VA Official: Psychedelics Are More Popular Than Marijuana in Congress
A leading figure from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has emphasized the growing bipartisan support for advancing psychedelic medicine, surpassing the acceptance of marijuana in Congress. The discussion was led by VA Under Secretary for Health, Shereef Elnahal, during a recent psychedelics conference organized by Horizons.
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Unstoppable Momentum for Psychedelics
Elnahal highlighted the compelling personal recovery stories and robust clinical data that are driving the narrative in favor of psychedelic-assisted therapy. He expressed hope to expand on these studies, positioning the department to offer these therapies as soon as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants approval. Elnahal anticipates significant demand from veterans for these treatments.
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Preparing for FDA Approval
Elnahal stressed the importance of the VA’s scientific community in proving the benefits of psychedelic treatments further. The department is actively supporting trials exploring the therapeutic potential of substances like psilocybin and MDMA. He acknowledged that some scientists believe these treatments should be available sooner, considering the ethical implications of withholding potentially beneficial therapies.
RELATED: The VA Expects Demand for MDMA Therapy to Go Through the Roof After FDA Approval
Bipartisan Support and Legislative Action
Elnahal was surprised by the strong bipartisan support for psychedelic research in Congress, citing conservative leaders such as Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) as proponents. This support has led to proactive legislative efforts to facilitate further research. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has streamlined the waiver process for conducting studies on psychedelics, making it easier than for cannabis research.
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Veterans’ Advocacy and Recent Developments
Veterans have long advocated for medical marijuana, but psychedelic substances have now gained more acceptance and bipartisan backing. This shift is evident from recent actions by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and President Joe Biden. The committee passed a bill requiring the VA to notify Congress if any psychedelics are added to its list of covered prescription drugs. Biden signed a bipartisan measure to fund clinical trials on the therapeutic potential of certain psychedelics for active-duty military members under the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Continued Efforts and Future Research
Congressional appropriations leaders have unveiled a spending package allocating $10 million for psychedelics studies. The VA has also issued a request for applications to conduct in-depth research on using psychedelics to treat PTSD and depression. During joint U.S. House and Senate committee meetings, veterans’ service organizations urged Congress to explore the benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy and medical marijuana more urgently.
