MAPS MDMA study

First MDMA Sessions Conducted in Veterans Study; BBC/National Geographic Ecstasy Documentary Premiers Tonight
January 13, 2011

Dear MAPS members and friends,

I'm proud to announce that the first experimental sessions have just taken place in MAPS' new study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for US veterans with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). On Friday, January 7, 2011, the first patient underwent the first of three MDMA sessions with co-therapists Michael Mithoefer, MD, and Annie Mithoefer, BSN. The second patient was treated in her first experimental session two days later on Sunday, January 9.

This latest study would not be possible without the support of numerous individuals and organizations, but we still need more help to see it through to completion. MAPS has already either received or been pledged $397,500 of the $500,000 needed for this study. This includes $2,500 from Latane Temple Keeler, $4,000 from David Keeler, $6,000 from Tim Butcher, $10,000 from the Arsenault family, $25,000 from an anonymous family foundation, $50,000 from the Riverstyx Foundation, $50,000 from the Libra Foundation, and a wonderfully generous pledge of $250,000 from Peter Lewis. Please consider donating to MAPS today to help us continue moving ever closer to our goal of making MDMA into a federally-approved prescription medicine!

Also, the BBC/National Geographic documentary “Drugged: High on Ecstasy” will air in the UK TONIGHT (Thursday, January 13) at 9PM on BBC Three and in the US on MONDAY (January 17) at 9PM on the National Geographic Channel. The BBC version will be longer and more focused on the UK. The documentary features MAPS' work on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, and includes interviews with myself and Sue Stevens, an outspoken advocate after using MDMA to help treat the psychological and physiological pain her partner was going through as he unsuccessfully struggled with cancer. Check out the BBC and National Geographic Web sites to learn more and to see scheduling information.

With so much great news and so many great opportunities to share our work with the world, these really are exciting times!


Psychedelically yours,

Rick Doblin, Ph.D.
MAPS Founder and Executive Director