The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, and the emergence of psychedelic-assisted therapies has significant implications for Veterans’ mental health care. Despite growing evidence supporting these treatments, their implementation faces substantial challenges, including limited therapist training, infrastructure requirements, and manufacturing constraints. Furthermore, the concepts of “set and setting” are crucial factors that may influence Veterans’ adoption and experience of psychedelic therapies. “Set” encompasses one’s inner state, including mood, personality, and beliefs, while “setting” includes both immediate environmental factors and broader sociocultural contexts.As psychedelic therapies gain legitimacy, understanding Veterans’ perspectives becomes critical to ensure ethical implementation and equitable access. This is particularly important for historically marginalized populations, who have been underrepresented in psychedelic research. Concerns about potential misuse and commercialization of these treatments further emphasize the need to understand Veterans’ attitudes and concerns.To address these knowledge gaps, we conducted a nationally representative survey of Veterans seeking VHA care. The study examined Veterans’ attitudes, beliefs, and concerns regarding psychedelic-assisted therapies for mental health conditions, as well as the physical and social conditions that might influence treatment acceptability. This presentation will share findings from the initial survey waves, focusing on demographic differences in three key areas: 1) attitudes and beliefs about therapeutic psychedelic use and psychedelic-assisted therapies, 2) concerns regarding therapeutic psychedelic use, and 3) interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies for mental health conditions.Eligible for CE credits. Click the link for more information: https://form.jotform.com/PsychedelicSupport/continuingeducation
