North Michigan News

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced its decision to fund studies on new therapies for treating mental health conditions, specifically posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, in Veterans. This move has been applauded by Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Rep. Luis Correa (D-CA), who have been advocating for research into breakthrough therapies like psychedelics for years.

The VA's request for applications (RFA) will enable VA researchers, in collaboration with academic institutions, to study the use of certain psychedelic compounds such as MDMA and psilocybin in conjunction with psychotherapy. The goal is to gather scientific evidence on the potential efficacy and safety of these compounds in treating PTSD and depression in Veterans.

Rep. Bergman expressed his gratitude for the VA's commitment to researching potentially life-saving therapies, stating, "If psychedelic-assisted therapy can help treat a servicemember or Veteran's PTSD, or prevent them from taking their own life, then we owe it to them to take an active role in researching these potentially life-saving therapies." He also acknowledged the leadership of Rep. Correa in advancing this cause.

Rep. Correa emphasized the significance of this moment, calling it a monumental step towards addressing the invisible wounds of Veterans. He highlighted the potential of psychedelic therapies to be one of the largest breakthroughs in mental health treatment in nearly half a century, with reported success rates of up to 80%. He expressed his pride in working alongside Rep. Bergman and their bipartisan Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus to push for VA research in this field.

The PATH Caucus was founded in 2022 to improve lawmakers' understanding of psychedelic research. Last year, their amendment to the VA spending bill, which directed the VA to conduct a large-scale study on MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, was unanimously approved by the House. This demonstrated clear Congressional support for further research into psychedelics and paved the way for the VA's current funding announcement.

The VA's decision comes after Rep. Bergman questioned VA leaders during a November 2023 hearing, urging them to be leaders in psychedelic research and treatment. Now, with the funding in place, the VA can contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of psychedelics in mental health treatment.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough emphasized the importance of providing the best care for Veterans and supporting innovations that can improve their health and quality of life. He stated, "This is an important step to explore the efficacy of a potential new set of promising treatments that could improve the health and quality of life for Veterans."

Dr. Shereef Elnahal, VA's Under Secretary for Health, acknowledged the potential promise of psychedelics in treating mental health conditions and expressed the opportunity to study this method of treatment for Veterans with PTSD and major depression.

While psychedelic compounds are controlled substances, tightly restricted under federal law, research on these compounds can be conducted with appropriate regulatory approvals from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The FDA has already granted breakthrough therapy status for MDMA and psilocybin based on promising preliminary research evidence.

The VA's decision to fund studies on psychedelics aligns with calls from Veterans Service Organizations and mental health provider groups. The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024 also authorized the study of psychedelics within military populations by the Department of Defense. The VA's involvement in research on psychedelics will contribute to the broader effort to find effective treatments for PTSD and depression.

It is important to note that VA does not recommend psychedelics for use as part of a self-treatment program. However, the VA is committed to providing resources and support for Veterans struggling with mental health or substance-use disorders.

The VA's investment in researching breakthrough therapies like psychedelics reflects a growing recognition of the potential benefits these treatments can offer to Veterans suffering from PTSD and depression. With this funding, the VA aims to improve the care and well-being of our nation's Veterans and take a leading role in this promising field of research.

To learn more, click on this link: https://bergman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1159