoefer, M.D., points out in his response.

The study fails to ask the crucial methodological questions addressed in a study published in February 2011 by Harvard University’s John Halpern, M.D., which found no evidence of cognitive changes in long-term Ecstasy users.

The HealthDay article appeared on Health.com, U.S. News and World Report, and other news sources.

Popular Science "Can a Single Injection Cure the Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?" by Clay Dillow.

The urgent need for research into effective treatments for PTSD is leading some military physicians to propose some fairly radical new solutions. The most recent suggestion by a Navy doctor—involving a single injection of an anesthetic to the neck—is likely to be even more controversial than the comparatively conservative MDMA-assisted psychotherapy approach being studied by MAPS. PTSD is a complex biopsychosocial condition, and as the article points out the idea of a magic, one-step cure is probably “too good to be true.”

December 6, 2011

Alternet "Can Ecstasy Treat Autism?" by Dirk Hanson, The Fix.

Alternet is the first to report on MAPS’ new MDMA for autism research grant, which is it offering to a team of researchers interested in developing a protocol for a new study of MDMA-assisted therapy for Asperger’s syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Neuroscience and anecdotal reports already suggest that MDMA’s ability to enhance empathy and communication could make it a viable treatment for individuals suffering from these disorders, and we hope to conduct the research to find out whether that’s true.

Bloomberg "‘Magic Mushrooms’ Return to Psychology Labs" by Elizabeth Lopatto.

Bloomberg reports on the resurgence of mainstream interest in psychedelic research, especially in recent studies on psilocybin’s possible therapeutic benefits. Scientists are finding through careful clinical trials that psychedelics, when used in the proper settings, can be powerful tools for emotional and even spiritual healing.

December 3, 2011

Whitehouse.gov | Change.org "Veterans Supporting Marijuana Research for PTSD Start Petitions on Whitehouse.gov and Change.org" by Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access | Sgt. Ryan Begin (U.S. Marine Corps-Ret.).

A petition has been created by the Veterans for Medical Cannabis Association (VMCA) on the U.S. government’s “We the People” Whitehouse.gov web site in order to help gain support for a U.S. policy change that would allow disabled military veterans to access medical marijuana to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the web site, “cannabis is an effective medicine…to ease the symptoms of PTSD, giving disabled Veterans a big improvement in their quality of life.” Here’s a link to find out more.

Another petition was created by a veteran at Change.org to send a message to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the DEA to stop blocking MAPS’ medical marijuana research for treating veterans with PTSD. This petition specifically addresses the medical marijuana study proposed by MAPS to study how cannabis affects veterans with PTSD. The proposed study has been approved by the FDA, but has been blocked by NIDA’s refusal to allow the researchers to purchase the cannabis necessary to conduct it. According to Sergeant Ryan Begin of the United States Marine Corps—who served two tours in Iraq, and suffers from PTSD—his condition “received the greatest benefit from medical marijuana.” So it’s not surprising that a lot of veterans are upset about NIDA and the DEA’s attempt to block medical research and want to do something about it. More information about this petition can be found here.

November 29, 2011

Los Angeles Times "Turn on, tune in, and get better?" by Melissa Healy.

Researchers, therapists, patients, and policy experts are acknowledging the extent of psychedelics’ return to mainstream science and medicine. From LSD and MDMA to psilocybin and ketamine, these substances are increasingly recognized for their ability to catalyze profound emotional, psychological, and even physical healing. A quote from MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., says it all: “We’re trying to break a social mindset saying these are strictly drugs of abuse…It’s not the drug but how the drug is used that matters.”

The article appeared on the front page of the Los Angeles Times (November 29, 2011).

San Francisco Bay Guardian "Celebrating 25 Years of Drug Research with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies" by Caitlin Donohue.

The SF Bay Guardian reports on MAPS’ 25th Anniversary conference, Cartographie Psychedelica, taking place from December 8-12, 2011. From in-depth workshops and riveting lectures to interactive art and electronic DJs, the event marks a historic turning point for the continued mainstreaming of psychedelic and medical marijuana research.

November 20, 2011

The Age (Australia) "Call for Ecstasy to Treat Trauma Stress" by Jill Stark.

Positive coverage in Australian media shows public support is growing for a possible new study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD to take place in Australia. It’s a very good sign that even those known to exaggerate the risks of MDMA acknowledge the importance of MAPS’ research.

Note: MAPS’ clinical trials use pure MDMA, not illicit Ecstasy tablets which often contain other more dangerous compounds, in combination with psychotherapy to treat PTSD. Another correction to the article is that researchers at NYU are using psilocybin, not LSD. The only clinical LSD research in the last 35 years has been MAPS’ recently completed Swiss study of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for end-of-life anxiety.

November 16, 2011

Santa Cruz Patch "25 Years of Psychedelic Drug Research to be Celebrated" by David Jay Brown.

David Jay Brown, award-winning author and MAPS Bulletin guest editor, points out that MAPS’ upcoming 25th anniversary, courageously entitled Cartographie Psychedelica, is more than a celebration: It’s an historic event marking the return of psychedelics and medical marijuana to mainstream science, medicine, and culture.

“While a lot of music and visionary art has long been influenced by psychedelics, and many artists and musicians have greatly valued the experience,” Brown writes, “The recently awakened acceptance of these forbidden fruits in respected cultural terrains, such as academia, medicine, and spirituality, is now, finally, seeping its way into the mainstream culture.”

Wired Magazine "Vet to Feds: Enough Stonewalling, Give Us Pot for PTSD" by Katie Drummond.

A powerful petition by a wounded Iraq veteran is putting a human face on MAPS’ struggle to end the federal medical marijuana research blockade. Sgt. Ryan Begin, United States Marine Corps (Ret.), is calling on NIDA and the DEA to stop standing in the way of MAPS’ proposed study of marijuana for veterans with PTSD so that he and his fellow veterans can get the relief they need. Sometimes, it makes the most sense to hear it from those who are most affected by the government’s obstruction of medical marijuana research.

November 14, 2011

The Fix "LSD Inventor’s Remarkable Letter to Steve Jobs" by Vince Beiser.

Apple’s late founder Steve Jobs once said that taking “LSD was one of the two or three most important things I have done in my life.” In 2007, LSD inventor Albert Hofmann (at 101) sent Jobs a personal handwritten note asking Jobs to support MAPS’ (now completed) Swiss study of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for end-of-life anxiety. The Fix has posted the letter on its website for a rare glimpse of this connection between two revolutionary inventors.

The Atlantic Wire "The Inventor of LSD Asked Steve Jobs for PR Help" by Rebecca Greenfield.

In 2007, MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin asked LSD inventor Albert Hofmann to send Apple founder Steve Jobs a letter asking him to support research into the beneficial applications of Hofmann’s “problem child.” Jobs never did contribute to MAPS or to psychedelic research, but led to a heartfelt conversation between Doblin and the famous innovator and entrepreneur.

November 7, 2011

The New York Times "California Dispensaries Moving to Block U.S. Marijuana Crackdown" by Erik Eckholm.

In the continuing legal battle over medical cannabis in California, attorneys for the medical cannabis industry said that they are seeking court orders to halt an imminent crackdown by the U.S. federal government on medical cannabis dispensaries, their landlords, and cannabis growers. In a legal motion filed on November 8, medical cannabis distributors and some medical patients are asking federal judges in four districts of Northern and Central California to issue temporary restraining orders that would prevent federal prosecutors from taking action.

MAPS Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., has spoken about the federal obstruction of medical marijuana research and in support of this collective injunction against the cannabis dispensary crackdown. His statements appear in the legal proceedings for the case as a declaration of support for the plaintiff’s petition (for Northern, Central, and Southern California plaintiffs).

November 2, 2011

The Fix "Government Foot-Dragging Denies Pot Relief to Traumatized Veterans" by Jed Bickman.

The federal blockade on medical marijuana research is directly affecting real veterans suffering from combat-related PTSD. In this short article, Sgt. Jamey Raines, who himself used marijuana to cope with PTSD symptoms after serving in Iraq, calls on the federal government to allow medical marijuana research.

November 1, 2011

Vision Magazine "MAPS: 25 Years of Rigorous Science and Visionary Culture" by MAPS.

MAPS’ 25th anniversary celebration, Cartographie Psychedelica, will explore the connections between science and art with four days of workshops, lectures, original performances, artwork, and more.

October 26, 2011

Miller-McCune "More Evidence That MDMA Could Ease PTSD" by Michael Scott Moore.

European Dispatch explains how MAPS’ possible UK study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD will build on the outstanding results of our flagship U.S. study. If we can find the funding necessary for this study, it will be the first-ever clinical trial of MDMA in the UK and the latest addition to our expanding international MDMA-assisted psychotherapy research program.

Wired "Bummer: Feds Stonewall Pot Treatments For Traumatized Vets" by Katie Drummond.

Wired magazine reports on NIDA’s recent refusal to sell MAPS researchers marijuana for our FDA-cleared study of marijuana for veterans with PTSD. According to researcher Sue Sisley, M.D., “At this point, I can’t help but think they simply don’t want to move forward. Maybe they figure if they stall long enough, we’ll give up and go away.” Read more about MAPS’ ongoing efforts to conduct medical marijuana research for veterans.

October 25, 2011

Santa Cruz Patch "African Psychedelic Plant Offers Hope for Drug Addiction" by David Jay Brown.

David Jay Brown shares information about using the psychedelic drug, ibogaine, for curing addiction. He explains the way that the drug works to block withdrawal symptoms as well as the physical dependency of drugs like opiates. MAPS is currently funding ibogaine research in Mexico, with plans to begin a new study in New Zealand.

October 21, 2011

Back Page Magazine "What The Hell is This Drug Salvia?" by John Stapleton IV.

Backpage Magazine explores everything about Salvia divinorum in a new article. Salvia’s legal nature and extremely intense effects make it a very controversial subject. Rick Doblin of MAPS advocates research into its safety and effects, though he suggests, “Very few people would be going to salvia if they had alternatives.”

High Times "MAPS 25th Anniversary Cartographie Psychedelica Tour" by Mary Ought Six.

A High Times writer describes her time attending MAPS 25th Anniversary Cartographie Psychedelica Tour in New York City. She was seated next to intrigued scholars for dinner and listened to some of the brightest minds speak about psychedelics and the future of psychedelic research.

October 20, 2011

The Georgetown Voice "Support medical marijuana for PTSD victims" by Editorial Board.

One of the most common ways to attempt to treat people suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a drug called Risperdal, but recent research shows that the drug is only as effective as a placebo. The proposed MAPS research study for using medical marijuana to help veterans with PTSD was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April, but recently the Department of Health and Human Services refused to sell MAPS the government-grown medical marijuana necessary for the research. MAPS plans to fight this decision until the research can properly be completed.

October 17, 2011

USA Today "Are Today’s Parents Going Too Soft on Kids Using Marijuana?" by Karen Weintraub.

An article that begins and ends in the usual fashion—with scary, unfounded stories about how marijuana is destroying America’s youth—nevertheless includes a brief mention about how the federal government stifles studies that could call those stories into question. NIDA Director Nora Volkow thinks that she knows all she needs to know about marijuana’s risks and benefits, but MAPS Director of Communications Brad Burge gets a word in edgewise.

October 16, 2011

The Washington Post "Marijuana may help PTSD. Why won’t the government find out for sure?" by Steve Fox, Marijuana Policy Project.

A persuasive Washington Post op-ed condems the federal government’s ongoing refusal to allow legitimate, necessary medical marijuana research from moving forward (“Marijuana may help PTSD. Why won’t the government find out for sure?” October 14, 2011). The op-ed follows an earlier Washington Post feature article on the federal obstruction of marijuana research. Download the original op-ed here (pdf).

October 14, 2011

Reality Sandwich "A Declaration of Psychedelic Studies" by Nese Lisa Senol.

Nese Senol presents an elegant essay about new options for students interested in pursuing academic careers in psychedelic research and education. A condensed version of this essay also appeared in the Winter 2011 MAPS Bulletin.

October 12, 2011

Noetic Now Journal "Psilocybin at the End of Life: A Doorway to Peace" by Stephen Ross, MD.

Stephen Ross, M.D., has been conducting research at NYU on the effects of psilocybin mushrooms on cancer patients reaching the end of their life. He posits that psilocybin can truly bring about spiritual states, which is why it is so important to study it from a psychological standpoint. His research in cancer patients so far has shown decreased death anxiety, decreased depression, greater integration back into daily life, improved family function, and increased spiritual states.

October 11, 2011

Downtown Devil "Downtown University of Arizona Professor Defends Value of Medical Marijuana Study" by Mauro Whiteman.

Mairjuana researcher and University of Arizona professor Sue Sisley, M.D., recently spoke to doctors and medical marijuana patients in Phoenix, Arizona about the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s (NIDA) obstruction of her proposed MAPS-sponsored study involving clinical trials of medical marijuana and veterans with PTSD. he blocked study would take place in Phoenix, potentially at University of Arizona College of Medicine. Sisley stated that NIDA has a “government-enforced monopoly on the legal supply of marijuana” and that NIDA is one of the biggest obstacles to researching medical properties of the plant.

October 10, 2011

Just Say Now "Obama’s Multi-Agency War on Medical Marijuana" by Jon Walker.

U.S. President Barack Obama has not followed through on his campaign promises to allow states to enforce their own medical marijuana laws. Obama’s administration has recently used the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) against medical marijuana patients and dispensaries, after promising not to interfere. Most recently, HHS refused to sell government-grown medical marijuana to MAPS for a FDA-approved medical marijuana study for United States veterans with PTSD.

October 9, 2011

Huffington Post "Obama: From First to Worst on Medical Marijuana" by Rob Kampia, Marijuana Policy Project.

Despite his 2008 campaign promises, President Barack Obama has been faltering on his original claims that he would allow medical marijuana to be left in the hands of individual states. His administration’s Department of Health and Human Services recently refused to sell government-grown medical marijuana to MAPS for our approved research on American combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. According to the argument presented in this article, compared to other United States presidents, Obama’s recent actions surrounding medical marijuana may mark him as the worst president in history for medical marijuana.

October 6, 2011

Slate "Did Dropping Acid Make Steve Jobs More Creative?" by Brian Palmer.

In the aftermath of Steve Jobs’ death, his quote about taking LSD has resurfaced. Jobs described taking LSD as one of the most important things that he did in his life. Here, Slate explores the idea that LSD could have positive effects on creativity. Research on LSD and its effect on creativity happened in the 1950’s, conducted separately by Oscar Janiger of UC Irvine and psychiatrist Louis Berlin. Their research suggests that LSD can encourage creativity in those who are creative to begin with.

October 5, 2011

AlterNet "The Federal Government ‘Ardently Supports’ Medical Marijuana Research?! Who Knew?" by Paul Armentano, NORML.

Tennessee Congressman Steven Cohen recently wrote a letter to Gil Kerlikowske, the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, requesting that the Obama Administration remove marijuana from the list of Schedule I controlled substances. In Kerlikowske’s response, he claimed that the government “ardently support[s] research” on marijuana’s medicinal uses, and that the DEA has approved every valid marijuana research proposal. His false statements arrived just days after publications began writing about the Department of Health and Human Services refusing to sell government-grown marijuana to MAPS for FDA-reviewed research.

Digital Journal "Psychedelics conference in NYC Oct 14 - 16" by Elizabeth Cunningham Perkins.

The fifth annual Horizons Conference in New York City featured talks about the current state of psychedelic research, creating psychedelic art, debates, and more. Scientists presented the latest in psychedelic research progress and MAPS was there to participate and help make it happen.

October 4, 2011

High Times "Feds Stress Out Over Proposed PTSD Pot Study" by Mark Miller.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave MAPS permission to initiate research on the effects marijuana and people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Health and Human Services Department (HHS) has refused to sell researchers the government-grown marijuana necessary for the research until a list of contradictory conditions are met.

Focus Magazine Blog "Ecstasy and Its Use in Therapy" by Kieron Allen.

Professor David Nutt and psychiatrist Dr. Ben Sessa are considering recreating a MAPS-sponsored study in the United Kingdom about the effects of MDMA on people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The original study conducted in the United States resulted in 83% of the participants reporting a significant improvement to their condition after a two month period. The new study would incorporate neuroimaging to provide insight into the effects of MDMA on the brain, and would be the first-ever human clinical trial of MDMA to take place in the UK.

Anxiety.org "Marijuana Study for PTSD Halted by Government" by Anxiety.org.

In April, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved MAPS to use thirteen pounds of government-grown medical marijuana to treat U.S. combat veterans with Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study has been halted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) until revisions are made to the original research proposal. Researchers in Israel have been studying the effects of marijuana on rats showing signs of PTSD after being induced with stress. Their results suggest that there is a specific time-frame that allows for marijuana to be most effective after traumatic events. Our veterans’ windows of time are slowly closing due to interference from the HHS.

