The Department of Veterans Affairs has released a call for research applications on the use of psychedelics in treating post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) or depression. This is a significant step on the road to increasing access to psychedelics-assisted therapies amongst the nation’s veterans.
The department, which said it’s the first time since the 1960s that it will fund psychedelics research, “intends to gather definitive scientific evidence on the potential efficacy and safety of psychedelic compounds such as Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and psilocybin when used in conjunction with psychotherapy to treat Veterans with PTSD and depression,” it said in a press release Friday.
Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs announced the new development. “Our nation’s Veterans are entitled to the best care and VA supports innovations that will provide this,” he said. This is an important first step in exploring the efficacy and potential of new promising treatments which could improve the quality of life of Veterans.
VA researchers have conducted “a small number of studies on psychedelics” in VA facilities with non-VA funds, according to the VA. However, the upcoming research will “permit the important next step in directly assessing the effectiveness and safety of MDMA and Psilocybin augmented psychotherapy among Veterans.”
Shereef Enahal, VA’s Undersecretary for Health, said, “We have known for some time that psychedelics could be used to treat mental illnesses.” She was referring to the premier episode of a podcast produced by the VA, which focused on psychedelic assisted therapy. Now is the time to examine this method for treating Veterans suffering from PTSD and depression.
The VA release notes that, in September, “more than 75 VA clinicians, scientists, and policymakers gathered in Denver, Colorado to assess the current state of scientific evidence regarding psychedelic assisted therapies.” Working groups at the conference “provided advice to VA Leadership, including the recommendation to VA to start funding its own research into these compounds.”
VA has not yet published the document on the VA website, so there are few details regarding the research that is at the core of the new Request for Application (RFA). Marijuana Moment’s request for information was not responded to immediately by the department.
The two co-founders, both bipartisans, of the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies hailed the news in Congress as a “huge development”.
@RepJackBergman, and I have been pushing the VA for years to investigate the impact of breakthrough treatments like these. The House actually passed our amendment last year to do exactly that.
We will not stop until all those who could benefit from these life-saving treatments can access them.
Rep. Lou Correa Jan. 5, 2024
Lou Correa, R-CA, said in a Friday statement that to say this moment was monumental would be a misstatement. “We have been pushing the VA for years to conduct research on the impact of breakthrough treatments, such as psychedelics. The House passed our amendment last year to accomplish this.” These therapies are one of the biggest breakthroughs in mental healthcare in the last half century. With some reports of up to 80% treatment success, it shows that there is a chance to cure our veteran’s invisible wounds.
Rep. Jack Bergman, R-MI, the co-founder of the PATH Caucus, called this news “the first step in the right direction” and promised to “continue to fight to advance promising therapies that can save the lives countless Veterans”.
Bergman stated in a press release that “if psychedelic therapy can treat servicemembers or Veterans’ PTSD or prevent them from committing suicide, then we owe them an active role in research these potentially lifesaving therapies.”
Rep. Morgan Luttrell, a retired Navy SEAL and former Navy SEAL who treated a traumatic head injury with psychedelics, applauded this announcement by the VA.
In an release, he stated that “this is great news for veterans and lays the basis for us to be able to save the life of those who have generously served our nation.” This is a huge step forward for the VA. It was made possible through working closely with Secretary McDonough, and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs commitment to find better solutions for veterans. We must keep pushing forward with these pioneering efforts in order to provide those who are facing these issues with another tool to add to their toolbox.
This is tremendous progress for the VA and great news for our veterans.https://t.co/hEdibAS6D3. pic.twitter.com/vtQXKGRVui
— Congressman Morgan Luttrell January 5, 2020
Luttrell has publicly stated that treatment with 5-MeODMT and ibogaine “changed my live”, and that it was “one the greatest things that happened to me.” He also championed the inclusion psychedelics-related provisions in the large federal defense bill signed by President Joe Biden last month.
The VA released stated that expanding psychedelics for veterans is also in line with the calls of Veterans Service Organizations, such as Disabled American Veterans and American Legion.
According to a survey conducted by Ohio State University, a majority of the public, military personnel and veterans, as well as their family members, support steps toward greater access.
Nearly two-thirds of veterans and active military respondents (64%) supported allowing VA physicians to legally recommend psychedelics if they believed it could benefit patients. This proposition was even more popular among military families (78%) and the general population (76%)
In November last year, a U.S. House Subcommittee held a First-ever Congress Hearing on Psychedelics. The panel focused on how substances such as psilocybin or MDMA could aid in the treatment of military veterans with mental health issues.
In California, a Republican legislator filed legislation this month that would create a workgroup to explore a regulatory framework for providing therapeutic access to psychedelics such as psilocybin or ibogaine. This group will also be responsible for exploring the possibility of allowing health professionals to administer some psychedelics.
This month, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA also confirmed that the spores from psychedelic mushroom are federally legal before germination as they do not contain psilocybin and psylocin.
Congressman Tells DEA To Reschedule Marijuana ‘As Swiftly As Possible’
Image courtesy of Workman.
The post Veterans with PTSD and Depression Get New Research Funded on Psychedelics first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
