The Trump Administration's Bold Move on Psychedelics for Veterans
- Cadiz Salazar
- Feb 6
- 3 min read
The Trump administration is poised to take a bold step in advancing psychedelics as a treatment for military veterans, according to a former high-ranking official at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Legal access to these groundbreaking therapies could become a reality within just a few years.
Psychedelics Research Gains Momentum
In a compelling segment on CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” former VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal shed light on the department’s strides in psychedelics research and his expectation that progress will continue under the Trump administration.
Despite the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy last year, the VA is forging ahead with multiple clinical trials exploring the potential of MDMA and psilocybin to treat severe mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The Need for Larger Clinical Trials
Elnahal, who departed from the VA following Trump’s inauguration, emphasized the necessity of larger phase three clinical trials to better understand potential adverse effects and validate existing findings across a broader veteran population. However, he expressed strong optimism that current data would support the efficacy of these treatments.
“If everything goes well, we could see these therapies available to veterans in just a couple of years,” Elnahal stated. “The incoming administration is prepared to take decisive action on this front.”
The Trump Administration's Stance
During the interview, host Anderson Cooper pressed Elnahal on why he believed the Trump administration would champion psychedelics research. Elnahal pointed to the potential appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), noting Kennedy’s public support for psychedelics as a breakthrough therapy.
“We’ve heard the nominee for HHS, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., discuss his belief in the potential of these treatments,” Elnahal remarked. “It will be interesting to see the positions of other key health officials, but this is a promising sign.”
Support from VA Officials
Rachel Yehuda, the VA’s director of mental health, echoed this enthusiasm, stating that she was “thrilled” that the VA’s psychedelic research received national attention.
“Veterans stand to gain tremendously from this work,” Yehuda said. “We need to push forward to expand safe access. We’ve got three new psychedelic trials launching at our Bronx VA Center—stay tuned.”
Elnahal, in a LinkedIn post about the “60 Minutes” segment, reinforced the importance of these efforts, stating that psychedelic research is critical for building trust with veterans, many of whom currently seek these treatments outside the United States.
“The research we’re conducting has the potential to revolutionize mental health treatment—not just for veterans, but for patients nationwide,” he wrote.
A Vision for Veterans’ Mental Health
Though Elnahal was not invited to continue his role under Trump, he stated he would have been honored to serve, particularly to advance the cause of psychedelic research for veterans.
“I deeply respect Bobby Kennedy’s commitment to wellness as a central aspect of American life,” Elnahal said at the time. “Veterans would benefit immensely from that approach. When it comes to pioneering treatments for mental health and tackling veteran suicide, psychedelics are a perfect fit.”
Historic Milestone in Psychedelic Research
In November, VA officials celebrated a historic milestone: the first federally funded psychedelics study since the 1960s, which focuses on MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans battling PTSD and alcohol use disorder.
While Kennedy’s nomination to HHS signals potential progress, Trump’s selection of former Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) to lead the VA raises some uncertainty regarding the agency’s approach to cannabis policy. During his time in Congress, Collins opposed medical cannabis access for veterans, though he has not publicly commented on psychedelics policy.
A Call for Federal Action
Meanwhile, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) is actively urging the FDA to expedite guidance for conducting clinical trials on psychedelics, including MDMA and psilocybin, to support further research aimed at benefiting military veterans.
With a shifting political landscape and growing momentum behind psychedelic medicine, the next few years could prove pivotal in transforming mental health treatment for those who have served the nation.
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