A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has urged to include a provision in an annual defense policy bill permitting medical research into psychedelic drugs. They argue this could aid in treating ailments such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), despite potential concerns over abuse.
Key Points:
- Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who initially sponsored a similar bill in 2019, emphasized the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics, including their ability to alleviate PTSD and depression symptoms.
- Currently, psychedelic substances like LSD and magic mushrooms are classified as Schedule 1 drugs by the U.S. government, indicating a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, making research difficult.
- Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw, a co-sponsor of the amendment, indicated potential applications of these substances for survivors of sexual trauma and law enforcement officers.
- The amendment proposes that the Secretary of Defense carry out a clinical report on the use of psychedelics in military treatment facilities.
- The Republican-controlled House is expected to pass its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), after which a compromise must be reached with the Democratic-majority Senate before it can be presented to President Joe Biden for signing into law or veto.
