What Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies does

MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and educational organization founded in 1986 by Rick Doblin, Ph.D., and headquartered in San Jose, California. The organization's mission is to develop medical, legal, and cultural contexts for the beneficial use of psychedelics and marijuana through evidence-based research, education, and policy advocacy. MAPS has built its core franchise around MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, sponsoring the world's most advanced psychedelic-assisted therapy clinical research program — including Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials conducted at 15 sites across the United States, Canada, and Israel, with results showing 88% response rates among Phase 3 participants. The FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD in 2017, and MAPS-incubated Lykos Therapeutics submitted the first psychedelic-assisted therapy New Drug Application in December 2023, which was declined by the FDA in August 2024.

MAPS generates revenue through four primary streams: philanthropic donations and grants (cumulative giving exceeding $150 million since 1986), conference and event revenue (early bird registration for Psychedelic Science 2027 starting at $649 with 8,000+ expected attendees), online store sales of psychedelic-related publications and apparel (book prices ranging from $12.95 to $44.95), and membership program dues. The organization has incubated multiple operating entities including MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC, established 2014) for clinical trial administration, MAPS EU for European research, MAPS Canada for Canadian operations, and Lykos Therapeutics (now rebranded as Resilient) for drug development. MAPS operates additional revenue-adjacent initiatives including the Psychedelic Science conference series (running since 2010), the MAPS Bulletin newsletter (since 1988, with 1,400+ published articles), the MAPS Podcast, and the Zendo Project for harm reduction services.

The organization serves a diverse stakeholder base spanning veterans and trauma survivors seeking psychedelic-assisted treatment, mental health professionals requiring training in psychedelic therapy protocols, academic and clinical researchers, and policy makers working on drug reform. MAPS' distribution model is fundamentally relationship-driven: it reaches its audience through its international therapist education programs (operated in Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Switzerland, Italy, and Mexico), research partnerships with institutions such as Columbia University, Emory University, and Monash University, peer-reviewed publications, and active social media presence. Following the FDA's 2024 rejection of the MDMA NDA, MAPS welcomed President Trump's April 2026 executive order directing $50 million in federal funding toward psychedelic research, which the organization frames as a significant catalyst for renewed program expansion and regulatory progress.

Name

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

Legal name

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

Website

https://maps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

MAPS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that conducts psychedelic-assisted therapy research, trains therapists internationally, and advocates for psychedelic policy reform. Funded primarily by $150M+ in cumulative philanthropic giving, it sponsors MDMA-assisted PTSD clinical trials and convenes the Psychedelic Science conference.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Psychedelic Research and Advocacy

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Psychiatry & Medication Management Platforms (HLALAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Health & Substance Use Public Health Programs (BPAIAJAK), Neurodevelopmental & Behavioral Therapy Platforms (ADHD/Autism/Behavioral Coaching) (HLALAEAJ)

Keywords

• Psychedelic-assisted therapy research
• MDMA-assisted psychotherapy
• Harm reduction services
• Therapist training programs
• Drug policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

San Jose

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Donations and Grants: MAPS operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization primarily funded through philanthropic donations and grants. Since founding in 1986, donors and grantors have given more than $150 million to advance psychedelic research, change drug policy, and shape culture.
2. Conference and Event Revenue: Revenue generated from Psychedelic Science conference registrations, including early bird registrations starting at $649 for adults, with group discounts available. The PS27 conference is expected to draw over 8,000 attendees.
3. Store Products and Publications: Sale of psychedelic-related books and publications through the MAPS store, including titles like 'The Healing Journey' ($16.95), 'LSD Psychotherapy' ($19.95), and 'The Way of the Psychonaut' ($44.95), as well as apparel and accessories.
4. Membership Program: MAPS membership program providing supporters with exclusive updates, resources, and involvement opportunities in the organization's mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MAPS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that sponsors and conducts clinical research on psychedelic-assisted therapies (most notably MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, which has progressed through Phase 3 trials and received FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation), trains mental health professionals through an international therapist education program, advocates for evidence-based psychedelic policy reform, and provides harm reduction services through the Zendo Project. The organization also disseminates research findings via the Psychedelic Science biennial conference, the MAPS Bulletin newsletter, the MAPS Podcast, and a retail store of published titles.

