A top federal drug official has expressed “tremendous excitement” about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. However, she cautioned that while the treatment option is “very promising,” people should understand that “it’s not magic” and requires more rigorous research.
NIDA Director’s Perspective
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Director Nora Volkow shared her perspective on the status of psychedelics research during a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies on Thursday. Volkow emphasized the need for careful and thorough research to fully understand the implications and optimal use of psychedelic treatments.
The State of Psychedelic Research
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), a strong supporter of psychedelics policy reform, asked Volkow about the current state of research, noting his support for “liberalizing” drug laws in general but seeking evidence from agencies like NIDA before endorsing certain substances as “medicine.”
Volkow responded, “This is an area of tremendous excitement—from the very pharmacology to actually understanding how to optimally use it on patients.” She highlighted that while early data suggests potential benefits, the application of these treatments has outpaced the supporting evidence, leading to their use in a variety of conditions without sufficient backing.
Ensuring Safe and Effective Use
Volkow stressed the importance of understanding how to administer these treatments safely and effectively. “How do you optimally give it without producing risk and ensuring that you’re having long term effects?” she questioned. “And that’s where we need to understand how that context that we are giving the psychedelic drug is going to influence your therapeutic response. It’s crucial.”
Watch the NIDA director discuss psychedelics research, starting at 1:37:04 into the video below:
Balancing Excitement with Caution
“But, like anything else, when people get excited, they want to start sort of believing a little bit in fairy tales. It’s not magic,” Volkow said. “It’s very promising, but we need to do much more research.” Her comments reflect a balance between enthusiasm for the potential of psychedelic treatments and a realistic assessment of the current state of evidence.
Ongoing Interest and Societal Impact
Volkow has repeatedly discussed her interest in psychedelics therapy, recognizing not only the potential benefits but also the societal impact of local and state reforms that might encourage more people to use substances such as psilocybin outside a clinical context. In 2022, she remarked that the “train has left the station” on psychedelics amid the policy reform movement.
Support from Veterans Affairs and FDA
Meanwhile, a top official with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently acknowledged an “unstoppable narrative” supporting the advancement of psychedelic medicine, citing compelling personal recovery stories and robust clinical data. He noted that bipartisan acceptance of psychedelics has “surpassed” that of marijuana in Congress.
In the background, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently considering a new drug application for MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with the review granted priority status.
Legislative and Funding Developments
Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelics, and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. For instance, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee passed a bill requiring VA to notify Congress if any psychedelics are added to its formulary of covered prescription drugs. President Joe Biden also signed into law a bipartisan measure to provide funding for the Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct clinical trials on the therapeutic potential of certain psychedelics for active duty military members.
In March, congressional appropriations leaders unveiled a spending package that includes $10 million to facilitate psychedelics studies. Earlier this year, the VA issued a request for applications to conduct in-depth research on using psychedelics to treat PTSD and depression.
Additionally, the VA launched a new podcast about the future of veteran health care, with the first episode focusing on the healing potential of psychedelics. FDA officials have also recently participated in public meetings on the next steps for developing psychedelic medicines.
The excitement surrounding psychedelic medicine is palpable, with significant progress and interest from federal agencies and legislators. However, as NIDA Director Nora Volkow reminds us, rigorous research is crucial to ensure these promising treatments are safe and effective, highlighting that while the potential is great, it is not a magical cure-all.
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