October 3, 2011

Discover Blogs "Drug in Magic Mushrooms Linked to Long-Lasting Personality Change for the Better" by 80beats.

Researchers at John Hopkins University are revisiting their previous psilocybin research studies from 2006 and February 2011 to see if the psychedelic had any change on the participants over time. The latest results reveal that some of the participants showed long-lasting improvements in relationships, mood, and general well-being, as described by themselves and their family members. This research suggests that psilocybin’s medicinal use may not be limited to treating the mentally ill but could also be useful for healthy people.

TIME Healthland "‘Magic Mushrooms’ Trigger Lasting Personality Change" by Maia Szalavitz.

Katherine MacLean, a postdoctoral student at Johns Hopkins University, led a team of researchers to study the effects of psilocybin on a group of 52 participants who had already completed similar trials with the researchers. The results showed that psilocybin made some users more open to new ideas, as well as providing a positive personality change amongst some, as observed by subjects and their families. Researcher Roland Griffiths also noted that they had not seen any negative long-term side effects of the drug. While some users became uncomfortable at times, the effects were time-sensitive and dissipated within hours. Next, MacLean and Griffiths plan to conduct research on the effects of psilocybin in cancer patients who are depressed and/or anxious as a result of their illness. Their goal is to eventually be able to use psychedelics as part of approved treatments for mental illness and to study consciousness as a whole.

Denver Westword Blogs "Marijuana PTSD Study Roadblock Example of Feds’ Schizophrenia, Says Brian Vicente" by Michael Roberts.

Brian Vicente of Sensible Colorado is fighting for American combat veterans with PTSD to be allowed to use medical marijuana to help relieve their symptoms. In April, The Food and Drug Administration gave MAPS approval to conduct a study of whether marijuana could help fifty veterans suffering from PTSD. The study has been put on hold due to the Department of Health and Human Services refusing to sell government-grown medical marijuana to MAPS. For Vicente and many others, HHS’ refusal to support veterans in need is unacceptable.

October 1, 2011

UPI "U.K. doctors to study benefits of ecstasy" by UPI.

Researchers in the UK are hoping to obtain funding for what would be the first-ever clinical trial of MDMA in the UK. The study, which would be led by UK researchers David Nutt, M.D., and Ben Sessa, M.D., and sponsored by MAPS, would explore the safety and effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for people with PTSD. The study would build on MAPS’ flagship US study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy by adding an additional neuroimaging component, adding to the rapidly growing scientific knowledge about the safety and effectiveness of MDMA administered in clinical contexts.

The Daily Mail "Could ecstasy help victims of child abuse, rape and crime?" by Daily Mail Reporter.

While we have not yet received regulatory approval or funding for the study described in this article, researchers are encouraged by a recent invitation from the Wellcome Trust to submit a grant request for a possible study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD to take place in the UK. Potential Clinical Investigators David Nutt, M.D., and Ben Sessa, M.D., describe the significance of the study, which would be the first clinical MDMA trial ever to take place in the UK and which could—by using brain imaging technology—greatly add to current knowledge about the safety and effects of MDMA administered in clinical contexts. The article also mentions a recent study by Johns Hopkins scientist Roland Griffiths that found that psilocybin could have a lasting positive effect on personality.

The Washington Post "Marijuana study of traumatized veterans stuck in regulatory limbo" by Brian Vastag.

MAPS’ medical marijuana research made national headlines once again with this article in The Washington Post about the federal government’s recent refusal to sell MAPS marijuana for our planned study of marijuana for veterans with PTSD. Reviewers from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Public Health Service refused to allow MAPS to purchase marijuana for the study, despite the study protocol already having approval from the FDA.

According to the article, the reviewers’ comments are “a jumbled picture of sometimes contradictory concerns” and addressing them all could be extremely difficult, if not impossible, and the review process itself may serve only to delay and obstruct medical marijuana research. Pressure is building against the NIDA monopoly and the federal obstruction of medical marijuana research, but meanwhile the study is at a standstill.

Download a PDF of this article.

Learn more about MAPS’ medical marijuana research and legal efforts to end the NIDA monopoly.

Mindful Metropolis "Treating PTSD With MDMA" by Mary Susan Littlepage.

Mindful Metropolis reports on the current state of research for using MDMA-assisted psychotherapy with United States combat veterans who suffer from Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At least 30% of veterans seen by Veterans Administration doctors suffer from PTSD. In the MAPS study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, the participants had dealt with the condition for 19 years on average, and more than 80% of participants were cured of chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD after their MDMA-assisted therapy sessions. Michael and Annie Mithoefer of MAPS are expected to publish follow-up results of their study by the end of the year, with the phase two results to follow about six months after.

September 30, 2011

Jezebel "Ecstasy Could Be Treatment For PTSD" by Anna North.

Online women’s magazine Jezebel reports on a recent grant request submitted by UK researchers for a MAPS-sponsored study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, to take place in the UK. If the study receives funding and regulatory approval, it would be the first clinical trial of MDMA ever to take place in the country.

The Telegraph (UK) "Ecstasy to be used to help war veterans" by Stephen Adams.

Encouraged by the extremely positive results of our flagship U.S. study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, researchers are hoping to be able to conduct a similar study in the UK. In the article, prominent psychopharmacologist David Nutt, M.D., describes why he wants to see the study take place: “I feel quite strongly that many drugs with therapeutic potential have been denied to patients and researchers because of the drug’s regulation.” Worldwide, psychedelic research is booming, and researchers are hopeful that the UK could be the next government to put science before politics.

The Guardian (UK) "Ecstasy trial planned to test benefits for trauma victims" by Sarah Boseley.

The Guardian reports on a possible new study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD to take place in the UK. MAPS, together with psychopharmacologist Dr. David Nutt and psychiatrist Dr. Ben Sessa, has recently been invited to submit a grant proposal to the Wellcome Trust for the study. If it receives funding and regulatory approval, the study would be the first of its kind in the UK. The article concludes with Dr. Nutt’s observation that more cautious UK media such as The Daily Mail would not welcome the news, a recent positive article in that same publication clearly shows that times are changing. As the Guardian article points out, MAPS’ research on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD “has caused some in the scientific community to think what was until recently unthinkable.”

Additional coverage of MAPS’ possible UK study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD also appeared in The Herald Sun, the Sydney Morning Herald, the Hindustan Times, and The Times of India.

September 29, 2011

Tucson Weekly "Blocking Good Science" by J.M. Smith.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has continued its trend of blocking FDA-reviewed clinical trials proposed by MAPS. The article compares the relative difficulty of conducting federally-approved research on psychedelics with studies of marijuana, and points out the unlikelihood of NIDA agreeing to let the study move forward.

September 28, 2011

Salon "Flashback! Psychedelic research returns" by Alexander Zaitchik.

A long and in-depth article on Salon.com sheds light on the wide-open field of medical psychedelic research, focusing primarily on recent and ongoing studies at NYU and Johns Hopkins. The only information that might be added to the piece is that MDMA is probably even closer to approval for medical use than LSD or psilocybin, despite the recent explosion of research into all of these substances.

Discover Magazine Blogs "Marijuana for PTSD? That’s Leaving Out a Lot of Steps" by 80beats.

A recent study showed that rats injected with WIN 55,212-2, a synthetic cannabinoid like THC, had fewer negative reactions to stressful events than those that were not, suggesting that the compounds found in marijuana could reduce symptoms of PTSD in humans. This short blog post points out that while animal models of stress and anxiety are not necessarily adequate measures of those symptoms in humans, studies like these do add to the growing evidence suggesting that marijuana could help those struggling with PTSD.

September 23, 2011

TIME Magazine "More Evidence That Marijuana-Like Drugs May Help Prevent PTSD Read more: http://healthland.time.com" by Maia Szalavitz.

A recent study suggests that rats given a synthetic cannabinoid did not react as strongly to severely stressful events as did rats given placebo, adding to the growing scientific evidence that the compounds found in marijuana play a role in mediating stress and anxiety. While the applicability of these results to human beings is uncertain, studies such as these remind us of the promising potential of marijuana as a treatment for PTSD and other disorders.

September 21, 2011

The Raw Story "DEA faces federal lawsuit for blocking marijuana research" by Eric W. Dolan.

The Raw Story reports on the how MAPS is taking the DEA to court for refusing to let us break the federal monopoly on marijuana for research. Almost a third of the states in the U.S. now allow medical marijuana, and the American Medical Association has already called on the DEA to recognize marijuana’s therapeutic benefits. As the ACLU puts it, “the government is unwilling to put its policy to the test of science.”

International Business Times "Marijuana Helps Cure PTSD in Rats, Soldiers Could be Next: Study" by International Business Times.

Haifa University has been conducting research on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with rats. After exposing rats to high levels of stress, the researchers split the rats up into four groups and administered marijuana to three of the groups after varying lengths of time. The two groups of rats that received marijuana within the first 24 hours of the induced stress showed no signs of PTSD, although high anxiety was present. The results suggest that there is a “window of time” to treat PTSD and provide hope for research on human subjects.

September 18, 2011

PRWeb "MAPS to Celebrate 25 Years of Cutting-Edge Research with Seattle Lecture Series and Benefit Auction" by MAPS.

On September 21, 2011, MAPS hosted an evening lecture series and benefit auction at the EM Fine Art Gallery in Seattle, WA, as part of the MAPS 25th Anniversary Cartographie Psychedelica Tour.

September 12, 2011

Reason Magazine "Bummer: Barack Obama turns out to be just another drug warrior" by Jacob Sullum.

There were many researchers and activists who were optimistic when the early Obama administration promised to put science before politics in its approach to drug policy and regulation. Reason Magazine points out the disappointing facts in this in-depth cover article. Despite Obama’s claims that he would take a public health approach to drugs, he and his appointees in federal law enforcement agencies—including the DEA, which MAPS is currently taking to federal court over the agency’s refusal to permit much-needed medical marijuana research—have so far refused to do so.

September 7, 2011

Monday Magazine "Drugs with a healing flare" by Danielle Pope.

Victoria’s news and entertainment weekly magazine features a short article on MAPS Canada’s upcoming event in Victoria, BC. Victoria City Councillor and MAPS Canada Board Member Philippe Lucas, M.A., is excited about how Out of Mind: The Therapeutic Uses of Psychedelics to Treat PTSD and Addiction will promote a more rational conversation about the science of drugs-in addition to helping support the research itself. “This is something I can confidently say will be the most revolutionary and boundary-pushing event the city will see all year,” says Lucas. “One of the peripheral harms we’ve seen with [drug control] is throwing the baby out with the bath water ... it’s been great to see a resurgence in the study of therapy drugs to treat these disorders.”

September 2, 2011

WAMC Northeast Public Radio "UMass Amherst professor says he will appeal DEA denial for medical marijuana grow" by Patrick Donges.

On August 8, after ten years of legal proceedings, the DEA formally rejected UMass Amherst Prof. Lyle Craker’s appeal to grow marijuana for medical research. For Prof. Craker, the battle isn’t over yet: His only recourse is to take the case to the First Circuit of Appeals. The article concludes on a skeptical note, but fails to mention that in the last two decades medical marijuana has gained much acceptance, with 16 states and the District of Columbia now allowing marijuana for medical uses. Prof. Craker’s case may yet turn the tide.

obnoxi.us "DEA’s Michele Leonhart: If Science Disagrees, We’ll Shut Down Research" by OBNOXIoUS.

Despite plentiful scientific that marijuana has the potential to ease pain, reduce depression, and even reduce the likelihood of certain kinds of cancer, the DEA still clings to their dogma that marijuana has no medical uses. By officially rejecting Professor Lyle Craker’s request to grow marijuana for federally-regulated research, the DEA has shown that when science disagrees with their policy, they’d rather stop the science than change their routine.

PRWeb "MAPS Launches Canadian Affiliate, Celebrates 25 Years of Psychedelic Research and Education" by MAPS.

In celebration of 25 years of psychedelic research and education, MAPS and its Canadian affiliate, MAPS Canada, are coordinating two of the the most cutting-edge and scientifically fascinating events of the year. MAPS sent out this press release announcing the launch of MAPS Canada and the two events MAPS Canada is hosting this September—one in Victoria on September 13, 2011 and one in Vancouver on September 18, 2011—to commemorate the launch of MAPS Canada, celebrate MAPS’ 25th anniversary, and raise funds for MAPS Canada’s research on psychedelics and medical cannabis for PTSD, addiction, and other illnesses.

September 1, 2011

Stars and Stripes "Former platoon sergeant says marijuana was ‘the only thing’ that controlled his PTSD" by Bill Murphy Jr..

Former Army Sgt. Jamey Raines, an Ohio man who returned home from Iraq in 2004 with combat-related PTSD, explains why he used marijuana successfully for nearly five years to cope with his symptoms and help him transition back into civilian life. By telling his story, he hopes to counteract the ongoing stigma on marijuana’s medical potential. MAPS medical marijuana researcher Dr. Sue Sisley of the University of Arizona is also featured in this article, as is MAPS’ own ongoing work to get federal approval to study marijuana for former service members with PTSD.

August 29, 2011

Guns.com "Soldier’s Clinic Begins Ecstasy Trials to Treat PTSD: Inventive or Crazy?" by Max Slowik.

The pressing need for innovative treatments for PTSD has led to positive coverage from more than one unexpected media source. Here, firearm aficionado site Guns.com describes MAPS’ experimental MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a promising way to help soldiers devastated by their traumatic memories of combat.

August 27, 2011

Andrew Sullivan's The Daily Beast "Can MDMA Treat PTSD?" by Zoë Pollock.

Andrew Sullivan’s The Daily Beast summarizes recent online media coverage of MAPS’ efforts to get MDMA-assisted psychotherapy approved as a treatment for chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD.

August 25, 2011

The Republican "DEA rejects UMass Professor Lyle Craker’s bid to grow marijuana for medical research" by Robert Rizzuto.

The DEA rejects Administer Law Judge Mary Ellen Bittner’s 2007 recommendation to grant Prof. Lyle Craker a license to grow medical marijuana for research, continuing to prevent FDA-reviewed research from moving forward. The Republican reminds us of a 2009 letter sent by US Sen. John Kerry and the late Sen. Edward Kennedy to the attorney general in favor of further review Prof. Craker’s application. Unfortunately, the August 24 final order further delays vital research into the therapeutic benefits of marijuana.

August 24, 2011

PR Newswire "DEA Upholds Federal Marijuana Monopoly, Obstructing Privately-Funded FDA Research" by MAPS.

MAPS sent out this press release to announce the DEA’s August 24 final order rejecting an earlier judge’s recommendation to grant Prof. Lyle Craker a license to grow medical marijuana for research. MAPS and Prof. Craker’s only recourse is to appeal the decision in the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

August 19, 2011

Santa Cruz Patch "Shpongle’s Simon Posford Speaks Out About Psychedelics & Music" by David Jay Brown.

Author David Jay Brown shares this fascinating interview with Simon Posford of Shpongle, whose spiritually-inspired rhythms are immensely popular in the electronic dance community. Posford describes how psychedelics and psychedelic culture have played a powerful role in shaping his music and his perspective on science, consciousness, and politics.

The complete interview with Posford will appear in the Spring 2012 Special Edition of the MAPS Bulletin.

Mind Hacks "Ecstasy for war trauma: a flashback to earlier treatments" by Vaughan Bell.

The popular neuroscience blog Mind Hacks explains how MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is the latest in a long line of psychological treatments for PTSD. The post describes how the most effective treatments for PTSD require patients to revisit their traumatic memories and overcome the chronic fear and anxiety that accompany those memories. As Mind Hacks points out, many patients struggle to overcome their fear of traumatic memories and require additional assistance. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may be just what these treatment-resistant patients need. (Note: While the post correctly points out that MDMA can help reduce certain forms of anxiety, it is not a traditional anti-anxiety drug. In the context of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, MDMA is used to open patients up to the trauma rather than to help them avoid it.)

August 18, 2011

BBC Health "Modified ecstasy ‘attacks blood cancers’" by James Gallaghert.

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have found that modified, non-psychoactive forms of MDMA could destroy certain kinds of blood cancer cells, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Neither this article nor the researchers themselves foresee modified MDMA becoming a viable treatment for humans any time soon, but the discovery nevertheless indicates a promising future for research into the medical benefits of MDMA and its chemical cousins.

August 16, 2011

Motherboard Magazine "The Agony and the Ecstasy: The Quiet Mission to Fight PTSD With Psychedelic Drugs" by Brian Anderson.

Motherboard Magazine shares an in-depth and original feature story on MAPS’ MDMA-assisted psychotherapy research. Including intimate portraits of co-therapists and Clinical Investigators Michael Mithoefer, M.D., and Annie Mithoefer, B.S.N., a well-researched summary of why conventional PTSD treatments often fail, and a clear summary of how MDMA-assisted psychotherapy might work, this article is a fascinating read.

