While there is still much research to be done, some of the new psychedelic treatments for veterans include MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, psilocybin therapy for depression and anxiety, and ketamine infusion therapy for depression and suicidal ideation.

These treatments involve the use of psychedelic substances in a controlled and supervised setting, often in combination with psychotherapy. They have shown promise in clinical trials for their ability to provide lasting relief from symptoms and improve overall mental health outcomes for veterans and others suffering from mental health conditions. However, it’s important to note that these treatments are still in the experimental stage and are not yet widely available.

Here are some of the studies that have pointed to the efficaciousness of using these substances in therapy.

1. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD:

• A phase 2 clinical trial conducted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) found that 56% of participants no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD after receiving MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, compared to just 23% in the control group who received a placebo. The effects were sustained at a follow-up assessment 12 months later (Mithoefer et al., 2018).
• A phase 3 clinical trial conducted by MAPS, which is still ongoing, has shown promising preliminary results. As of December 2020, 67% of participants no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD after receiving MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, compared to 32% in the control group who received therapy with a placebo (MAPS, 2020).

2. Psilocybin therapy for depression and anxiety:

• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted by Johns Hopkins University found that psilocybin therapy led to significant reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer. The effects were sustained at a follow-up assessment 6 months later (Griffiths et al., 2016).
• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted by Imperial College London found that psilocybin therapy led to significant reductions in symptoms of depression in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The effects were sustained at a follow-up assessment 3 months later (Carhart-Harris et al., 2016).

3. Ketamine infusion therapy for depression and suicidal ideation:

• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health found that ketamine infusion therapy led to rapid reductions in symptoms of depression in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The effects were sustained at a follow-up assessment 1 week later (Berman et al., 2000).
• A retrospective study of 41 patients who received ketamine infusion therapy for suicidal ideation found that 90% of them experienced a decrease in suicidal thoughts after the infusion, and 60% reported being free of suicidal thoughts at a follow-up assessment 6 months later (Wilkinson et al., 2017).

Though it is early in this process of scientific discovery, the results so far look very promising. If you are looking for a different kinds of therapy, exploring these substances in a therapeutic setting may be beneficial.

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