© 2024 WMRA and WEMC
NPR News & NPR Talk in Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The power of psychedelic therapy for members of the military

US soldiers look out over hillsides during a visit of the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan General Scott Miller at the Afghan National Army (ANA) checkpoint in Nerkh district of Wardak province.
US soldiers look out over hillsides during a visit of the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan General Scott Miller at the Afghan National Army (ANA) checkpoint in Nerkh district of Wardak province.

Many people hear theterm “psychedelics” and think of hippies, acid, and the music ofthe1960s.Butit may soon take ona wholedifferentmeaning forthe U.S. military. 

Last December, Congress passed legislation that included funding for clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy for active-duty service members. And just last month, theDepartment of Veterans Affairs announced that it willalsobegin funding psychedelic-assisted therapy to treat veterans withPTSD and depression. 

This comes at a time when suicide rates amongst active-duty service members are at an all-time high. In this episode of 1A, we diveinto what psychedelic-assisted therapy is and the effect it could have on active-duty and veteran mental health.

Copyright 2024 WAMU 88.5

Emilce Quiroz