Efforts to expand access to psychedelic therapy for veterans in the United States may encounter delays, particularly when it comes to securing a reliable supply of ibogaine for research, according to the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). While the Trump administration has issued an executive order aimed at accelerating the availability of psychedelics for therapeutic use, logistical hurdles surrounding certain substances could affect the projected timeline.
VA Secretary Doug Collins spoke before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, reiterating the administration’s commitment to exploring innovative treatments that could benefit former service members. He referenced President Donald Trump’s executive order on psychedelics and highlighted a joint initiative between the VA and components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to advance this work, as noted by Marijuana Moment.
Expanding Psychedelic Therapy for Veterans
The VA is actively conducting studies that examine the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. Secretary Collins pointed out that trials involving MDMA are progressing ahead of schedule. A new study on MDMA‑assisted therapy for military veterans coping with severe mental health conditions—including post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder—has launched at the VA Providence Healthcare System in Rhode Island, according to a VA press release cited by Marijuana Moment. The trial will enroll roughly 80 veterans, comparing outcomes for participants receiving MDMA alongside psychotherapy against a control group receiving standard care.
Currently, the VA maintains 19 active clinical trials focused on psychedelic therapies for various mental health disorders, supported by more than $23 million in external funding. The department stresses that investigational treatments are administered in a safe, tightly controlled clinical setting, using pharmaceutical‑grade compounds under rigorous safety protocols developed in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Ibogaine Sourcing Challenge
Despite the momentum with MDMA, Secretary Collins indicated that ibogaine is likely to be the next focal point for VA research. He cautioned, however, that obtaining ibogaine for scientific study will take time because a federal source for the substance has not yet been established, and its production costs remain undefined. Before any research can proceed, ibogaine must first secure clearance through the FDA.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also voiced the administration’s interest in creating a pathway for broader psychedelic therapy access, aiming to make these options available to the public—as well as to military personnel dealing with PTSD, depression, and related conditions—as swiftly as possible, while maintaining strict clinical oversight.
Legislative Support and Clinical Considerations
Senator Ruben Gallego (D‑AZ) underscored the urgency for veterans coping with PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and treatment‑resistant depression to gain access to promising therapies. He cited bipartisan legislation he co‑sponsored with Senator Tim Sheehy (R‑MT) that seeks to promote psychedelic research by establishing a new office within the VA. This office would oversee innovative treatment programs and assist in evaluating the scheduling status of substances such as psilocybin, ibogaine, and MDMA, building on earlier legislative efforts reported by Hemp Gazette.
Secretary Collins emphasized that psychedelic therapies are “clinically intensive treatments.” He noted that MDMA‑assisted protocols typically require nearly 120 hours of therapist time per patient, involving two psychiatrists, and added that the VA is “working to work up to speed on that.”
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hemp Gazette does not provide medical recommendations, diagnoses, or treatment plans. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any decisions regarding your health or any medical condition. Statements concerning the therapeutic uses of hemp, cannabis, or cannabinoid‑derived products have not been evaluated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Medicinal cannabis products in Australia are accessed via prescription pathways under TGA regulation.
For the original reporting, see the source: Here
