Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert A. McDougall reiterates his commitment to examining the effectiveness of psychedelic drugs to treat serious mental conditions common among military veterans.
On Tuesday, during an appearance before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee in the Senate, Senator John Boozman asked VA Secretary Doug Collins about the plans of the agency, and referred to comments made by the official regarding psychedelics, which he had recently shared with President Donald Trump at a cabinet meeting.
Boozman, the chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee (VAC), said that his committee is “very concerned” about the problem as it seeks solutions to help veterans who suffer from conditions like post-traumatic anxiety disorder (PTSD), or traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
In response to the senator’s question, Collins said he is “committed to doing whatever we can to provide veterans and those who have maybe not responded to traditional care and others, especially in the area of PTS and also TBI—the other issues that we’re dealing with that lead to a lot of what we’ve seen in suicide and death by suicide.”
Collins, an ex-GOP congressman said, “So, we’re looking into it now.”
Secretary of VA said VA either conducts or supports 11 studies that explore the therapeutic potential of psychoedelics. One recent trial of MDMA showed “some really positive results” in participants following a one-dose followed by two weeks therapy.
“I’m willing to say this: I want to work with—and I said this with [the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services] and with others—that we make sure that we’re not closing off any outlet for a veteran who could be helped by these programs,” he said. “I think that we’ll work closely with Congress if it seems like there are other needs.”
Collins said previously that he and HHS Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a “eye-opening talk” about the psychedelics issue, with Collins intending to pressure Congress into action.
In a Senate Committee hearing held on Tuesday, Secretary McDonnell said that VA has discussed how to tap into “research into maybe psychedelics” or other helpful things, and get in more with VA. [veteran service organizations] And our non-profits make a real difference in this area.”
He said, “I believe this is something that we have to do.”
Collins also said previously that he is open to the notion of the government providing vouchers for the veterans to receive psychedelic treatment outside the VA when Congress examines access pathways.
In December, VA separately announced that it’s providing $1.5 million in funding to study the efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD and alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Last year, Rachel Yehuda, who has overseen some psychedelic research as director of mental health at VA’s James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, also touted an initial study the agency funded that produced “stunning and robust results” from its first-ever clinical trial into MDMA therapy.
Shereef Enahal, the ex-VA Under Secretary of Health who served under Shereef in VA from 1996 to 1999 said “it was very encouraging” when Trump chose Kennedy to head HHS and Kennedy had supported psychedelics. And he hoped to work with him on the issue if he stayed on for the next administration, but that didn’t pan out.
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