Despite its overall accuracy, the article does make two misleading claims. First, the model of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy used by MAPS’ researchers does not involve forcing the trauma to surface. In fact, patients undergoing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy are almost always willing to work through their trauma. This is why MDMA-assisted psychotherapy could be so effective: In the context of treatment, patients may be more willing to explore their traumatic memories than they ever have been previously.

Second, neither MAPS nor MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., are seeking to make MDMA available “at the corner drug store.” MDMA-assisted psychotherapy involves administering MDMA once or several times in a carefully controlled environment under the guidance of a trained medical or therapeutic professional.

July 25, 2011

Fox News "Could Natural Treatments Have Helped Amy Winehouse?" by Chris Kilham.

Even the most conservative news outlets are beginning to recognize that despite (or perhaps because of) their controversial history, psychedelics are gaining prominence as possible treatments for serious medical conditions. An article on Fox News reveals that some psychedelic substances have “unquestionable promise” in the treatment of addiction, especially when combined with other treatments such as therapy and exercise. As timely as it is notable, this article appeared while MAPS Canada was conducting its study of ayahuasca-assisted therapy for addiction in Vancouver.

July 24, 2011

Maine Morning Sentinel "For Wounded Veteran, Medical Marijuana’s Been a Godsend" by Michael Shepherd.

Veterans are speaking out about the urgent need for research into the therapeutic benefits of marijuana just as MAPS awaits word from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about whether the agency will allow us to proceed with our planned, FDA-approved study of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in veterans of war. In this article, Sgt. Ryan Begin tells the story of how marijuana helps him cope with the psychological and physical pain of combat-related trauma, and explains why making it available for him and his fellow soldiers should be one of our highest national priorities.

In the Mind Field "Marijuana and PTSD: Give the Joy of Life a Chance" by John Grant.

Writer and veteran John Grant explains why MAPS’ planned study of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in war veterans is nothing to laugh about. According to Grant, the possibility—recognized by countless veterans and medical marijuana users—that marijuana could help soldiers overcome the psychological, emotional, and spiritual trauma of war should be taken seriously, and it’s time for our culture to let go of its nearly century-old phobia of marijuana as a medicine. As the article points out, “a little sanity in this area can go a long way” to helping our soldiers return to a healthy life.

July 22, 2011

Reason Magazine "Scientific Evidence Clearly Shows That Ecstasy Is Only 200 Times As Bad As Pot" by Jacob Sullum.

Reason Magazine reports on how MAPS and the ACLU used scientific evidence to successfully challenge harsh federal Ecstasy sentencing guidelines.

July 19, 2011

International Business Times "Marijuana Legalization Coming Soon?" by International Business Times.

MAPS’ proposed study of marijuana for PTSD in veterans of war could do more than help develop a more effective treatment for symptoms of PTSD—it could also change how state and federal policymakers think about the medical value of whole-plant marijuana. According to the International Business Times, the proposed study (which is awaiting secondary approval from the Department of Health and Human Services even though it has already passed FDA review) could provide yet more evidence that the federal government should recognize the medical potential of marijuana and allow the research to take place.

International Business Times "Groups Push for Medical Marijuana Treatment for Veterans Suffering from PTSD" by International Business Times.

While MAPS waits for the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Public Health Service to decide whether to allow us to purchase marijuana for our planned study of marijuana for veterans with PTSD, the International Business Times wonders whether the agencies will recognize the pressing need for research into effective PTSD treatments.

July 18, 2011

PR Newswire "MAPS, ACLU Persuade Federal Judge to Use Science to Challenge Harsh Ecstasy Sentencing Guidelines" by MAPS.

The ACLU recently won a major victory in a legal case challenging the federal sentencing guidelines for Ecstasy-related crimes as having been made in a time of irrational panic over the dangers of the drug. On July 15, a defendant charged with distributing Ecstasy was sentenced to 26 months in prison—less than half the time recommended by current sentencing guidelines. MAPS contributed to the victory by testifying about the current state of evidence about the risks of recreational Ecstasy use, which have recently been discovered to be significantly lower than previously believed. The outcome of the trial indicates that the science of psychedelics can have real, positive implications for health, policy, and human rights.

The press release was picked up by numerous media outlets, including the Herald Online, Bradenton.com, The Sacramento Bee, StoptheDrugWar.org, and more.

The New York Times "Marijuana May Be Studied for Combat Disorder" by Dan Frosch.

The New York Times explains how MAPS’ proposed study of marijuana for PTSD in veterans of war could help show the federal government what veterans groups and medical marijuana advocates have known for years: that marijuana could help soldiers cope with the psychological wounds of war. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already decided to let the study proceed, but the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Public Health Service (PHS) must still approve the study before they allow MAPS to purchase the marijuana required for the study. In the past, these agencies have refused to supply MAPS with marijuana for its studies, preventing them from taking place. Perhaps now, with enough recognition of the pressing need for better treatments for PTSD in veterans and enough pressure on the NIDA/PHS to change their tune, the agency will allow the study to proceed and finally put patients’ needs first.

Additional stories about the promise of MAPS’ research for veterans and their families appeared in the military magazine Stars and Stripes, at USNavySeals.com, and as a top headline at the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

July 6, 2011

Acceler8or "Transcending the Medical Frontiers: Exploring the Future of Psychedelic Drug Research" by David Jay Brown.

The resurgence of government-approved research into psychedelics has uncovered some surprising potential uses for these powerful substances, from helping people overcome trauma, anxiety, and addiction to facilitating extraordinary artistic, personal, and spiritual growth. Here, award-winning author and MAPS Bulletin guest editor David Jay Brown presents a thorough overview of the (often surprising) uses for which psychedelics are currently being explored.

July 5, 2011

Sam Harris Blog "Drugs and the Meaning of Life" by Sam Harris.

In this bold and personal post, author Sam Harris reflects on psychedelics as tools for psychological healing, scientific exploration, and spiritual growth. He acknowledges that because they are such powerful tools, they require an extra level of care and responsibility when dealing with them. Although the studies that Harris cites regarding MDMA’s neurotoxic potential have been called into question, the honesty and directness with which he writes make this essay a worthwhile read.

June 30, 2011

Santa Cruz Patch "Mom Shares Psychedelic Drugs with Dying Daughter" by David Jay Brown.

In his most recent column, award-winning writer David Jay Brown praises Honor Thy Daughter, Marilyn Howell’s new memoir about her experience seeking out underground psychedelic therapy for her daughter suffering from colon cancer. True stories like this are reminders of the urgent need for research into the real risks and benefits of psychedelic therapy.

June 28, 2011

Ralph Metzner's Blog "MDMA Recognized as Most Promising Treatment of PTSD" by Ralph Metzner, Ph.D..

Psychologist and veteran psychedelic researcher Ralph Metzner, Ph.D., who worked with TImothy Leary and Richard Alpert on the original Harvard Psilocybin Project has a few things to say about the status of MDMA research. In this blog post, Metzner writes about why MDMA is such a promising treatment for PTSD, how it’s both similar to and different from the other “classical” psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin, and how MAPS’ research are paving the way for a new era of mainstream psychedelic science.

June 27, 2011

ScienceNOW "LSD Alleviates “Suicide Headaches”" by Kai Kupferschmidt.

A recent pilot study by Harvard psychiatrist John Halpern, M.D., showed that 2-bromo-LSD (a non-psychoactive version of LSD) could give profound and long-lasting relief to patients suffering from the chronic, debilitating syndrome known as cluster headaches. While what causes these headaches and how 2-bromo-LSD could reduce their frequency is still uncertain, these results are a clear indication that more research is warranted.

Additional media coverage of Halpern’s cluster headache study can be found here and here.

Halpern also recently completed another study showing that long-term Ecstasy use was not associated with cognitive damage.

June 24, 2011

AlterNet "Why Prescription Ecstasy or LSD Could Happen Much Sooner Than You Think" by Anneli Rufus.

A lead story on AlterNet reports that psychedelic research is booming, and that prescription psychedelics could be legally available within a decade. But the return of psychedelics to mainstream medicine is doing much more than developing much-needed new treatments for pain, anxiety, and trauma. It’s also showing what can happen when scientists and regulators move beyond the simplistic distinction between “good drugs” and “bad drugs” and instead take an honest look at the risks and benefits of these substances for specific conditions. As the article points out, “it’s about using cutting-edge technology to prove what millions around the world have been saying for thousands of years: This stuff gets to your head.”

The same story also appeared in the addiction treatment magazine The Fix.

June 23, 2011

The Economist "Acid Tests" by The Economist.

The near-completion of MAPS’ Swiss study of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for end-of-life anxiety is a chance to take note of the resurgence of psychedelic research after decades of taboo. This article describes the long history of psychedelic psychotherapy, the explosion of recreational use leading to the shutting down of psychedelic research, and the recent return of these substances to mainstream science and medicine. The recent publication of Timothy Leary’s archives indicates the world is ready to move beyond its old fear of psychedelics and to once again take an honest, rational look at their risks and benefits for psychological, emotional, and spiritual health.

June 20, 2011

Religion Dispatches "High on Drugs: Breaking the Just Say No Addiction" by Gary Laderman.

Emory University Professor Gary Laderman sees the recent Global Commission on Drug Policy report calling for an end to the international war on drugs as a chance to explore some alternative roles for drugs in our society. Research is now showing that psychedelics, when used in the right setting, can be used for both psychological health and spiritual development, and Laderman thinks this new knowledge could challenge the logic underlying current drug policies.

June 17, 2011

EmaxHealth "Hopkins Researchers Study Therapeutic Use of Psilocybin in Magic Mushrooms" by Kathleen Blanchard.

In a recently published study at Johns Hopkins Medical School, researchers found that psilocybin-induced spiritual experiences could have long-lasting positive effects on emotional health, social relationships, and spiritual practice. The goal of the study was to determine the appropriate dose of psilocybin for producing positive changes while avoiding negative experiences or “bad trips.” MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., also comments on the study in this article.

June 16, 2011

TIME "“Magic Mushrooms” Can Improve Psychological Health Long Term" by Maia Szalavitz.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have completed a study showing that psilocybin-induced spiritual experiences can have real, positive effects on emotional and psychological health. Could this new evidence cause a broader conception of the possible place of psychedelics in society? Could it be telling scientists something about the biology of spirituality? Also see here and here for additional coverage of the Johns Hopkins study.

June 10, 2011

The Hindu "My Husband and Other Animals - One Last Trip" by Janaki Lenin.

Travel and adventure writer Kenneth Anderson had one last wish: to learn whether LSD could help him come to terms with his imminent death. In this short recollection, an acquaintance remembers Anderson having an “incredible experience” that left him feeling calm, alert, and at peace.

AlterNet "Ecstasy As Treatment for PTSD from Sexual Trauma and War? New Research Shows Very Promising Results" by Scott Thill.

With health care costs for veterans rising dramatically and effective treatments limited, researchers and therapists are reaching out to find new ways of treating trauma. As this in-depth and well-researched article explains, MAPS is at the center of multiple attempts to develop safe and effective treatments for trauma associated with sexual assault and war. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is being shown to be effective for treating trauma in individuals whose illness has been resistant to other forms of treatment. Even MAPS’ planned medical marijuana study, which was recently approved by the FDA, represents a potential breakthrough in treatments for PTSD—as long as public and governmental attitudes to these innovative treatment continue to improve.

Note: MDMA is not Ecstasy. Substances sold on the street under the name Ecstasy do often contain MDMA, but frequently also contain ketamine, caffeine, BZP, and other narcotics and stimulants. In laboratory studies, pure MDMA—but not Ecstasy—has been proven sufficiently safe for human consumption when taken a limited number of times in moderate doses.

June 9, 2011

The Raw Story "First Therapeutic Study of LSD in 35 Years Finishes Treatment of Last Subject" by Eric W. Dolan.

A letter from Swiss psychiatrist Peter Gasser, M.D., the lead investigator for MAPS’ study of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness, reports that all 12 participants in the study reported benefits from the treatment. Even though the number of subjects enrolled in the study was small, meaning that achieving statistically significant results could be a challenge, the study will show that LSD can be safely used in a therapeutic setting, setting the stage for future studies of medical applications of LSD.

June 7, 2011

CommonHealth "Mother’s Loving Care For Dying Daughter Included Psychedelic Drugs" by Carey Goldberg, Jessica Alpert.

On June 7, Honor Thy Daughter author Marilyn Howell appeared on RadioBoston’s CommonHealth to discuss why she turned to psychedelic therapy to ease the pain and anxiety of her dying daughter. This article explains how Howell’s story fits into the larger history of psychedelic medicine, and how stories like hers are helping show the world the importance of MAPS’ research.

Listen to Howell’s interview streaming or download it here.

RadioBoston also published a second short article about Howell’s decision to explore psychedelic therapy.

June 5, 2011

American Botanical Council "FDA Accepts Protocol for Study on Marijuana and PTSD" by Lindsey Stafford.

The latest edition of the American Botanical Council’s quarterly peer-reviewed journal HerbalGram (Volume 8, Number 6, June 2011) contains a thorough and well-researched article on the FDA’s April 28 approval of MAPS’ planned study of smoked and/or vaporized marijuana for PTSD in veterans of war. The article presents a nuanced summary of the background, rationale, design, and outlook for what could become the first controlled clinical trial of the therapeutic potential of marijuana for PTSD. “I wasn’t surprised with FDA’s favorable review since I have come over the last two decades to respect the FDA’s willingness to put science over politics,” explains MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D. “Still, it’s breathtaking every time FDA gives us permission for a new precedent.” Now that the FDA has given the study its stamp of approval, it now falls to the National Institute on Drug Abuse/Public Health Service to decide whether to allow us to purchase the marijuana we need for the study.

June 3, 2011

Daily Mail Online (UK) "The Mother Who Gave Her Terminally Ill Daughter Ecstasy to Ease Her Suffering" by Daily Mail.

UK newspaper The Daily Mail announces the release of Honor Thy Daughter, Marilyn Howell’s new memoir about how psychedelic therapy helped her daughter cope with the pain and anxiety of terminal colon cancer. (Note that the title of the article is technically incorrect: Howell’s daughter received pure MDMA, not Ecstasy. Ecstasy is a recreational drug that may or may not contain MDMA. All of MAPS’ clinical studies use MDMA, not Ecstasy.)

June 2, 2011

The Fix "Feds Approve First LSD Study Since ‘72" by Dirk Hanson.

Based on David Jay Brown’s May 27 article announcing the near-completion of MAPS’ landmark Swiss study of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for end-of-life anxiety, this article explains the significance of the worldwide resurgence of psychedelic research.

June 1, 2011

"Israeli Ministry of Health Approves MDMA/PTSD Study"

On June 1, 2011, Israel’s Ministry of Health approved our Israeli study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. This approval indicates that the Ministry was satisfied with our response to their April 28 request for additional information. Now that the study has the full approval of Israeli regulatory bodies, we have begun preparing to submit the protocol to the US FDA, which must prospectively approve the study before we can start enrolling subjects since it is being conducted under a US Investigational New Drug application. The study initiation will take place in approximately one month, during which time we will finalize the study insurance documents and contracts with the study site. Training materials containing the measures to be used in the study have been provided to the investigators and independent raters, and we continue working with clinical research organization Antaea Medical Services, Ltd., to prepare the remaining documents and forms.

"Israeli Ministry of Health Approves MDMA/PTSD Study"

May 27, 2011

Santa Cruz Patch "Landmark Clinical LSD Study Nears Completion" by David Jay Brown.

Award-winning author David Jay Brown uses the approaching completion of MAPS’ Swiss study of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness to explore the complex and controversial history of worldwide LSD research. As the first clinical LSD study in over 25 years, the completion of this study represents a monumental achievement for psychedelic science.

Chemistry and Biology "Mixed Signals: Cannabinoid System Offers New Therapeutic Possibilities As Well As Challenges" by Chandra Shekhar.

The most recent edition of Chemistry and Biology (Volume 18, Issue 5, May 2011) includes a feature article by Chandra Shekhar entitled “Mixed Signals: Cannabinoid System Offers New Therapeutic Possibilities As Well As Challenges” on the history, promise, and challenge of medical marijuana research. The article briefly outlines the history of cannabis research, and explains how the marijuana plant has been the key to one of the most significant medical discoveries of the last century: the endocannabinoid system. While private companies and government agencies have invested a great deal in developing medicines based on isolated and synthetic versions of the active chemicals in the marijuana plant, research on the safety and effectiveness of the marijuana plant itself still lags behind. The article explains how naturally-occurring cannabinoids help regulate some of the most important biological functions, and how modern researchers—including MAPS—are trying to learn which delivery systems and which cannabinoid combinations work best for which conditions.

May 25, 2011

The Boston Channel "Psychedelic Drugs Help Daughter In Dying Days" by WCBV Boston.

