Psychedelic Science 2013 presents the world’s leading research into MDMA and more in a three-track conference and multiple workshops over five days. More than 65 speakers from at least 11 countries will share their latest research. New MDMA research results will be shared and discussed alongside previous studies.

Reuters summarizes how scientific research into the medical potential of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can help people overcome treatment-resistant PTSD. The article includes insights from researchers, a PTSD expert, and a professor in psychiatry and neuroscience. “The taboos are lifting, and people are getting practical about science,” Dr. Michael Mithoefer said.

CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports on MAPS' research on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a PTSD treatment, featuring interviews with researchers, participants, and military experts. A three part-series was also published on CNN.com.

NBC Los Angeles provides news about recent research results from a long-term follow up study focusing on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a treatment method for people suffering from PTSD.

Correction: The military is not yet testing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, but we are in conversations with some armed forces treatment providers with hopes of increasing support.

News.com.au provides an overview of MAPS’ recent research into MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a treatment for PTSD, in addition to covering upcoming research efforts from our Australia-based non-profit colleagues, PRISM (Psychedelic Research in Science and Medicine).

Care2 reviews the recently published results of our research into treating PTSD with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy with facts, infographics, and quotes.

The Independent covers recent research into MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a treatment for PTSD, citing long-term follow-up results that show the treatment’s benefits were maintained an average of 3 years later.

Alternet describes the results of MAPS’ long-term follow-up research into treating PTSD with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, highlighting that the 16 participants maintained improvements an average of 45 months after treatment.

Stars and Stripes offers a recap of results from our long-term follow-up research into treating posttraumatic stress disorder with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. The article also highlights our initiative to research medical marijuana as a treatment method for people suffering from PTSD.

Military.com reports on the implications of our research into MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for veterans with PTSD. “Completing the studies necessary to make this treatment available will require increasing financial and political support from both within and outside the military,” said Brad Burge of MAPS. “We provide men and women in the armed forces with the most advanced tools of war. It’s time we gave them the most advanced tools of healing, too.”

Reason.com covers the recent publication of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy research results in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

Medical and psychedelics experts speak about the promising results from our research into treating PTSD with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.

The New York Times announces today’s publication of the paper describing the results of our long-term follow-up study, showing that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can have lasting benefits for people suffering from PTSD. The results were published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, indicating that 83% of participants did not qualify for PTSD two months after treatment, and on average, improvements were maintained an average of 3.8 years later.

People suffering from chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced lasting benefits from MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, according to a new long-term follow-up study published online November 20 in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

Download the official press release (PDF).

Healthline shares information about the history of MDMA, the risks of the drug, how MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can help people suffering from PTSD, and more.

The Telegraph reviews the new MDMA research documentary “Drugs Live: The Ecstasy Trial” and its success in providing a scientific approach that does not glamorize drug use. The research aimed to measure brain activity in volunteers using fMRI machines, in addition to studying the potential of treating PTSD with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. The study was funded by United Kingdom television station Channel 4 and conducted by Professors David Nutt and Val Curran.

Amanda Feilding, founder of The Beckley Foundation, writes for The Guardian about how recent research results indicate that MDMA may work as an alternative treatment method for depression and PTSD. Feilding’s article coincides with the launch of the MDMA research documentary, Drugs Live, which featured research conducted by Professor David Nutt.

New MDMA research is being funded by Channel 4 and is being led by psychopharmacologists Professor David Nutt of Imperial College London and Professor Val Curran of University College London. The study's main purpose is to see how MDMA affects resting brains, though one of the study's goals is to see how MDMA may be able to help treat PTSD. The research will be presented on two 60-minute specials titled Drugs Live: The Ecstasy Trial.

The Guardian examines Drugs Live: The Ecstasy Trial, an MDMA research documentary funded by Channel 4. Conducted by Professors David Nutt and Val Curran, the research focused on resting brain activity from over 20 healthy volunteers while under the effects of MDMA. Featuring a live discussion from a variety of participants, the program covered both positive and negative aspects of the drug.

Medical Daily educates their readers about the history of MDMA and its use in psychiatry. Citing Donna Kilgore’s successful MDMA-assisted psychotherapy PTSD treatment with Michael Mithoefer, the article advocates for more research to be done on MDMA before it can be used widely in therapy. The article mentions current research on the effects of MDMA in resting brains, in addition to efforts to treat PTSD.

The New Statesman writes about public perception of MDMA and how scientific research is providing an alternative, objective narrative that squanders untrue claims about the drug. Highlighting MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, the article suggests, “People who would benefit from this therapy are not raving, but drowning. It wouldn’t hurt anyone to throw them a lifeline.”

