Baton Rouge, La. — The Louisiana Task Force on Alternative Therapies for Veterans convened Oct. 22 to hear extensive testimony about psychedelic-assisted therapies as potential treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and substance use disorders among veterans.

The panel, chaired by Senator McMath, heard personal accounts from veterans who said psychedelic-assisted treatments brought durable improvement after conventional care failed, clinical researchers who outlined trial and safety protocols, and at least one witness who cautioned about risks, training and commercial rush. Senator McMath asked members to draft a framework for possible state-supported research, access programs and regulatory safeguards.

Why it matters: Advocates argued the therapies could reach veterans who do not respond to current treatments and could reduce suicide, homelessness and recidivism; researchers and some speakers said rigorous screening, trained clinicians and post-treatment integration are essential to reduce risks and ensure equitable access.

Testimony and evidence

Retired Lt. Gen. Martin R. Steele, in a recorded statement on behalf of the Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition, described an ‘‘over-reliance on polypharmacy’’ in veterans’ care and said ‘‘a growing body of research suggests that psychedelic therapies can produce’’ rapid and sustained symptom relief. Steele noted that multiple psychedelic compounds have been granted "breakthrough therapy" designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and pointed to other states’ investments, saying Texas and Georgia had funded veteran-focused trials and development work.

Former professional athlete Mike Kamisarek and several veterans described firsthand experiences overseas and in clinic settings. Kamisarek said he had found ‘‘true hope’’ after participating in a program that combined psychedelic-assisted therapy with peer support.

Retired Maj. Gen. Glenn Curtis, a former Louisiana National Guard commander, described traveling to Tijuana for an ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT protocol after his son’s head injury and his own long medical history. Curtis described the treatment sequence he experienced (preparation, an Ibogaine session that he said involved multiple staff and close monitoring, followed days later by a 5-MeO-DMT session). ‘‘It was the most peace I’ve had in my life in 20 years,’’ Curtis said, adding that he now plans a nonprofit, Warriors Awakened, to help Louisiana veterans obtain similar care.

Lieutenant Gary Hess and other veterans described layered treatment paths: some reported durable gains after a limited number of psychedelic sessions, others said they needed follow-up or ‘‘touch-up’’ sessions and consistent community-based integration. Several speakers emphasized that the medicines are not a ‘‘magic bullet’’ and that successful outcomes relied on preparation, medical screening, therapist training and post-treatment integration into therapy, exercise and community support.

Clinical researchers and policy frameworks

Kevin Renán (listed in testimony as Dr. Kevin Renan), an associate professor at LSU Shreveport and director of an addiction research center there, described ongoing translational research and ‘‘models of care’’ trials the university is planning for treatment-resistant conditions (including methamphetamine use disorder). Renán emphasized the need to build clinical capacity and noted access concerns: when novel treatments are available only out of pocket, most Louisiana residents cannot afford them.

Dr. Kevin Murnane (LSU) and other academic witnesses summarized the evolving clinical evidence base: randomized trials of psilocybin and MDMA have produced large, sometimes durable improvements in some patients, and ketamine has already entered clinical practice as an FDA-cleared treatment pathway. Several academic presenters emphasized trial rigor (blinding challenges, inclusion/exclusion screening), cardiac and psychiatric screening to reduce acute risks, and the need for integration services after dosing.

Dr. Neil Naito, a retired Navy captain, proposed a combined approach to getting safe access: sponsor investigator-initiated clinical trials, create an early-access program for patients who cannot enter trials, and use n-of-1 and adaptive master-protocol designs to collect data while expanding access. He compared a potential roll-out to established cancer research networks that centralize protocols, IRB review and data capture to speed access and preserve scientific rigor.

Warnings, safeguards and training

Jonathan Lubecky, a veteran policy adviser with years of experience on psychedelic policy, urged caution on implementation details. He warned of boundary violations and misconduct if clinical monitoring and therapist training are inadequate and urged strong standards and training pipelines rather than ad hoc certification. Lubecky also noted several high-profile violence cases linked in public reporting to individuals who had used psychedelics and said the field needs transparent reporting of harms as well as benefits.

Multiple witnesses, including researchers and veterans, flagged the cardiac risks associated with ibogaine (noted as QT-prolongation risk in testimony) and urged strict pre‑treatment cardiology screening, continuous monitoring during dosing and skilled medical teams on site. Speakers also urged standardized integration services (therapy, peer support, physical rehabilitation and community supports) during the weeks and months after dosing.

Costs, access and policy examples

Several witnesses gave specific cost and funding figures discussed in the hearing: witnesses who obtained treatment abroad reported typical total program costs (including airfare and lodging) around $10,000 per person; General Steele cited state support in other states, saying Texas funded a $2,000,000 psilocybin trial at Baylor and allocated $50,000,000 for ibogaine development, and that Georgia appropriated $1,000,000 to an Emory veterans program. Witnesses said these state investments can be paired with federal trial pathways to speed FDA review and broaden access.

Next steps

Senator McMath closed the hearing by asking the task force to develop a proposed framework for how Louisiana could support research, clinical trials, early‑access programs and standards for training and safety. The committee approved routine minutes at the start of the meeting and concluded without formal votes on policy. Several witnesses offered to collaborate with the task force on next steps.

Reporting notes

Speakers spoke from personal experience and from clinical trials or program work; the hearing included recorded statements as well as live testimony and a question-and-answer period. Where direct quotes are used, they are attributed to the speakers who said them during the session.

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