HRI News

CIENCIA (SCIENCE) BRAZIL

admin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:56:40 +0000

Dr. Cibele Ruas, in the January 6, 2012 issue of Brazil’s, CIENCIA (SCIENCE), writes on Dr. Roland Griffiths ground-breaking studies on the long lasting positive affects of psilocybin on personality. She also addresses Dr. Griffiths current study with psilocybin on the treatment of anxiety and depression in terminal cancer patients. It is encouraging that Heffter research is reaching an international audience. The Heffter Institute thanks Dr. Ruas for her interest. The full article can be enjoyed in the following attachment.

CIENCIA (SCIENCE)

Bloomberg Businessweek ‘Magic Mushrooms’ Return to Psych Labs 40 Years After Leary

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:39:40 +0000

The respected financial site, Bloomberg Businessweek, has released an extremely positive article on the study of hallucinations. The article features Heffter Board members Dr. Dave Nichols, Dr. Roland Griffiths, Dr. Charles Grob, and Dr. Stephen Ross. The Heffter Research Institute is also prominently mentioned as the source of funding for “… 70 studies in research journals since 1999.” To enjoy the full article please follow the link:

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-08/-magic-mushrooms-return-to-psych-labs-40-years-after-leary.html

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Turn on, tune in and get better?

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:46:25 +0000

The Los Angeles Times on November 29, 2011 featured a very positive survey article on the status of hallucinogenic research and the changing perceptions concerning these compounds in the medical community. As the Times states, “Hallucinogens and other street drugs are increasingly being studied for legitimate therapeutic uses, such as helping patients with post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, chronic pain, depression and even terminal illness.” The research of Heffter Board members, Dr. Charles Grob and Dr. Roland Griffiths, is prominently featured including a wonderful photo of Dr. Grob in his perpetually disheveled office. On a side note Times writer, Melissa Healy, needs commending for using “hallucinogens” and not succumbing to the ever so problematic “psychedelic.” While the word is appropriate, it does, regrettably, conjure the stigma that has so effectively shut down this research for thirty years.

Two notes of correction:

Dr. Roland Griffiths is not a “psychopharmacologist” but is Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr. Michael P. Bogenschutz is not based at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Dr. Bogenschutz is Professor and Vice Chair for Research and Addictions in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Please follow the link for the Los Angeles Times article:

http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-drugs-of-abuse-20111130,0,969113.story

Dr. Stanislav Grof, M.D., PH.D.

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:59:17 +0000

The Heffter Research Institute is honored to present its Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Stanislav Grof. The award was presented to Dr. Grof at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center in Joshua Tree, California on September 23, 2011 by Heffter Board Member, Dr. Charles Grob. Dr. Grof is one of the worlds leading experts in psychedelics and hallucinogens in relation to psychiatry and psychology.

As he states, ”… the potential significance of LSD and other psychedelics for psychiatry and psychology was comparable to the value the microscope has for biology or the telescope has for astronomy. My later experience with psychedelics only confirmed this initial impression. These substances function as unspecific amplifiers that increase the cathexis (energetic charge) associated with the deep unconscious contents of the psyche and make them available for conscious processing. This unique property of psychedelics makes it possible to study psychological undercurrents that govern our experiences and behaviours to a depth that cannot be matched by any other method and tool available in modern mainstream psychiatry and psychology. In addition, it offers unique opportunities for healing of emotional and psychosomatic disorders, for positive personality transformation, and consciousness evolution.”

Dr. Grof is an inspiration to generations of scientists, who, because of him, have not let this field of inquiry vanish.

The following are images of Dr. Charles Grob presenting the award and a close-up. Dr. Grof is on the left.

All of us at Heffter send Stan and Christina Grof our very best wishes!

SCIENCE IN FOCUS ( WISSENSCHAFT IM BRENNPUNKT)

admin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:48:24 +0000

Germany’s public radio and television broadcaster ARD has just presented a half hour program on hallucinogens.

