J.C. Bouso warns of psychedelic bubble amid right-wing support paradox
José Carlos Bouso (Madrid, 1970), psychologist and PhD in pharmacology, is one of the world's leading experts on therapeutic uses of drugs. In 1999, while a doctoral student at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, he led a clinical trial on MDMA for treating PTSD in rape victims, funded by an American entity and approved by the ethics committee of Hospital de La Paz and the Spanish Ministry of Health. In May 2002, a press article exposed the study, sparking a scandal that led to intervention by the Comunidad de Madrid. Bouso now defends the psychiatric potential of certain psychedelics while warning of a 'psychedelic bubble'. He notes the paradox that right-wing political groups are currently the strongest supporters of these substances.
Key facts
- José Carlos Bouso is a psychologist and PhD in pharmacology.
- Born in Madrid in 1970.
- In 1999, he led a clinical trial on MDMA for PTSD in rape victims.
- The trial was funded by an American entity.
- Approved by Hospital de La Paz ethics committee and Spanish Ministry of Health.
- Study exposed by press in May 2002, causing scandal.
- Comunidad de Madrid intervened after the scandal.
- Bouso warns of a 'psychedelic bubble' and notes right-wing support paradox.
Entities
Institutions
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
- Hospital de La Paz
- Ministerio de Sanidad
- Comunidad de Madrid
Locations
- Madrid
- Spain