RAND Study: 4.8 Million U.S. Veterans Report Using Psilocybin, LSD, or MDMA

A RAND Corporation study based on 1,339 U.S. veterans estimates that 4.8 million veterans have used psilocybin, LSD, or MDMA, raising important questions about Veterans Affairs policies regarding psychedelic substances. The research reveals significant gaps between current VA protocols and veterans' actual experiences with these compounds, which are increasingly studied for treating PTSD, depression, and anxiety-related conditions. These findings underscore the need for updated VA guidance as psychedelic-assisted therapies advance through clinical trials. The study highlights potential therapeutic applications while emphasizing the importance of evidence-based policy frameworks for veteran mental health care.
Originally published on
Cannabis Magazine
By Raúl del Pino
Read full article(opens in new tab)Fetched: June 25, 2026 at 10:12 AM



