Psychedelic Research From MAPS: The Impact of Psychedelics on Our World

Psychedelic Research From MAPS: The Impact of Psychedelics on Our World

A transcript for this episode is available online in blog form at Transcript: Rick Doblin Interview on Psychedelic Research and Culture.

Psychedelic Research, MAPS, and the Culture of Psychedelics

Rick Doblin, Ph.D., is the founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). He shares the in depth founding story of MAPS, and gives a glimpse into what he's currently working on. Psychedelics have played a huge role in shaping cultures throughout history. Join us to learn about what we can expect for the future of psychedelic research and how the way they are perceived in our culture will continue to change. In this episode we discuss:

  • The benefits of psychedelics
  • Managing “bad trips” with a willingness to address whatever arises
  • MAPS’ standards for therapeutic use of psychedelics
  • What “set and setting” really mean
  • The definition of psychedelics
  • The timeline expected to legalize MDMA
If we can do ego dissolution more voluntarily, more protective, and more safe psychologically, then we will be better able to cope with the challenges that humanity is facing right now. -Rick Doblin, Ph.D.

Join us to hear this legend in the field talk about his experiences with Stan Grof and how he continues to navigate with government agencies in order to make psychedelics more widespread, accepted and available.

Related Links:
MAPS
Zendo Project
Book: The Body Keeps Score by Bessel van der Kolk MD 
Book: The Way of the Psychonaut Volume One: Encyclopedia for Inner Journeys by Stan Grof
Book: Island by Aldous Huxley
Book: How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan

Guest Bio:
Rick Doblin, Ph.D., is the founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). He received his doctorate in Public Policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, where he wrote his dissertation on the regulation of the medical uses of psychedelics and marijuana and his Master's thesis on a survey of oncologists about smoked marijuana vs. the oral THC pill in nausea control for cancer patients. His undergraduate thesis at New College of Florida was a 25-year follow-up to the classic Good Friday Experiment, which evaluated the potential of psychedelic drugs to catalyze religious experiences. He also conducted a thirty-four year follow-up study to Timothy Leary's Concord Prison Experiment. Rick studied with Dr. Stanislav Grof and was among the first to be certified as a Holotropic Breathwork practitioner. His professional goal is to help develop legal contexts for the beneficial uses of psychedelics and marijuana, primarily as prescription medicines but also for personal growth for otherwise healthy people, and eventually to become a legally licensed psychedelic therapist. He founded MAPS in 1986, and currently resides in Boston with his wife, dog, and empty rooms from three children, one of whom is in college and two have graduated.

All content provided on this website is for informational purposes only. This information is never intended to be a substitute for a doctor-patient relationship nor does it constitute medical advice of any kind.

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2 Comments

  • Jonathan Bell
    Heather, I love your assessment of the incredible waste of veterans suffering from PTSD when they could be helped out of it with the correct treatment. Rick, your absolutely right how more than just Vets are affected. I hope MAPS will be able to help with treating people. Best of luck!
  • jameshadfield
    just wanted to say how Proud I am of Rick's unflinching determination in his quest for helping mankind ( and womankind) there are very many of us that believe in the potential that Psychedelics hold for us . history will bare this out, it's just such a shame that it's taken so long to realize this.
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