A setback for MDMA-based therapy

Also: Kicking off the Mayor's Cup Tennis Tournament; bookmark our voter guide [❤️ Donate]( [View in Browser](   August 12, 2024  ☀️ Today is sunny, with a high of 80 and a chance of scattered showers throughout the afternoon. Good Morning Boston, Yesterday's [closing ceremony]( in Paris marked the end of yet another record-breaking, memory-making Summer Games. Team USA took home a total of [126 medals this year]( (seven of which were awarded to athletes from Massachusetts, in case you were wondering). Let's get to the news: - Back to the lab: The Food and Drug Administration [has ordered further study]( - and an additional clinical trial - to show the safety and efficacy of Lykos Therapeutics' MDMA-based therapy as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. The ruling is [another setback]( for Lykos and its parent organization, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), who have [spent decades]( trying to bring midomafetamine capsules and psychedelic-assisted therapy to market. - Rick Doblin, president and founder of MAPS, told WBUR's Paul Connearney there is a tremendous need for new treatments for PTSD. [A 2021 study]( co-authored by Doblin [found MDMA, also known as molly or ecstasy, could lessen the symptoms of PTSD when paired with therapy]( but it's still categorized as a [Schedule 1 drug]( by the federal government. The FDA's decision to decline the drug's use is "one in a series of bumps in the road we'll need to figure out how to address," Doblin said. - Go deeper: [Research on psychedelics]( is growing in the commonwealth - literally. [In this greenhouse on top of Massachusetts General Hospital]( plants with psychedelic properties (and a history of criminalization) are being grown and studied for their chemical makeup and therapeutic potential. - Making it official: The Boston Parks Commission will vote this morning at 10 a.m. on a final plan to demolish and redevelop White Stadium in Franklin Park. - Plans for White Stadium have been embroiled in debate - from [disagreements over land ownership]( and [lawsuits]( to calls from advocates over environmental and community impacts. At the end of last month, the renovation and design concept for the new stadium had been approved, but the vote on the demolition plan was delayed. What's different going into this vote? The project has [garnered the support]( of the Franklin Park Coalition, a grassroots group that had previously voiced concerns about the project. - Remind me... The new stadium will become the home of Boston's National Women's Soccer League team. The state-of-the-art facility would also be the new home turf for Boston Public School students. Mayor Michelle Wu has said the stadium would be available for community use 90% of the time. - What's next: If today's vote goes through, the City of Boston is expected to begin demolition in the fall. - What it means to be a parent: For the first time in 40 years, the state's laws on parentage have received an update. This afternoon, Gov. Maura Healey will attend a formal signing ceremony for [the Parentage Act]( which [expands protections for parents]( who use reproductive methods, like in-vitro fertilization, surrogacy or assisted reproduction to start their families. - What to know: The bill has been championed by LGBTQ+ activists in Massachusetts for years. The law also updates the vocabulary used to discuss parentage, referring to a child whose parents are not married as a "nonmarital child" rather than a "child born out of wedlock." The bipartisan effort passed through the Massachusetts legislature [a little over a week ago](. - Let the games begin: It's not the Olympics, but the competition will be fierce as young Bostonians take to the tennis courts at the Carter Playground today for the Mayor's Cup Tennis Tournament. Over the course of four days, kids ranging from 8 to 18 will compete in singles and doubles matches [for the title of "Boston's Best."]( - Damian Margardo, the tournament's program manager, says the annual competition is a good opportunity for young people in the city to try a sport they may not usually play. Though [registration is closed]( locals of all ages are welcome to come cheer on the players from Monday through Thursday at 709 Columbus Ave. in Boston. P.S. - Healey will be live on Radio Boston today at 11 a.m. Get involved in the conversation by texting your questions for the governor to 617-766-0382. [Click here for more information.]( Hanna Ali Associate Producer, Newsletters The Rundown [Gun law opponents begin repeal campaign]( A gun owner advocacy group submitted a referendum petition to the state elections division, the first step in a process to repeal the firearms law Gov. Maura Healey signed late last month. [Read more.]( [Gun law opponents begin repeal campaign]( A gun owner advocacy group submitted a referendum petition to the state elections division, the first step in a process to repeal the firearms law Gov. Maura Healey signed late last month. [Read more.]