VA launches major trial of psilocybin for PTSD and depression in veterans

Published Aug 6, 07:22 PM UTC

The Department of Veterans Affairs is launching the PIVOT trial, a major study on the safety and effectiveness of psilocybin (the psychoactive ingredient in 'magic mushrooms') for treating treatment-resistant major depressive disorder and PTSD in veterans. The double-blind, randomized trial will include at least 240 veterans at five VA medical centers through June 2031. Participants will receive one or two doses of psilocybin or a placebo with therapeutic support, with follow-up evaluations. The study follows a small Ohio State University trial where 75% of veteran participants no longer met PTSD criteria after psilocybin treatment. The research is part of a broader push under a Trump executive order to accelerate psychedelic therapy research, with VA involved in 20 current clinical trials on psychedelics including MDMA and LSD.