The following article is a transcript of a stirring 3-minute segment on WCBV’s Health News about why Honor Thy Daughter author Marilyn Howell, Ed.D., chose to seek out psychedelic therapy for her daughter with terminal cancer. It also shows how mainstream medical practitioners are beginning to recognize the potential value of such treatments for patients at the end of their life, emphasizing the need for more research into the safety and effectiveness of MDMA and other psychedelics.

May 23, 2011

Courthouse News Service "Ecstasy Has Same Legal Penalties as Cocaine" by Adam Klasfeld.

On May 19, 2011, a US District Judge ruled that Ecstasy-related crimes are punished far more harshly than is justified by currently available scientific evidence about the risks of the drug. In 2001, the US Sentencing Commission enacted a set of guidelines requiring judges to punish Ecstasy violations 500 times more severely than marijuana. The American Civil Liberties Union challenged that standard as unfair and requested that the judge undertake a rational reconsideration of the guidelines.

The ruling sharply criticizes the commission’s “opportunistic rummaging” and “selective and incomplete” analysis of the scientific data that led to the creation of the guidelines, and took into account new evidence—including data from a recent study by Harvard psychiatrist John Halpern, M.D., showing that long-term recreational Ecstasy use did not cause cognitive damage. MAPS also consulted on the case.

According to Jay Rorty, director of the ACLU’s Criminal Drug Law Reform Project, the ruling is a step in the right direction. “It’s also important because it demonstrates a district judge’s willingness to undertake a thorough review of the empirical basis underlying the guideline to update a guideline based on scientific advances,” he said.

Note: All of MAPS’ clinical research studies use pure MDMA that was manufactured in a government-licensed facility. Drugs bought and sold on the street as “Ecstasy” may or may not contain MDMA.

May 19, 2011

SFGate.com "Can Psychedelic Therapy Ease the Suffering of Cancer Patients?" by PRWeb.

SFGate.com shares this press release announcing the publication of Honor Thy Daughter by Marilyn Howell, Ed.D. In the newest book from the MAPS Press, Howell tells the story of her family’s search for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing as her daughter struggles with terminal cancer. Their journey ultimately takes them into the hands of an anonymous therapist who offers the family hope and healing through psychedelic psychotherapy.

The original press release is also available.

May 17, 2011

AlterNet "How Christopher Hitchens Could Help His Fellow Cancer Patients by Promoting Psychedelic Therapy" by Alexander Zaitchik.

World-renowned author and journalist Christopher Hitchens, who recently announced that he has lost his voice to throat cancer, is an outspoken advocate of experimental cancer treatments. This article discusses pioneering research into psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with terminal illnesses, including the research that MAPS is currently conducting on the risks and benefits of LSD-assisted psychotherapy. The article uses Hitchens’ case as an example of why research into the healing potential of psychedelic therapy is so important.

MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., points out that while MAPS’ research is intended to help people like Hitchens get safe and effective access to these treatments, it remains just out of reach. “People all over the world should have access to psychedelic therapy and psychedelic hospice centers, but the options are stigmatized and criminalized,” Doblin says. “If Hitchens—a curious man with a lot of intellectual power and influence—were to participate in an underground program, he could consider it an act of civil disobedience on behalf of science in the face of stigma and bad law.” The article concludes by echoing the growing recognition that developing safe, legal contexts for psychedelic therapy could help many—perhaps millions—of cancer patients.

May 16, 2011

Lafayette Online "Ethical Dilemmas of Pharmaceutical Research" by Philip Fiorini.

An upcoming talk (to take place Thursday, May 19, in Lafayette, IN) sponsored in part by Purdue University will feature renowned pharmacologist and psychedelic researcher David Nichols, Ph.D. Nichols has studied how psychedelic drugs work in the brain for over 40 years, and his research is an excellent example of how psychedelics aren’t just therapeutic tools but also powerful technologies for discovering the fundamentals of the human mind.

May 13, 2011

Santa Cruz Patch "FDA Approves New PTSD Study with Medical Marijuana" by David Jay Brown.

Columnist and MAPS Bulletin guest editor David Jay Brown summarizes what’s in store for medical marijuana research now that the FDA has approved MAPS’ planned study of marijuana for veterans with PTSD. The National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Drug Enforcement Administration have a history of preventing FDA-approved research from moving forward, but we’re trying to be optimistic that they’ll recognize the pressing need for this research and change their tune.

May 11, 2011

East Bay Express "Pot for PTSD Gets FDA Go-Ahead" by David Downs.

The FDA has approved MAPS’ study of marijuana for veterans for PTSD, but the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s continued insistence that marijuana is not a medicine (despite medical marijuana being legal in almost a third of the country) might prevent the study from ever happening. This well-researched article aptly summarizes the challenges faced by scientists wanting to do research on whole-plant marijuana.

Organic Authority "FDA Study Approval Brings Marijuana One Step Closer to Treating PTSD" by Jill Ettinger.

The Organic Authority blog explains how the FDA’s recent approval of MAPS’ proposed study of marijuana for veterans with PTSD is a huge step forward for medical marijuana research.

May 10, 2011

LA Weekly "Marijuana Research Involving War Veterans and Post-Traumatic Stress Approved by Feds, Sort Of" by Dennis Romero.

Now that the FDA has approved our planned study of marijuana for veterans for PTSD, it’s up to the National Institute on Drug Abuse to decide whether to allow us to buy the marijuana we need to conduct it. Though Dennis Romero thinks that veterans should be allowed to use marijuana regardless of its effectiveness, it’s important to show federal agencies that the drug is both effective and safe before making it available as a prescription medicine.

May 6, 2011

Psychiatric Times "Does MDMA Have a Role in Clinical Psychiatry?" by Michael Mithoefer, M.D..

Psychiatrist and MAPS Clinical Investigator Michael Mithoefer, M.D., published this article in Psychiatric Times about the current state of research into the therapeutic potential of MDMA. He describes the history of MDMA’s use in psychiatry, the most recent results from MAPS’ studies of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, the risks and benefits of MDMA for therapy, and the mechanisms by which MDMA is believed to help people confront trauma and overcome anxiety. Dr. Mithoefer’s extensive experience administering MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to PTSD sufferers suggests to him that “MDMA may find an important place in the future of psychopharmacology.”

May 5, 2011

Salem-News.com "Cannabis Gives Hope to Warriors with PTSD" by Bonnie King.

Thousands of veterans already use marijuana to treat PTSD symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia, emphasizing the pressing need for research into the safety and effectiveness of different strains and delivery methods. Having received FDA approval for our planned study of marijuana for PTSD in veterans, MAPS is now waiting to find out whether the National Institute on Drug Abuse/Public Health Service will allow us to purchase the marijuana we need for the study.

Marijuana Business Report "FDA Approves Study of Cannabis for PTSD"

On April 28, the FDA approved MAPS’ planned study of smoked or vaporized marijuana to treat symptoms of PTSD in war veterans, marking the first time a government agency has approved an outpatient marijuana study. The Marijuana Business Report reflects on the implications of this development of medical marijuana research in the U.S.

Miller-McCune "Researchers Re-Open Their Minds to Psychedelic Drugs" by Sam Kornell.

This article describes how psychedelic research has quickly expanded in the last ten years, and how researchers and scientists at major universities are reminding the world that there is much more to psychedelics than hallucinations. After decades of being lost in the shadows of the drug war, studies being conducted at UCLA, Johns Hopkins, NYU, and Harvard are once again showing that psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA may actually have profound therapeutic effects—and people are beginning to notice.

May 3, 2011

ScienceDaily "Ecstasy Associated With Chronic Change in Brain Function" by ScienceDaily.

A recent study by a Vanderbilt psychiatrist finds long-term differences in brain function between recreational Ecstasy users and non-users. This ScienceDaily article wonders whether these possible risks extend to those who are administered MDMA in therapeutic contexts.

The researchers performed fMRI scans on 20 ecstasy users, men and women reporting a lifetime of 33.25 +/- 37.79 occasions of use on average, range = 3-155), and 20 non-user controls. Generally speaking, a greater number of ecstasy users had experience with nearly every other substance listed, except alcohol, and including cannabis, stimulants, psychedelics, sedatives, opiates. The researchers imaged the brain while people watched either red or blue light, shown at three levels of brightness, and then measured brain activation. The researchers found no significant difference in brain activation between ecstasy user and non-ecstasy user controls. the researchers then correlated lifetime exposure to ecstasy to brain activation, finding a relationship between lifetime exposure and degree of cortical excitability in primary visual cortex, an area of brain involved in visual processing. The researchers also split the sample of ecstasy users on the basis of median (the value in the exact middle of the sample) lifetime ecstasy use, finding greater excitability in “heavy” versus “light” ecstasy users. Though adding lifetime exposure to methamphetamine slightly lowered the strength of this relationship between lifetime drug use and cortical excitability overall, it increased the strength of relationship in specific areas, suggesting a role of methamphetamine use. The researchers do not cite any relationship between cortical excitability in this area and any type of dementia. Instead, they discuss its relationship with neurons that receive input from the serotonin system.

The same team of researchers first reported increased activation in the visual cortex in 2006 (Cowan et al. 2006).

The sole paper that attempts to address the effects age and ecstasy use examined cognitive function in people aged 39-55 reporting repeated ecstasy use and comparing them with polydrug users, including some light ecstasy users (Schilt et al. 2010). This report reported that older ecstasy users and younger ecstasy users (from another study) had similar test scores.

As ScienceDaily puts it, “The message in news reports needs to be accurate.” Misleadingly, neither Cowan nor ScienceDaily acknowledge that illegally purchased Ecstasy used recreationally may or may not contain MDMA, and often contains methamphetamine, ketamine, BZP, caffeine, or other narcotics and stimulants. Besides, there is no reason to assume that the effects of regular recreational Ecstasy use—even if it was just MDMA—extend to those of MDMA administered only a few times in therapeutic settings. The article also fails to point out that users of Ecstasy also tend to use other drugs as well. In other words, there’s no way to know whether the observed effects were due to Ecstasy, to another drug, or to something else entirely.

Journalists reporting on scientific results need to be careful not to overstate their implications. It is important to be cautious when taking any drug repeatedly, but there is a big difference between acknowledging long-term changes in brain function after using a substance and claiming that those changes are harmful. The scientist quoted in the article implies that because both long-term Ecstasy users and Alzheimer’s patients experience changes in brain function, somehow Ecstasy use causes Alzheimers. This is so misleading as to be dishonest; people have been using Ecstasy recreationally for over 30 years, and not a single study has shown a link between long-term recreational Ecstasy use and Alzheimer’s. To claim that there is a link is pure conjecture.

And there are reasons to believe that the benefits of MDMA used in therapy may outweigh its risks. According to MAPS Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., “The dosing [of MDMA] MAPS is using doesn’t cause any negative functional consequences in neurocognitive tests. There have been no reports of persisting problems in brain function or mood in any of our US PTSD subjects after an average of 41 months.”

May 2, 2011

The New York Times "Tugging at Threads to Unspool Stories of Torture" by Denise Grady.

On Monday, May 2, The New York Times published a major story about Iraqi refugees in Jordan with PTSD. Iraqi refugees are some of the people we are anticipating will be subjects in our Jordanian study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD once it’s finally approved by the Jordanian FDA, which seems likely to be soon. Sadly, it seems that there will be no shortage of subjects for our 12-person Jordanian study. In our US MDMA/PTSD study, we’re working with US veterans with war-related PTSD from either Iraq, Afghanistan, or Vietnam. We’ve already enrolled 4 subjects so far in this study, all from service in Iraq and/or Afghanistan. MAPS is working toward the day when MDMA-assisted psychotheray will be widely available to help treat people around the world with PTSD.

According to UK psychiatrist Ben Sessa, M.D., “[This story] illustrates how trauma—and particularly the trauma of war and conflict—has no international borders or political persuasions. In an analogous fashion MDMA is a substance that bridges the gap between psychopharmacology and psychotherapy like no other treatment we know as psychiatrists, a truly innovative new direction for mental health that we all hope can offer a significant breakthrough for the future management of PTSD.” Sessa is working with MAPS to acquire funding for a possible UK-based study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.

April 30, 2011

Treating Yourself, via Capital City Caregivers "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Medical Cannabis" by Capital City Caregivers.

A blog post from a Lansing, MI, medical marijuana clinic points to an account (PDF) in Treating Yourself magazine by a soldier who finds that medical marijuana helps him cope with PTSD symptoms. While physicians at the Veterans Administration and other treatment centers continue to pour ineffective pills down the throats of suffering soldiers, thousands of veterans are finding that marijuana genuinely helps them. MAPS’ planned study of the risks and benefits of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in war veterans has provisionally passed the FDA review process, but it remains to be seen whether the federal government will allow us to purchase the marijuana we need for the study.

April 21, 2011

Public Library of Science Blogs "The Plot to Turn On the World: The Leary/Ginsberg Acid Conspiracy" by Steve Silberman.

In the 1960s, Harvard psychologist Timothy Leary teamed up with revolutionary Beat poet Allen Ginsberg to promote a vision of a world “turned on” by LSD and other psychedelics. In his new book about Leary and Ginsberg’s White Hand Society, Peter Conners describes how the duo’s desire to dose the planet changed how the world thought about psychedelics. Conners admits that Leary and Ginsberg’s overenthusiastic embrace of psychedelics as a cure to all of society’s ills likely led to the crackdown on legitimate psychedelic research, but also points out that thanks to the work of MAPS, the world is starting to remember what a cautious, rational approach to psychedelic medicine looks like.

Brain Blogger "Headache Treatment: Alternative or Illicit?" by Jennifer Gibson, PharmD.

LSD and psilocybin, both of which are psychedelic drugs that operate primarily on the serotonin system, are beginning to enter the public consciousness as possible treatments for certain kinds of chronic, debilitating headaches. Clinical pharmacist Jennifer Gibson points to increasing frustration with traditional medical treatments for cluster headaches and similar conditions, the high number of side effects associate with traditional treatments, and patients’ desire to choose their own treatments as the primary reason that psychedelics are gaining acceptance as medicines. Gibson concludes the article by calling for more and larger studies of the clinical benefits of psychedelics.

April 20, 2011

The West Australian "Party Drug Hope for Parkinson’s" by Cathy O'Leary.

Researchers at the University of Western Australia are studying whether modified versions of MDMA could help increase the effectiveness (and possible help decrease the side-effects) of certain pharmaceutical treatments for Parkinson’s disease. Other scientists suspect that MDMA analogues could help treat a rare form of cancer. The possible value of MDMA itself as an adjunct to psychotherapy, of course, is already gaining widespread recognition. It’s clear that MDMA research holds a great deal of promise, and the only way to know what it can and cannot do for patients with a variety of illnesses is to make sure that funding for the research continues.

April 18, 2011

Wired "The Cost of Combat Stress: A Billion Dollars a Year" by Madhumita Venkataramanan.

A new report from the National Bureau of Economic Research estimates that the economic and health care costs of mental health problems stemming from combat could be over $1 billion a year. Even more startlingly, Wired magazine reports that more than 6,000 veterans commit suicide every year. Posttraumatic stress is a national tragedy of epidemic proportions, yet there is a frightening lack of effective treatments for PTSD and other combat-related illnesses. Encouraging the federal government and the Veterans Administration to commit more resources to looking for more effective PTSD treatments, such as the possibility of treating PTSD with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, should therefore be an economic (as well as ethical) priority.

April 13, 2011

Good Times Santa Cruz "Altered Statesman" by Damon Orion with David Jay Brown.

An inspirational and engaging interview with Santa Cruz writer and all-around psychedelic expert David Jay Brown appeared on the cover of this week’s edition of Good Times magazine. Here, Brown talks about his own research on brain stimulation, psychedelics, and altered states of consciousness; his thoughts on consciousness and death; his deep friendships with such historical figures as Timothy Leary and Robert Anton Wilson; and the past, present, and future of psychedelic research.

ELLE "That Lovin’ Feeling" by Lauren Slater.

ELLE magazine reviews the origins of MDMA’s therapeutic uses in marriage and family therapy and specifically discusses MAPS’ role in helping psychedelic therapy return to mainstream medicine. The article includes an earnest and in-depth interview with MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., and discusses why—despite the possibility that MDMA-assisted therapy could help couples reestablish lost connections—MAPS has chosen to focus on helping individuals overcome their traumatic pasts.

April 12, 2011

MAPS "Media Reports of Ecstasy and Brain Shrinkage Overblown" by L. Ilsa Jerome, Ph.D..

The results of a recent brain imaging study claiming an association between long-term recreational Ecstasy use and damage to the hippocampus (a deep brain region responsible for learning, memory, and other cognitive functions) has the media in a frenzy. Media outlets all over the world (such as Bloomberg Businessweek) leaped at the chance to interpret the study’s results as evidence that Ecstasy causes the brain to actually shrink. Some (like The Guardian) have even gone so far as to suggest that Ecstasy use is correlated with Alzheimer’s disease. One overenthusiastic writer at TopNews.us even claims that Ecstasy actually causes Alzheimer’s disease, despite the complete lack of supporting scientific evidence. By contrast, the results of a recent meticulously-designed government-funded study by Harvard University’s John Halpern, M.D., reporting no association between recreational Ecstasy use and cognitive damage, have been largely ignored by these media sources, which begs the question: Are journalists really doing their homework?

