LSD Update

In 1996, MAPS may finally be able to allocate funds to LSD research for some of the direct expenses involved in a fully-approved LSD research project. This is more likely in 1996 than ever before. In the middle of 1995, Richard Yensen, Ph.D. and Dr. Donna Dryer's Orenda Institute received a license from the DEA permitting Schedule I drugs to be administered to patients within their FDA-approved study into the use of LSD in the treatment of substance abuse. In mid-December 1995, Drs. Yensen and Dryer received permission from the DEA to import LSD from Switzerland for their FDA-approved study. They anticipate that they will receive Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for their project in early 1996, thereby becoming fully approved to begin their research.

In 1995, Dr. Rick Strassman obtained all the required approvals for a Phase 1 placebo-controlled double-blind dose-escalation LSD research protocol. However, he moved to Canada before he was able to start the study.

MAPS has a sum of $1,500 that is restricted for the support of efforts to conduct LSD research. MAPS will work to raise additional sums after an LSD research project has actually begun.