For Veterans, Society, and Us All - Legislators & Leaders Gather at the Capitol to Advocate for Veteran Access to Psychedelic Therapies
Legislators & Leaders Gather at the Capitol to Advocate for Veteran Access to Psychedelic Therapies in a Bipartisan Effort
For Veterans, Society, and Us All — a Timely Opportunity for Congress to Act and the Public to Learn: Ibogaine’s Transformative Potential Comes Into Focus with Representative Lou Correa (D-CA-46), Ibogaine Pioneer Martín Polanco, MD, Veteran Jay Kopelman, and Melissa Lavasani, Psychedelic Medicine Coalition
“Antibiotics was one absolute miracle that changed the world… outside of that, I cannot think of anything that would get on the level of iboga.”
- Dalibor Sames, PhD, Columbia University
“The master key of the master key—the discovery of my lifetime.”
- Gül Dolen, UC Berkeley
Date and Time
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location
Capitol Visitor Center, North Orientation Theater (CVC 249)
Program
Opening Remarks: Representative Lou Correa (D-CA-46)
Panelists: Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-08), Dr. Martín Polanco, Jay Kopelman
Moderator: Melissa Lavasani, CEO of Psychedelic Medicine Coalition
Host: Psychedelic Medicine Coalition in partnership with the Mission Within Foundation
Remarks: Samantha Juan, Former US Army Special Operations Veteran, Federal Communications Leader, Artist and Creator
As we enter the New Year, urgency is rising. With midterms on the horizon, advocates for the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act are gathering to secure support in the 119th Congress—poised to reshape the future of veteran healthcare. The timing is significant as the federal government recently announced it will invest up to $100 million in quantitative measures of mental and behavioral health, including psychedelics.
This bipartisan bill is led by Representatives Lou Correa (D-CA) and General Jack Bergman (R-MI) and would designate and fund the creation of Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), offering veterans access to cutting-edge treatments, including psychedelic-assisted therapies, such as ibogaine, MDMA, psilocybin, 5-MeO-DMT, and more. A panel discussion and audience Q&A will explore the potential role of psychedelics and integrative healing approaches in providing new pathways to recovery.
THE BILL
The bill calls for the VA to establish at least five Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence across the country. These centers would focus on treating conditions such as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, Parkinson's disease, and chronic pain—many of which have resisted traditional treatment methods. Therapies highlighted in the bill include MDMA, psilocybin, ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT, ketamine, and others as determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
In addition to supporting clinical research and infrastructure development, the legislation paves the way for safe, legal, and stateside access to these innovative treatments within the VA system—ensuring that veterans can receive high-quality care without the need to travel abroad or seek unregulated options. Learn more.
WHY
With an estimated 20-44 veterans dying by suicide every day, the mental health crisis facing those who served their country demands urgent attention.
This event raises awareness of ibogaine’s role as a breakthrough treatment for PTSD, TBI, depression, and addiction - especially when combined with other medicines, meditation, functional medicine, and integration coaching. All gathering will be encouraged to reach out to their member of Congress to support this Bill.