The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation Grants More than $2.1 Million to Support a Psychedelics Research Study at Mount Sinai
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).
The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research in the Department of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai 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, The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research in the Department of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai 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
The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation is committed to inspiring philanthropy and community service by creating awareness, offering guidance, and leading by example to show the world what giving can do. Since launching the Foundation in 2001, Steven and Alexandra Cohen have generously funded local and national nonprofit organizations that uplift the communities in which they serve. The Cohens' giving reflects their personal connection with the causes that inspire them. To learn more, please visit steveandalex.org or follow @CohenGive on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About the Mount Sinai Health System
Mount Sinai Health System is one of the nation’s leading integrated academic health systems and one of the largest in the New York metropolitan area. Its comprehensive system includes seven hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, over 600 research and clinical laboratories, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and the Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing. Together, the Health System comprises approximately 48,000 employees, more than 9,000 physicians, and 8,600 nurses.
As a leading learning health system, Mount Sinai combines clinical expertise with scientific discovery to improve patient care while training the next generation of health care and biomedical leaders. The Health System provides care across every stage of life, from prenatal care through geriatrics, while advancing personalized medicine through artificial intelligence, data science, and biomedical research.
Mount Sinai is consistently recognized among the nation’s leading academic health systems for patient care, research, and education. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 1 in New York by Newsweek and No. 5 on the magazine’s World’s Best Hospitals list. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai ranks No. 11 among U.S. medical schools and No. 1 among freestanding medical schools for National Institutes of Health funding, reflecting the strength of its scientific enterprise and leadership in biomedical research.