Rick Doblin
Rick Doblin | |
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 Doblin, 2014 | |
| Born | November 30, 1953 |
| Alma mater | New College of Florida (B.S., 1987) Harvard University (Ph.D., 2001) |
| Occupation(s) | Founder and Executive Director, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) |
| Known for | Psychedelic therapy, MAPS |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Psychology, Public policy, Political science |
| Thesis | Regulation of the medical use of psychedelics and marijuana (2001) |
| Doctoral advisor | Frederic M. Scherer |
Richard Elliot Doblin (born November 30, 1953) is an American drug activist and executive who is the founder and former[1] executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS).
Life and career[edit]
Rick Doblin grew up in Skokie, Illinois as the oldest of four kids in a Jewish family.[2] He first enrolled in Florida's New College in 1971 but dropped out after one semester, later re-enrolling and completing a bachelor's in psychology. Doblin later went on to get his doctorate in public policy at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.[3]
Doblin established MAPS in 1986 to research MDMA and other psychedelics through legal clinical trials. MAPS pursued a lengthy FDA approval process, hoping mainstream acceptance of MDMA therapy could positively impact access to other treatments.[4] Over decades, MAPS collaborated with scientists, raised funds through philanthropic means, and worked to change public perceptions of psychedelics.
After 37 years, Doblin stepped down as Executive Director of MAPS in February 2023, replaced by Kris Lotlikar.[1]
Controversy[edit]
As director of MAPS, Doblin has given comment on the publicised serious allegations of sexual assault by MAPS-employed therapists engaging in a clinical trial trialling psychedelic MDMA as therapy for survivors of sexual assault. Four years after Meaghan Buisson submitted a formal complaint to MAPS regarding the series of incidents, Doblin defended the organisation failing to review all videos of the sessions, stating "This unethical sexual misconduct happened after the therapy was over … So that made us think that we didn't need to review the video."[5]
See also[edit]
- Psychedelia – Film about the history of psychedelic drugs
References[edit]
- ^ a b Hausfeld, Russell (2023-04-22). "Rick Doblin Is No Longer MAPS' Executive Director. We Didn't Notice — Did You?". Psymposia. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
- ^ Rowland, Katherine (2024-02-29). "Thanks to this man, MDMA could soon be legal for therapy". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
- ^ Silman, Anna. "MDMA therapy could be legal by summer. Why are so many advocates sounding the alarm?". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
- ^ Silman, Anna. "MDMA therapy could be legal by summer. Why are so many advocates sounding the alarm?". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
- ^ "Meaghan thought psychedelic therapy could help her PTSD. Instead it was the start of a nightmare". ABC News. ABC News (Australia). 25 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- The MAPS Staff
- Erowid character vaults
- Miliard, Mike: This is your brain on drugs: Rick Doblin thinks pot, ecstasy, and other psychedelics could unlock the human mind — and he wants to bring them to Harvard, the FDA, and a doctor's office near you, The Boston Phoenix, Oct. 8–14, 2004.
- Bleyer, Jennifer (October 8, 2013). "Can Ecstasy, Primarily Known as a Club Drug, Help People Suffering From Trauma?". Tablet.
- Cox, Billy (14 August 2008). "Had a nice trip. Wish you could, too". Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
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