AACPN Statement on VA MDMA-Assisted Therapy Trial

The American Alternative Care Policy Network (AACPN) welcomes the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ decision to launch a clinical trial evaluating MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder. AACPN believes the study will help expand the scientific understanding needed to determine whether emerging treatment approaches can safely and effectively address some of the most difficult behavioral health challenges facing veterans and other trauma survivors.

“Veterans and trauma survivors deserve access to every safe, evidence-based treatment option that may help support recovery and long-term wellbeing,” said Amanda J. Parker, Director of Alternative Care and Community Advocacy for AACPN. “We applaud the VA for pursuing rigorous scientific research and believe studies like this are essential to understanding how innovative therapies may complement existing mental health treatment approaches. Research must lead the conversation, and public policy should be guided by evidence, patient safety, and clinical outcomes.”