Last week, Congress approved a defense spending bill that will fund military research and clinical trials of cannabis, psilocybin and other psychedelic drugs to determine their effectiveness in treating service members and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The passage of Section 723 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will provide military personnel with the opportunity to undergo psychedelic therapy and allocate $10 million to study this option as a new approach to mental health treatment.
Details about the new draft law
Back in June, the Senate Appropriations Committee proposed a military spending bill that contained several requests for the 2024 military construction budget. Among these requests was an important directive aimed at expanding research into the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. The committee called on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to investigate the potential of these substances to treat various health conditions that are common among veterans, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and chronic pain. This directive was a crucial component of a broader approach to treating veterans' mental health with psychedelic therapy.
The NDAA funding will allow researchers to continue investigating psychedelics and other "qualified" natural therapies, such as cannabis, as a treatment option for service members with mental illness. Although psychedelics and marijuana are federally illegal, active duty service members will be able to participate in clinical trials without breaking the law if they are diagnosed with a post-traumatic stress disorder and receive clearance from the Department of Defense.
Clinics participating in psychedelic research should discuss their findings with Congress and include details on treatment outcomes and medical conditions of participants. The results of these funded studies will further contribute to medical knowledge regarding the possibility of using these drugs as an alternative treatment for PSTD and TBI. Positive results could potentially change federal policy on the medical use of psychedelics and cannabis.
Results of previous studies
Numerous results from previous studies have revealed a promising link between psychedelics and their therapeutic potential, especially for those suffering from severe symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Recent studies have mainly focused on the medical value of MDMA and psilocybin, which have shown significant results in clinical trials.
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is actively studying MDMA therapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. In their Phase 3 study, MAPS reported that participants who received MDMA experienced improvement in PTSD symptoms for at least six months, and in some cases significantly longer, after treatment. These results demonstrate the long-term potential of MDMA therapy, especially for those with treatment-resistant PTSD. In 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designated MDMA as a breakthrough therapy, recognizing its potential effectiveness for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. This designation will accelerate treatment research, possibly leading to MDMA becoming an approved and regulated drug by 2024.
Similarly, psilocybin, the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms, has been given "breakthrough therapy" status because of its therapeutic potential for treatment-resistant depression. Psilocybin has been researched for a variety of mental health disorders and has been found to potentially help change the mind's wiring by increasing brain connectivity and disrupting long-term neural patterns of self-focus and reflection. Psilocybin has been shown to reduce neural connections in brain regions closely associated with depression, as well as increase network connections in other regions that were not properly integrated. Additionally, psilocybin and other serotonergic psychedelics can affect the 5-HT2A receptors in the brain, giving the brain the ability to reorganize in the days and weeks following treatment so that patients can experience changes in their thought patterns and emotional processing.
In addition to treating mental disorders, psychedelics can also offer significant benefits in the treatment of TBI due to their ability to affect neural pathways. When the brain has sustained a serious physical injury, these pathways can be significantly disrupted and negatively impact emotional regulation, cognitive function, and overall brain health. Recent studies have found that some psychedelic substances can help improve these symptoms of TBI and help the brain recover from the injury by reducing excessive neuroinflammation. Although there is not much research on the effects of psychedelics on TBI, the results of military trials may contribute to a better understanding of how these substances can help treat service members who have psychological and cognitive disorders related to trauma.
Hope for servicemen with post-traumatic stress disorder and TBI
Approximately 7% of veterans will suffer post-traumatic stress disorder in their lifetime, and 10.1% will suffer moderate to severe TBI. The prevalence and severity of these conditions greatly affect their quality of life, often leading to long-term disability, mental health and social problems. Psychotherapy and antidepressants are common treatments for PTSD, but they still have limited effectiveness, while psychedelics have shown better and longer-lasting results in recent studies ( 5 ).
Jonathan Lubecki, an Army and Marine Corps veteran, is a testament to the transformative power of these treatments. In 2017, Lubecky underwent MDMA therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in the Iraq War.
"I'm one of the lucky people on this planet who can say that I was treated for PTSD longer than I actually had it," said Lubecki.
After three doses of MDMA and eight therapy sessions, Lubecky no longer experiences the debilitating effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. Since then, he has become an advocate for psychedelic therapy and has worked with MAPS to raise awareness and gain FDA approval.
David Cook, executive director of the Special Operations Association of America (SOAA), recognizes the positive results that can be obtained from psychedelic therapy for military personnel.
"What has been proposed and implemented in the past is clearly not working today," Cook said in an interview with Stars and Stripes. "Legislation like this aims to give our heroes more options and hope for life-saving treatment."
The passage of the NDAA could be a life-changing opportunity for many veterans who have not had much luck with other treatment options for their medical conditions. Because of the growing research and increasing success of psychedelic therapy, many service members and veterans are eager to receive this potentially transformative treatment. However, the legal status of these drugs has made it extremely difficult to obtain this form of medical care. Now, thanks to recent legislative changes, psychedelic therapy may be more accessible to those who need it and one step closer to becoming a legitimate choice.
Marcus Capone, a medically retired operator of the SIXth SEAL Team, turned to psychedelic therapy when all other treatments failed.
"I honestly can't tell you how many different psychologists I went to," Capone said in an interview with Task & Purpose. "It was a traditional Western medicine approach-antidepressants and talk therapy-and I didn't get better."
After suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and a TBI during his service, Capone experienced severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts for several years. Desperate for a last chance, Capone attended a five-day retreat in Mexico where he was treated with two powerful psychedelics, ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT.
"This treatment saved my life," Capone said. "My life was so dark for a long time, and after these treatments, my whole perspective turned around - 180 degrees."
Capone's healing experience is yet another example of how psychedelic therapy can bring significant benefits to those who have experienced the trauma of war, providing a renewed sense of hope and possibility for veterans seeking alternative mental health treatments. As research continues to expand and legislative barriers begin to change, veterans and service members are one step closer to more accessible and effective treatment options. The passage of the NDAA demonstrates the U.S. military's recognition of the potential of psychedelic therapy, signaling a significant shift in traditional treatments and opening the door to therapies that may offer deeper healing and long-term recovery.
