A sweeping bill for advancing research into psychedelic drugs would fund the Department of Veterans Affairs to examine ketamine, magic mushrooms and other hallucinogens for their potential medical use for a variety of ailments, from chronic pain to Parkinson’s disease. (Stars and Stripes)
WASHINGTON — The effectiveness of ketamine, magic mushrooms and other psychedelic drugs for treating a variety of medical conditions in veterans would be studied under a bill led by three Republican lawmakers who are veterans.
The Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act would establish five research centers at the Department of Veterans Affairs to examine hallucinogens for addressing chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance-abuse addiction, Parkinson’s disease, bipolar disorder and other conditions.
Rep. Jack Bergman, of Michigan, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant general, along with Reps. Morgan Luttrell and Dan Crenshaw, both of Texas and both former Navy SEALS, are co-sponsors.
The sweeping legislation would facilitate studies of federally illegal drugs that include MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and ibogaine, a hallucinogenic derivative from a West Central African plant.
Ketamine also would be part of the study. The drug is federally approved for limited use as a prescription drug administered in clinical settings, including as anesthesia and depression treatment.
The bill is pending a hearing before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and a Senate companion bill is expected to follow soon, according to lawmakers.
A two-hour public forum is set for Jan. 14 at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center to highlight the legislation and the role of “emerging therapies” using psychedelic drugs to treat veterans at risk of suicide.
The veteran suicide rate is roughly two times higher than the general population, according to the VA.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if psychedelic-assisted therapy can help treat a service member 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,” Bergman said.
Bergman, the highest-ranking combat veteran ever elected to Congress, co-chairs the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies Caucus with Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., who submitted the bill.
A panel discussion at the Capitol forum will feature Jay Kopelman, a former Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and author who chronicled his experiences using ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT, an “atypical psychedelic drug” developed from the secretions of a desert toad.
Several major veterans groups are backing the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act, including the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Wounded Warrior Project.
“By investing in research and access to breakthrough therapies, this piece of legislation tells those who have sacrificed for our country that their voices are being heard and listened to,” said Allison Jaslow, chief executive officer of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
Supporters say the legislation builds on current psychedelic-drug research by the VA that examines MDMA-assisted therapy for treating veterans with a dual diagnosis of PTSD and alcohol use disorder.
MDMA-assisted therapy involves an individual taking prescribed doses of the drug in a supervised clinical setting with a mental health counselor.
The VFW also urged lawmakers to consider psychedelic drugs as possible alternatives to “powerful psychiatric medications” that can lead to overdose and addiction.
