California announces psychedelic treatment research funding to improve veterans' health

California is making up to $4 million available to support project teams conducting psychedelic treatment research projects with veterans in California over three to four years, according to a Nov. 10 news release from Gov. Gavin Newsom's office. The California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine is opening a Request for Applications (RFAs) to fund psychedelic research through partnerships between California nonprofit academic research institutions and veteran communities. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of certain psychedelics in treating a range of mental and behavioral health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders and substance use disorders. Some studies have shown great promise for treating veterans with post‐traumatic stress disorder, the release stated. The RFA funding will advance precision medicine — meaning treatments that are matched to the individual — in psychedelic research, involve veterans and benefit them directly, aim to reduce gaps in health outcomes, and leverage team expertise and partnerships. The funding will support partnerships between California's world‐class research institutions and veteran communities to study personalized treatment approaches and address disparities in health outcomes. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 41.9% of recent veteran users of VA health care had a documented mental health or substance use disorder diagnosis in 2021. Research that incorporates veterans' experiences and perspectives can help advance understanding of these and other conditions to inform future approaches to care.