WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a pivotal advancement for behavioral health policy, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have formalized a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate the research, clinical development, and responsible deployment of rapid-acting psychiatric treatments for veterans.

Announced on July 13, 2026, this sweeping agreement directly implements Executive Order 14401, Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness. The initiative seeks to transition promising, FDA-regulated therapies from the research phase into accessible clinical care for veterans grappling with severe mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

Under the five-year agreement, the agencies will collaborate on workforce training, evidence-based clinical protocols, and real-world evidence generation. A primary focus is preparing the VA healthcare system to safely administer future FDA-approved rapid-acting psychiatric drug products, including psychedelic therapies, as they navigate the rigorous regulatory approval process.

Complementing this effort, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has revived and validated historical data on ibogaine, a naturally occurring psychedelic investigated for opioid use disorder treatment. NIDA is currently funding a multi-phase research project to support an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, aiming to evaluate updated dosing approaches that mitigate cardiovascular risks while preserving therapeutic efficacy.

"There is preliminary evidence that psychedelic therapies can rewire the brain and produce rapid improvements for people with serious mental illness or substance use disorders," noted NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D. "However, we still have much to learn about long-term benefits and risks. This collaboration helps strengthen the scientific foundation and clinical readiness needed to support safe, effective, real-world implementation."