Mount Sinai's Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research today announced a $2.1 million charitable contribution by the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. The gift will be used to help fund a large study comparing two and three sessions of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in combat veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study is being sponsored by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS).
"Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy represents an entirely new treatment approach for veterans with trauma-related conditions like PTSD and depression," said Alexandra M. Cohen, President of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. "We are excited to support this innovative work and look forward to seeing the potential impact of this study on veterans and their families."
PTSD and trauma are highly prevalent in our society. More than 70 percent of Americans will experience a major traumatic event in their lifetime. More than 8 million adults are diagnosed with PTSD each year in the United States, and seven to eight out of every 100 Americans will experience PTSD at some point during their lives. PTSD is a particularly significant problem for combat veterans. Many patients remain with significant PTSD symptoms even after a course of therapy. A recent phase 3 clinical trial sponsored by MAPS demonstrated significant benefits for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in reducing PTSD symptom severity and promoting sustained wellness.
"The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation has been at the forefront of philanthropic giving for the benefit of our combat veterans. This generous gift will allow us to dedicate our efforts to studying the effect of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in combat veterans with PTSD," says Rachel Yehuda, PhD, Director of Mount Sinai's Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research. "We are extremely grateful for their support of our mission to revolutionize the treatment of trauma survivors with psychedelic psychotherapy and better understand the mechanisms of resilience and recovery from trauma."
Under the direction of Dr. Yehuda, Mount Sinai's Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research examines the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds such as MDMA and psilocybin for post-traumatic stress disorder and other trauma-related symptoms.
About the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation
