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On December 3, 2024, The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the U.S. announced it would award a five-year grant totaling up to $1.5 million for a study into the potential benefits of MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). [1][2] This move marks the first VA-funded research on psychedelic-assisted therapy in over 50 years. [3]
Background and funding details
According to the VA, the study will involve researchers from Brown University and Yale University; it is slated to begin enrollment in fiscal year 2025 at VA medical centers in Providence, Rhode Island, and West Haven, Connecticut. [1] Over five years, approximately $1.5 million will be allocated to evaluate whether MDMA, when paired with structured psychotherapy, can address PTSD and AUD simultaneously. [2] Officials emphasize that this effort is part of a larger VA initiative to investigate the potential of other psychedelic compounds, including psilocybin. [1]
The VA Under Secretary for Health has stated that this research will provide insight into MDMA’s potential viability as a mental health/psychiatric treatment option for veterans. [1] Observers noted that while this is the first VA-sponsored study on psychedelics in decades, other federal agencies have also begun funding similar research in recent years. [4] This funding is a reflection of a growing consensus that innovative, evidence-based approaches are necessary to address the high rates of PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders among veterans. [5]
Why MDMA?
MDMA, also known as Molly, an empathogen–entactogenic drug with stimulant and psychedelic properties popular for its recreational contexts and use, has shown therapeutic promise when administered under medical supervision. [6][8] Researchers propose that MDMA can elicit emotional openness, alleviate anxiety, and help with the processing of traumatic memories. [6] Participants in the VA study will get two monthly doses of MDMA and additional preparatory and integrative therapy sessions for safety and to help them understand their experiences. [2]
Half of the participants will receive a standard therapeutic dose, while the other half will receive a low “active placebo” dose to isolate MDMA’s specific effects. [2] Investigators will measure PTSD symptom reduction using established tools, like the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), and track changes in alcohol use patterns via the Timeline Followback method. [2] These metrics will help determine whether combined PTSD-AUD treatments can produce more robust outcomes than targeting either issue alone.
Study structure and safety
Strict safety protocols will be in place, including close medical and psychological monitoring during MDMA sessions. [3] VA officials have repeatedly advised veterans not to attempt self-medication with psychedelics; instead, any interest should be pursued within legally sanctioned research settings. [1] Pharmaceutical-grade MDMA will be used to ensure dosing consistency and to minimize the risk of adulterants commonly found in street drugs. [1][2]
This study falls under the VA’s broader agenda to collect “definitive scientific evidence” on the efficacy and safety of psychedelic substances for mental health purposes. [1] In the past, research on psychedelics was hampered by regulatory hurdles and societal stigma. However, in 2017, MDMA received “breakthrough therapy” status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, indicating a potential for significant improvement over existing PTSD treatments. [7] That designation set the stage for public and private funding to investigate this approach further.
Veterans' mental health crisis
The urgency behind such innovative research is fueled by persistently high rates of mental health disorders in the veteran population. A 2021 data report indicated that service members from the post-9/11 era are four times more likely to die by suicide than in active combat. [5] The VA has estimated that, on average, 17 veterans die by suicide each day, underscoring the extreme need for effective interventions. [5] In addition, veterans with PTSD often face comorbidities like AUD, which can compound treatment difficulties.
Researchers noted that combining PTSD with AUD treatment is beneficial, as substance use sometimes masks or co-occurs with psychological struggles. By targeting both conditions at the same time, MDMA-assisted therapy has the potential to help veterans break cycles of problematic issues like avoidance, re-experiencing symptoms, and self-medication. [2][6] States, including Texas and Washington, have already instituted programs to explore psychedelic therapies, reflecting bipartisan efforts to curb veteran suicides and improve mental health outcomes. [3]
Broader implications
In 2023, the Department of Defense provided a $1 million grant for parallel research on MDMA and methylone, also aimed at treating veterans struggling with PTSD. [4] The VA’s new study may similarly broaden knowledge about the risks and therapeutic/clinical potential of psychedelics; this may also guide policymakers and clinicians toward data-driven solutions for complex psychiatric problems experienced by veterans. [1][2] According to the VA, this work is not limited to a single study but instead forms part of a broader plan to transform mental health care for veterans and other populations in need. [1]
While many experts are optimistic, there are hurdles. Earlier approvals for MDMA as a legal PTSD treatment option have been delayed as the FDA requested additional phase 3 trial data. [2][7][8] Nonetheless, as legal and regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, the ongoing collection of rigorous and sound scientific data may pave the way for the acceptance of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. [7] If proven to be successful, treatments like these can reduce the suffering and distress of those who have not responded to the traditional therapies available.
Looking ahead
The VA-funded study is expected to run through 2030, which seems like a long time; however, if preliminary data are encouraging, initial findings could potentially be published sooner. [1] Regardless of the timeline, the project marks a turning point in veteran mental health research. After a hiatus of more than 50 years, the VA’s investment in psychedelic-assisted therapies conveys a willingness to consider unconventional yet evidence-based solutions.
“The VA is on the cutting edge of clinical research for veteran health, including in the investigation of psychedelics for mental health,” a VA spokesperson remarked. [1] If MDMA-assisted therapy proves effective, it could not only broaden the treatment options for veterans with PTSD and AUD but will also benefit the broader public, who seek solutions for treatment-resistant mental health conditions. [6]
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