Novel Solutions | The Potential of MDMA in Canine PTSD
What is the future of psychedelic research in non-human animals?
You are invited to join with other members of our local Colorado and global veterinary community for a discussion aimed at creating spaces to discuss the future of psychedelic research as it pertains to non-human animals.
We are very excited for this upcoming community discussion which will be apart of our regular qFriday program. For us, this conversation represents many years of brainstorming and work dedicated to advancing advocacy for animals within psychedelic spaces. This mission includes creating conversation related to the therapeutic use of psychedelics in non-human animals for treatment of trauma and emotional disease where traditional approaches have not been successful. Through interest and support of amazing people such as Dr. Jim Grigsby, we are hopeful that these ideas can start to be translated into the real world.
Dr. Grigsby is a faculty member in the CU Denver Psychology Department, where he teaches cognitive neuroscience/neuropsychology and supervises research for graduate students in the clinical health psychology doctoral program. Occasionally he writes biosketches about himself in the third person.ย Dr. Grigsby also has a part-time appointment in the CU Denver School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Health Care Policy and Research, where he was a research scientist from 1992 until he came to the Psychology Department in 2008.
He was a co-discoverer of the Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome, which he has studied for over 20 years.ย Grigsby has an active research lab in which he works with both graduate and undergraduate students. In recent years, his primary interests have been in cognitive neuroscience, especially executive functioning, FXTAS, the gut-brain axis, and the psychotherapeutic uses and mechanism of psychedelic drugs and 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).
He has had funding from NIH (NIA,NINDS, and NIDCD) and several other federal, state, and private agencies and organizations, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Defense (DOD), Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT), and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Grigsby has been a member of both the Teamsters and United Auto Workers unions, drove a concrete mixer truck, and was a firefighter-EMT Basic for 13 years.
Jim Grigsby, PhD. University of Colorado Denver. 2024.
We hope you can join us as we delve into an exciting and unconventional topic: the potential study of MDMA in canine PTSD. MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy or Molly, has been a substance of significant interest due to its profound effects on human emotion and social behavior. In recent years, it has shown promise in therapeutic settings, particularly in the treatment of PTSD and other mental health conditions in humans.
However, today's discussion takes a unique turn as we explore the possibilities and ethical considerations of studying this substance in our canine companions. Dogs have long been valued for their remarkable empathy, social intelligence, and close bonds with humans. These characteristics make them intriguing subjects for studying the effects of MDMA, especially in understanding social behaviors and emotional responses.
The potential benefits of such research are multifaceted. On one hand, it could provide insights into the neurochemical underpinnings of social behavior in canines, which could have broader implications for understanding these processes in other animals, including humans. On the other hand, it could open new avenues for enhancing the well-being and emotional health of dogs, particularly those with anxiety disorders, behavioral issues or trauma when other methods have been unsuccessful or where euthanasia is the only perceived solution.
However, this area of research also raises critical ethical questions. The welfare of the animals involved, the potential risks and benefits, and the broader implications of using psychoactive substances in veterinary medicine must be carefully considered. Our goal today is to explore these dimensions through curious discussion.
We are excited to be in conversation with Dr. Grigsby, an expert in this field, who will share his perspectives on the feasibility, potential benefits and challenges of studying MDMA in dogs. Through this dialogue, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of this intriguing possibility and chart a course for responsible and ethical scientific exploration.
We hope you can join this landmark conversation!
** We are excited to announce that Dr. Erika Dyck, Historian & Author, will be joining us in conversation and also to discuss her new book Psychedelics: A Visual Odyssey. Dr. Dyck is a renowned international speaker on this historical and current cultural practices related to psychedelic medicines.*
*
Date: May 31st 2024
Time: 4-6pm MT
Speaker: Dr. Jim Grigsby & Dr. Erika Dyck
Cost: no cost / free
Location: CultivateWellbeingโs Virtual Waypoint, qFriday Colleague Connections
Register for this May 31st event HERE!
No cost to join
We are deeply grateful to Dr. Grigsby for gifting us with this session - there is no cost to attend.
Below are two of Dr. Grigsbyโs favorite charitable organizations, we encourage participants to consider making a donation to support organizations close to Dr. Grigsbyโs heart:
Chimp Haven - National Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Louisiana
Alaska Conservation Foundation
Additional Resources
Handbook of Medical Hallucinogens
Let us know youโre joining!
Please register in advance with this link so we know youโre coming. Weโre looking forward to connect with you (either again, or for the first time).
Register for this May 31st event through this link.
There is no cost to join this virtual event.
This event takes place within the CultivateWellbeing Virtual Waypoint during our qFriday virtual Colleague Connection meetings within our Auditorium.
Join us every Friday (4-6p MT) for colleague connection and fellowship with spaces for both mourning and laughter. We hope to see you soon!