Many veterans use psychedelics for healing or spiritual exploration.

Most U.S. military veterans who have used psychedelics reported in a recent study that they used the substances for healing or spiritual exploration, and more than 80% said they benefited from the experience—even those who had difficult results.

The survey also found that many veterans would be more likely to seek mental health care or return to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for care if they were offered psychedelic therapy.

The results of this comprehensive study of veterans’ experiences with psychedelics may provide clinicians with a clearer understanding of the veteran community’s expectations and specific mental health care needs, the researchers said.

Because of all the complexity that veterans face and the higher risk that they will face not one, but multiple mental and physical health issues, it makes sense that they would seek opportunities to address these issues. especially when they feel like they are not being met by the current system here in the US.”

Alan Davis, lead author, associate professor and director of the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education, College of Social Work, Ohio State University

The study was recently published in the journal Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.

As of 2021, the VA estimates that more than 17 U.S. veterans die by suicide every day. Research shows that between 44% and 72% of veterans experience significant stress during the transition from military to civilian life.

The research team, which included veterans, consulted with other former military personnel to develop a survey examining patterns of psychedelic use, the perspectives of those who reported use and those who did not report use, and what types of benefits and adverse effects were associated with use by veterans . drugs. Veterans were recruited to participate in the survey through online advertisements and communities, email invitations, and word of mouth.

“Understanding the culture of military veterans is critical for civilian therapists working with this population,” said co-author Mark Bates, a retired U.S. Air Force pilot and clinical psychologist at Sunstone Therapies, a treatment center in Maryland that studies psychedelic therapy.

“It’s about avoiding unintentionally undermining the therapeutic relationship and learning to use military culture as an effective frame of reference. This is also one of the reasons why we carefully consulted with a team of experienced consultants when developing and testing the survey questions. “

With veterans actively advocating for access to psychedelic therapy in recent years, Bates said, “There is a really pressing need to explore everything that holds promise for mental health treatment.”

The survey sample consisted of 426 participants, divided into two groups – those who (217) and those who did not (209) use psychedelics. Drugs used by veterans included psilocybin (magic mushrooms), LSD, ketamine, MDMA (ecstasy), ayahuasca, ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT (toad), and peyote/mescaline. The most common reasons for use were healing or treatment (69%), spiritual exploration (47.5%), or recreation (38.7%).

Compared to veterans who did not use psychedelics, veterans who used the drugs were more likely to be older and spend more time in the military while serving, and a higher proportion reported post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.

Although some participants used psychedelics alone, many reported using them in spiritual places or in nature, with friends, in medical clinics or retreat centers—both in the United States and abroad.

Overall, participants rated the psychedelic experience as beneficial, regardless of whether they considered the experience to be overwhelmingly positive (88.6%) or experienced one or more adverse outcomes (81.3%). The most common adverse effects were flashbacks and cravings for psychedelics or attempts to reduce their use. Fewer participants reported having been arrested or sought treatment for drug use.

Statistical analysis revealed a number of factors that reduced the likelihood of negative outcomes: age, psilocybin use, depression or anxiety, obtaining psychedelics from a safe source, willingness, comfort and confidence during treatment, and the ability to trust. let go and be open to the experience.

“This finding highlights the importance of people in the veteran community knowing that remembering these things before using them can help them prepare for the best outcome possible,” Davis said.

Because most psychedelic substances are classified as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, the only legal way for most people in the United States to access them currently is through clinical trials. Davis is currently leading a study of psilocybin therapy at Ohio State to treat post-traumatic stress disorder among military veterans, and Bates and his colleagues at Sunstone Therapies have treated many veterans to date.

According to the researchers, an important point of the study is the fact that the veterans surveyed would welcome the opportunity to access psychedelic therapy at the VA.

“What’s really exciting about this study and understanding veterans’ interest in psychedelic therapy is that it potentially opens up the possibility of directly addressing some of their core issues,” Davis said. “Veterans are dying by suicide and fleeing the country to find these opportunities elsewhere, so the message is clear. It should be accessible.”

Additional co-authors included Nathan Cepeda, Adam Levine and Stacy Armstrong of Ohio State; independent researcher Eric Lund; Robert Coffman of Sunstone Therapies; Katinka Hoyer of the Medical College of Wisconsin; and Rachel Yehuda of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

This work was supported by private donors, the Cammack Family Gift Fund, the Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research at the Icahn School of Medicine, the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, and CPDRE at Ohio State.