Rick Doblin

Rick Doblin is a pioneering leader in psychedelic science and translational mental health research, known for founding and leading the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). His work integrates clinical research, regulatory strategy, and public policy to advance the therapeutic potential of psychedelic-assisted treatments, particularly MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for trauma-related disorders.

Doblin’s academic formation spans psychology, public policy, and consciousness studies. He earned his B.A. from New College of Florida, conducting a long-term follow-up study on the Good Friday Experiment, and completed a Ph.D. in Public Policy at Harvard University, focusing on the regulation of medical uses of psychedelics and marijuana. He trained under Stanislav Grof in transpersonal psychology and holotropic breathwork, grounding his research in both scientific and experiential frameworks.

As MAPS’s executive director, Doblin has overseen clinical trials, regulatory engagement, and institutional governance, helping move psychedelic research from the margins to mainstream scientific investigation. Under his leadership, MAPS has designed and funded studies in multiple countries, navigating FDA protocols and ethical oversight to establish MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a promising evidence-based treatment.

Doblin is also an active public communicator and organizer, curating scientific discourse through conferences, publications, and public forums. His work has shaped the evolving landscape of psychedelic research, policy reform, and therapeutic innovation, bridging gaps between science, regulation, and societal acceptance.