Many veterans in the dark about disclosure of psychedelic therapy to VA, study finds

Marine Corps combat veteran Matt Metzger poses with a plate of psilocybin mushrooms he grows for microdosing in Olympia, Wash., March 26, 2025. Nearly half of U.S. veterans are uncertain whether disclosing psychedelic drug use to their VA doctors could jeopardize their benefits, a new report found, even as support grows for making psychedelic-assisted therapy available to veterans. (Lindsey Wasson/AP)

Nearly half of U.S. veterans are uncertain whether discussing psychedelic drug use with Department of Veterans Affairs doctors could jeopardize their benefits, according to a new report.

The study, released earlier this month by the Rand Corp., surveyed veterans about their experiences with psychedelic drugs, including psilocybin mushrooms and LSD.

The findings come against a backdrop of growing support among veterans for making psychedelic-assisted therapies available. Using such drugs to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions has been debated for years in the military community.

However, researchers found that 48% of veterans were unsure whether speaking to a VA physician about using psilocybin could put their benefits at risk.

The findings point to widespread confusion about VA policies at a time when clinical research into psychedelic-assisted therapies is expanding.

So far, the VA has neither published a directive encouraging patients to discuss their use of psychedelics with care providers nor made it clear that veterans would not be denied VA benefits for using those substances outside of clinical trials, Rand said.

The Department of Veterans Affairs building is seen in Washington in this 2014 file photo. Nearly half of U.S. veterans are uncertain whether disclosing psychedelic drug use to their VA doctors could cost them their benefits, a new report found, even as support grows for making psychedelic-assisted therapy available to veterans. (Karen Bleier/AFP)

The VA, however, said Tuesday that it has issued guidance related to the use of psychedelics.

The VA “strongly discourages self-medicating or attempting to replace other mental health treatment options with psychedelics or any other unprescribed substances,” the agency said in a statement.

“Proven, evidence-based treatments are currently available at VA facilities to treat veterans with mental health conditions. Veterans should always consult their health care providers before making any treatment decisions,” the VA added.

Overall, the survey found broad interest in therapeutic uses of psychedelics in the event of federal approval.

For example, 54% of veterans said they would support a VA policy of providing or paying for psilocybin-assisted therapy the Food and Drug Administration gave it regulatory sanction.

Nearly 1 in 4 veterans said they support legalizing psilocybin mushrooms, the report added.

Last month, more than 30 House lawmakers urged the FDA to expedite its review of psychedelic-assisted therapies for treating veterans and other individuals with mental health problems that are not responding to mainstream medication.

In April, President Donald Trump also signed an executive order directing the FDA to speed up the approval process for such substances.

“Psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine compounds, show potential in clinical studies to address serious mental illnesses for patients whose conditions persist after completing standard therapy,” Trump wrote in his executive order.