Thankfully, a little bit of careful attention to the actual science provides a powerful antidote to this kind of reckless reporting. MAPS Research and Information Specialist Ilsa Jerome, Ph.D., has written a quick and well-reasoned summary of the study’s results, and points out that despite the media frenzy, the study suffers from the usual shortcomings of most observational studies of recreational Ecstasy use, and should be taken with several milligrams of salt.

April 8, 2011

NewScientist "Psychedelic Drug Cuts Brain Blood Flow and Connections" by Arran Frood.

By using psilocybin and other psychedelic compounds as scientific tools, neuroscientists are discovering some fascinating new properties of the human mind. A new brain imaging (fMRI) study by Robin Carhart-Harris at Imperial College London has found that the psychedelic or “mind-manifesting” effects of psilocybin could be due to the drug’s ability to decrease, rather than increase, activity in certain parts of the brain. Could this surprising effect have something to do with the therapeutic effects of psilocybin and other drugs that work on the serotonin system? Time—and research—will tell.

April 3, 2011

The Observer (UK) "Ecstasy Case Not Yet Proven" by Professor Stephen Kish.

On March 27, 2010, Prof. Andrew Parrot (Swansea University) wrote a letter to the editor criticizing Prof. John Halpern’s (Harvard) recent study finding no association between heavy recreational Ecstasy use and cognitive damage. Below, Prof. Stephen Kish of the University of Toronto points out that in his rush to attack the study, Parrott actually misinterpreted the results of Kish’s own Ecstasy study, undermining Parrott’s critique. Debate may be important for the progress of science, but so is accuracy.

April 1, 2011

Santa Cruz Patch "Vaporizing Cannabis: More Alternatives for Nonsmokers" by David Jay Brown.

Numerous studies have shown that vaporized marijuana is safer than smoked marijuana. That is exactly why MAPS has been trying (for nearly a decade) to end the federal government’s monopoly on the supply of marijuana for research. How else are we supposed to learn the safest way for patients to get the medicine they need?

March 27, 2011

The Guardian (UK) "Letters to the Editor: Ecstasy Is Far from Harmless" by Professor Andrew C. Parrott.

What follows is a letter to the editor published on Sunday, March 27, 2011, in the Guardian, signed by abut 40 scientists all objecting to the findings of Dr. John Halpern’s paper in the journal Addiction, which found no association between long-term recreational Ecstasy use and cognitive damage. On April 3, Prof. Stephen Kish responded to the letter with one of his own.

March 25, 2011

Medical News Today "Drug Report: MDMA, Ecstasy Still A Teen Choice; ER Visits Up 75%" by Sy Kraft.

On March 24, 2011, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA)‘s Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) released a report with the latest statistics for emergency department admissions in the U.S. involving Ecstasy. It’s clear that recreational Ecstasy use has increased in recent years, but that’s not how most mainstream media have interpreted the data. Unfortunately, most media sources (such as this CBS News article) have framed it as evidence for the dangers of recreational Ecstasy use. Those journalists taking the time to actually read the report (such as the author of the Medical News Today article listed below, which also mentions MAPS’ research on the therapeutic uses of MDMA) noticed that the vast majority (nearly 80%) of emergency department admissions involving Ecstasy also involved at least one other drug, and almost 40% of those over the age of 21 reported using three or more before being admitted. Was Ecstasy the cause of the admission, or was it the other drugs?

No drug, including Ecstasy or its principal component MDMA, is risk-free, but it’s important to be careful when reporting on scientific data. It is frustrating for those committed to scientific honesty when journalists report on what they’re afraid of rather than what the research actually says.

March 22, 2011

The Times (UK) "The Case for Prescribing Psychedelic Drugs" by Neil Boorman.

The Times reports on “Breaking Convention: A Multidisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Consciousness,” which will take place on April 2-3, 2011, at the University of Kent at Canterbury. The conference will feature four symposia; several tracks of seminars, debates, workshops, and presentations; film screenings; video presentations; and a track devoted to ayahuasca research. The article describes how psychedelics are making a huge comeback in science and medicine, and addresses the importance of MAPS’ current research into MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. The article’s claim that MAPS’ research is hindered by the current legal status of MDMA, this is not actually the case: Because MDMA-assisted psychotherapy takes place in carefully controlled clinical contexts, our research has been able to move forward regardless of scheduling.

March 18, 2011

The New York Times "Electric Kool-Aid Marketing Trip" by Michael Walker.

Augustus Owsley Stanley III, who died on March, 13, 2011, at the age of 76, had synthesized and sold over a million doses of LSD by 1967. This article discusses how Owsley almost single-handedly created the market for LSD and in so doing helped fuel the growth of the psychedelic culture.

March 17, 2011

High Times Medical Marijuana Magazine "MAPS in High Times Medical Marijuana Magazine" by MAPS.

The last five issues of High Times Medical Marijuana Magazine have featured columns detailing MAPS’ latest efforts to get marijuana approved as a prescription medicine. The columns describe the latest news in our ongoing lawsuit against the DEA to end the federal government’s monopoly on the supply of marijuana for research, as well as updates about our proposed study of marijuana for the treatment of PTSD in war veterans.

Authors include MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., MAPS Director of Communications Brad Burge, M.A., Stephen Morseman, and Jonathan D. Roberts.

All previous columns are available for download as PDFs.

High Times Medical Marijuana Magazine is a quarterly publication containing the latest news and reviews about medical marijuana. From cultivation tips and strain reports to political updates and scientific research, the magazine is an excellent resource for anyone interested in medical marijuana culture, politics, and science.

March 16, 2011

The New York Times "Heads Bowed in Grateful Memory" by Seth Schiesel.

On March 13, 2011, early LSD entrepreneur Owsley Stanley died in a car crash in his adopted home of Australia. Owsley was at the chemical, financial, and musical epicenter of the 1960s. This article discusses Owsley’s role in fueling the dramatic rise in popularity of the Grateful Dead and other icons of psychedelic culture.

March 9, 2011

PR Newswire "UMass Professor Files Final DEA Brief in 10-Year Fight to End Government Marijuana Research Monopoly" by MAPS.

MAPS sent out this press release to correct an earlier AP wire service story (”UMass professor drops bid to grow medical pot,” March 4, 2011) that claimed that Professor Lyle Craker was giving up his attempts to break NIDA’s monopoly on marijuana for research. MAPS, Craker, and his lawyers at the ACLU have been trying to end that monopoly for nearly ten years in order to open the door for privately-funded medical marijuana research. On March 7, Craker’s lawyers filed their final brief in the case and are waiting to hear back from the DEA before deciding how to move forward.

March 8, 2011

The Raw Story "ACLU: DEA’s Politics Are Keeping Cannabis-Based Medicines Off Shelves" by Stephen C. Webster.

This article reports on the lawsuit that MAPS, the ACLU, and Professor Lyle Craker have been fighting against the DEA for nearly ten years to break the federal government’s monopoly on the supply of marijuana for research. While many of the details are accurate—particularly the point that the DEA’s refusal to break the NIDA monopoly is keeping medicines out of the hands of patients—the article incorrectly claims that Craker and the ACLU are dropping the case. On March 7, Craker’s lawyers filed their final brief with the DEA, and are waiting to hear back from the DEA before deciding how to move forward.

The mistaken claims originated in an AP wire story (”UMass professor drops bid to grow medical pot,” March 4, 2011) but were corrected in a March 8 MAPS press release.

Reason.com "ACLU on Obama’s Policy Regarding Medical Marijuana Research: Where’s Your Scientific Integrity Now?" by Jacob Sullum.

Reason.com corrects an AP article that erroneously reported that MAPS and Professor Lyle Craker were giving up their nearly ten-year fight with the DEA (”UMass professor drops bid to grow medical pot,” March 4, 2011) to break NIDA’s monopoly on the supply of marijuana for research. To the contrary, Craker’s lawyers filed their final brief in the case on March 8, 2011, and are now waiting to hear back from the DEA. MAPS also sent out its own press release to correct the AP story.

March 3, 2011

Organic Authority "Healing with Ecstasy: MDMA and PTSD" by Jill Ettinger.

This article serves as an excellent introduction to the real history of the therapeutic and spiritual uses of psychedelics and marijuana, and connects it to MAPS’ present research.

March 2, 2011

Uweekly.com "MDMA: Its Past, Present and Inscrutable Future" by Dyani Robarge.

The “unofficial newspaper” of Ohio State University shares with its reader the history of MAPS’ research on MDMA, and the differences between recreational and therapeutic use.

The Baltimore Sun "Action, Not More Study, on Medical Marijuana" by Barry Considine.

This commentary is an excellent example of what happens when the government blocks medical marijuana research by holding on to its monopoly and refusing to sell marijuana to researchers. Frustrated by their inability to access marijuana for research in order demonstrate its safety and effectiveness for therapeutic use, patients and activists are forced to turn to anecdotal evidence and political posturing to make their claims for changes in medical marijuana law.

March 1, 2011

The Dana Foundation "Psychedelic Drugs Show Promise as Therapy" by Tom Valeo.

The Dana Foundation reports on how advances in psychology and neuroscience are once again demonstrating the value of psychedelics as therapeutic tools. The article describes how MAPS’ studies of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy build on the most cutting-edge neurobiological research from around the world.

February 28, 2011

The Daily Free Press "Evacuate the Dance Floor" by Kira Cole.

Boston University’s student newspaper reports on Dr. John Halpern’s latest study of the cognitive risks of Ecstasy, which found no association between heavy recreational use of the drug and damage to learning, memory, or strategic thinking. The author rightly points out that the results challenge decades of prior research, which have exaggerated the risks of the drug, and correctly identifies MDMA’s growing acceptance as a treatment for PTSD. However, she and her interviewees also make a number of glaring mistakes in their characterization of the drug and its effects, including: (1) Dr. Halpern’s study was not intended to explore the “medical uses” of Ecstasy; (2) the principle (and possibly erroneous) claims against Ecstasy have been linked to its potential cognitive, rather than neurological, damage; (3) MDMA, the ingredient commonly presumed to be the main component of illegally purchased Ecstasy, is actually quite different from existing prescription medicines both in its mechanism of action and in its mode of administration; and (4) there is actually very little scientific evidence for Ecstasy being an addictive drug. With new research on the risks and medical benefits of Ecstasy and MDMA emerging, it’s important that journalists get the science right, and that they take non-experts’ claims about the drug with several grains of salt.

February 24, 2011

NewScientist "Is Lack of Sleep and Water Giving Ecstasy a Bad Name?" by NewScientist.

NewScientist summarizes the results of Dr. John Halpern’s latest study finding no evidence of a relationship between heavy recreational Ecstasy use and cognitive damage. While the study did not find a relationship, however, it’s important to emphasize that Ecstasy is not risk-free, and users still need to exercise caution and moderation in their use.

February 23, 2011

TopWireNews "Study: Ecstasy Doesn’t Harm Mental Performance" by TopWireNews.

While this isn’t really an article, it’s a great example of what it looks like when journalists and commentators push science aside because it challenges their biases and beliefs. If careful, methodologically innovative research is “going to give many the people the wrong idea about ecstasy,” then where do the right ideas come from?

February 22, 2011

National Health Service (UK) "Ecstasy Dangers “Unclear”" by NHS.

This article adeptly summarizes the purpose, methods, and results of Dr. John H. Halpern’s latest study of the risks of Ecstasy (which showed no evidence of cognitive damage associated with heavy recreational Ecstasy use). While it rightly acknowledges that “this research cannot confirm that Ecstasy is a safe drug,” it does make some glaring errors in its conclusions about the study’s significance. This entry contains both the original NHS article and Dr. Halpern’s careful and well-reasoned response.

Fox 5 News Atlanta "Study: Ecstasy Does Not Harm Brain" by Canvas Staff.

Fox News Atlanta reports on the results of Dr. John Halpern’s latest study overturning years of faulty research into the cognitive risks of Ecstasy use. Dr. Halpern’s MAPS-supported, government-funded $1.8 million study showed that any cognitive risks involved in long-term Ecstasy use are more likely to be due to other factors than to the drug itself.

February 21, 2011

Miami New Times "Study Claims Ecstasy Doesn’t Damage Brain (No Wonder Ultra Sold Out)" by Kyle Munzenrieder.

As a fine example of responsible science reporting, this article summarizes the results of Dr. John Halpern’s latest study finding no association between long-term Ecstasy use and damage to memory, problem-solving, or other cognitive skills. It appropriately points out that the results do not mean that Ecstasy use is always safe—to the contrary, there are a number of other risks associated with recreational Ecstasy use, and these risks need to be taken into consideration when individuals choose to use the drug. The research suggests, however, that these risks are unlikely to be due to the drug itself.

February 20, 2011

The Huffington Post "No Brain Damage From Ecstasy, New Research Shows" by The Huffington Post.

Yet another major news source reports on the findings of Dr. John Halpern’s methodologically rigorous study finding no association between long-term recreational Ecstasy use and cognitive damage. The article rightly points out that despite these results, Ecstasy purchased on the street or in clubs is often not what it is represented to be, and users still need to exercise a great deal of caution when taking this drug (and others) in uncontrolled settings. Nevertheless, the study represents a giant leap forward in careful scientific studies of the real risks and benefits of Ecstasy, with the article pointing to MAPS’ ongoing research into the benefits of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.

February 19, 2011

The Guardian (UK) "Ecstasy Does Not Wreck the Mind, Study Claims" by Robin McKie.

Yet another international news media article, this time from the UK, summarizes the importance of Harvard University’s Dr. John Halpern’s methodologically innovative study showing no association between long-term Ecstasy use and cognitive damage. The paper summarizing Dr. Halpern’s study was published in Addiction in February 2011, and was based on pilot data collected with the assistance of MAPS.

February 18, 2011

TIME "Ecstasy as Therapy: Have Some of its Negative Effects Been Overblown?" by Maia Szalavitz.

TIME magazine reports on the recent MAPS-supported Harvard study showing no link between heavy Ecstasy use and cognitive damage. The results of the study challenge decades of prior research, and remind us of the value of careful scientific investigation into both the benefits and the risks of psychedelics. As the article states: “The future of ecstasy seems promising.”

February 17, 2011

Santa Cruz Sentinel "Ecstasy Study Questions Drug’s Longer-Term Effects" by Stephen Baxter.

The Santa Cruz Sentinel speaks with Dr. John Halpern of Harvard University/McLean Hospital, MAPS Communication and Education Associate Brad Burge, and local policymakers about the implications of Dr. Halpern’s new study of the risks of recreational Ecstasy use. After correcting for a number of methodological flaws in previous studies, Dr. Halpern and his team found that the cognitive risks of heavy, long-term Ecstasy are significantly less than previously believed, highlighting the need for a new series of careful investigations into the risks and benefits of the drug. The article also appeared in the San Jose Mercury News.

Reason.com "NIDA-Funded Study Finds No Link Between MDMA and Cognitive Impairment" by Jacob Sullum.

Reason.com shares this blog post about Dr. John Halpern’s new MAPS-supported study finding no links between long-term Ecstasy use and cognitive damage. The author makes a great point about how the real risks of Ecstasy are at least partially (and possibly entirely) the result of irrational policies prohibiting its use. By pushing Ecstasy use underground and behind closed doors, the politics of prohibition make truly responsible use practically impossible.

February 16, 2011

The Times of India "Ecstasy Use Does Not Decrease Mental Ability" by India Times.

Another international media outlet reports on the results of Dr. John Halpern’s latest study overturning years of faulty research into the cognitive risks of Ecstasy use. Dr. Halpern’s MAPS-supported, U.S. government-funded $1.8 million study showed that any cognitive risks involved in long-term Ecstasy use are more likely to be due to other factors than to the drug itself.

February 15, 2011

AlterNet "The Puzzling Uproar Over One County’s Attempt to Educate People About Reducing Harm Risks from MDMA" by Julie Holland, M.D..

In this poignant opinion piece, psychiatrist, author, and MAPS associate Julie Holland, M.D., wonders why so many political leaders and journalists are taking issue with the Los Angeles Department of Public Health’s carefully considered decision to distribute informational fliers about the risks of using Ecstasy at raves. As Dr. Holland skillfully argues, people use Ecstasy regardless of laws prohibiting their use or cultural biases against illicit drugs in general—and distributing medically accurate information about the risks can only help.

Dr. Holland’s book, Ecstasy: The Complete Guide is available for purchase on the MAPS web store. All profits from sales of the book will go directly toward supporting MAPS’ psychedelic research and harm reduction services.

