Relationships are fundamental in our worlds – whether they are present or absent, supportive or stressful. When an individual has experienced a trauma and is struggling in its aftermath, not only is the individual impacted, but so are those around them.
All proceeds from this fundraiser go directly to support the Cognitive Behavioural Conjoint Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder study that is being conducted with Anne Wagner based on a psychotherapy developed by her postdoctoral fellowship supervisor Dr. Candice Monson.
Treating the aftermath of trauma in the context of relationships therefore has strong potential power. Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CBCT for PTSD) was developed to work with couples in the context of trauma recovery (Monson & Fredman, 2012). CBCT for PTSD has demonstrated decreases in PTSD symptoms, increases in relationship satisfaction and improved partner functioning in numerous trials (e.g., Monson et al., 2012; Schumm et al., 2013). Additionally, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has demonstrated large decreases in PTSD symptoms across several studies (Mithoefer et al., 2019). Therefore, in an effort to facilitate deep healing in the context of relationships, we combined CBCT for PTSD with MDMA in a pilot trial. This pilot trial, which was run with six couples where one person had PTSD, showed large improvements in PTSD symptoms, larger than those we’ve seen in CBCT alone (Monson et al., under review; Wagner et al., 2019). Additionally, both members of the couple experienced increases in relationship satisfaction. These compelling results have lead us to test this approach with more couples in order to show that it works and creates powerful healing, not only for the person with PTSD, but also for their loved ones. We are aiming to run a trial with 40 couples, one of whom has PTSD, to be able to show the effects of the treatment on a larger scale. If these results are compelling, we would therefore hope to be able to offer this treatment to those who need it.
Combining treatments (MDMA assisted therapy and CPT or CBCT) that are protocol-based allows for a clear template to be used to frame the treatment, and potentially offers a gateway for other therapists who practice these treatments in healthcare settings to then integrate the use of MDMA. Additionally, combining these treatments offers other options for the use of MDMA in the treatment of PTSD beyond a non-directive, supportive model, and allows us to begin to empirically test the active components of treatment in order to most effectively and parsimoniously provide treatment. The pilot study of CBCT for PTSD with MDMA is now complete, with a case study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (Wagner et al., 2019), and the main outcomes in preparation for submission for publication. The same study investigator team from the CBCT+MDMA pilot study including Dr. Anne Wagner, Dr. Candice Monson, Dr. Michael Mithoefer, and Annie Mithoefer, BSN, will lead the CPT+MDMA study.
Since 1986, MAPS has set out on a mission to change the way we relate to psychedelics by providing evidence-based, honest public education about the risks and benefits of psychedelics.
We need your help to support psychedelic science. It’s time to bring transformation back into people’s lives. One simple way to help support us and gain a lot of value yourself is by attending our Webinar Series! Find out more here.
REGISTER HERE
The Crisis We Are Facing
• By age 40, about 50% of the population will have or have had a mental illness.
• Currently, one in six North Americans will suffer from PTSD in their lifetime.
• Every day, more than 130 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids.
• In 2018, 4,588 Canadians lost their lives to opiates.
• In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians will personally experience a mental health problem or illness.
• Suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths among 15-24 year olds and 16% among 25-44 year olds.
Psychedelics offer transformative ways to treat things like PTSD, depression, addition and other mental illnesses.
How Can You Help?
It's simple...
- Donate: any and all donations help our cause. Research is expensive and needs financial support.
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Spread the word:
- Share this campaign with your friends.
- Sharing how psychedelics have personally helped you can be really effective!
- Post to your social media and hashtag #Examiningthepsychedelicrenaissance on Instagram and Twitter
- Forward this campaign through the social sharing buttons above!
- Start or join a team: Create your own team as part of our campaign, click on register and support this important research with a group of your friends or on your own!
- Support drug policy in your area: Learn about what organizations in your area are doing to combat the stigma around psychedelics and see if you can help!
Where will your money go?
Specifically, donations to this campaign will go directly to helping fund the following current projects:
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Eating Disorder Study: Phase 1 has been funded.
We now need more support to bring psychedelic treatments to those
suffering from eating disorders. More info here.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD: Two separate studies that will be looking at individual and couples therapy. More info here.
If you help fund MAPS Canada, we
will help change the world
A bit of History
In the early 1950s, psychedelic drugs were considered promising treatments for a broad range of psychological and psychiatric conditions. Due to misinformation, ignorance and political pressure, their legal use for healing purposes and the advancement of psychedelic research was halted in the 1960s despite the growing interest and support of the medical community including psychologists, psychiatrists, scientists, and researchers.
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MDMA was first made in 1912 and was used to improve psychotherapy in the 1970's. Both the non-medical and therapeutic use of MDMA were made illegal in 1985.
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Currently, one in six North Americans will suffer from PTSD in their lifetime.
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PTSD is highly correlated with depression, addiction, and suicide.
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According to a study published in the CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has become a global health issue, with prevalence rates ranging from 1.3% to 37.4%.
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58 veterans committed suicide after their service in the Afghan War; many of them had PTSD.
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A study published in JAMA Psychiatry determined that roughly 271,000 Vietnam vets still have full war-zone-related PTSD that meets some diagnostic criteria 40 years after the war.
With your help, we can continue to change these alarming statistics and support the legalization of psychedelic medicine.
MAPS Canada is in the process of
conducting research investigating the effectiveness of
psychedelic assisted psychotherapy for the
treatment of various mental illnesses with full approval and
involvement from Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA).
Matching Contributions
If you would like to sponsor this campaign and match our donor's contributions please contact us. We will feature you in our campaign page and in our ongoing correspondence.
Contact Us
Thank you for your support!
Statistics Used on this page can be found at the following...
• https://cmha.ca/fast-facts-about-mental-illness
• https://cmha.bc.ca/documents/depression-2/
Artwork and photographs by...
• Graeme Beamiss
• Steven Quinn
• Dan Ioanitescu (https://designerdan.ca)
Highlights
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