THE MUSHROOM CURE to Offer 'Future of Psychedelic Therapy' Talkback Off-Broadway

Off-Broadway's THE MUSHROOM CURE will present a post-show talkback on Saturday, December 16. Written and performed by Adam Strauss and directed by Jonathan Libman, THE MUSHROOM CURE runs through January 7 at Theatre 80 St. Marks.

Inspired by a scientific study showing that hallucinogenic mushrooms may cure obsessive-compulsive disorder, Adam Strauss embarked on a program of vigilante psychopharmacology. By turns hilarious and harrowing, THE MUSHROOM CURE recounts the true-life story of Adam's attempt to treat his debilitating OCD with psychedelics.

The post show Talkback on Saturday, December 16 will feature Adam Strauss and special guest Ingmar Gorman, one of the foremost experts on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. The two will discuss "The Future of Psychedelic Therapy" including the promises and pitfalls of using these drugs for conditions like depression, OCD, and PTSD. They'll also discuss current clinical trials, including the FDA trials for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD that Gorman is currently leading in New York.

THE MUSHROOM CURE is sponsored by The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), the leading psychedelic research and advocacy organization. This run is also enabled by a generous grant from the Foundation for Fairer Capitalism.

Adam Strauss is a writer and performer based in NYC. He won the Leffe Craft Your Character Storytelling Competition and is currently penning a memoir based on The Mushroom Cure. He's also a professional stand-up comedian, appearing nightly at many of New York's best comedy clubs, and most of its worst ones. Adam received his B.A. in Psychology from Brown University.

Ingmar Gorman is the Administrative Director of the Psychedelic Education and Continuing Care Program at the Center for Optimal Living, where he leads groups, trainings, and works with individual clients. Additionally, Dr. Gorman has extensive training in treating substance misuse, drawing upon mentorship by Dr. Andrew Tatarsky and Dr. Jen Talley, in Harm Reduction Psychotherapy and Mindfulness based approaches. Dr. Gorman received his PhD in clinical psychology from the New School for Social Research. He completed his internship at Bellevue Hospital Center and is currently an NIH funded postdoctoral fellow at New York University's Behavioral Sciences Training in Drug Abuse Research Program (BST), which is NIDA's largest and longest-standing training program. Dr. Gorman is also site co-principal investigator and therapist on a Phase 3 clinical trial studying the potential psychotherapeutic utility of MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Jonathan Libman is currently directing and writing for Amy Schumer's ensemble company The Collective. As a member of The Actors Studio Playwrights/Directors Unit Jonathan is directing Chazz Palminteri (A Bronx Tale) in Palminteri's new play The Bench, and National Endowment for the Arts recipient David Libman's play The Townhouse, featuring Joey Collins. He recently worked with Christina Masciotti (2016 Guggenheim Fellow) on her play Raw Bacon From Poland, featuring Sean Carvajal (Stephen Aldy Guirgis' Jesus Hoped The A Train). Jonathan is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts Dramatic Writing Program. He keeps his inner kid alive and well as the starting shortstop of Hamilton - An American Musical softball team.

THE MUSHROOM CURE first ran in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, garnering widespread acclaim before debuting at the New York International Fringe Festival, where it won the Overall Excellence Award for Solo Performance. After further development, it was presented for a 4-week run at The Cherry Lane Theater in the summer of 2016, followed by an 11-week run at the Marsh Theater in San Francisco.

THE MUSHROOM CURE runs December 7 - January 7, Wednesday - Saturday at 7:30pm with added performances 12/26 at 7:30pm and 1/7 at 5pm. Please note that 12/29 & 30 are at 10pm. Theatre 80 St. Marks is located at 80 St. Marks at the corner of 1st avenue - accessible from the #6 train at Astor Place or the R/W at 8th street. Tickets are $35, available from OvationTix at 212-352-3101 or www.TheMushroomCure.com.