Talk:Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies: Difference between revisions

The '''Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies''' ('''MAPS''') is a membership-based 501(c)(3) non-profit<ref>http://www.maps.org/images/fiscal/MAPS_IRS_Letter.pdf|IRS Letter Confirming MAPS' 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Status</ref> research and educational organization working to develop medical, legal, and cultural contexts for the responsible use of [[psychedelic]] substances and [[cannabis]]. MAPS was founded in 1986 by [[Rick Doblin]] and is currently based in Santa Cruz, California.<ref>http://www.maps.org/about|MAPS - About</ref>

Among other things, MAPS helps researchers across the world design, fund, and obtain regulatory approval for studies of the safety and effectiveness of a number of currently controlled psychoactive substances, right now with a particular focus on the legalization and approval of [[MDMA]] (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) as a prescription medicine for psychedelic psychotherapy.<ref>http://www.maps.org/images/brochures/MAPS-brochure-web-Feb2015.pdf|MAPS February 2015 Web Brochure</ref> MAPS works closely with government regulatory authorities across the world including the United States [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_and_Drug_Administration Food and Drug Administration (FDA)] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Medicines_Agency European Medicines Agency (EMEA)] to ensure that all of its sponsored research protocols conform to ethical and procedural guidelines for clinical drug research, spearheading the re-introduction of psychedelics and cannabis into mainstream society after 50+ years of prohibition.

Included in MAPS’ research efforts are MDMA for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); [[LSD]] and [[psilocybin]] for the treatment of anxiety, cluster headaches, and depression associated with end-of-life issues; [[ibogaine]] for the treatment of [[opiate]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction addiction], [[ayahuasca]] for the treatment of drug addiction and PTSD; [[cannabis|medical cannabis]] for PTSD; and alternative delivery systems for medical cannabis such as vaporizers and water pipes.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multidisciplinary_Association_for_Psychedelic_Studies|Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies - Wikipedia</ref> It also recognizes, if not directly sponsors, scientific research into psychedelics such as [[ketamine]] for treating addiction, [[LSA]] for cluster headaches and general psychopharmacological research into compounds like [[MDE]], [[DMT]], and [[Salvinorin A]].<ref>http://www.maps.org/research/other-research|MAPS - Other Psychedelics Research</ref> MAPS officials say the organization's ultimate goal is to establish a network of clinics where these and other treatments can be provided together with other therapies under the guidance of trained, licensed physicians and therapists.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Doblin R |title=A clinical plan for MDMA ("Ecstasy") in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): partnering with the FDA |journal=Journal of Psychoactive Drugs |volume=34 |issue=2 |pages=185–94 |year=2002 |pmid=12691208 |doi=10.1080/02791072.2002.10399952}}</ref>

In addition to sponsoring scientific research, MAPS organizes continuing medical education (CME) conferences, the most prominent of which is the "Psychedelic Science" conference which they host around April every year. Additionally, MAPS sponsors and presents lectures and seminars on the state of psychedelic and medical marijuana research, provides psychedelic [[harm reduction]] services through the Zendo Project at events such as music festivals and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_Man Burning Man], and publishes a triannual magazine-style publication, the MAPS Bulletin, with updates about its ongoing research efforts, legal struggles, and educational initiatives. MAPS also publishes books dealing with the science, history, and culture of psychedelic research and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychedelic_therapy psychedelic therapy].<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multidisciplinary_Association_for_Psychedelic_Studies|Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies - Wikipedia</ref>

== Vision ==

According to their mission statement, MAPS ultimately envisions a "world where psychedelics and marijuana are safely and legally available for beneficial uses, and where research is governed by rigorous scientific evaluation of their risks and benefits."[8]. Additionally, MAPS’ harm-reduction efforts are intentionally and carefully designed to avoid backlash and "build a post-prohibition world by assisting non-medical users to transform difficult psychedelic experiences into opportunities for growth."[9]

MAPS has released a [[request for proposal]]s (RFP) to find a research team interested in conducting clinical trials on ibogaine; a $25,000 grant has been made available to help fund such a study.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.maps.org/research/ibogaine/ |title=Ibogaine Therapy for Drug Addiction |publisher=Maps.org |date= |accessdate=2012-04-14}}</ref>

MAPS has pursued a number of other research studies examining the effects of psychedelics administered to human subjects. These studies include, but are not limited to, studies of [[Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine|MDE]], [[Ayahuasca]], [[Dimethyltryptamine|DMT]], [[Ketamine]], [[Ergine|LSA]], [[Mescaline]], [[Peyote]], and ''[[Salvia divinorum]]''.

MAPS has also conducted multi-drug studies as well as cross-cultural and meta-analysis research.<ref name="maps-research"/>

MAPS offers educational resources that actively promote psychedelic [[harm reduction]]. Psychedelic harm reduction is an approach to minimize harmful consequences and risks associated with the therapeutic and recreational use of [[psychedelic drugs]]. A harm reduction approach is an alternative to [[drug prohibition laws]] that criminalize users of psychedelic substances. Inexperienced or overwhelmed users of psychedelics sometimes have challenging emotional experiences that are resolved through law enforcement or medical intervention, which may lead to psychological damage long after the trip is over.<ref name="Vimeo.com">{{cite web |url=http://vimeo.com/10883376 |title=Horizons 2009: Valerie Mojeiko Psychedelic Harm Reduction – Rethinking the "Bad Trip" on Vimeo |publisher=[[Vimeo.com]] |date= |accessdate=2011-04-20}}</ref> A harm reduction approach to using psychedelics often includes attention to set and setting, a trip sitter, or framing in the context of psychedelic therapy.

MAPS has provided psychedelic emergency services at festivals such as Hookahville, [[Burning Man]] and the [[Boom Festival]]. MAPS’ model of psychedelic emergency services is volunteer staffed, peer-based and relies on acute intervention.<ref name="Vimeo.com"/> MAPS also provides training and an educational video, which empowers psychedelic users and their peers with therapeutic techniques for use in assisting others through difficult psychedelic experiences. MAPS’ approach to psychedelic harm reduction encourages a new framework for looking at “bad” trips as opportunities for emotional and spiritual growth.

Additionally, MAPS co-sponsors [[EcstasyData.org]], an online resource that provides laboratory testing of [[ecstasy tablets]] for a minimal cost, which allows users to know what exactly they are ingesting and to avoid taking mislabeled or impure substances.  MAPS has also formed a partnership with Bluelight, a web forum dedicated to harm reduction.