29 July 2023
An Open Letter to Maps

Dear MAPS,

Following on from the MAPS Psychedelic Science Conference 2023, which spanned five days with 12,000 attendees, nearly 400 speakers across seven stages, covering a wide range of topics related to psychedelics, I must ask, where were the women? It was disheartening to observe amongst this great celebration of psychedelics, the distinct absence of discussions and presentations dedicated to women's health and the interactions between psychedelics and the female body.

In the emerging field of psychedelics, there is a pressing need to prioritize research on the effects of these substances on women's biology. Despite their potential therapeutic benefits and the increase in use within female communities, our understanding of how psychedelics interact with the female body remains limited. Women's biology has historically been understudied, leaving us with significant knowledge gaps related to female-specific receptors, pathways, dosing guidelines, safety considerations, and treatment efficacy. Bridging this knowledge gap is essential to unlock the immense therapeutic potential of psychedelics for women.

Furthermore, the impact of the hormonal cycle on mood and experiences with psychedelics cannot be overlooked. Acknowledging and studying the influence of the hormonal cycle as an important factor in the set and setting of psychedelic experiences is a necessary starting point. This is before we even start to consider the possibilities hidden in research exploring potential benefits of psychedelics for female-specific disorders and conditions.

As a leading organization in the field, MAPS has a unique responsibility to champion comprehensive research in a new age of mental health treatments. It is disconcerting to witness a lack of emphasis on women in general when introducing new pharmacological mental health treatments. MAPS may soon be one of the first to licence a PTSD treatment with MDMA, a substance for which there is evidence to suggest gender differences and a conditions for which women can have gender specific presentation. We hope that when exploring the potential of licencing this treatment that women are not ignored once again.

This omission from the conference raises concerns about the current state of research and understanding regarding how psychedelics affect women. Unfortunately, we in Hystelica know far too well that there is not much meaningful research to pull from. But, there is hope. We were pleased to see a number of growing communities of women present and making themselves heard at the conference. I hope that these communities will help to focus attention on women’s use of psychedelics and form the driving force for the much-needed research.

Maybe next conference the landscape of interest and research in this area will be different and we’ll see you at the women’s stage?

Sincerely,

Grace Blest-Hopley, PhD & Zahira Z. Cohen, PhD

Founders of Hystelica

& Melissa Whippo, LCSW

Founder of Deva Collective

33
signatures
28 verified
  1. Ingeborg Monsen, Researcher, Hystelica, London
  2. Phoebe lamb, Beekeeper, Staffordshire
  3. Colby Blake, Artist, Newburgh
  4. Hailey M Llewellyn, Student, Pittsburgh
  5. Susan Walton, Investor, Frost Consulting, London
  6. Lynn Scharf, TWISP
  7. Roberta Jean, Artist, Edinburgh
  8. grace blest, Researcher, London
  9. Tina Williams, Writer, Dysphoric Project, Indianapolis
  10. Esther Oakley, Health educator, Columbia, MD
  11. Almudena Munoz Gracia, Doula and breastfeeding peer supporter, Sheffield
  12. Olga Norman, Publisher, Pocko, Berlin
  13. Lindsay Jones, Director, Affinity UK Consultants, London
  14. Jasmine Linane-Booey, Director, Spokane
  15. Dae’Ess 1Drea Pennington Wasio, Psychedelic Therapist, In8Vitality, Cannes
  16. Filipp Korentsvit, Director, NWPharmaTech, London
  17. Giorgia Caspani, Postdoctoral research fellow, UBC, Vancouver
  18. Katherine Little, Social Worker, Forest City, PA
  19. Dr. 1Drea Pennington Wasio, Psychedelic Therapist, In8Vitality, Cannes
  20. Lindsey Block, lecturer, Northwestern University, Vernon Hills, IL USA
  21. andrea Mastromatteo, Educator, ImagineArt, Austin
  22. Alexandra Pallas, Co-Founder, Beckley Retreats, Baltimore, MD
  23. Jem Williams, Ecologist, El Cerrito
  24. Polly Ringsell, Student, N/A, Wakefield
  25. Lena Butcher, Baker, lenabutcher@aol.com, Northern Ireland
  26. Jessica Jorgensen, Researcher, Running with Mushrooms, London
  27. Büsra Vatanacan, Student, University of Zurich, Zürich
  28. Francesca Panitteri, student, University of Cambridge, Cambridge
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