Efforts to expand access to psychedelic therapy for veterans in the United States may face delays, particularly concerning the sourcing of ibogaine for research, according to the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). While the Trump administration seeks to accelerate the availability of psychedelics for therapeutic use, challenges in obtaining specific substances could impact the timeline.
VA Secretary Doug Collins addressed the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, noting the administration’s commitment to exploring treatments that could benefit veterans. He acknowledged President Donald Trump’s executive order on psychedelics and highlighted a collaborative effort between the VA and components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to advance this work, as reported by Marijuana Moment.
Expanding Psychedelic Therapy for Veterans
The VA is actively engaged in studies exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. Secretary Collins mentioned that trials involving MDMA are progressing ahead of schedule. A new trial on MDMA-assisted therapy for military veterans struggling with severe mental health disorders, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, has been launched at VA Providence Healthcare System in Rhode Island, according to a VA press release cited by Marijuana Moment. This study will involve approximately 80 veterans, comparing outcomes for those receiving MDMA alongside psychotherapy against a control group.
The VA currently has 19 active clinical trials focused on psychedelic therapies for mental health conditions, supported by over $23 million in external funding. The department emphasises that investigational treatments are delivered in a safe, controlled clinical setting using pharmaceutical-grade drugs under stringent safety protocols developed with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Ibogaine Sourcing Challenge
Despite progress with MDMA, Secretary Collins indicated that the next significant focus for the VA would likely be ibogaine. However, he cautioned that obtaining this substance for research will take time, as a federal source for ibogaine is not yet established, nor is its costing. The substance must first be cleared through the FDA.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also expressed the administration’s interest in creating a pathway for psychedelic therapy access, aiming to make it available to the public as quickly as possible, particularly for military personnel with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in a controlled setting.
Legislative Support and Clinical Considerations
Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) highlighted the urgency for veterans facing PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and treatment-resistant depression to access promising therapies. He referenced bipartisan legislation, co-sponsored with Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT), which aims to promote research into psychedelics by establishing a new office at the VA. This office would advance innovative treatments and assist in reviewing the scheduling status of substances like psilocybin, ibogaine, and MDMA, building on earlier coverage of legislative efforts by Hemp Gazette.
Secretary Collins noted that psychedelic therapies are “clinically intensive treatments.” He added that MDMA requires “almost 120 hours per patient with two psychiatrists going through this,” and that the VA is “working to work up to speed on that.”
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hemp Gazette does not provide medical recommendations, diagnoses, or treatment plans. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any decisions regarding your health or any medical condition. Statements concerning the therapeutic uses of hemp, cannabis, or cannabinoid-derived products have not been evaluated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Medicinal cannabis products in Australia are accessed via prescription pathways under TGA regulation.