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy researcher Michael Mithoefer, M.D., speaks on June 1, 2012, at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center Grand Rounds about current research into treating veterans suffering from PTSD with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.

This year, MAPS will benefit from a generous bequest of approximately $5 million from the estate of software pioneer Ashawna (Shawn) Hailey. The gift will be the largest ever for MDMA research The majority of Ashawna’s gift will be reserved for Phase 3 studies of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, and create a compelling case for donations of the remaining funds—about $10 million—for Phase 2 and 3.

Download the official press release.

Channel 4, a United Kingdom television station, will be airing two 60-minute specials highlighting MDMA. The program, Drugs Live: The Ecstasy Trial, will show footage of a scientific study measuring MDMA’s effects on the resting brain, in addition to a live debate exploring all facets of the drug. The MDMA research is being funded by Channel 4 and will be led by psychopharmacologists Professor David Nutt of Imperial College London and Professor Val Curran of University College London.

The front page article in the Santa Cruz Weekly tells the whole story: A traumatized veteran speaks out about how MDMA helped him, the black market widens the gulf between “Ecstasy” and pure MDMA, and researchers find real therapeutic benefit in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.

The Guardian reports on a possible new study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD to take place in the UK. MAPS, together with psychopharmacologist Dr. David Nutt and psychiatrist Dr. Ben Sessa, has recently been invited to submit a grant proposal to the Wellcome Trust for the study. If it receives funding and regulatory approval, the study would be the first of its kind in the UK.

Additional coverage of this possible UK study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD also appeared in The Herald Sun, the Sydney Morning Herald, the Hindustan Times, and The Times of India.

With PTSD affecting almost 7% of American adults and few effective treatment options available, research into innovative approaches to PTSD treatment is expanding rapidly. “The Shrink Tank” blog at Psychology Today explores some of the most promising approaches, including MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.

British Columbia’s chief medical health officer, Dr. Perry Kendall, speaks on a province-wide call-in show on CBC Radio One. He starts off by talking about the medical potential of MDMA, its history as an adjunct to psychotherapy, and current research on using it for treating PTSD.

Click here to listen (MP3)

“Ecstasy” (which aired Sunday, January 8) showed the social and environmental devastation caused by the criminal black market in Ecstasy pills, and explored what researchers know—and don’t know—about the pure ingredient, MDMA. The episode included a segment describing the possible therapeutic benefits of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Watch this video excerpt of a real underground MDMA-assisted psychotherapy session.

An Israeli news source describes MAPS’ upcoming Israeli study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. The article includes an excellent interview with Tali Nachshoni, M.D., who was one of three therapists who recently participated in MAPS' training study for MDMA-assisted psychotherapists in the U.S. Dr. Nachsoni describes her own experience undergoing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as part of MAPS’ training program for clinical MDMA-assisted psychotherapy investigators.

Positive coverage in Australian media shows public support is growing for a possible new study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD to take place in Australia. It’s a very good sign that even those known to exaggerate the risks of MDMA acknowledge the importance of the research.

Note: Clinical trials use pure MDMA, not illicit Ecstasy tablets which often contain other more dangerous compounds, in combination with psychotherapy to treat PTSD.

European Dispatch explains how a possible upcoming UK study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD will build on the outstanding results of MAPS' flagship U.S. study. If MAPS can find the funding necessary for this study, it will be the first-ever clinical trial of MDMA in the UK and the latest addition to an expanding international MDMA-assisted psychotherapy research program.

On October 18, 2011, Health Canada conducted a follow-up inspection of the pharmacy for MAPS' planned Phase 2 Canadian study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. The pharmacy inspection is required under Canadian regulations to ensure that the facility used to store and label the MDMA to be used in the study is adequately secure, and that the proper accountability procedures are in place. Once we obtain clearance from Health Canada we will be able to import the MDMA for the study into Canada from Switzerland.

Watch this brief video featuring a personal interview with pharmacist Colin Holyk discussing the challenges of negotiating the strict security requirements of Health Canada and for a look inside the Vancouver pharmacy where the MDMA will be stored.

With health care costs for veterans rising dramatically and effective treatments limited, researchers and therapists are reaching out to find new ways of treating trauma.

ELLE magazine reviews the origins of MDMA’s therapeutic uses in marriage and family therapy. The article includes an earnest and in-depth interview with MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., and discusses why researchers have chosen to focus their studies on helping individuals overcome their traumatic pasts.

In this thorough and well-balanced portrait, Sarah, who suffered from PTSD for twenty years as the result of severe childhood trauma, gives us an earnest look at her experience as a patient in MAPS’ groundbreaking study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.