MAPS: Research Proposal Review Request

["Sean House" <phobophobia@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

A request for reviewers:
I'm working on my proposal for my dissertation committee and my school's
human subjects committee.  I'm looking to do a qualitative study of
individuals who use entheogens for their own psychotherapeutic healing
and/or spiritual growth.  My goal is to get permission to be with
participants during their sessions, and conduct follow-up interviews
regarding the integrations of sessions.  It's that first part that will be
tricky in acquiring permission.  My committee members and two members of
the school's committee have been encouraging.  I'm asking MAPS members to
review the accompanying draft of my responses for the human subjects review
summary form.  I would appreciate all feedback that could help in wording
this form in a way that will give it a strong chance for approval.  There
is not much space on the form so answers must be as succinct as possible. 
I am continuing to work on my proposal for my committee and will elicit
your feedback on that in the future.  
Thank you in advance for helping to create this research project.
Please respond to my home e-mail rather than on the forum.
-Sean House
phobophobia@xxxxxxxxxxxx


HUMAN SUBJECTS REVIEW SUMMARY FORM
II. ABSTRACT
A.	Briefly describe the purpose of the research:
The purpose of this research is to describe the experiences of adults who
use entheogenic substances for their own personal healing/ spiritual
growth.  This ethnographic study will give a voice to a population of
diverse individuals whose means of self-awareness and spiritual growth are
largely unknown and discounted by the government, religious leaders, and
psychotherapists of this country. 

B.	Describe the procedures: (what will the subjects do?)
This study will rely entirely on naturalistic observations and interviews. 
Research participants will engage in their entheogenic experiences on their
own terms, in their own chosen settings, and with the use of their own
substances.  The researcher will not manipulate any variables other than
being present during the experience.  The researcher will interview
participants during the experience and at follow-up intervals of
approximately one week and three months.

D.  Are data anonymous or confidential?  If confidential, describe how
confidentiality is to be maintained?      
Confidentiality will be maintained in three ways.  First, only the
researcher will have knowledge of participants.  Second, all the names of
participants will be changed in the transcripts and research report. 
Third, all tapes will be erased after transcripts are completed. 

III. SUBJECTS
A.	Approximate number: 12-15
B.	Age range:  21-55
C.	How will subjects be selected or recruited?
Participants will be recruited through word of mouth by the researcher and
by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). 
Prospective participants will be interviewed by the researcher.  Selection
for participation will be based upon the interviewees having had prior
entheogenic experience with psychotherapeutic/spiritual intent, in a safe
setting (such as one's own home).

D.	Are there subjects who will be excluded?  Why?
Potential participants will be excluded based upon the following criteria:
lack of entheogenic experience with a psychotherapeutic/spiritual
intention; refusing to agree to remain in a safe setting while the
researcher is present; and inability to articulate a well-planned
entheogenic session.

IV.	DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT.  
A.	Describe the research design.
This is a qualitative study which relies on naturalistic observation and
interviews to identify the phenomenon being studied and minimize any
interference with participants' natural environments.  A phenomenological
perspective is employed to allow the meaning of the experience to be
defined by the participants.

V.	ASSESSMENT OF RISKS AND BENEFITS.
A.	Describe the nature of any potential risks.  These include stress,
social, legal, discomfort, invasion of privacy, or embarrassment, and side
effects. 
Participation in this study involves no risks beyond those that
participants engage in on their own.  As an ethnographic study, this
research only looks to describe a particular phenomenon in the world.  The
risks inherent in entheogenic exploration include (a) temporary
experiencing of painful emotions, (b) ingestion of substances other than
the intended substance, and (c) arrest for possession of a controlled
substance.

B.	Describe how each of the risks in part A will be minimized.
The risks in part A are, as stated, not part of the research study, but
part of participants' usual involvement with entheogenic exploration.  In
order to minimize these risks entheogenic explorers will often (a) have a
person with them who can talk them through difficult emotions if necessary,
(b) acquire substances from trusted acquaintances, and (c) be very discreet
when obtaining and possessing controlled substances. 

C.	In the event that any of these potential risks occur, how will it be
handled (e.g., compensation, counseling, etc.)?
While the researcher will attempt to minimize the amount of interference
with participants' experiences, intervention may be appropriate under some
conditions.  The researcher's training and experience as a counselor with
clients under the influence of psychoactive drugs has prepared him to
assist people in modulating their emotional states while intoxicated.  In
the case of a bad reaction to an ingested drug, each participant will agree
that the researcher will call for medical assistance if needed.

D.	Will the study interfere with any subject's normal routine (e.g., school
attendance, medical treatment, etc.)?
Each participant will choose the time to engage in the entheogenic session.
 This will be planned at least two weeks in advance to give both the
participant and the researcher time to prepare.  Participants will be able
to plan the sessions so they do not interfere with their normal routines. 
Follow-up interviews will be conducted at participants' convenience.    

E.	Describe the expected benefits to society and to the individual
subjects?
The benefits to society include an increased awareness of how entheogenic
substances can enhance the personal and spiritual growth of those who
ingest these substances with a psychotherapeutic and/or spiritual intent. 
Additionally, people in the helping professions can begin to learn how to
better create the conditions that lead to psychotherapeutic change. 
Participants will benefit by having their voices heard and the accompanying
sense of empowerment brought about by having their stories told.

VI.	ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
B.  Will any other drugs be used?	YES
If YES, list for each drug:  1) the name of the drug; 2) the source of the
drug; 3) the dosage; 4) any side effects or toxicity; 5) how it will be
administered; 6) by whom will it be administered.
This is an ethnographic study of individuals who use psychoactive drugs for
a particular purpose.  No drugs will be provided or administered by the
researcher.  Participants will obtain the drugs through their own channels,
decide on the dosage themselves, and self-administer the drugs.  While it
is impossible to know the contents and dosages of illicit drugs, it is
expected that participants will be taking entheogenic drugs such as
psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, and DMT.  The expected route of administration is
oral ingestion.  There is no known toxicity associated with any of these
drugs at therapeutic doses.  







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