O Magazine "Can a Single Pill Change Your Life?" by Jessica Winter.

In this thorough and well-balanced portrait, Sarah, who suffered from PTSD for twenty years as the result of severe childhood trauma, gives us a brutally honest look at her experience as a patient in MAPS’ groundbreaking study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. To see MDMA-assisted psychotherapy discussed so candidly and openly in such a prominent media source is to be reminded of the ever-broadening mainstream acceptance of psychedelics as medicines.

Also see O Magazine‘s “Inside the Investigation” interview with Jessica Winter for an account of how she first learned about MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.

Download the PDF.

Addiction Journal "New Study Finds No Cognitive Impairment Among Ecstasy Users" by Addiction Journal.

A press release from the journal Addiction announces a groundbreaking new study by Harvard/McLean researcher John Halpern, M.D., and colleagues. The results of the study, which controlled for polydrug use among its subjects, call into question those of previous studies that linked recreational Ecstasy use and cognitive decline. MAPS provided both the concept for the research and $15,000 for the initial pilot study.

The Los Angeles Times "The Puzzling Controversy Over an Ecstasy Fact Card" by Julie Holland, M.D..

In this poignant opinion piece, psychiatrist, author, and MAPS associate Julie Holland, M.D., wonders why there has been so much controversy over the decision by the Los Angeles Department of Public Health to distribute informational fliers about the risks of Ecstasy at raves. All the evidence—not to mention common sense—suggest that the fliers will help party-goers make informed decisions about their use of Ecstasy, reducing their risk of physical or psychological harm. Yet that hasn’t stopped some commentators from complaining, prompting Dr. Holland to wonder what’s going through their heads.

MAPS has been working for years to provide both direct and indirect support to those providing psychedelic emergency services at events. MAPS is in communication with sponsors at the Los Angeles Coliseum and other venues about providing such services, but it’s not yet clear whether the organizers will be comfortable with those services given the existence of laws that criminalize certain forms of harm reduction.

O Magazine "Inside the Investigation: Can MDMA Heal Psychological Trauma?" by Jessica Winter.

In this short interview, journalist Jessica Winter talks about her experience doing the research for her in-depth and personal feature article for O Magazine on MAPS’ MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. She cites the 2006 Boston Globe article about Marilyn Howell’s (referred to in the 2006 article as “Diane”) positive experience with MDMA-assisted therapy for her dying daughter as the inspiration for her research. Keep an eye out for Howell’s gripping new book about her and her daughter’s experience, to be published by MAPS in April 2011.

PR Newswire "Harvard Study Published in Addiction Shows Ecstasy Not Associated with Cognitive Decline" by MAPS.

Dr. John Halpern’s innovative Ecstasy study, published in the journal Addiction, is a significant step forward for research on the real risks of Ecstasy. After correcting for a number of methodological flaws in previous research, Dr. Halpern’s team found that the risks of long-term Ecstasy are significantly less than previously believed. This does not mean that recreational Ecstasy use is risk-free. It does, however, mean that when evaluating the relative risks and benefits of the drug, careful research and honest reporting of the results are of utmost importance.

February 11, 2011

Santa Cruz Patch "MAPS Begins New Medical MDMA PTSD Study" by David Jay Brown.

David Jay Brown gives his readers a rundown of MAPS’ latest study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for veterans with PTSD.

February 10, 2011

The Daily Caller "Is the DEA Legalizing THC?" by Mike Riggs.

The DEA considers rescheduling isolated organic THC while leaving the marijuana plant itself illegal. This would make it possible for the government (which holds a patent of the medical uses of isolated and synthetic cannabinoids) and pharmaceutical corporations to profit from the sale and manufacture of THC pills while continuing to block medical marijuana access and research. This highlights the absurdity of the federal government’s medical marijuana policy, and makes research like MAPS’ new study of smoked or vaporized marijuana for PTSD even more pressing.

February 8, 2011

truTV "Who Is Secretly Working to Keep Pot Illegal?" by Steven Kotler.

Despite the ever-growing number of marijuana users—for both medical and recreational purposes—there are still many groups who have a vested interest in keeping marijuana illegal. Their rationales for maintaining prohibition are built on a teetering foundation of deep-seated biases, circular reasoning, and profit motives. This article pulls no punches, and includes commentary from MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D.

Basler Zeitung "Die Highlung" by Kai Kupferschmidt.

MAPS’ cutting-edge research is now being featured in media articles all over the world. Here, German magazine Basler Zeitung describes how scientists, doctors, therapists in the U.S. are increasingly recognizing the value of psychedelics as medicines.

January 30, 2011

Tikkun Magazine "Psychedelics, Spirituality, and Transformation" by Phil Wolfson.

In this excellent and well-researched article, psychiatrist Phil Wolfson, M.D., reevaluates the place of psychedelics in contemporary society. Between growing demands for marijuana decriminalization, the dramatic rise of medical marijuana, the return of psychedelics to mainstream science and medicine, and the increasingly obvious failure of the war on drugs, it is necessary to reconsider the value that psychedelics have for people today and accept the possibility that they are indispensable tools for personal, spiritual, and social change.

January 29, 2011

A Soldier's Perspective "Ecstasy May Cure PTSD" by C.J.

The military blog “A Soldier’s Perspective” discusses current frustration with the lack of effective treatments for soldiers with PTSD but misunderstands what MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is. According to the author, military-sponsored treatment programs do sometimes work, but claims that for the most part soldiers are unwilling to put in the hard work required to overcome their traumas. The author is right that simply giving soldiers drugs to help them feel better is unlikely to work, but doesn’t seem to understand that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is about using a drug to supplement therapy. By confusing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy with drug-only treatment programs, the author dramatically underestimates the potential of MAPS’ experimental therapies to help his comrades.

January 27, 2011

Odysso (Germany) "Banned Drugs Return to Medicine" by Oliver Wittmann.

On January 27, 2011, German TV magazine Odysso broadcast a segment (in German) on the return of banned drugs—such as marijuana and LSD—to mainstream medicine. The program shows how patients and doctors are abandoning old stereotypes and beginning to recognize the benefits of psychedelics and marijuana for therapy. Even those patients who were skeptical at first are discovering that these previously demonized drugs are actually of great value for those dealing with serious illnesses. The program and accompanying article feature psychiatrist Peter Gasser, M.D., the lead researcher for MAPS’ Swiss study of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for end-of-life anxiety.

January 7, 2011

ABC News "Chemist David Nichols Haunted by Discovery’s Deadly Misuse" by Katie Moisse.

Chemist David Nichols, Ph.D., one of the most avid and successful advocates of psychedelics like LSD and MDMA as tools for exploring the inner workings of the human brain, is worried that some of the drugs that he manufactures for use in the laboratory are escaping into recreational settings, especially MDMA analogue MTA. This is a valid concern, and emphasizes the need for honest education about the risks and benefits of drugs that are being used in the lab and the clinic and to choose the drugs that are used in therapy very carefully. MAPS is not currently sponsoring research on MTA.

January 6, 2011

City on the Hill Press "Who said ‘lucy’ could be the only girl with kaleidoscope eyes" by Rosanna Van Straten.

This is an interview and article about Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin, Ph.D., the “Godfather of MDMA.”

January 4, 2011

AOL Health "Powerful Hallucinogen Eyed as Treatment for Alzheimer’s, Chronic Pain" by Deborah Huso.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital led by Dr. Matthew Johnson recently completed a study of the physiological and subjective effects of smoked Salvia divinorum in humans. While studies have previously explored the effects of salvia on animals, this was the first controlled trial of the drug on humans. Researchers hope that additional studies will uncover possible medical and therapeutic uses for salvia, but acknowledge that much work remains to be done.

January 2, 2011

Care 2 Make a Difference "Ecstasy (Yes, the Club Drug) as a Treatment for Autism?" by Kristina Chew.

A new study in the journal Biological Psychiatry suggests that MDMA—-that’s the club drug, ecstasy—-may be used to ‘enhance the psychotherapy of people who struggle to feel connected to others.’ For this reason, it’s suggested that the drug might be used with those who have autism, schizophrenia, or antisocial personality disorder. Researchers do note that ‘these effects have been difficult to measure objectively, and there has been limited research in humans.’ And it’s pretty hard not to look at this latest idea about treating autism with several grains of salt.

Sify News "Club drug ecstasy good for autism, post-traumatic stress patients"

Ecstasy pills-a favourite among club goers-may help people who have trouble connecting to others, suggests a new study.

2010 Media Articles...

December 31, 2010

Chicago Sun-Times "Study explores therapeutic value of ‘club drug’ ecstasy" by Alan Mozes.

A new study of the effects of MDMA in healthy volunteers found that moderate doses of MDMA increased subjective feelings of friendliness, playfulness, and trust. Researchers at the University of Chicago suggest that MDMA’s ability to decrease social and emotional anxiety could make it part of an effective treatment for PTSD. The study, which was published in the December 15 issue of Biological Psychiatry, was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

December 22, 2010

DEA Website "Michele M. Leonhart Confirmed by Senate as DEA Administrator (press release)"

The U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Michele Leonhart as new DEA Administrator. [link from previous sentence to DEA press release] The implications for DEA licensing of Prof. Craker are obvious and disappointing since Leonhart rejected the DEA Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) recommendation that it would be in the public interest for Prof. Craker to be licensed to grow marijuana for federally-regulated research. Prof. Craker’s lawyers have until March 7, 2011 to submit a final brief to Leonhart, after she rejected our Motion to Reconsider on 12/5/10.

DEA’s obstruction of medical marijuana research was not mentioned by a single Senator during her confirmation hearing and all US Senators voted in favor of her confirmation, despite efforts against her nomination by a combination of drug policy reform groups.

The Telegraph "Cambridge University students injected with ketamine" by Murray Wardrop.

An article about the new study conducted at Cambridge University examining the potential of ketamine to mimic the perturbed sense of body ownership seen in schizophrenia.

December 21, 2010

U.S. News and World Report Health "Does ‘Club Drug’ Ecstasy Have Therapeutic Value?" by Alan Mozes.

The recreational drug known as ecstasy may have a medicinal role to play in helping people who have trouble connecting to others socially, new research suggests.

December 16, 2010

Johns Hopkins Medicine "Study of Controversial Halluclinogen Salvia Shows Intense and Novel Effects in Humans" by Johns Hopkins Medicine.

A media release posted on the Johns Hopkins Medicine webpage on the first controlled human study of the effects of Salvia divinorum on humans. The National Institute of Health funded research found that Salvia induced intense and novel effects in humans subjects but appeared to be safe at least in the short-term.

EmaxHealth.com "Salvia Divinorum is Legal, But is It Safe?" by Denise Reynolds.

Another article discussing several aspects of Salvia divinorum and focusing on the new small study conducted by Johns Hopkins researchers which concluded that it appeared to be safe at least in the short-term.

The Montreal Gazette "Feds warn against legal hallucinogenic herb Salvia" by Randy Shore, Postmedia News.

An article about Salvia divinorum which touches on its history and its unique chemistry. It discusses a warning issued by Health Canada urging people to avoid using the herb until its effects are better understood.

December 15, 2010

St. Petersburg Times "“Ecstasy” Drug Therapy May Aid People Suffering from PTSD Trauma" by Tom Valeo.

In this article, Michael Mithoefer, M.D., the clinical investigator for MAPS’ studies of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, discusses the proposed mechanisms by which MDMA helps enable patients to revisit their traumatic experiences in the context of therapy. Mithoefer and other scientists and medical professionals are making the case for MDMA as a powerful adjunct to therapy—not as a “magic bullet” but as a tool that can help suffering people make better sense of their deep traumas and therefore to heal. Though it will still be several years before it’s available as a legal therapeutic tool, we are well on our way.

ScienceNews.org "Salvia says high" by Laura Sanders.

An article discussing the recent study examining the effects of Salvia divinorum on a small sample of people. Researchers found that it was safe in the short-term and might potentially be useful for pain management and other conditions, and support further research.

December 11, 2010

The Joplin Independent "Study examines effects of new hallucinogen" by The Joplin Independent.

An in depth article about the new study conducted on Salvia divinorum which was funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

The Washington Post "Hallucinogen salvia has no short-term dangers, study says" by Rob Stein.

Another article on the new study conducted at Johns Hopkins on the safety and effects of Salvia divinorum.

Nonprofit Newswire "Nonprofit Advocates for Medical Ecstasy" by Rick Cohen.

Nonprofit Newswire describes how MAPS is effectively working to legitimize psychedelic science. The article describes how MAPS is an incredibly useful source of information on psychedelic medicine, and how its studies of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD make it a valuable part of the nonprofit community.

Time "Salvia, a Mexican Hallucinogen Piques Scientists’ and Regulators’ Interests" by Meredith Melnick.

An article about a new small study conducted at Johns Hopkins University studying the effects and safety of Salvia divinorum, which found that it was safe at least in the short term. This finding bodes well for the feasibility of future research on the drug.

December 9, 2010

West Coast Leaf "Ending the NIDA monopoly on cannabis research" by Stephen Morseman & Rick Doblin.

An update on the efforts by MAPS to break the NIDA monopoly on cannabis research.

December 7, 2010

The Trip Out Corner Blog "A Re-Introduction to Psychedelic Research: An interview with Rick Doblin from MAPS" by Serkan Ozturk.

This is an interview with MAPS Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., for an Australian blog.

Scientific American "Healing Thyself: Does Psychedelic Therapy Exploit the Placebo Effect?" by John Horgan.

The question of the placebo effect is an important one, especially in the field of clinical psychedelic research. As this article correctly points out, simply believing that a therapy will work will often lead to significant improvements in health. Because psychedelics have such rapid and dramatic effects on consciousness compared to antidepressants and other currently legal treatments, determining whether it was the drug or the drug-therapy combination or the placebo effect that led to patients’ recovery is particularly difficult. As a result, the development of innovative experimental techniques—such as the active placebo—is extremely important. The real value of psychedelic therapy is not due the drug alone, but rather due to a careful balance of drug and therapeutic setting, as well as the expectations of both therapist and patient.

December 6, 2010

The Health Report: ABC Radio (Australia) "Not just a day of ecstasy" by Joel Werner.

Reporter Joel Werner finds out about the role the drug ecstasy might play in easing the torment of those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Warner interviews Michael Mithoefer, M.D. and his patient Donna Kilgore.

Guardian.co.uk "David Nutt: ‘The government cannot think logically about drugs’" by Dekka Aitkenhead.

An article interviewing David Nutt, the former British government drug advisor allowing him to explain why his recent research found alcohol to be the most destructive drug when social factors were accounted for.

Guardian.co.uk "Government proposes to scrap need for scientific advice on drugs policy" by Alok Jha.

An article discussing the recent amendment passed by the British government that removes the requirement to appoint at least scientists to Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

December 4, 2010

Santa Cruz Sentinel "Nonprofit advocates psychedelics as medicine" by Keith Rozendal.

MAPS’ open house and psychedelic garage sale was featured in the office’s local paper.

December 3, 2010

MercuryNews.com "Santa Cruz nonprofit that advocates for psychedelics as medicine to host open house" by Keith Rozendal.

A brief article about the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies and the work it is doing to support psychedelic research.

December 1, 2010

The Revealer "Tripping on Science: The Psychedelic Community Contests Terms" by Peter Bebergal.

As psychedelic research once again enters the mainstream scientific community, disagreements have emerged over appropriate terminology. Peter Bebergal provides a fascinating history of terms like “psychedelic,” “entheogen,” and “hallucinogen,” and explains how the increasing acceptance of psychedelics as scientific and therapeutic tools is helping create a more spiritual science—and, for that matter, a more scientific spirituality.

November 23, 2010

Proto: Massachusetts General Hospital Dispatches from the Frontiers of Medicine "Hallucinogens: A Trip to Therapy" by Brandon Keim.

This is an in-depth article about psilocybin research taking place at NYU.

Scientific American "Hallucinogens as Medicine" by Roland R. Griffiths and Charles S. Grob.

Drs. Griffiths and Grob discuss their research with psychedelics and the potentials of hallucinogens as medicines in this feature article.

Scientific American "High Light: When a Psilocybin Study Leads to Spiritual Realization" by Maria Estevez .

One of Roland Griffiths’ psilocybin and mystical experiences study subjects recounts her mystical, life-changing experiences under the influence of psilocybin in this article.

The Guardian "‘Godfather of ecstasy’ Alexander Shulgin suffers stroke" by Mike Power.

An article about Alexander Shulgin who suffered a minor stroke over last weekend.

November 22, 2010

The Independent Collegian "LSD Still Worth Research" by Stephen Bartholomew.

This article provides a concise summary of the history of LSD research, from Albert Hofmann’s discovery of its psychoactive properties in 1943 to its first uses as a treatment for alcohol addiction in the 1950s and 1960s, up to current MAPS studies of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety related to terminal illness. Once irrationally feared and condemned, LSD and other psychedelics are making a rapid comeback as effective treatments for a variety of serious illnesses.