Product overview

MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) is a nonprofit organization that operates as a research and educational enterprise rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include: (1) the MDMA-Assisted Therapy Research Program, its most advanced psychedelic drug development initiative that has progressed through Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials; (2) the Psychedelic Science Conference Series, a flagship biennial event connecting researchers, therapists, and policymakers; (3) the International Psychedelic Therapy Education Program for training mental health professionals; (4) the MAPS Podcast and MAPS Bulletin for disseminating research and educational content; (5) the MAPS Store offering published titles on psychedelics; and (6) the Zendo Project for harm reduction services. These offerings work together to advance MAPS' mission of creating legal, responsible, evidence-based pathways to psychedelics through research, education, and policy advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Psychedelic Science Conference Series Biennial flagship conference bringing together scientists, therapists, policymakers, and advocates in the psychedelic ecosystem; PS27 early bird adult registration starts at $649 with group discounts, expected to draw over 8,000 attendees.
• MDMA-Assisted Therapy Research Program MAPS' primary drug development research program investigating MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD; the world's most advanced psychedelic-assisted therapy research, including completed Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials with MAPP1 reporting an 88% response rate published in Nature Medicine (2021) and MAPP2 completed in November 2022.
• International Psychedelic Therapy Education Program Six-day intensive in-person training programs for mental health professionals covering MAPS' inner-directed therapeutic approach, preparation sessions, medication sessions, and integration sessions. Held internationally with 2026 programs in Switzerland (full), Italy (September 20-26), and Mexico (October 4-11, in Spanish).
• MAPS Store Online retail platform offering MAPS-published titles and educational materials including The Healing Journey ($16.95), LSD Psychotherapy ($19.95), Drawing it Out ($19.95), The Way of the Psychonaut ($44.95), The Pot Book ($24.99), as well as apparel and accessories.
• MAPS Bulletin Newsletter MAPS' long-running publication featuring psychedelic research updates, policy analysis, and community news, published since 1988 with 34 editions and approximately 1,400 published articles.
• MAPS Podcast Original podcast featuring curated audio archives from past Psychedelic Science conferences and unique events, with scientists, cultural luminaries, and MAPS team members. Hosted by Zach Leary and distributed via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and other platforms.
• Zendo Project (Harm Reduction Service) MAPS' psychedelic harm reduction initiative providing peer support, education, and resources for safe psychedelic experiences. Operates at events including Burning Man and provides integration support services for individuals in challenging psychedelic experiences.
• Psychedelic Integration Resources Evidence-based public information resources about psychedelic substances and integrated treatments, including the Integration Guide and policy guidebook.
• Ayahuasca Research Program MAPS research program investigating ayahuasca-assisted treatment for addiction, including observational studies examining safety and long-term effectiveness. Includes the first North American observational study of ayahuasca treatment for addiction conducted in British Columbia, Canada in collaboration with Dr. Gabor Maté.
• Ibogaine Research Program MAPS research program investigating ibogaine-assisted therapy, including observational studies of long-term effects on patients with opioid addiction conducted at treatment centers in Mexico and New Zealand; statistically significant reductions in addiction severity (p=0.002) and depression (p<0.001) have been observed.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88% of Phase 3 trial participants responded to MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Federal Government of the United StatescoreOthers · 18 April 2026Following President Trump's executive order directing agencies to accelerate reviews of psychedelic drugs, MAPS issued a statement welcoming federal action that includes $50 million in federal funding to study compounds including ibogaine, psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA.
• Columbia UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026MAPS and Columbia University partnered on a first-of-its-kind study to document how practitioners are facilitating MDMA-assisted couples therapy in real-world settings. The study conducts surveys and interviews with practitioners to map training, methods, and professional backgrounds in this emerging field. Research team includes Jae Sevelius, Ph.D. as Principal Investigator along with co-investigators Natalie Lyla Ginsberg, Baya Voce, McKenna Leighton, and Sabrina Cluesman, Ph.D.
• Emory UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 August 2024MAPS awarded Emory University researchers a $200,000 grant for a pilot study examining MDMA-assisted Massed Exposure Therapy for PTSD at the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program in Atlanta, Georgia. The study is led by Dr. Barbara Rothbaum and Dr. Jessica Maples-Keller, with enrollment open for 15-40 individuals.
• Monash University Clinical Psychedelic LabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023Collaboration with Australia's first Clinical Psychedelic Lab at Monash University for the first MAPS education program in Australia in August 2023. Over sixty mental healthcare clinicians attended the three-month program including a week-long intensive in regional Victoria.
• Lykos Therapeutics (now Resilient)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAPS incubated Lykos Therapeutics (now named Resilient), a drug-development public benefit company. Lykos brought MAPS-sponsored MDMA-assisted therapy research through the final stages of FDA review, including the New Drug Application submission in December 2023.
• The Zendo ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAPS established The Zendo Project, a leader in psychedelic harm reduction. The organization provides peer support at events like Burning Man and develops harm reduction resources and training for psychedelic integration and safety.
• MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAPS PBC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MAPS that has administered clinical trials since 2014. It conducts drug development activities and manages the Phase 3 clinical trial program for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD.
• MAPS CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAPS Canada sponsored the first North American observational study of ayahuasca treatment for addiction and dependence in British Columbia, Canada, in collaboration with independent psychiatrist Dr. Gabor Maté.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Atai Life Sciences: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing psychedelic and non-psychedelic therapies for mental health; comparable to MAPS as a major player in psychedelic drug development, though structured as a for-profit.
• MindMed: Public clinical-stage psychedelic medicine company developing LSD and MDMA-based therapies; comparable to MAPS in psychedelic therapy focus, though operating with venture-backed commercial incentives.

