“Independent psychedelic science is neither a rival nor a replacement for VA’s efforts. It is a necessary complement, one that can ask different questions, test different models of care and help reach veterans who might otherwise have nowhere else to turn.”
By Stacey Armstrong and Alan Davis, Ohio State University Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education
When the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a major new psilocybin research initiative this summer, it signaled a remarkable shift in how America approaches veterans’ mental health. But if we want to understand whether psychedelic therapies can truly help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), VA cannot do this work alone.
Most veterans do not use VA as their primary source of healthcare. Research must also reach those who receive care elsewhere, including those who have disengaged from VA entirely. That requires sustained support for independent academic research alongside federal efforts.
The Veteran Suicide Epidemic
Veteran suicide remains one of the most urgent public health challenges facing our country. VA reported that 6,398 veterans died by suicide in 2023. PTSD is an important part of that crisis. Although evidence-based psychotherapies and medications help many people, a substantial proportion of veterans do not
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