Die Wiederkehr der magischen Pilze

Halluzinogene in der Psychotherapie

The return of magic mushrooms

Hallucinogens in Psychotherapy

The program is present by Arndt Reuning.

Featured in the program is Heffter board member Dr. Charles Grob’s ground breaking study on psilocybin’s efficacy in the treatment of anxiety and depression in terminal cancer patients. Heffter consultant and spokesperson, Mr. Norbert Litzinger, is also interviewed concerning the tragic death of his wife, Pamela Sakuda, who participated in Dr. Grob’s study and greatly benefited from it.

The program is in transcription and audio in German and can be read and listened to here. The transcript is translatable through Google or other translation applications. Please click the following title and then click the title with the audio symbol.

Die Wiederkehr der magischen Pilze

ARD is the second largest public broadcaster in the world with a national and international reach. It utilizes every form of electronic communication. For more information please link to: http://www.ard.de/ .

Flashback! Psychedelic research returns

admin — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:20:37 +0000

Lame puns aside Alexander Zaitchik extensive article on psychedelics in SALON is a fine overview concerning their history and present medical status. Prominently featured are Heffter researchers, Dr. Stephen Ross, Dr. Roland Griffiths and Dr. Charles Grob.

To enjoy the full flashback: http://life.salon.com/2011/09/28/the_new_lsd_cure/singleton/

Psilocybin at the End of Life: A Doorway to Peace

admin — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 20:39:03 +0000

Heffter board member, Dr. Stephen Ross, has written a profoundly accessible article on the somber topic of dying. Dr. Ross addresses the medical communities’ odd reluctance in dealing with death and the distress this further inflicts on patients. He discusses “bad death” and “good death” in relation to health care and the dying. Spirituality and religion are integrated in his discourse. Most importantly solutions are presented. The article can be viewed in its entirety in the current journal of IONS (INSTITUTE OF NOETIC SCIENCES). Please follow the link:http://www.noetic.org/noetic/issue-fifteen-october/psilocybin-at-end-of-life/

For more information on IONS please visit their site: http://www.noetic.org/

PSILOCYBIN CAN MAKE LASTING POSITIVE PERSONALITY CHANGES

admin — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:16:28 +0000

Dr. Roland Griffiths, Heffter board member, at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is the subject of two articles on the long lasting positive affects of psilocybin on personality. Dr. Griffiths study was also published in The Journal of Psychopharmacology. He is, currently, leading two studies on anxiety reduction in cancer patients and smoking cessation therapy with the use of psilocybin. These studies are supported in part by the Heffter Research Institute .

The articles can be viewed at:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-29/magic-mushrooms-can-make-lasting-personality-changes-study-says.html

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/09/29/bloomberg_articlesLS96451A74E9.DTL&tsp=1

The study for cancer is open for enrollment, for further information please follow the link: http://www.bpru.org/cancer-studies/

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY: NYU Psilocybin Cancer Anxiety Study

admin — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:39:03 +0000

The PSILOCYBIN CANCER ANXIETY STUDY at NYU under the direction of Heffter board member Dr. Stephen Ross has launched their new web site.

They are looking for volunteers to participate in a scientific study exploring the effects of spiritual or mystical states of consciousness on anxiety and emotional distress associated with a diagnosis of advanced, recurrent, or potentially life threatening cancer.

For further information please visit:

http://www.nyucanceranxiety.org/

The original investigation of Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences has been published in PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY

admin — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 21:04:09 +0000

The study was conducted by Dr. Roland Griffiths and his co-researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Please read and ponder the implications of this fascinating study and its conclusions at the following link.

http://www.springerlink.com/content/u464377x433p5957/fulltext.pdf

Dr. Griffiths is currently engaged in a Psilocybin study designed to ameliorate the symptoms of anxiety and depression in those facing a diagnosis of life threatening cancer. The study is open and actively recruiting patients. For more information please follow the link.

http://www.bpru.org/cancer-studies/