In Canada, several patients say they have been victims of abusive behavior on the part of therapists from the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS, better known in French under the name of "Association multidisciplinary pour les études psychédéliques") during a study on MDMA (Ecstasy) performed in 2015, as reported by
Slate
.
According to our colleagues, the results of these clinical trials were published in May 2021. They demonstrated the benefits of MDMA for people with post-traumatic stress.
However, the podcast “Cover Story, Power Trip”, produced by New York Magazine, filed a complaint after collecting the testimonies of at least four people.
The Canadian government takes over the case
One of them accuses one of her therapists of sexual assault.
The latter acknowledges having had relations of this nature with his patient but assures that they were consented to.
Three other patients attribute to these clinical trials a deterioration of their mental health.
According to information from our colleagues, they were asked during the study to stop taking antidepressants.
Interviewed by
The Guardian
,
the co-creator of the "Cover Story, Power Trip" podcast, and also an expert in the psychedelic industry, believes that "a complete audit of all video footage and test data is necessary".
According to our British colleagues, the Canadian government has taken up the matter.
It is expected to report its findings next July.
All clinical trials could be suspended if a risk to patient safety were to be characterized.
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