For veterans and active-duty military
Legal psychedelic therapy pathways for service members.
The 2026 White House Initiative on Psychedelic Medicine opened federal Right to Try access to ibogaine for eligible veterans, directed the VA to expand its ibogaine PTSD trials, and accelerated FDA review of MDMA-assisted therapy. Here is what is actually available today - and how to access it.
- VA ibogaine trials
- 3 active sites
- VA MDMA trials
- 2 active sites
- Tricare Spravato
- Covered for TRD
- Right to Try
- Eligible (2025+)
Four legal pathways
How service members actually access this care
Each pathway has a different eligibility bar, funding source, and risk profile. Start with the one that matches your situation.
Active VA clinical trial
The strongest pathway if you qualify. Free treatment, full supervision, coordinated with your VA psychiatrist. Entry depends on diagnosis (PTSD, TRD, MST), location (NY / CA / OR / AZ depending on the trial), and cohort openings.
See VA trial sitesTricare-covered Spravato
Spravato is covered under Tricare Select and Prime when your prescribing psychiatrist documents treatment-resistant depression. Requires a REMS-certified site and 2-hour observation after each dose. Typical patient cost: $0-$150/session after coverage.
Find Tricare providersRight to Try (ibogaine)
The 2026 executive order explicitly named ibogaine as an eligible investigational drug under the 2018 federal Right to Try Act. If you have a life-threatening condition (severe TRD with suicidality, treatment-resistant PTSD), your psychiatrist can petition a sponsor for access. No VA referral required, but most patients coordinate with their VA team.
How Right to Try worksLicensed state programs
Oregon and Colorado operate licensed adult-use psilocybin programs. You do not need a diagnosis or referral to book. No insurance coverage (cash only, $2,200-$3,500/session), but many private foundations run veteran scholarships. Colorado's Natural Medicine Health Act explicitly includes a veterans access provision.
See licensed psilocybin providersVA trial sites
FDA-sanctioned trials currently recruiting veterans
Every site below is a VA medical center or a VA-coordinated academic partner running an FDA-authorized Phase 2 or Phase 3 study. Compensation varies; travel is typically covered.
Phase 2, recruiting
VA New York Harbor Healthcare (Manhattan)
Ibogaine + magnesium for combat PTSD
Call your VA mental health coordinator; study team accepts outside-VA referrals.
Phase 2 expansion, recruiting
Palo Alto VA / Stanford collaboration
Ibogaine for treatment-resistant depression with co-morbid TBI
Stanford Brain Stimulation Lab is the clinical arm. Coordinate via VA primary psychiatry.
Phase 2, recruiting
Portland VA / OHSU collaboration
Psilocybin for alcohol use disorder in veterans
OHSU Psychiatry screens applicants. VA referral accelerates eligibility review.
Phase 3 expanded access, waitlist
VA Phoenix Healthcare System
MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD
Referral required from a VA or Vet Center therapist. Currently waitlisted.
Site list confirmed against VA ORD public registry and ClinicalTrials.gov. Trial status changes weekly - always confirm recruitment status directly before scheduling travel.
International retreat comparison
4 ibogaine retreats treating US veterans, compared
Ambio, Beond, Iboga Wellness Center, Clear Sky. Side-by-side cost, cardiac protocol, veteran-specific pricing, and who each retreat is a real fit for.
Tricare network
Providers accepting Tricare for Spravato / ketamine
Coverage depends on your specific plan tier and prior authorization. These clinics have explicitly confirmed they process Tricare claims in-network.
Salience Neuro Health - Austin
Austin, TX
Dual-modality Spravato and IV ketamine provider. Covered by most commercial plans for Spravato when treatment-resistant depression criteria are met. Board-certified anesthesiologist on staff.
Florida TMS & Esketamine Clinic
Tampa, FL
Tampa Bay area Spravato and TMS provider. Staffed by board-certified psychiatrist, licensed therapist, and REMS-certified technicians. Military and Tricare welcomed.
Klarisana
San Antonio, TX
Multi-location ketamine practice (San Antonio, Denver, New Orleans) founded by a military physician. Active Tricare billing for eligible veterans. PTSD is their specialization.
Heroic Hearts Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta ketamine practice focused on veterans and first responders. Tricare billing available. Scholarship fund covers a portion of sessions for qualifying candidates.
Common questions
Will using psychedelic therapy affect my VA benefits?
Not if you go through an approved pathway. VA-authorized trials, Tricare-covered Spravato, and documented Right to Try access do not trigger benefit reviews or security clearance flags. Self-medication outside these pathways is a different conversation - get a JAG or VSO consult first.
What if I am active duty, not a veteran?
Spravato is covered under Tricare Select and Prime for service members with documented TRD. MDMA and ibogaine trials are generally restricted to veterans or civilians currently - check the individual trial eligibility. Some active-duty members have accessed licensed Oregon or Colorado programs while on personal leave.
Is there a veteran-specific scholarship for psilocybin?
Yes. The Heroic Hearts Project, Veterans of War, and the Helmet Group each run veteran scholarships for Oregon or international psilocybin retreats. Colorado's Natural Medicine Act also includes a publicly-funded veterans subsidy provision that began disbursing in Q1 2026.
Can my VA doctor refer me to a licensed psilocybin program?
They cannot formally refer (federal Schedule I status), but most VA psychiatrists will share prep and integration therapy recommendations, and many can write medical clearance letters the service center will accept at intake. Ask openly - the 2026 executive order explicitly authorized VA staff to discuss state-legal programs with patients.
Policy update
The 2026 executive order, explained
On April 18, 2026, President Trump signed the executive order "Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness". It directed the FDA to use priority review vouchers for psychedelic submissions, named ibogaine as eligible under Right to Try, allocated $50M through ARPA-H for veteran-focused trials, and ordered the VA to expand site authorization for ibogaine and MDMA studies.
Read the full explainer