Maps – ayahuasca-aided strategy to addiction (bc, canada)

Principal Investigator: Gerald Thomas, Ph.D.
Study Site: Bc, Canada

This research continues to be completed

Backed by MAPS Canada, this observational study investigated the security and lengthy-term effectiveness of ayahuasca strategy to individuals struggling with addiction and dependence. Mixing Western psychotherapeutic techniques with South American shamanic (Vegetalista) healing practices, this research collected preliminary evidence concerning the safety and effectiveness of ayahuasca-aided therapy.

Treatment contained participation inside a five-day retreat (facilitated by independent mental health specialist Gabor Maté, M.D.) including ayahuasca-aided therapy, which might reduce problematic substance use in addition to addictions, compulsive behavior, and self-harming thought patterns.

This research was conducted in cooperation having a Bc First Nations band. The outcomes were printed in 2013 within the peer-reviewed journal Current Substance Abuse Reviews.

  • Browse the printed results
  • See the pr release

Study Team

Gerald Thomas, Ph.D, Principal Investigator

Gerald Thomas is really a Collaborating Researcher using the Center for Addictions Research of BC. He received his Ph.D. in political science from Colorado Condition College in 1998 and it has labored in Canadian drug abuse policy since 2004. His special areas of practice include drug policy, alcohol policy, drug abuse treatment, harm reduction and complementary and alternative treatment. His training like a social researcher coupled with direct experience using various ways to heal emotional trauma brought to his current curiosity about assessing the healing potential of ayahuasca. Gerald lives together with his fiancé in Summerland, BC, where he enjoys a number of outside pursuits including biking and windsurfing.

Kenneth Tupper, Ph.D, Co-Investigator

Kenneth Tupper is definitely an Adjunct Professor in the School of Population and Public Health in the College of Bc, where his research interests range from the mix-cultural and historic purposes of psychoactive substances public, professional and college-based drug education and creating healthy public policy to maximise benefits and reduce harms from presently illegal drugs. Kenneth is another person in the Advisory Board from the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Canada, and it has been active in the area of psychedelic studies in excess of 14 years. His Ph.D. dissertation (and earlier M.A. thesis) in Education developed the idea of “entheogenic education,” a theoretical frame for focusing on how psychedelic plants and substances—in particular the Amazonian brew ayahuasca—can work as cognitive tools for learning. More details about Kenneth and the academic interests are available on his personalized homepage.

N. Rielle Capler, MHA, Co-Investigator

N. Rielle Capler, MHA, has labored as investigator and policy consultant within the medical cannabis field for 13 years. She helped pioneer Canada’s first empathy club where she labored because the policy analyst and research coordinator from 1999 to 2007. Rielle is really a co-founding father of Canadians for Safe Access, a nationwide organization promoting safe use of cannabis for medical use and research, along with a co-founder and advisory board person in the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries. Rielle is really a co-investigator on several community-based studies associated with medical cannabis and it is a co-investigator on the observational study of ayahuasca-aided therapy in treating addiction. She’s presently a doctorate student in Interdisciplinary Studies in the College of Bc.

Resourse: http://maps.org/research/ayahuasca/

Gabor Maté: Jungle To “Civilization” – How Plant Medicines Can Promote Health In a Toxic Culture


Video COMMENTS:

Michelle Lawrence: very brave lady speaking up at the end. it's a shame there wasn't more time for her

Alexander Hope: I just said I understand she's upset, and I empathize with her concern despite the fact I think it's unfounded. How does me stating that she is likely a citizen of modern society who benefits from related advancements show my white privilege? I think it's a safe assumption she enjoys the pleasures of the modern world that technology and science provide her, but how dare someone whose part of the majority call a minority on using such things. I'm not complaining that she enjoys what western society offers her, but how dare she complain that I use something that was grown from nature. It's not hers to claim no matter how long she's used it.\n\nThe taking of children example is hardly a fair comparison here… human property versus something that's a product of nature are nowhere near the same. And it's true…. anyone can get these substances, go find a peyote cactus… should I stay away from all mushrooms and naturally growing peyote becuase it may offend their aboriginal ancestors? You cannot patent nature I'll say it again, and noone is telling you to change your practices so go enjoy them! \n\nHonestly, hearing the way you talk about privilege is so wrong headed.e

Cornelia Schultz: Very brave indeed! I was disappointed by the deflection I heard in his answer, although I think it was due to his not fully understanding where she was coming from and perhaps being limited by time. I think he may be appreciative of the culture but am of the opinion that that is not enough. His statement, which she accurately restated, was dismissive and/or cynical. There is something we can do about cultural appropration… We can call it out when we see it, make space for discussions about it, amplify the voices of the marginalized, and use our platform/privilege to educate about the harm it causes. It was, at best, a missed opportunity. I hope he really did appreciate the challenge. He needed it!

Rob Coffey: This cultural appropriation argument is complete nonsense. The plants were given to humanity, not any particular people. As long as they are treated respectfully and in an ethical way, they are for benefit of everyone. That does not take away from the real current and historical grievances of indigenous peoples and the trauma they have suffered. \n\nThis talk by Gabor Mate is awesome and it needs to be spread as widely as possible.

Theodore Damron: Rob Coffey I am really hoping you or someone will guide me as to ehere where I need to go please someone help

Kannan Somasekar: The way you said "nonsense" has some anger to it, the plants were given to the humanity, in billion forms, spread through out, it is through the practice of natives with mind and body, they brought these plants out to benefit our minds, and now after destroying their life and culture, and after 400 years we go back to their roots, and calling it nonsense when they want to have a say?, yes the native culture is "we are all children of forest", you, me and every one included.

Michelle Lawrence: so much to glean from this lecture. need to listen a few times. Thank you to #PS17 #MAPS #DrMate Very grateful to have access ������

marcos cesar da silva a: thank you so Gabor ❤️

picc1001: Lol white privilege.

Addoagrucu: the meditation lady in the beginning is fukin wild

Pasias Achilleas: I am not sure if i understood the last question. Did she say that learning something fron another culture and integrate it on another is appropriation?

joy96815: Thanks for upload.

marcos cesar da silva a: The last question asked at the end of the lecture implying cultural appropriation seems misguided

Teemu Kekkonen: Genius

natalia zet: Thank You MAPS for giving me opportunity to understand life much better. Thank You Gabor Mate for your beautiful existence and giving the LIGHT to our World.