Story perspectives

Trump Orders Accelerated Psychedelic Research; DoD Funds MDMA PTSD Trials

5/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Department of Defense will fund two MDMA-assisted therapy studies for 186 PTSD service members, granting $4.9 million to Walter Reed and Emory.
Ethnobotanist Dennis McKenna warned that MDMA therapy could be used to send soldiers back into combat.
Psychologist Rachel Yehuda said psychedelic treatment might cause soldiers to question their military service.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order accelerating psychedelic research for veterans, citing veteran suicides.

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Story summary

The Department of Defense will fund two MDMA-assisted therapy studies for 186 PTSD service members, granting $4.9 million to Walter Reed and Emory.
Ethnobotanist Dennis McKenna warned that MDMA therapy could be used to send soldiers back into combat.
Psychologist Rachel Yehuda said psychedelic treatment might cause soldiers to question their military service.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order accelerating psychedelic research for veterans, citing veteran suicides.