Utah authorizes state-funded psychedelic research for veterans with PTSD
Utah authorizes state-funded psychedelic research for veterans with PTSD
Utah has taken a cautious but nationally significant step into psychedelic science. On March 19, Gov. Spencer Cox signed House Bill 390, the Veterans PTSD Clinical Research Amendment, authorizing a state-funded clinical study of psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans with treatment‑resistant post‑traumatic stress disorder.
The law does not legalize psychedelic therapy or open public access. Instead, it creates a narrowly defined, tightly regulated research pathway centered at Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah.
HB390 positions Utah in a unique policy space. While states such as Oregon and Colorado have pursued broader access models for psilocybin therapy, Utah has opted for a conservative, evidence‑first approach: a clinical trial overseen by institutional review boards and federal regulators, designed specifically to evaluate safety and feasibility in a veteran population.
The bill authorizes research involving three investigational compounds—MDMA, psilocybin, and 5‑MeO‑DMT—administered within a structured therapeutic protocol that includes preparation sessions, supervised dosing, and post‑session integration therapy.
Key takeaways:
- Utah launches a tightly regulated, state-funded study for veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD
- The approach prioritizes evidence, safety, and oversight
- The study targets unmet clinical needs and scientific understanding.
IMPACT: By investing in rigorous, veteran-focused research, Utah positions itself as a national leader in generating the high-quality evidence needed to guide future PTSD treatments and inform thoughtful, data-driven policy.
The study will focus on veterans whose post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has not responded to existing FDA‑approved medications or evidence‑based psychotherapies. “There’s a huge unmet need,” said Benjamin Lewis, MD, an associate professor of psychiatry (clinical) at the University of Utah and a researcher at the institute.
“We have treatments that work well for some people, but a large number of veterans don’t respond to currently approved medications or psychotherapies. Psychedelic‑assisted therapy has shown significant promise, but we still need stronger data on how to use it safely and effectively.”
HB390 was sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Dailey‑Provost and Sen. Kirk Cullimore and was shaped in collaboration with noted psychedelic therapy researchers Anya Ragnhildstveit and Miriam Kaiyo. Unlike earlier legislative efforts focused on clinical rollout, Lewis, who is slated to be the study’s principal investigator, said the bill was intentionally written as a regulated research trial.
“This legislation provides for a clinical trial with IRB, DEA, and FDA oversight,” he said. “The goal is to establish safety and feasibility first—can this be done safely in this population, and is it acceptable to veterans?”
The state has allocated $1 million to support the study, with the possibility of additional philanthropic funding and grant-based support. The total number of veterans enrolled in the trial will depend on the amount of available funding.
Beyond symptom reduction, the study aims to examine how psychedelic‑assisted therapy may work at a biological level. “We’ll be looking at PTSD symptoms, but also mechanistic outcomes,” Lewis said. “That includes brain activity, psychophysiological measures, and other indicators that help us understand what’s actually driving therapeutic change.”
Lewis also sees broader implications for Utah’s role in shaping national policy. “This is the state taking ownership of a serious problem among its veterans,” he said. “It’s about generating data that lawmakers can rely on and approaching this thoughtfully and conservatively.”
While the study itself will be small, Lewis believes HB390 lays critical groundwork. “Even if only a limited number of veterans participate, it sets the stage for future research and future treatment directions,” he said. “It’s an important first step.”