Ocasio-Cortez's Campaign Spending on Ketamine Therapy Raises Legal Questions

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has come under scrutiny for spending nearly $19,000 in campaign funds on psychiatric services from Dr. Brian Boyle, a Boston-based psychiatrist known for his work with ketamine therapy. According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records, Ocasio-Cortez's campaign made three payments to Boyle in 2025, totaling $18,725, categorized as “leadership training and consulting.” The payments included $11,550 in March, $2,800 in May, and $4,375 in October. Critics argue that these expenditures may violate federal campaign finance laws, which prohibit using campaign funds for personal expenses.

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Dr. Brian Boyle serves as the chief psychiatric officer at Stella, a mental health clinic chain that specializes in innovative therapies, including ketamine treatments for conditions like treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and anxiety. Ketamine, originally developed as an anesthetic, has gained popularity in recent years for its potential mental health benefits, although it carries risks, including the possibility of inducing psychosis. Boyle has been vocal about the effectiveness of these treatments, stating, “I just saw the incredible power of what these treatments could do.”

New York PostMEAWWAOC Spends $19K in Campaign Funds on Psychiatrist Linked to Controversial Ketamine TherapyNewsmax (website)Breitbart

Ocasio-Cortez has a history of advocating for the medical use of psychedelics. In 2018, she campaigned to end the federal prohibition of marijuana and later introduced amendments to allow federal funding for research into substances like psilocybin and MDMA for treating mental illnesses. After several failed attempts, she successfully co-sponsored a bill in 2023 that was signed into law, directing the Department of Defense to study the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for service members.

AOC Spends $19K in Campaign Funds on Psychiatrist Linked to Controversial Ketamine Therapy

The use of campaign funds for psychiatric services has drawn criticism from various quarters. Paul Kamenar, counsel to the National Legal and Policy Center, stated, “Using her campaign contributions for what appears to be an expense for personal use violates federal campaign finance laws.” He emphasized that while Ocasio-Cortez describes these expenses as “leadership training,” Dr. Boyle lacks the expertise typically associated with such training, raising questions about the legitimacy of the expenditures.

AOC Used Campaign Funds for Psychiatric Treatment from Ketamine Doctor

While Ocasio-Cortez and her supporters highlight the potential benefits of ketamine therapy, medical professionals caution about its risks. Dr. Simon Dosovitz noted, “There’s a risk of people receiving infusions for ketamine without an appropriate diagnostic workup.” This underscores the need for careful clinical oversight when administering such treatments.

New York Post

The FEC is expected to investigate the nature of the payments to Dr. Boyle and determine whether they violated campaign finance laws regarding personal expenses. The outcome of this inquiry could have implications for Ocasio-Cortez's future campaign financing practices and her ongoing advocacy for psychedelic therapies.

AOC's Campaign Paid Ketamine-Linked Psychiatrist $19K for 'Leadership Training'

• “What they’re saying “While I can understand why AOC would spend $18,000 for a shrink whose specialties include narcissistic personality disorders, using her campaign contributions for what appears to be an expense for personal use violates federal campaign finance laws.” — Paul Kamenar, Counsel to the National Legal and Policy Center

AOC's Campaign Paid Ketamine-Linked Psychiatrist $19K for 'Leadership Training'

• “There’s a risk of people receiving infusions for ketamine without an appropriate diagnostic workup and considering other factors which may be responsible for their symptoms,” — Dr. Simon Dosovitz, Psychiatrist

New York Post

• “Simon Dosovitz, Psychiatrist “I just saw the incredible power of what these treatments could do.” — Dr. Brian Boyle, Psychiatrist

AOC's Campaign Paid Ketamine-Linked Psychiatrist $19K for 'Leadership Training'

This situation highlights the complex intersection of mental health advocacy, campaign finance regulations, and the evolving landscape of psychedelic therapy in the United States.

AOC Spends $19K in Campaign Funds on Psychiatrist Linked to Controversial Ketamine Therapy