VA to expand psychedelic therapy research for PTSD
The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand research on psychedelic therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder and other military-related mental health conditions. Under the agreement, the agencies will increase clinical trial participation, train healthcare providers to administer psychedelic medications if they receive federal approval, and collect data to support patients, physicians, and federal regulators in evaluating these treatments. The VA also signed a separate agreement with the Food and Drug Administration to strengthen collaboration on developing therapies for serious mental health conditions.
This expansion follows an executive order signed by President Trump in April directing the FDA to accelerate its review of several psychedelic treatments for mental illnesses. The order specifically addressed research for ibogaine, a hallucinogen derived from an African shrub that some veterans have found helpful for anxiety, PTSD, and depression symptoms, and commits at least $50 million to increase research on ibogaine therapy. VA researchers are currently involved in more than 20 research trials examining psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin for treating severe PTSD, depression, substance abuse, and other mental health conditions.
The research addresses a significant gap in current treatment options for veterans with PTSD. Studies on PTSD in the general population have shown that a third may be resistant to traditional treatments, with up to 50 percent not responsive to psychological therapy and 40 percent untreatable with common medications. An estimated 4.8 million American veterans have used psychedelic drugs, according to a study released last month by the think tank RAND, with LSD being the most common at 19.6 percent reporting its use, followed by psilocybin at 18.6 percent.
The VA is currently conducting a study in Providence, Rhode Island, with 80 veterans comparing MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD and substance use with a placebo. This research comes after the FDA rejected a request in 2024 that MDMA be approved for treating PTSD in adults, citing the need for more research to determine its safety and efficacy. The Defense Department is also conducting a $4.9 million research study at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on the effectiveness of MDMA for treating mild to moderate PTSD.
For disabled veterans struggling with treatment-resistant PTSD, depression, or substance abuse, this expanded research represents a potential pathway to relief when conventional therapies have failed. Many veterans have already traveled to Israel, Mexico, and elsewhere over the past decade to receive psychedelic treatment for mental health disorders, often paying thousands of dollars out of pocket. The VA's commitment to rigorous clinical trials could eventually bring these treatments into the standard benefits package, making them accessible through VA healthcare facilities at no cost to eligible veterans.
VA officials emphasize that while the department is studying treatments using Schedule I drugs prohibited under federal law, veterans should not self-medicate with these substances or replace their medical treatment with unprescribed drugs. Proven, evidence-based treatments are currently available at VA facilities to treat veterans with mental health conditions. Veterans interested in participating in clinical trials or exploring current treatment options should consult their VA healthcare providers to discuss what approaches might be appropriate for their specific conditions and whether they might qualify for any ongoing research studies.
The memorandum of understanding does not immediately change available treatments but signals a significant policy shift toward exploring alternative therapies for veterans whose mental health conditions have not responded to traditional approaches. As these research efforts progress, disabled veterans should stay informed through their VA providers about new treatment options that may become available through the VA healthcare system.