The head of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is touting the fact that he’s “one of the first” secretaries of the agency with a commitment to exploring psychedelics as a potential therapy option for veterans.
During a pair of hearings before the House Veterans’ Affairs and Appropriations Committees on Thursday, VA Secretary Doug Collins was asked about psychedelics issues by multiple GOP lawmakers, fielding questions about his intent to facilitate research in hopes of securing access for the veteran community.
At the Veterans Affairs Committee hearing, Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI)—co-chair of the Congressional Psychedelic Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus—asked whether Collins had “any visibility” about the status of VA-supported psychedelics studies.
“We’re getting there,” Collins said. “I’m also probably one of the first of the [VA] secretaries who’ve actually decided that we will take a look at it. We’re not simply putting it off, and we’re going to do everything we possibly can, under the rules given to us by Congress, to actually continue that look. What we’re seeing so far is positive.”
“What we’re seeing so far in some of the studies that are related to VA, and also outside of VA as well,” he said, “is that there has been—especially when it comes to [post-traumatic stress disorder], and also traumatic brain injury and others—we’re seeing some actual positive outcomes there, especially when it is coupled with intense counseling. And I think that’s the one of the keys that we look forward to.”
“There are 11 current studies that are either with VA or around VA that we’re going to continue to look at, and I’m committed to working within the administration—but also in what we’re doing across the lines with [the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Defense (DOD] to say, ‘How can we actually make this a possibility?’ Now I will say this: I do not believe it is a magic cure. I do not believe that it will work for everyone. But it is something that could work for some and we’re going to continue to look at.”
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) aligned herself with Bergman’s comments about the need to support psychedelics research and access, saying she “never thought in my medical career” she’d be advocating for psychedelics access but that the substances “show promise in reducing PTSD and suicide.”
At a hearing before the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies earlier in the day, Rep. Scott Franklin (R-FL) talked about his own interest in psychedelics policy as it applies to veterans.
“I personally have lost several of my former Navy buddies to suicide, and it’s it’s just it’s heartbreaking to see. And I’m looking at anything that works,” the congressman said, adding that he didn’t anticipate that he’d ever ben in favor of psychedelics.
“I can also tell you, I have fellow members of Congress who’ve told me that the use of psychedelics literally saved their lives,” he said.
Collins replied that he’s “probably the first secretary who actually said I’m willing to look and at the possibility for any of these treatments that can work.”
“Again, we’re not just running off saying this is a cure and the answer for everything with PTS or traumatic brain injury, or anything else. But it does go back to the question if there are actually treatments that we can show, clinically—which, by the way, 11 trials are going on right now in conjunction with the VA on the use of psychedelics. We’ve seen some good results there, and also other treatments as well. So I’m looking at that in any way possible. Again, I don’t want to say this is the only answer, because it’s probably not, but is it a possible answer that we can provide for veterans? I’ll be able to look at that.”
Meanwhile, Bergman and his fellow PATH caucus co-chair Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) introduced a bill last month to provide $30 million in funding annually to establish psychedelics-focused “centers for excellence” at VA facilities, where veterans could receive novel treatment involving substances like psilocybin, MDMA and ibogaine.
Bergman has also expressed optimism about the prospects of advancing psychedelics reform under Trump, arguing that the administration’s efforts to cut spending and the federal workforce will give agencies “spines” to tackle such complex issues.
Collins also recently met with a military veteran who’s become an advocate for psilocybin access to discuss the therapeutic potential of psychedelic medicine for the veteran community.
The secretary, a former GOP congressman, wasn’t scheduled to participate in the meeting—but he proactively made time to introduce himself to No Fallen Heroes Foundation founder Matthew “Whiz” Buckley, who late last month directed a post on the social media site X to the secretary encouraging him to go “full throttle” on the push for psychedelic access for veterans.
Earlier this month, the secretary separately informed President Donald Trump during a Cabinet meeting that his agency is “opening up the possibility of psychedelic treatment” for military veterans.
Also, during a Senate committee hearing this month, he separately reiterated his commitment to exploring the efficacy of psychedelic therapy to address serious mental health conditions that commonly afflict veterans.
Bipartisan congressional lawmakers have also asked the VA head to meet with them to discuss ways to provide access to psychedelic medicine for military veterans.
In a letter sent to Collins last week, Correa and Bergman said they were “encouraged by your recent remarks about the importance of pursuing research into psychedelic treatments and other alternative treatments to improve Veterans’ care.”
Collins disclosed last month that he had an “eye-opening” talk with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about the medical potential of psychedelic medicine. And Collins said he’s open to the idea of having the government provide vouchers to cover the costs of psychedelic therapy for veterans who receive services outside of VA as Congress considers pathways for access.
—
Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—
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.
In January, former VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal said that it was “very encouraging” that Trump’s pick to have Kennedy lead HHS has supported psychedelics reform. And he hoped to work with him on the issue if he stayed on for the next administration, but that didn’t pan out.
Trump Taps Former Prosecutor Who Threatened Medical Marijuana Dispensary To Lead Pardon Office
Marijuana Moment Read More
