The US military is to conduct research and clinical trials to determine whether cannabis and psychedelics can help treat service members with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD.
Section 723 of the National Defense Authorization Act received final Congressional approval last week and will provide $10 million in research grant for the something therapies.
Medical cannabis remains federally illegal but the new legislation will enable service members to participate in the trials without breaking the law.
The provision was spearheaded by three retired military officers including Morgan Luttrell who suffered TBI, in a Black Hawk helicopter crash in 2009.
The Republican Congressman credited psychedelic-assisted therapy obtained abroad for saving his marriage and changing his life.
Limited studies have shown that psychedelic therapies can reduce depression, anxiety and stress.
David Cook, executive director of veterans group Special Operations Association of America (SOAA) said:
“The results, though small in sample size, have been nothing short of miraculous.
“What’s been proposed and implemented in the past is obviously not working today.
“Legislation like this aims to give our heroes more options and hope for life-saving treatments.”
He added: “Those of us who are serious about the suicide epidemic gripping our service members and veterans have to pivot in our thinking and approaches to these issues.”
One treatment each of two psychedelic drugs lowered depression and anxiety and improved cognitive functioning in a sample of US special operations forces veterans who sought care at a clinic in Mexico, a recent analysis of the participants’ charts has revealed
The treatment included a combination of ibogaine hydrochloride which is derived from the West African shrub iboga, and 5-MeO-DMT, a psychedelic substance secreted by the Colorado River toad.
In addition to relieving PTSD symptoms, the combined treatment also alleviated cognitive impairment linked to TBI.