November 20, 2010

Santa Cruz Patch "Medical Cannabis and Psychedelic Drug Research Help to Revolutionize Modern Medicine" by David Jay Brown.

An article about some of the world’s leading cannabis and psychedelic research organizations which are based in Santa Cruz such as The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and The Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM).

The Huffington Post "Why Plants Are (Usually) Better Than Drugs" by Andrew Weil.

An article written by Dr. Andrew Weil discussing the use of whole plants as compared with isolated drugs extracted from them. Dr. Weil explains why he believes that using whole-plant remedies is often more beneficial than using just an extracted isolated compound.

November 19, 2010

Psychology Today "The Most Harmful Abused Drug is ……?" by Charles Zorumski & Eugene Rubin.

Another article about the recent study conducted by professor Davit Nutt suggesting that alcohol might be the most harmful drug of all when damage to society is accounted for.

Times & Transcript "Is alcohol more dangerous than crack? It depends. . ." by Norbert Cunningham.

An insightful article in reponse to the study conducted by professor Davit Nutt indicating that when social factors are taken into consideration, alcohol may be more harmful than heroin or cocaine.

The Psychedelic Press UK "News: Breaking Conventions – A Multidisciplinary Convention on Psychedelic Consciousness" by PsypressUK.

A short story about Breaking Conventions a conference to be held at the University of Kent to discuss current research on conciousness and psychedelics at the university, MDMA and its place in medicine, the meaning of the term psychedelic and the future of psychedelic research. Speakers at this conference include Rick Doblin of MAPS, Andy Letcher, Mike Jay, Amanda Feilding and others.

November 18, 2010

SF Weekly "A hallucinogen called ibogaine has helped addicts kick heroin, meth and everything in between. Is it" by Keegan Hamilton.

A lengthy and informative article about the history and science of ibogaine use in the treatment of addictions. The article explores the work currently being conducted at Pangea Biomedics, directed by Clare Wilkins in Tijuana, Mexico, and discusses some very important issues around usng ibogaine for treating addictions.

November 13, 2010

New York Times "Backers of Legal Marijuana Find Silver Lining in Defeat of California Measure" by Jesse McKinley.

The Mile High Marijauna Summit that MAPS organized on November 6, 2010 was featured in the New York Times! To watch videos of the summit go to www.maps.org/mmjsummit/

November 11, 2010

The Daily Caller "London exhibit examines centuries of drug history" by Alia Gilbert.

Another story about the new exhibition “High Society” being held in London’s Wellcome Collection museum, which examines the history of drug use from pre-biblical times to the present day.

Boulder Weekly "Psychedelic Renaissance" by Marisa Aragon Ware.

This article covers MAPS’ events in Boulder Colorado on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. Both RIck Doblin and Brian Wallace are quoted.

November 9, 2010

Marin Independent Journal "More pot research needed" by Stephen Morseman.

A letter to the Marin Independent Journal by Stephen Morseman on the importance of marijuana research and an end to the monopoly on marijuana cultvation by the National Institue of Drug Abuse.

Press-Telegram Long Beach "Research on cannabis needed" by Stephen Morseman.

A letter sent to the Press-Telegram on the importance of conducting marijuana research.

The Orange County Register "Reflections on legalizing marijuana" by Stephen Morseman.

Another letter by Stephen Morseman in response to the failure or proposition 19 in California.

TheUnion,com "Proposition 19 and research" by Stephen Morseman.

A longer article by Stephen Morseman discussing the monopoly on the marijuana supply and the importance for researching marijuana.

Santa Cruz Sentinel "After Proposition 19,do more pot research" by Stephen Morseman.

A brief letter to the Santa Cruz Sentinel urging for the more pressure for the DEA to issue another marijuana cultivation license to conduct research on marijuana after proposition 19’s failure.

Daily News "More research on pot use needed" by Stephen Morseman.

Another reponse by Stephen Morseman in the LA Daily Times briefly discussing the monopoly held by the National Institute on Drug Abuse for medical marijuana research.

Merced Sun-Star "Stephen Morseman: Pot fight not over" by Stephen Morseman.

Another letter in response to the failure of prop 19 in California stressing the importance of medicinal marijuana research.

LA Times "Mixed message on marijuana" by Stephen Morseman.

A response on the failure of prop 19 in California in the LA Times urging for conducting research into the benefts and harms of marijuana.

Radio Netherlands Worldwide "LSD still taboo in the Netherlands" by Willemien Groot & Gita Jagessar.

An brief article discussing the recent psychedelic research being conducted in the United States, Germany, and Switzerland, and the issues around conducting psychedelic research in the Netherlands.

The Telegraph "High Society exhibition: can dope give us hope?" by Jake Wallis Simons.

An in-depth article discussing the opening of the High Society exhibition being held at the Wellcome Collection in London, and explorinig the history and potential of psychedelic drugs in medicine. The exhibition which will be open from November 11, will explore the history of mind-altering in drugs in society fusing cultural and scientific views.

November 6, 2010

The Boston Globe "Start-up searches for cure to headaches" by Carolyn Y. Johnson.

Another article discussing Entheogen Corp. the new company co-founded by Harvard researcher Dr. John Halpern which is looking at marketing a compound called BOL-148, which closely resembles LSD for the treatment of cluster headaches.

November 5, 2010

Boston Business Journal "Harvard’s headache cure: LSD?" by Galen Moore.

An article in the Boson Business Journal discussing a new company formed by Harvard researcher John Halpern to market a drug based on his research on LSD for the treatment of cluster headaches.

November 4, 2010

Associated Content "Marijuana More Harmful Than GHB, Ecstasy and LSD Per Recent Scientific Study" by Radell Hunter.

Another article in response to the recent study published by David Nutt which focuses more on the implications for marijuana legalization and drug legalization in general.

November 3, 2010

Newsweek "Disjointed" by Russ Juskalian .

This Newsweek article discusses the obstacles to conducting medical marijuana research, focusing on the NIDA monopoly.

Examiner.com "Is alcohol more dangerous than heroin or cocaine?" by Jefferson Adams.

Another brief article discussing the findings of the study published in the Lancet suggesting that alcohol might be more harmful than heroin or cocaine when the impact on society as a whole is accounted for.

November 2, 2010

The Daily Mail "Alcohol ‘more dangerous than crack, heroin and Ecstasy’" by Katherine Faulkner.

Another article on the findings of a study conducted by David Nutt which might reignite the debate on the government’s drug classification system.

Reuters "Science takes a fresh look at mind-bending drugs" by Ben Hirschler.

A brief article discussing the new exhibition at London’s Wellcome Collection which takes a look at the history of drugs. The article touches on the medicinal potential of substances such as psilocybin and MDMA and the new research being conducted in these areas.

The Sun "‘Alcohol Wore Than Hard Drugs”" by Emma Morton.

Another article in the Sun about David Nutts study on the harmful effects of Alcohol compared with other drugs.

The Guardian "Alcohol ‘more harmful than heroin or crack’" by Sarah Boseley.

Another article discussing the new study conducted by Professor David Nutt which suggests that alcohol may be even more harmful to society as a whole when compared with heoroin, crack or cocaine.

BBC News "Alcohol ‘more harmful than heroin’ says Prof David Nutt" by BBC News.

An arcticle discussing the recent study published in the Lancet conducted by Professor David Nutt, former chief of drugs advisor to the British government, suggesting that alcohol may be more harmful than all other drugs.

November 1, 2010

Monitor on Psychology "Research on psychedelics makes a comeback" by A. Novotney.

This article about the return of psychedelic psychotherapy research appeared in the American Psychological Association’s most widely read magazine!

Rick Doblin, Ph.D, forecasts the future of psychologist saying they will be increasingly tapped to conduct this research and explore the ramifications of the use of psychedelics.

October 30, 2010

Thecalifornian.com "Prop. 19 affects medicinal uses" by Stephen Morseman (letter to the editor).

MAPS Medical Marijuana Campaign Coordinator Stephen Morseman explains to readers why the FDA should evaluate marijuana as a medicine and how the NIDA monopoly is obstructing research.

October 27, 2010

Armenian Medical Network Mental Health and Psychiatry News "Can psychedelic drugs treat depression?" by Anne Harding.

A very well-written and informative article on the potential benefits of psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, as a means of enabling breakthroughs in the treatment of depression. Includes the story of Pamela Sakuda, one of the participants in the UCLA psilocybin study that has been working with terminal cancer patients to improve their final years of life. Mrs. Sakuda died at home in late 2006, just a few days after speaking at a Heffter Research Institute fundraiser, where she talked about the newfound perspective that she gained from the experience, saying: “I don’t think the drug is the cause of these things. I think it’s a catalyst that allows you to release your own thoughts and feelings from some place [where] you’ve bound them very tightly.”

Fox News "Why Magic Mushrooms Can Be Good for You" by Chris Kilham.

An article touching on the history of psychedelic research and exploring the recent increased interest in this field. It cites the recent study conducted at UCLA examining the potential of psilocybin in helping relieve end-stage cancer axiety, and the 2006 Johns Hopkins study examining the effectiveness of psilocybin in producing mystical experiences.

October 23, 2010

The Globe and Mail "Tune in, turn on, relieve traumatic stress" by Michael Posner.

An in-depth article around a conference in New York that was gathered to discuss the benefits of psychedelic drugs curated by Dr. Neal Goldsmith. The article discusses the potential role they may play in treating drug addictions, post-traumatic stress, obsessive compulsive disorders and end-of-life anxiety. It also discusses several studies currently being conducted with psychedelics such as psilocybin for the treatment of cancer-related anxiety, smoking-ceasation and cluster-headaches, and MDMA for PTSD in returning war veterans.

October 21, 2010

Treehugger.com "Why You Shoud Care About Psychedelics" by Bonnie Hulkower.

An article discussing the recent Bionners conference that was held in San Rafael, California and covered topics such as youth, women, indigenous cultures, and psychedelics. The article discusses the results of the recent study conducted by Dr. Charles Grob of UCLA using psilocybin to relieve anxiety and other symptoms associated with advanced-stage cancer.

Marin Independent Journal "Women gather to talk about sex, suffering, psychedelics" by Paul Liberatore.

An article about an upcoming conference at the Noetic Sciences Earthrise Retreat Center set for October 22nd, which will be the fourth annual Women’s Visionary Congress. This year the focus is on sex and psychedelics and the conference will include distinguished speakers such as Alica Danforth, Sasha Shulgin, and others.

October 20, 2010

boingboing.net "Death holds no sting: new studies on effects of psychedelics" by Graham Hancock.

Bestselling author Graham Hancock discusses the recent resurgence in psychedelic research, including Dr. Michael Mithoefer’s MDMA/PTSD study and Dr. Charles Grob’s psilocybin/End-of-life Anxiety study, as well as DMT research done by Rick Strassman in the 90’s, and explains how the issues and ideas raised by these studies informed and influenced the writing of his new book, the sci-fi novel Entangled. He employs Dr. Stan Grof’s popular analogy comparing psychedelics to telescopes that allow us to focus in on brain activity that is otherwise impossible to see, and speculates that psychedelics may provide us “with regular, repeated, reliable access to other levels of reality that surround us at all times but are not normally accessible to our senses.” The comments on the article are largely dismissive, with a few notable exceptions, such as the anonymous physicist who grants: “Just like there’s no way to disprove or even accurately describe such things in scientific language, we are even further from designing tests that might eventually allow us to determine whether there are trans- or extra-personal components here. So in other words, it’s all still stoner talk, but that’s not to say that such is completely without merit or value.”

October 19, 2010

Arizona Daily Wildcat "Psilocybin’s legality deserves evaluation" by Gregory J. Gonzales.

This opinion piece in the University of Arizona student paper presents several clear and respectful arguments (and a few editorial comments) calling for a reconsideration of psilocybin as a Schedule I drug. Citing historical entheogenic use as well as contemporary research being done at UCLA with terminal cancer patients, the author focuses on the drug’s medical potential and closes with a charge to “stop arguing like children, look at the big picture and actually get some research done.” He also quotes an email correspondence with Arizona State Senator Linda Lopez in which she told him: “I’m very much opposed to classifying psilocybin as a Schedule I, especially since it can preclude research. Research on this hallucinogen is important for all of us.”

http://www.alrai.com "Valerie Mojeiko and Ibogaine in Arabic News"
This article from an Arabic news source may be the first Arabic article to discuss ibogaine treatment.

October 17, 2010

NPR Radio "‘Pot Book’ Explores History And Science Of Marijuana" by Ira Flatow.

A transcript from an interview with Julie Holland, M.D., author and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine, about the medicinal properties of cannabis and the implications of changing marijuana regulation laws in four states in the next month.

October 14, 2010

The Patriot-News "80 percent of Pennsylvanians support legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, survey shows" by David Warner.

An article that discusses the issues around a bill pending in the state legislature in Pennylvania that would legalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

The Guardian "Face to faith:Freedom of religion should be extended to the use of drugs in spiritual practice" by Alexander Beiner.

An interesting article that discusses some of the spiritual aspects of shamanism and entheogen use, and explores possible reasons why certain mind-alterning substances are illegal in most societies. The article also mentions the promising results of some recent studies using psychedelic substances for healing purposes.

October 13, 2010

The New York Times "Amazon Awakening" by Andy Isaacson.

Writer and photographer Andy Isaacson writes about his experiences with Ayahuasca shamanism and his travels to Ecuador and the Amazon Basin and provides helpful information for anyone interested in exploring indigenous cultures and sacred medicines in that region.

October 10, 2010

El Mundo "Tendremos que esperar diez años para el éxtasis con receta" by Patricia Matey.

Here is an interview with Rick Doblin from a Spanish news source. A translation by google is attached below the spanish text.

October 9, 2010

Bright Hub Anxiety & Panic Disorders Newsletter "MDMA and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" by Daniel P. McGoldrick.

An article by a combat veteran discussing the potential risks and benefits of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. The author incorrectly states that the FDA has already approved the use of MDMA as a treatment for PTSD, which is most likely the result of confusion regarding the approval of the next phase of the MAPS-supported MDMA trial. Otherwise, the article is an honest and balanced assessment, and a valuable addition to the other PTSD-related articles on the Bright Hub mental health page.

October 8, 2010

blog.mesotheliomahelp.net "Psilocybin May Benefit Advanced-Stage Mesothelioma Patients"

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer that is resistant to many standard cancer treatments. Currently there is no known cure for the disease, and the average survival time varies from 4 – 18 months after diagnosis. Many mesothelioma patients facing this prognosis become overwhelmed and depressed as they fight to improve their survival, but are forced to face their mortality at the same time. Now researchers say the use of psilocybin, an hallucinogen found in “magic mushrooms,” may be safe and effective for improving a patient’s mood and reducing anxiety.

Yale Daily News "Warning: These drugs may improve your health" by Jordan Schneider.

An in-depth article examining the history of psychedelic research conducted at Yale and several aspects of the recent research done on ketamine for the treatment of depression. It also explores the history of MDMA research for the treatment of PTSD and incudes several quotes from MAPS founder Rick Doblin.

October 6, 2010

Fort Worth Weekly "A Kandi-Coated World" by Caroline Collier.

Are teenagers in Fort Worth, Texas using too much ecstasy? This article chronicles ecstasy use Texas where it first became popular, mentions MAPS research with PTSD and veterans (but inaccurately attributes the research to Dr. Charles Grob), but comes to a disturbing conclusion that anyone who uses ecstasy is acting like a lab rat. On the bright side the author advocates for honest information and more research.

October 1, 2010

Reality Sandwich "Born Illegal: The Shulgins and 2C-I" by Charles Shaw.
This article chronicles the injustice of a young man caught with the drug 2C-I at a festival, and dovetails the story with that of the Shulgins.

Living Hero: Conversations with Living Luminaries and Mavericks "Conference Report - Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics" by Jari Chevalier.

This is a thoughtful report about this year’s Horizons conference.

September 30, 2010

AZ Daily Sun "Medical marijuana research frustrated"

MAPS’ marijuana campaign coordinator Stephen Morseman’s wrote a letter to the editor responding to an a commentary claiming that the Arizona medical marijuana initiative is ploy to legalize drugs. Stephen writes, his initiative is about giving people who are in pain the medicine they need to improve their quality of life. But in order for doctors to effectively choose the best treatment for their patients, there needs to be an increase in medical marijuana research.

Unfortunately, the marijuana for these studies is not easily accessible to researchers due to a government monopoly over supply (through the National Institute on Drug Abuse), which has resulted in excessive red tape and an undiversified, low-quality stock of cannabis not viable for current research. These political factors do not encourage scientists to invest in medical marijuana-related studies, therefore there needs to be another DEA-licensed provider of marijuana outside of NIDA.

If we can increase the amount of data available on this issue it will help transition the debate from political bickering into science fact.

September 29, 2010

Santa Cruz Metro "More Pot Research Needed" by Stephen Morseman.

