Die Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is a membership-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization working to raise awareness and understanding of psychedelic substances. MAPS was founded in 1986 by Rick Doblin and is now based in Santa Cruz, California.
MAPS helps scientists design, fund and obtain regulatory approval for studies of the safety and effectiveness of a number of controlled substances. MAPS works closely with government regulatory authorities worldwide to ensure its sponsored research. Included in MAPS' research efforts are MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) for the treatment of posttraumatic 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 addiction, ayahuasca for the treatment of drug addiction and PTSD; medical marijuana for PTSD; and alternative delivery systems for medical marijuana. 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.
In addition to sponsoring scientific research, MAPS organizes continuing medical education (CME) conferences, sponsors and presents lectures and seminars on psychedelic and marijuana research, provides psychedelic harm reduction services through the Zendo Project at festivals. It publishes a triannual MAPS Bulletin, with updates about its ongoing research and educational efforts.
Since 1986, MAPS has distributed over $20 million to fund psychedelic and medical marijuana research and education.