Betty Aldworth: MAPS, MDMA, and the Battle Over Psychedelic Medicine

In this episode of Divergent States , 3L1T3 sits down with Betty Aldworth , the new co-president of MAPS, as she steps into shared leadership with Ismail Ali following Rick Doblin’s four-decade run. Betty brings decades of experience in drug policy reform, from Colorado’s 2012 cannabis legalization campaign to leading Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and now helps guide MAPS through one of the movement’s most pivotal moments: the FDA’s rejection of Lycos Therapeutics’ MDMA-assisted therapy application. We unpack the tension between science and advocacy, urgency and rigor, and explore what real access means for people living with PTSD. Betty offers a candid, emotionally grounded look at the FDA’s critique, the role of stigma, and how MAPS plans to keep pushing forward through education, policy, and global research initiatives. Later, the conversation turns to the larger movement: political support from both sides of the aisle, state-level reform models, and MAPS’ upcoming 40th anniversary in 2026. Key Points Betty’s path from SSDP to co-president of MAPS The FDA’s rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy: what it really means How “positive adverse events” became a sticking point in the FDA review Durability of treatment effects and the debate over long-term data Balancing activism, science, and education under MAPS’ new leadership model The growing divide between regulatory caution and patient urgency Grassroots and state-level psychedelic reform gaining ground The stigma that still shadows MDMA despite decades of data Harm-reduction advice for those seeking underground healing What’s ahead for MAPS’ 40th anniversary and new research directions ⏱ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Intro — Bryan’s stage play, today’s guest: Betty Aldworth 02:00 – MAPS’ new leadership and legacy after Rick Doblin 05:00 – Betty on stepping into the role and the three MAPS pillars 08:00 – From activism to leadership — lessons from SSDP 11:45 – Balancing research, advocacy, and education 14:00 – FDA rejection letter — what really happened 16:00 – “Positive adverse events” and the question of abuse potential 22:30 – Durability of treatment and COVID-era data gaps 26:30 – Prior MDMA experience and bias — myth or factor? 29:20 – Politics, science, and the credibility dilemma 32:30 – RFK Jr., AOC, and politicization of psychedelics 35:00 – Echoes of the 1980s scheduling fight 36:20 – What comes next — Phase III, audits, and resilience 38:30 – MAPS’ evolving research priorities & global work 41:00 – Normalization, decriminalization, and stigma 43:45 – Science vs activism — carrying both forward 48:00 – State-level reform and slow federal process 50:30 – Cannabis rescheduling and broader reform 52:00 – A message to people living with PTSD 55:00 – MAPS’ 40th anniversary — what’s ahead 57:00 – Closing reflections — stay weird, keep exploring Thanks to Dyl👽Alien for the music! Send us Fan Mail Love the podcast? Help keep the conversations going by checking out our official merch shop! We've got t-shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs, stickers, and more, with new designs added regularly. Every purchase helps support independent, honest conversations about psychedelics, science, and culture. Shop now: https://divergent-states-shop.fourthwall.com/ FiresideProject.org Download the app or text/call 62-FIRESIDE Zendo Project Our listeners get 10% off the Zendo Project SIT Program with the code DIVERGENTS10 Discla