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Veterans tell Senate study committee psychedelic-assisted therapy was lifesaving
Summary
Two veterans and advocacy groups recounted personal recoveries and urged the study committee to pursue in‑state clinical access; testimony described VETS’ work assisting nearly 1,000 veterans and a waiting list of over 205.
Two veterans who helped found the nonprofit Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions told a Senate study committee that psychedelic-assisted therapy transformed their lives and that many veterans currently lack safe, affordable access inside the United States.
Marcus Capone, co-founder and chairman of VETS and a former U.S. Navy SEAL, described multiple failed conventional treatments and credited a clinically supervised psychedelic-assisted therapy abroad in 2017 with ‘‘saving my life and changing my life forever.’’ Amber Capone, co-founder and Marcus’s wife, described arranging the treatment and said the organization has assisted nearly 1,000 veterans to access similar care overseas.
Speakers emphasized that veterans often carry complex clinical histories — including traumatic brain injury and concurrent psychiatric conditions — that can exclude them from conventional clinical trials. Marcus Capone told senators that VETS currently has a waiting list of more than 205 veterans seeking treatment but can accept only a small proportion because of access, affordability and the limited number of vetted clinics.
The committee did not vote on legislation. Members asked presenters for written materials and bill language from other states so legislators can compare models and consider whether to recommend state-funded trials or licensing support.