( [Activists mobilize to find migrants shelter as state restrictions begin]( Small-scale efforts to help migrants are happening all over the Boston Area, from churches and activists opening up spaces to Haitians lending a hand to compatriots who arrive with nothing. [Read more.]( [Activists mobilize to find migrants shelter as state restrictions begin]( Small-scale efforts to help migrants are happening all over the Boston Area, from churches and activists opening up spaces to Haitians lending a hand to compatriots who arrive with nothing. [Read more.]( [Massachusetts voter guide: Your 2024 state primary breakdown]( The primary is set for Sept. 3 and features a variety of races, including GOP contests for U.S. Senate and House, as well as elections for state Legislature seats. Here's all you need to know about your voting options and who's on the ballot. [Read more.]( [Massachusetts voter guide: Your 2024 state primary breakdown]( The primary is set for Sept. 3 and features a variety of races, including GOP contests for U.S. Senate and House, as well as elections for state Legislature seats. Here's all you need to know about your voting options and who's on the ballot. [Read more.]( [Harvard rebuffs protests and won't remove Sackler name from two buildings]( Harvard University has decided against removing from campus buildings the name of a family whose company makes the powerful painkiller OxyContin. The decision last month by the Harvard Corporation to keep Arthur M. Sackler's name on a museum building and second building comes as several institutions around the world have removed the name. [Read more.]( [Harvard rebuffs protests and won't remove Sackler name from two buildings]( Harvard University has decided against removing from campus buildings the name of a family whose company makes the powerful painkiller OxyContin. The decision last month by the Harvard Corporation to keep Arthur M. Sackler's name on a museum building and second building comes as several institutions around the world have removed the name. [Read more.]( [New Hampshire Democrats are energized by the Harris-Walz presidential ticket]( Three recent polls show Harris with at least a 5-point lead over Trump in New Hampshire - evidence that the Democratic ticket is enjoying something of a honeymoon swoon. [Read more.]( [New Hampshire Democrats are energized by the Harris-Walz presidential ticket]( Three recent polls show Harris with at least a 5-point lead over Trump in New Hampshire - evidence that the Democratic ticket is enjoying something of a honeymoon swoon. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Over the last 150 years, there has been no conclusive evidence of mountain lions in New Hampshire. But that doesn't stop locals from reporting their big cat sightings. [Here's a look at what it's like to field these reports]( - and why some Granite Staters maintain mountain lions are definitely lurking around. - Zinnias, dahlias and even sunflowers are in season. Here in Massachusetts, there are a handful of farms that will let you take a stroll through their blossoming fields to create your own beautiful bouquet. [Check out our list of five farms to visit]( for pick-your-own flowers. - Still got Olympic fever? [These books recommended by the staff at Here & Now]( feature tales of Olympic glory and athletic triumph that will be sure to tide you over while you navigate the post-Games blues. - JD Vance is trying to "swift boat" Tim Walz. But in style and substance Vance, Trump and their Republican colleagues have shown nothing but contempt and disregard for men and women in uniform, writes Andrew Carleen, a U.S. Navy veteran, [in this Cognoscenti commentary.]( What We're Reading 📚 - Yes, Trump Was in a Scary Helicopter Ride. But Not With That Politician. ([The New York Times]( - Michael Brown's family reflects on loss, grief and Ferguson 10 years later ([PBS NewsHour]( - Jayson Tatum says 'tough personal experience' in 2024 Olympics won't affect decision to play in 2028 ([Boston.com](   Tell Me Something Good [Fossilized great white shark tooth in Narragansett found by beachcombing brothers (Cape Cod Times)]( Oliver and Sebastian Martinez were beachcombing with their mom, Lauren, when they found a white shark tooth believed to be at least 10,000 years old. They'll have an incredible show-and-tell treasure when they return to school this fall. [Read more.]( [Fossilized great white shark tooth in Narragansett found by beachcombing brothers (Cape Cod Times)]( Oliver and Sebastian Martinez were beachcombing with their mom, Lauren, when they found a white shark tooth believed to be at least 10,000 years old. They'll have an incredible show-and-tell treasure when they return to school this fall. [Read more.]( Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [Next stop, Bark Street.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.](   [Donate](   # # Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences](.   I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.   Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here](. Trustees of Boston University on behalf of WBUR, 890 Commonwealth Ave Boston, MA, 02215, US Copyright 2024 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.