Last updated : March 3, 2025
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in the midst of its first large study for psychedelic-assisted therapy in around 60 years. Phase 2 of the trial began in December 2024. That’s when the VA began enrolling veterans willing to participate in the study. It’s focused on using specific psychedelic drugs, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) to be exact, to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder.
MDMA is a psychedelic compound believed to increase emotional openness and reduce fear. Moreover, it’s believed that MDMA can promote introspection during psychotherapy sessions. The goal of the study is to gather definitive scientific evidence as to whether or not this drug, coupled with psychotherapy, is a viable treatment for PTSD, depression, and other related mental health conditions.
Many hope the theory proves true. It could allow suffering veterans to reroute their thought processes and begin making different choices as to how they react to the triggers that bring on the painful and often horror-filled thoughts causing them to lose control.
Further research initially blocked
The VA began seriously considering revisiting the abandoned possibility that psychedelic therapy might be used to treat veterans suffering with PTSD and related maladies back in September 2023. Federal clinicians, scientists, and policy makers assessed the scientific evidence made available to them. It included a small study conducted on using MDMA-assisted therapy to treat moderate to severe PTSD.
This study determined that MDMA significantly improved PTSD symptoms. Moreover, it came as a surprise to discover that seventy-one percent of the participants no longer met criteria for PTSD by the study’s end. Seventy-one percent! After reviewing this and other evidence, it was recommended the VA begin funding its own research.
After conducting a few small—non-VA funded—follow-up studies in VA facilities, the Under Secretary for Health, Shereer Elnahal, MD, said, “VA is on the cutting edge of clinical research for veteran health, including in the investigation of psychedelics for mental health.”
However, the high hopes in the mental health community, overall, were dampened in June 2024. It was then that an FDA panel voted against approving MDMA therapy for PTSD. It cited concerns about research practices and a failure to provide sufficient data regarding the adverse effects that included the potential for abuse.
The VA presses on
Meanwhile, the VA decided to move ahead with further research. After all, the administration had obtained a $1.5 million grant to be distributed over the next five years. It funded a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
The trial is being held in two locations; they are:
- Providence VA Medical Center in Rhode Island
- West Haven VA Medical Center in Connecticut
The study is being conducted by VA researchers who are affiliated with Yale and Brown Universities.
“Veterans and VA researchers have told us about the potential promise of psychedelics to treat mental health conditions for some time,” Elnahal said. “Now is our chance to study this potential method of treating Veterans with PTSD and major depression across the country.”
Pharmaceutical-grade MDMA is being used throughout the study.
The VA is currently involved in seven separate studies regarding whether or not MDMA and psilocybin are valid treatments for mental health disorders and other conditions. The results are eagerly awaited by many in the medical community and within the veteran community as well.
Groups rally in support
Veterans are behind the studies using MDMA and psilocybin-augmented psychotherapy to treat conditions such as PTSD and depression. The American Legion and Disabled American Veterans are among those organizations who are standing behind the need for research. Mental health provider groups have voiced support as they stand alongside our country’s finest as well.
Odds are that if a poll were conducted across our great nation that informed the participants of the results in these types of studies thus far, the majority of those participating would be in favor of it continuing. Seventy-one percent of the participants in a past study did not meet PTSD criteria by the study’s end.
That would be categorized as phenomenal news, wouldn’t it?
Living with PTSD
They say that living with PTSD is like living a nightmare that you can’t wake up from. Many veterans relive the horrors they experienced in war. They are taught in the military to squelch their immediate responses to the realities of war. Instead, they compartmentalize these experiences to deal with at a later date.
The problem is there has been a failure on the part of the military to see that their men and women can safely do that. Instead, many come home from service and while acclimating to civilian life, triggers around them bring back the bad times so suddenly that they are engulfed in the memories unable to escape.
Left untreated. things tend to keep growing worse. Many suffering from PTSD choose to withdraw from society as much as possible to avoid triggers. This can lead to depression and even suicidal thoughts. Meanwhile, becoming a recluse doesn’t end their suffering completely. They are still plagued by mental attacks. The frequency, however, varies from person to person.
Breaking free
If using psychedelic drugs as treatment for serious, life-altering mental health disorders is a viable alternative, it should be allowed. No one should have to suffer throughout their life being tortured by their thoughts. If using these drugs coupled with psychotherapy in a controlled environment allows people to reprogram the way they react to certain situations and thoughts, so be it.
People should be able to live life to the fullest. Especially, after fighting to defend and protect ours and those of others around the world.
