MAPS Crew AMA on Reddit

[FunctionalOlfactio]

"I am Rick Doblin, Ph.D, founder of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Ask me and my staff anything about the scientific and medical potential of psychedelic drugs and marijuana!

Hey reddit! I am Rick Doblin, Ph.D., Founder and Executive Director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Founded in 1986, MAPS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana.

The staff of MAPS and I are here to answer your questions about:

* Scientific research into MDMA, LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca, ibogaine, and marijuana
* The role of psychedelics and marijuana in science, medicine, therapy, spirituality, culture, and policy
* Reducing the risks associated with the non-medical use of various drugs by providing education and harm reduction services
* How to effectively communicate about psychedelics at your dinner table
* and anything else!

Our currently most promising research focuses on treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.

This is who we have participating today from MAPS:

* Rick Doblin, Ph.D., Founder and Executive Director
* Brad Burge, Director of Communications and Marketing
* Amy Emerson, Director of Clinical Research
* Virginia Wright, Director of Development
* Brian Brown, Communications and Marketing Associate
* Kynthia Brunette, Operations Associate
* Tess Goodwin, Development Assistant
* Ilsa Jerome, Ph.D., Research and Information Specialist
* Bryce Montgomery, Web and Multimedia Associate
* Linnae Ponté, Zendo Project Harm Reduction Coordinator
* Berra Yazar-Klosinski, Ph.D., Lead Clinical Research Associate

For more information about scientific research into the medical potential of psychedelics and marijuana, please visit maps.org.

..."

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1s0mt7/i_am_rick_doblin_phd_founder_of_the/

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http://www.shulginresearch.org
http://www.freeleonardpickard.org
http://www.maps.org
http://www.erowid.org

 

[FunctionalOlfactio]

The thread format on Reddit isn't conducive to reposting in plain text so you all will have to follow the link to get the actual AMA. This made it to the front page. I'm glad to see this much interest in MAPS from the broader internet community.

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http://www.shulginresearch.org
http://www.freeleonardpickard.org
http://www.maps.org
http://www.erowid.org

 

[23536]

Wow this got a lot of attention. Good work here!

Top question:

What is the single most challenging anti-psychedelic argument used and how do you deal with it?

answer:

The single most challenging rational argument against psychedelic research is the claim that by investigating the beneficial potential of these drugs and engaging in public education about the results of that research, we are also encouraging the irresponsible use of the drugs by leading people to believe that they are safe.

There are two simple responses to this question that we have found to be useful: (1) We do not claim that psychedelics, or any drugs, are safe, only that in defined situations their benefits can outweigh their risks; and (2) and ultimately, we do encourage the responsible use of psychedelics, though we acknowledge that current prohibitionist and anti-harm reduction policies make those responsible uses more difficult to engage in.

The main resistance encountered by psychedelic research, however, is not rational, but deeply emotional. Decades of cultural paranoia surrounding the use of psychedelics, combined with the suppression of scientific research into their benefits until recently, have traumatized our culture and conditioned many people to fear them. As a result, our main challenge as we work to increase public awareness about the risks and benefits of psychedelics is to find a way through these fears. When you talk to others about psychedelic research or what they can do, remember that they might be afraid. When it comes to communicating about psychedelics, compassion is key.

—Brad Burge, MAPS Director of Communications and Marketing

 

[slimvictor]

Awesome!

Second-highest rated question:

What are your opinions on using micro-doses of psilocybin to treat depression?

Answer:

I believe research into micro-doses of psilocybin or LSD to treat depression holds incredible promise. Albert Hofmann told me before he died that one of the most important parts of LSD and psilocybin research that had not been fully expired was micro-dosing. Also, in France, ibogaine was available as a medicine in low doses for energy, and could also work to help treat depression.
-Rick Doblin, Ph.D., Founder and Executive Director