MAPS marijuana campaign coordinator Stephen Morseman’s letter to the editor states:

“DANIEL WOOL’S article on http://www.santacruz.com, “Santa Cruz County Enacts Moratorium on Marijuana Dispensaries,” highlights why a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries may be a good idea, but it fails to consider some of the big picture details. Before we start making definitive policy decisions regarding the marijuana industry, further scientific research is desperately needed in order to better understand marijuana’s risks and benefits in order to effectively treat patients. Research is currently limited by a government monopoly on the marijuana supply through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), resulting in a stock of undiversified poor research due to the fact that NIDA’s mission is counter to developing marijuana into a medicine. More research is needed before we can make sound policy decisions for medical marijuana dispensaries, and this can be accomplished by breaking the government’s monopoly over the marijuana supply.”

Daily Bruin "Mind-altering treatment for patients" by Samantha Masunaga.

An article that discusses the recent study published on the effectiveness of psilocybin in relieving depression and anxiety symptoms in adanced-stage cancer patients conducted at Harbor-UCLA.

September 24, 2010

Scientific American "Doubts about psychedelics from Albert Hofmann, LSD’s discoverer" by John Horgan.

This writer of this blog explains that he is “thrilled by the psychedelic revival” but cautions that psychedelics can have negative impacts on users’ mental health as he recounts Albert Hofmann’s words of wisdom.

September 20, 2010

California Magazine "Leary’s Legacy" by Don Lattin.

An in-depth article exploring the history of psychedelics and drug policy in the US as well as examining the recent increase in psychedelic research on several compounds such as MDMA, psilocybin and LSD.

The Toronto Star "Tune in: psychedelic drugs are back" by Antonia Zerbisias.

This article explores the recent increase in psychedelic research of compounds such as MDMA, LSD, psilocybin, and ketamine for a wide range of disorders including depression, PTSD and cluster headaches.

September 17, 2010

TakePart.com "Study Finds Magic Treatment for Terminally Ill Patients" by Adam Trunell.

An article that discusses the recent study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry suggesting that psilocybin may be useful in treating anxiety and depression in advanced-stage cancer patients.

PsychCentral.com "Treating Chronic Depression and Anxiety With Hallucinogens and Marijuana" by Therese J. Borchard.

This blog posting looks at a Johns Hopkins’ summary of recent research on treating mood disorders with hallucinogens.

"Love and Other DRUGS" by Michael Martin.

Here is a short and candid interview with Sasha and Ann Shulgin.

September 16, 2010

Time Healthland "Is Drug Use Really on the Rise?" by John Cloud .

The author of this article counters the media spin that drug use is on the rise. He states that “virtually all of the (relatively small) increase in drug use came from the growing ranks of pot smokers. Cocaine use is actually down (only about 0.7% of the population admits using coke, compared to 1% in 2006). The rate of prescription-drug use rose in the early- and mid-‘00s, but it has been flat since 2007. The rate at which we use methamphetamine is also unchanged. And as the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported earlier this year, hard drug use among 8th-, 10th- and 12th- graders continues to decline. Meth use among kids is down by at least two-thirds since 1999.”

The Globe and Mail "Turn on, tune in … heal your head? LSD as therapy" by Catherine McLean.

This is a supportive article about our LSD research in Switzerland. Andrew Feldmar, the co-therapist from our Canadian MDMA/PTSD research is quoted, “It would be nice to emerge from the dark ages, superstition and paranoia, and have these substances available in responsible use.”

FYI Living "Ecstasy Used In Therapy To Treat PTSD" by Tim Banas.

This article about the MAPS-sponsored pilot study appeared on the homepage of FYI Living, a website about “breaking research and expert advice for a healthier you.”

September 15, 2010

Huffington Post "Ecstasy, Raves and Your Health" by Lloyd I. Sederer, MD.

One doctor’s take on the risks of ecstasy and raving, some practical advice emphasizing proper caution and knowledge of these risks.

September 8, 2010

U.S.News.com "‘Magic Mushroom’ Hallucinogen Might Help Cancer Patients" by Amanda Gardner, HealthDay News.

An insightful article about the results of the pilot study out of Harbor-UCLA examining the potential of pslocybin in reducing depression and anxiety associated with advanced-stage cancer. It discusses some of the benefits and challenges that lie ahead for this kind of research.

Time "Study: Psychedelic “Magic Mushrooms” May Help Cancer Patients" by Claire McCormack.

A very brief article by Time magazine about the recent study using psilocybin to treat anxiety and depression associated with advanced-stage cancer in 12 subjects.

September 7, 2010

CBS News "Magic Mushrooms May Ease Anxiety for Cancer Patients Facing Death" by Neil Katz.

Another article discussing the recent UCLA study on the effectiveness of psilocybin in reducing anxiety and depression in subjects with advanced-stage cancer.

MSNBC "Magic mushrooms may ease anxiety of cancer: study" by Julie Steenhuysen, Reuters.

An article discussing the recent pilot study of psilocybin in helping to reduce anxiety and depression in 12 advanced-stage cancer patients conducted by lead researcher Charles Grob, M.D., at Harbor-UCLA. The article was also posted in The New York Times, Fox News, ABC News, The Montreal Gazette and The Vancouver Sun.

Los Angeles Times "‘Magic mushrooms’ ingredient beneficial to cancer patients, report says" by Thomas H. Maugh II.

Another article discussing the results of a pilot study recently published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, which was conducted at Harbor-UCLA on the potential of psilocybin in easing anxiety and depression associated with advanced-stage cancer

CNN "‘Magic mushrooms’ ingredient may ease end-of-life anxiety" by Anne Harding, Health.com.

An article discussing the results of a recent study on the potential of psilocybin in helping to treat end-of-life anxiety which was conducted at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and was headed by Charles Grob, M.D.

September 3, 2010

ScienceDaily "Risk of Marijuana’s ‘Gateway Effect’ Overblown, New Research Shows" by ScienceDaily.

An article that discusses a new study conducted at the University of New Hampshire that suggests that the “gateway effect” of marijuana is overblown.

September 2, 2010

Wired News "Vets Get Ecstasy to Treat Their PTSD" by Katie Drummond.

A somewhat sensational article that discusses the newly approved MDMA-PTSD study which will be conducted exclusively on war veterans suffering from PTSD. It has also been posted on VeteransToday.com.

September 1, 2010

Guardian.co.uk "Psychedelic drugs return as potential treatments for mental illness" by Moheb Costandi.

An article that discusses the history of psychedelic research for treating mental illnesses and the challenges and benefits that future research face in this area. It cites the recent studies on ketamine and mdma for the treatment of depression and PTSD respectively.

NewScientist "Psychoactive drugs: From recreation to medication" by Catherine de Lange.

A comprehensive article that discusses the recent increase in psychedelic research. The article discusses the potential medicinal uses of several psychoactive substances including cannabis, LSD, MDMA and Psilocybin and cites recent studies conducted at Mcgill University and Johns Hopkins, as well as a new study at Imperial College London.

Scientific American Mind "Ecstasy Triumphs Over Agony" by David Jay Brown.

This brief article discusses MAPS’ MDMA/PTSD research and speculates on why the therapeutic technique was effective in our pilot study.

The Argentina Independent "Ayahuasca: The Art and Science of Illumination" by James Rittenour.

An article exploring the many different aspects of Ayahuasca and examining the sparse scientific research currently published on it and the potential and challenges for future research to be done.

August 30, 2010

The Globe and Mail "Marijuana effective in reducing pain, study shows" by Caroline Alphonso.

A Canadian study on Marijuana’s potential to treat chronic pain and its results are discussed in this article.

The Vancouver Sun "‘Magic drug’ gives hope to bipolar patients" by Sharon Kirkey.

Ketamine’s potential to treat bipolar depression is explored in this article.

CNN "Study: Smoking pot may ease chronic pain" by Amanda Gardner, Health.com.

This article discusses the results of a recent study conducted at Mcgill University examining the potential benefits of smoked marijuana in reducing chronic pain. It was posted on CNN but was originally written at Health.com.

August 26, 2010

The Winnipeg Sun "U.S. approves Ecstasy testing on vets" by QMI Agency.

An article discussing the results of the recent MDMA-PTSD pilot study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology and the implications for further studies. The article also briefly touches on the potential mechanisms of action through which MDMA might assist in the treatment of PTSD patients.

August 25, 2010

Medscape "Psychedelic Drugs May Reduce Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and OCD" by Deborah Brauser.

A discussion about the recent article published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience which indicates that several psychedelic drugs such as ketamine, LSD and psilocybin may be effective for treating depression, anxiety, OCD and chronic pain.

August 24, 2010

The Ottowa Citizen "A terrible disease" by The Ottowa Citizen.

An article discussing the new research conducted at Yale University which suggested that ketamine might be effective in treating people with depression.

CNN "Can Psychedelic Drugs Treat Depression?" by Anne Harding, Health.com.

An in-depth article that discusses the new research on the potential of psychedelic drugs such as ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin in treating a number of medical conditions. The article also briefly explores the history of psychedelic research. The article was also posted in the Huffington Post.

August 23, 2010

PharmTech Talk "Journey to the Center of the Mind" by PharmTech Talk.

This article discusses the potential psychedelic drugs have for treating mental disorders and examines some of the history behind psychotherapy and psychedelics.

August 22, 2010

The Cleveland Leader "Scientists: Psychedelics Can Reduce Symptoms of Mood & Affective Disorders" by Julie.

A brief article discussing three recent studies all indicating that psychedelic drugs such as LSD, psilocybin and ketamine might be useful for treating mood disorders.

August 20, 2010

Scientific American "Psychedelic Drugs Show Promise as Anti-Depressants" by David Biello.

This article discusses the potential of psychedelic drugs such as ketamine, LSD and psilocybin in relieving depression and obsessive-compulsive behaviours and expores some of the possible mechanism of actions of such drugs.

Montreal Gazette "Psychedelic drug could be “magic” bullet for depression: Study" by Sharon Kirkey, Postmedia News.

An article discussing the results of the recent study conducted at Yale University suggesting that ketamine may be effective at helping people suffering from bi-polar disorder. This article was also published in the Ottawa Citizen and the Calgary Herald.

EmaxHealth.com "Party Drugs May Treat Depression Quickly" by Tyler Woods, Ph.D..

An article that discusses two new studies published in the last week indicating that psychedelic drugs such as ketamine, LSD, and psilocybin may be useful for treating certain medical condtions such as depression, anxiety and PTSD.

National Post "Research Awaits Ecstasy Approval" by Terrine Friday.

This article from a Canadian paper did not choose the best quote from Rick Doblin to express his position on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD compared to conventional pharmaceutical drugs. While conventional pharmaceuticals drugs treat the symptoms of PTSD, Rick would characterize MDMA-therapy as a method for treating the causes of PTSD, thereby healing the trauma. It is disappointing to read Canadian Forces Surgeon General wrongfully generalize our research as “hype.”

The Times Of India "Psychedelic drugs chase blues away" by IANS.

Another short article disucussing the implications of the recent review in the Nature Neuroscience Journal suggesting that psychedelic drugs such as LSD, ketamine and psilocybin may be useful in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions such as depression and symptoms associated with cancer and terminal illnesses.

August 19, 2010

SwissInfo.ch "Scientists suggest new look at psychedelic drugs" by SwissInfo.ch & Agencies.

A brief article discussing the potential use of psychedelics such as LSD, ketamine and psilocybin in treating several medical conditions with quotes from Franz Von Vollenweider.

World Science "“Psychedelics” could find new lease on life—in the doctor’s office" by Nature Publishing Group & World Science staff.

A discussion of the recent review in the Aug 20 issue of the research journal Nature Neuroscience proposing that “psychedelics” might be useful in low doses as a treatment for psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Daily Mail "Psychedelic ‘party drugs’ like LSD could combat depression and treat cancer, say top scientists" by Fiona Macrae.

An article discussing the potential healing properties of psychedelic drugs such as ketamine, LSD, & psilocybin in peope suffering from depression and cancer.

AOL News "Psychedelic Drug Trips Might Help Treat Mental Illness, Researchers Say" by Katie Drummond.

An article written in response to a new review in the Nature Reviews Neuroscience Journal discussing the potential of psychedelic drugs in helping to treat people suffering from several medical conditions including depression and PTSD.

Fox News "Scientists Want to Bring Back LSD and Mushrooms" by Kate Kelland.

An article with quotes from Swiss researchers, that discusses the potential of psychedelic drugs such as ketamine, LSD and psilocybin in helping to treat a variety of mental disorders and chronic pain. It was originally posted on Reuters, but can also be found on the MSNBC and ABC News websites as well as those for China Daily, Vancouver Sun, Calgary Herald & the Montreal Gazette.

August 18, 2010

The Sun "LSD Could Cure Depression" by Rhodri Phillips.

This broad article discusses the potential of several psychedelics to treat psychological disorders.

August 17, 2010

BayCitizen.org "Dutch Company Enters Oakland Pot Scene" by Kate Mclean.

A Dutch marijuana producing company that recently set up shop in California is reported on in this article, with a quote from MAPS Executive Director Rick Doblin.

August 12, 2010

StopTheDrugWar.org "Ecstasy found to Help Alleviate PTSD among Military Veterans" by Al Camus.

This is a brief article about the results of the recent MDMA-PTSD pilot study and touches on the implications of future studies for war veterans.

August 11, 2010

Medical Observer "Could psychedelic drugs treat depression and addiction problems?" by Kirrilly Burton.

An article that discusses the renewed interest in psychedelics for relieving depression, anxiety and PTSD. It discusses the potential of psilocybin for helping relieve depression and MDMA’s potential in helping PTSD patients. It includes a section about the dangers of using these substances and what skeptics in the field are concerned with.

Examiner.com "Know what MDMA is?" by Linda Chalmer.

This article discusses the protocol and results from the recent MAPS sponsored MDMA-PTSD study and mentions the recently approved new study for veterans with PTSD.

The Huffington Post "Cops For and Against the War On Drugs" by Norm Stamper.

An article that discusses the various attitudes towards the war on drugs from within the police enforcement community.

August 8, 2010

HealthForAll "Clot-Busting Drug Immediately Improves Patient’s Condition"

This article discusses the results of a study examining the effects of the hallucinogen (tPA) on stroke patients.

August 5, 2010

Calgary Sun "Ecstasy drug a potential PTSD treatment" by Kathleen Harris.

This article printed orginally in the Toronto Sun was picked up by other Canadian papers. Additional text has been added.

August 4, 2010

Toronto Sun "DND would consider using Ecstasy to treat PTSD: Top doctor" by Kathleen Harris .

In this article, Lt. Col. Rakesh Jetly, a psychiatrist and senior health adviser for the Canadian Forces, said the department of national defence (DND) is committed to evidence-based care, and would embrace any treatment that has undergone rigorous scientific research to help relieve suffering of battle-scarred troops. “If you replaced Ecstasy with substance X - whether it was an absolutely approved legal drug, a mainstream medication, my answer would be the same. The fact that it’s Ecstasy means nothing to us,” Jetly told QMI Agency. “If there’s any substance, any drug that has the research, the randomized controlled studies, the publications to prove its efficacy, we would entertain adding it as an approved treatment.”

EmaxHealth.com. "One Ketamine Dose Wipes out Bipolar Depression" by Kathleen Blanchard.

A brief article written about the recent study using ketamine to help people suffering from bipolar disorder.

August 3, 2010

Australian Broadcasting Corporation News "Ecstasy May Help Traumatised Veterans"

“United States scientists say the drug ecstasy may help war veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.” Reports this Australian news source.

MedscapeToday "Ketamine Yields Swift Antidepressant Effect in Treatment of Refractory Bipolar Depression" by Megan Brooks.

An in-depth article discussing the recent published study examining the effectiveness of using ketamine in treating treatment-resistant bipolar disorder.

Reuters "Ketamine Lifts Mood Quickly in Bipolar Disorder" by Anne Harding.

This article discusses the results of new small study that showing that ketamine might be effective in helping people suffering from bi-polar disorder and depression. It briefly discusses on the possible mechanisms of action that ketamine might work in the brain.

August 2, 2010

Treatment Solutions Network "Using Ecstasy to Treat PTSD" by Bethany Winkel.

This story begins, “Many of the illicit drugs in our world today originally came about for medicinal uses. Most of the other drugs people abuse are current medications that are strictly regulated. Sometimes the line is even blurred between necessary medical use and the abuse of a drug. Occasionally, a drug will begin as an illicit drug and then be found to be effective in treating some mental or physical condition. Ecstasy, though its origin is not completely clear, has certainly been an illicit drug for many years, and just recently has been found to have some positive uses.”

The Post and Courier (online) "Ecstasy drug under study for PTSD"

This article discusses the recent MDMA-PTSD pilot study and mentions the new veteran study.

View the full timeline of all prior years of MAPS in the media