AUSTIN—Today a bipartisan group of special operations veterans, medical experts and advocates came out in support of legislation by State Rep. Alex Dominguez (D-Brownsville) to create a first-of-its-kind study on the safety and efficacy of psychedelic therapy to treat some of the most severe medical and mental health conditions facing veterans.
Treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder is a severe form of post-traumatic stress disorder in which a patient's condition does not improve from traditional pharmacological and psychotherapeutic solutions. When an individual suffers from a treatment-resistant stress-and-trauma-related mental health or medical condition, they are at higher risk for suicide, addiction, unemployment, homelessness, criminality, and other dire consequences. One population, special operations veterans, is especially vulnerable to these conditions.
"With a mental health epidemic growing in every segment of American society, it is clear that our current solutions are failing. New approaches are desperately needed for all people suffering from stress-and-trauma-related mental health conditions, but especially our veterans," said Dominguez, a sophomore Democrat from the Rio Grande Valley. "We must pursue every possible treatment solution for these conditions."
Dominguez is joined in his effort to advance the study of these medicines by former Texas Governor Rick Perry.
“I was initially skeptical when I first heard of psychedelic therapeutics until I witnessed the treatment potential myself,” said Perry. “Our veterans sacrifice so much of their own mental and physical health while protecting our freedoms abroad, they shouldn’t have to travel to other countries once they return home to treat the invisible wounds of war. We owe it to them to properly explore how psychedelic therapeutics can treat PTSD, depression, trauma and addiction.”
According to the Center for Disease Control, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US with an American dying by suicide every 12 minutes. Suicide acutely affects the veteran population which makes up only 7.9 percent of the population but 13.5 percent of all suicide deaths. Veterans are twice as likely to commit suicide with an average of 20 veterans dying by suicide every day.
“My husband, Marcus, is a retired Navy SEAL who received psychedelic-assisted therapy at a time when our life was spiraling dangerously out of control,” said Amber Capone, co-founder of VETS, Inc. “For us psychedelic therapy provided immediate relief, and HB 1802 gives others the potential to find the same results.”
"After years of failed options, I felt I had nothing to lose by trying psychedelic therapy," said Marcus Capone, retired U.S. Navy SEAL and co-founder of VETS, Inc. "I was astounded by the unparalleled and immediate effectiveness, which is why I made it my mission to assist my fellow non-active duty teammates. Three years later, we've provided funding support to over 300 special operations veterans, many on the brink of suicide - the success has been unbelievable."
Recent research into applications of psychedelics has returned promising results, confirming that they yield therapeutic advantages. However, no studies have been performed in the state of Texas.
"With only two FDA approved medicinal treatments for PTSD and at-best around 30% of patients experiencing positive outcomes, the need for new approaches is clear and urgent," said Dr. Lynnette Averill, a leading suicidality and trauma researcher at the Baylor College of Medicine and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. "Studies have demonstrated that properly administered psychedelic therapy can safely have rapid, robust and enduring, positive effects in the treatment of trauma-and-stress related mental health conditions. More research is necessary to better understand the clinical mechanisms of these therapeutics, and I am incredibly excited that Texas will be a global leader in this effort – exploring medicines with the potential to not only save lives – but to help set a foundation for people to build lives they truly want to live."
HB 1802 directs the Health and Human Services Commission to conduct a study on the safety and efficacy of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), psilocybin, and ketamine for the treatment of treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder. Should the bill make it into law, a report on the results of the study will be submitted to the legislature by December 2024.