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About us

Between 1927 and 1966, Italian psychiatry played a leading role, with more than 60 clinical research projects across the country involving the use of psychedelic substances. After a long period of silence due to global prohibitionist policies, today in Italy the debate and research on these topics seem poised to resume, partly because of the health emergency and the exponential increase in signs of psychological distress.

MAPS Italia, formally constituted in 2024, was created to promote an informed dialogue on the therapeutic use of psychedelic substances, offering a scientific perspective grounded in research evidence.

MAPS Italia is affiliated with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), the American nonprofit founded by Rick Doblin that for about 40 years has been committed to research and to sharing information on psychedelic science and integrative medicine, with the goal of creating medical, legal and cultural contexts that support the therapeutic use of these clinical intervention methods.

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Team

We are MAPS Italia ETS, a non-profit Entity of the Third Sector under Italian law, established to promote the creation of the nonprofit foundation through a system of voluntary donations. Our team and our activities are supported by an international network of advisors, experts and researchers with decades of experience in mental health and integrative medicine.

Michèle Anne Barocchi, PHD

Michèle Anne Barocchi, PhD

President | Co-Founder

Diletta Cecchi

Diletta Cecchi

Co-Founder

Federico Menapace

Federico Menapace

Co-Founder

Bio

Federico’s journey into this field began with profound personal loss to suicide at a young age. The impact of that trauma stayed with him for years, manifesting as anxiety and depression, until he discovered firsthand the transformative power of psychedelic therapy. That shift changed the course of his life and clarified his purpose: to help others access the same kind of care that brought him back to health and serenity.

Fede built a diverse career in structural engineering, management consulting at McKinsey & Co., technology leadership at Segment (acquired by Twilio), and nonprofit leadership as COO at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), where he led funding campaigns supporting research on MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD and later guided the nonprofit’s global initiatives, including the launch of the international MDMA therapist education program. Today he is Chief Growth Officer at Beckley Retreats. He holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Fede believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive and that access to tools for mental and emotional wellbeing should be recognized as a universal human right. As both a leader and a father, he is committed to making safe, well-supported psychedelic care accessible to all who need it.

Letizia Renzini

Letizia Renzini

Co-Founder

Bio

Letizia Renzini lives and works in Florence. A director, musician, performer, curator and writer, she takes a multidisciplinary, feminist approach that weaves together sound, music, image, voice and writing, which she considers fields, as she does art, life and death. She comes from the avant-garde art and music scene, was a voice of Rai Radio 3, has written for Musica Jazz and Il Manifesto, and has worked with great masters of contemporary theatre and of classical and contemporary music. Her works of new music theatre have been produced and presented at venues such as the Venice Biennale, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin, the Linbury Theatre at the Royal Opera House in London and the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto. In 2015 Il ballo delle ingrate, based on the Baroque repertoire of Monteverdi and Barbara Strozzi, received the international Music Theatre Now award; that same year she founded Ingrate Art Productions, with which in 2020 she conceived and directed the festival Happening! at the Manifattura Tabacchi in Florence. Her Don Giovanni Stanco / Tired Don Giovanni premiered in 2023.

In recent years her research has opened up to expanded states of perception and consciousness, which she writes about for Il Manifesto and Alias. She is a co-founder and cultural director of MAPS Italia, for which she edited the volume Il bosco fiorito. Psichedelia: orizzonti di cura (2023; new edition Animamundi, 2025), and she takes part, with Prof. Bruno Neri, in studies on science and spirituality conducted between the University of Pisa and the Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa in Pomaia. She is a yoga facilitator (Ashtanga modified primary series) and a DJ, extending her sonic and musical research to support and accompany perceptual crossings.

ingrateartproductions.com · letiziarenzini.com

Marco D’Alimonte

Marco D’Alimonte

Co-Founder

Bio

Italian-American, Florentine by birth, with twenty years spent across several European capitals, Marco D’Alimonte is curious by nature and loves technology. He has a soft spot for smart shortcuts: whatever the problem, he looks for the simplest way to get from A to B. He spent many years as a manager in fast-paced international environments, and came away with a taste for getting things done well, without wasted motion.

At MAPS Italia he puts that mindset to work on strategy and on growing the association into a foundation. The question he keeps coming back to is how to get psychedelic-assisted therapy from research to the people who need it, safely and by the most direct route. The rest of the time he’s on the farm with his kids, making his own olive oil and soon his own wine. It’s also where, among the olive trees and the vines, he happily cultivates his own balance and the joy of being present.