Emerging players

• Field Trip Health: Operator of psychedelic-assisted therapy clinics offering ketamine and psilocybin therapies; adjacent to MAPS as a clinical delivery channel for psychedelic therapies, though focused on ketamine rather than MDMA.

Direct peers

• Heffter Research Institute: Nonprofit research organization funding psilocybin research at leading academic institutions; comparable to MAPS as a philanthropic funder of psychedelic clinical research.
• Beckley Foundation: UK-based psychedelic research and policy reform nonprofit; comparable to MAPS in combining scientific research, policy advocacy, and public education around psychedelics.
• Imperial College Centre for Psychedelic Research: Academic research center conducting psilocybin and MDMA clinical trials; comparable to MAPS as a leading psychedelic research institution with international profile.
• Compass Pathways: Clinical-stage psychedelic medicine company developing psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression; comparable to MAPS as a leading organization pursuing FDA-cleared psychedelic-assisted therapies.
• Usona Institute: Nonprofit medical research organization sponsoring psilocybin clinical trials for depression; closely comparable to MAPS in mission, structure (501(c)(3)), and psychedelic therapy research focus.
• Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research: Academic research center conducting FDA-regulated clinical trials on psilocybin; comparable to MAPS as a leading nonprofit/academic institution advancing psychedelic science.

Others

• Drug Science (formerly DrugWise): Independent scientific body providing evidence-based drug information and policy analysis; comparable to MAPS in the policy-advocacy dimension of its work, though focused broadly on drug policy rather than psychedelics exclusively.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mapsnews
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/mapsmdma
• Facebookfacebook.com/mapsmdma
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/multidisciplinary-association-for-psychedelic-studies-maps-
• Instagraminstagram.com/maps__org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies