President Donald Trump’s administration is “going to take a pretty bold stance” on psychedelics medicine for military veterans, a former top official at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says—adding that legal access to the substances could be available within a “couple of years.”
Shereef Enahal, former VA under secretary for health, was interviewed in late-last year and featured as part of a CBS News segment “60 Minutes”, which aired this Sunday. In the interviews, he spoke of the department’s efforts to advance psychedelics research.
VA has been conducting multiple clinical trials to explore the potential of MDMA and psilocybin for treating serious mental conditions like post-traumatic disorder (PTSD).
Elnahal who left after Trump’s election said, “we have to conduct larger phase 3 clinical trials in order to better understand the adverse reactions and to see if these effects can be reproduced in larger numbers of veterans.” He is, however, “very confident that this will happen” given the available data.
Elnahal told reporters that the veterans may have to wait a few more years for this therapy. The incoming administration will take an aggressive stance in this regard.
Anderson Cooper asked the official about his confidence that the Trump Administration will keep working to provide psychedelic therapy. Elnahal drew attention to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. being confirmed as the secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
He referred to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s remarks supporting access to psychedelics. We’ll wait and see how other officials will react. This is really encouraging.”
Elnahal said that although more research needs to be done, he’s heard from other VA officials—including Rachel Yehuda, who serves as the department’s director of mental health—about major findings supporting the use of plant-based medicine within the veteran community.
Yehuda told 60 Minutes on Monday she was “thrilled that VA’s research had been highlighted.”
She said, “Vets benefit from our work and we must continue to push for safe access.” The Bronx VA Center is excited to announce 3 new psychedelic studies.
Thrilled our study – 1rst completed RCT at VA for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD – was mentioned. Veterans will be able to benefit from the work, so it is important to continue to push for safe access. Watch this space for 3 exciting psychedelic trials at Bronx VA. 💜🙏 https://t.co/gFz6XUtqvU
— Rachel Yehuda (@RachelYehuda) February 3, 2025
Elnahal, on the other hand, stated in a LinkedIn message about 60 Minutes that VA’s effort to address psychedelics would “be key to continuing to build confidence with Veterans, who are already trying to access these therapy outside the United States.”
He said that the research would also help to inform a possible revolution in treating mental illnesses among patients throughout the country.
He said he was “honored”, despite not being asked, to serve under Trump to help “advance veterans’ agendas”. This included promoting research on psychedelics.
“I really appreciate Bobby Kennedy’s approach to trying to instill wellness as a bigger part of American life—I think veterans would benefit from that,” Elnahal said of the HHS nominee at the time. “Psychedelics fit right into the agenda when it comes breakthrough treatments for mental illness and veteran suicide.”
In November, the VA official separately touted the first agency-funded psychedelics study since the 1960s, exploring the efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD and alcohol use disorder.
While Kennedy is the pick for HHS, Trump also nominated former Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) to head up the VA—a choice that raises questions about how the agency might navigate marijuana issues given his prior record of voting against medical cannabis access for military veterans during his time in Congress. It doesn’t seem that he has publicly commented on the psychedelics issue.
Meanwhile, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) recently urged FDA to finalize guidance on conducting clinical trials into psychedelics to facilitate research, including investigations focusing on the potential benefits of substances such as MDMA and psilocybin for military veterans.
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