New Bipartisan Bill Proposes VA Centers for Psychedelic Therapy

A bipartisan bill introduced on Thursday has the potential to integrate psychedelic therapy into mainstream veteran care by creating “innovative therapies centers of excellence” within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The centers would conduct research and provide clinical treatment utilizing psychedelic compounds such as MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, DMT, ibogaine, and others to assist veterans facing various mental and physical health challenges.

The bill, which Rep. Lou Correa (D-Calif.) and Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), aims to establish a national structure for education, research, and clinical services centered around emerging psychedelic therapies.

A diverse group of lawmakers supports the bill, including Reps. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas). Major veterans organizations such as the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and the Wounded Warrior Project also endorse it.

Amy Rising, a former senior airman who served at Scott Air Force Base in the early 2000s, finds the issue profoundly personal. Following her service, she faced organ failure, anxiety, and opioid dependence while caring for a young child. Prescription medications rendered her unable to function. She ultimately discovered solace in cannabis and emerged as a passionate advocate for veterans' access to alternative therapies.

“I was unable to care for my child; I felt too out of it,” Rising reflected on her experience with prescription painkillers. “Should I prioritize my comfort and stay in bed all day, or take care of my 3-year-old?”

Rising, a key contributor to the bill's drafting, has become a prominent figure in veteran health advocacy, facilitating the passage of medical cannabis legislation in New York and currently advocating for safe, clinical access to psychedelics for veterans.

“This legislation aims to provide veterans with effective choices,” she stated.

The decision follows a surge in research on psychedelics, with findings indicating possible advantages in addressing PTSD, depression, chronic pain, and addiction. Advocates are optimistic that the VA will take the initiative to investigate therapies that have the potential to save lives.

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