Northville, Michigan – Legal Help for Veterans, a Michigan-based veterans disability law firm, applauds the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for its recent announcement of a $1.5 million grant to study MDMA-assisted therapy as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder in veterans. The research marks the VA’s first federally funded study on the efficacy and safety of psychedelics since the 1960s.

The five-year study, set to begin in early 2025, will take place at the Providence VA Medical Center in Rhode Island and the West Haven VA Medical Center in Connecticut. Researchers from Brown University and Yale University will lead the clinical trials, which will use pharmaceutical-grade MDMA and strict safety protocols to enhance psychotherapy sessions for participating veterans. The research aims to explore the potential benefits of MDMA, which is thought to promote emotional openness, reduce fear and foster introspection during therapy.

Jim Fausone, a VA disability attorney at Legal Help for Veterans, emphasized the importance of the initiative. “This study reflects the VA’s commitment to exploring innovative treatments for veterans who face unique mental health challenges,” he said. “Traditional therapies don’t always provide the relief veterans need, and MDMA-assisted therapy has the potential to offer a new path forward for those who have not found success with conventional methods.”

While MDMA is classified as a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration due to a “high potential for abuse,” it received a Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the Food and Drug Administration in 2017 for its potential to treat PTSD. However, veterans are advised not to self-medicate and to consult with their healthcare providers regarding treatment options.

There are concerns about potential abuse if MDMA is reclassified to a lower schedule and becomes more readily available. VA officials said the research initiative is part of an effort to collect scientific evidence on the efficacy and safety of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

“Veterans often experience PTSD and other life-altering mental health struggles, and it is critical to continue pushing boundaries to find effective solutions,” added Fausone. “We are hopeful this research will pave the way for safe and accessible therapies for former service members.”