GOP Congressman Pushes FDA To Finalize Psychedelics Study Guidance To Expand Research On Benefits For Veterans

A GOP congressman is urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to finalize guidance on conducting clinical trials into psychedelics to facilitate research, including investigations focusing on the potential benefits of substances such as MDMA and psilocybin for military veterans.

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) said on Wednesday that veterans “shouldn’t be forced to go abroad” to access psychedelics treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). And he touted legislation he championed to mandate Department of Defense (DOD) clinical trials into the substances for active duty servicemembers, which President Joe Biden signed into law late last year.

The congressman said that there’s “astonishing research showing remission of PTSD” with psychedelics therapy. And while FDA has “made some progress” on the issue, he’s calling on the agency to “finalize clinical trial guidance so we can get more studies online here at home.”

FDA released first-ever draft guidance on studying psychedelics last year. That draft document was issued shortly after Crenshaw, as well as Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), filed a bill directing FDA to do so.

Veterans shouldn’t be forced to go abroad for PTSD treatment. My law authorized DoD trials on psychedelics because we have astonishing research showing remission of PTSD. The FDA has made some progress, but it’s time they finalize clinical trial guidance so we can get more…

— Rep. Dan Crenshaw (@RepDanCrenshaw) December 18, 2024

Interest in psychedelics has grown exponentially over recent years as cities and states across the country have moved to promote research, remove criminal penalties and regulate access to substances such as psilocybin and MDMA—both of which have already been designated by FDA as “breakthrough therapies.”

However, FDA has faced criticism after rejecting an application to authorize MDMA-assisted therapy.

Separately, earlier this month bipartisan congressional lawmakers celebrated news that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will be funding a study to explore the efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD).

After VA announced that it would be providing $1.5 million in funding for the research initiative, Reps. Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Lou Correa (D-CA) put out statements cheering the effort and claiming some credit for the development after advocating for expanded federal studies into psychedelics therapy.

Congressional lawmakers also staged an event at the U.S. Capitol calling for the MDMA approval by FDA in July, and they additionally launched an art installation memorializing military veterans who died by suicide.

The U.S. House of Representatives also recently approved amendments to a large-scale spending bill that would authorize VA doctors to issue medical marijuana recommendations to military veterans and support psychedelics research and access.

In August, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed report language for appropriations legislation conveying concerns about restrictions on marijuana and psychedelics research imposed by current prohibition.

Separately, advocates in support of expanding access to psychedelic-assisted therapy for America’s military veterans released an informational guidebook in October that backers say “responds to the demand for alternative treatment solutions and equips veterans with practical, clinically-backed strategies to safely explore these therapies.”

Meanwhile, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently increased the 2025 quota for the legal production of DMT in the U.S., saying it agrees with requests for the adjustment to “support legitimate research and scientific efforts” to develop an FDA-approved drug based on the psychedelic.

Before last month’s election, Vice President-elect JD Vance said he was “fascinated” by the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, asking podcaster Joe Rogan for advice on a creating a possible “pathway” for providing access to substances such as MDMA and psilocybin for military veterans with serious mental health conditions.

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