FAQS

  1. Which mental health conditions can be treated with psychedelic-assisted therapy?

Psychedelic-assisted therapies are currently being studied for the treatment of:

  • Mood disorders
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Treatment-resistant depression
  • Anxiety associated with terminal illness
  • Substance use disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  1. How do psychedelic-assisted therapies compare with traditional therapies in terms of efficacy and safety?

Psychedelic therapies can complement, not replace, the system of traditional therapies. For cases of treatment-resistant depression, the results are very promising. Safety is ensured by rigorous clinical protocols.

  1. Is there a risk that psychedelic-assisted therapy could lead to drug abuse or substance dependence?

The therapies are administered in controlled clinical settings. Studies show a very low risk of dependence, and not at a physical level. Continuous patient monitoring is essential and built into the therapeutic system.

  1. What assurances are there about the long-term effects of using psychedelics in therapy?

Research is promising but still ongoing to assess long-term effects. The safety and efficacy of these therapies are still being studied in clinical trials. Caution and monitoring remain essential.

  1. Where can I access this type of treatment?

Currently, only one clinical trial in psychedelic-assisted therapy is under way in Italy, at the University of Chieti. See the pages on our website dedicated to the individual substances to learn about developments worldwide and in Europe.

  1. Can I access psychedelic-assisted therapies outside of clinical studies?

Currently, access to psychedelic-assisted therapies outside of approved research settings is not legal in Italy. MAPS Italia does not promote or facilitate the unauthorized use of controlled substances. We encourage interested people to seek information through official channels and to take part in clinical studies when available.

  1. What is the current state of research on psychedelic substances in Italy?

In Italy, only one clinical trial in psychedelic-assisted therapy is currently under way, but research on psychedelic substances is enjoying renewed interest from the scientific community. MAPS Italia is working to promote clinical studies and collaborations with Italian universities and research centers to explore the therapeutic potential of these substances.

  1. Are psychedelic substances legal in Italy?

In Italy, many psychedelic substances such as LSD, psilocybin, MDMA and ibogaine are classified as narcotic or psychotropic substances and are included in the schedules of controlled substances. Their production, trade and possession are prohibited, except with specific authorizations for scientific or therapeutic purposes. Ketamine is authorized for medical use as an anesthetic; for treatment-resistant depression, esketamine (nasal spray) is authorized, while ketamine can be used legally off label for depression. Their use is strictly regulated.

  1. Is it possible to take part legally in clinical studies involving psychedelic substances?

Yes, if the clinical studies are approved by the competent authorities and conducted in compliance with Italian and European law. Participants must give informed consent and meet the study's inclusion criteria. MAPS Italia will inform the public about opportunities to take part in approved studies when available.

  1. How do you respond to concerns about insufficient regulation and potential uncontrolled recreational use?

Strict regulation is needed to prevent abuse. The therapies must remain in clinical settings under professional supervision. The goal is to ensure safe and controlled access.

  1. Given the costs and resources required, isn't there a risk that psychedelic therapies will become an elite treatment, accessible only to those who can afford it, leaving out the people who need it most?

The goal is to ensure that therapies are accessible to everyone, not only to those who can afford them. MAPS promotes dialogue with institutions to create equitable access models. The therapies must become an inclusive resource.

  1. What is the position of Italian medical organizations on psychedelic therapies?

To date, there is no unified official position from Italian medical organizations on psychedelic-assisted therapies. However, academic and clinical interest is growing, with some professionals and institutions taking part in conferences, studies and discussions on the topic. MAPS Italia promotes dialogue and collaboration with the medical community to increase awareness and understanding.

  1. Is MAPS Italia connected to MAPS in the United States?

Yes, MAPS Italia is affiliated with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), based in the United States. We work closely together to promote research and education on psychedelic-assisted therapies globally, adapting them to the Italian context.

  1. Does MAPS Italia receive funding or support from companies that could profit from the commercialization of psychedelics?

MAPS Italia is a nonprofit association and is transparent about its funding. Partnerships with companies are evaluated ethically. Our mission is to promote informed dialogue and research, and funding is therefore devoted to these two goals.

  1. How can I stay up to date on MAPS Italia's activities?

You can fill out this form and leave your contact details to receive all our updates. Also follow us on our social media channels and visit our website often for the latest news and events.

  1. Are there collaboration opportunities with MAPS Italia for professionals or researchers?

Yes, we are always interested in collaborating with mental health professionals, researchers and organizations that share our mission. Contact us at [email protected] to discuss possible collaborations and projects, or leave your contact details by filling out this form.