Account

The Actual News

Just the Facts, from multiple news sources.

Active-duty US soldiers to receive psychedelic drugs for PTSD next year

Active-duty US soldiers to receive psychedelic drugs for PTSD next year

Summary

The U.S. Department of Defense is preparing to start studies next year that use MDMA-assisted therapy to help active-duty soldiers with PTSD. Training for therapists will begin soon, aiming to improve treatment options for military personnel and veterans.

Key Facts

  • Two Department of Defense studies will involve 186 soldiers with PTSD receiving MDMA-assisted therapy.
  • Training for therapists from the DoD and Veterans Affairs will start before soldier treatment begins.
  • Funding for this research was approved by President Biden in December 2023 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.
  • Congressman Morgan Luttrell, a veteran, has supported the research and stood with President Trump to promote psychedelic therapy access.
  • President Trump signed an executive order to accelerate psychedelic research, highlighting veteran suicide rates.
  • MDMA and other psychedelics like psilocybin show promise for treating PTSD more effectively than older drugs.
  • Some experts warn against using psychedelics to make soldiers more combat-ready without addressing other issues.
  • Similar therapy efforts are underway to assist Ukrainian soldiers, although MDMA therapy is not yet legal there.
Read the Full Article

This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.