[1/3] U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks at a press conference on psychedelics in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in Washington, U.S., July 13, 2023.
REUTERS/Kevin WurmWASHINGTON, July 13 (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers on Thursday pushed to include a provision allowing medical research of psychedelic drugs as part of a sweeping annual defense policy bill, saying it could help treat post-traumatic stress disorder and other ailments despite possible concerns.
Veterans' groups have for years been pushing for research into the potential medical benefits of psychedelics - including LSD and magic mushrooms - for their ability to alleviate the effects of PTSD and depression.
Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL and co-sponsor of the amendment, pointed to potential uses for survivors of sexual trauma and law enforcement officers.
The measure would direct the Secretary of Defense to conduct a clinical report on the uses of psychedelics in military treatment facilities.
Persons:
Representative Alexandria Ocasio, Kevin Wurm WASHINGTON, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Dan Crenshaw, Crenshaw, Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, Moira Warburton, Scott Malone, Susan Heavey
Organizations:
U.S, Representative, psychedelics, National Defense, REUTERS, Democratic, Capitol Hill, Republican, Navy, Defense, Thomson
Locations:
Cortez, Washington , U.S, U.S