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A 2026 RAND survey study estimates that approximately 4.8 million U.S. veterans have used psilocybin mushrooms, LSD, or MDMA. About half of those veterans reported uncertainty about whether telling a VA provider would put their benefits at risk. The findings are from a survey, not a clinical trial.
- Prevalence is substantial: Roughly 27.5% of all U.S. veterans report lifetime use of psilocybin, LSD, or MDMA, with LSD being the most commonly used substance in this group.
- Policy confusion creates a disclosure gap: Around half of veterans were unsure whether discussing psychedelic use with a VA doctor could jeopardize their benefits, an uncertainty the study authors say matters as federal policy conversations intensify.
- Support for legal access varies by substance: Veterans showed stronger support for legal psilocybin use (23%) and LSD (11%) than the broader U.S. population, while support for legal MDMA (9%) was comparable to national averages.
- Ibogaine remains rare but watched: Fewer than 1% of veterans reported ibogaine use, and about 5% of non-users said they would be willing to try it, a figure that may shift following a 2026 executive order committing federal funds to ibogaine research.
- Model
- human
- Sample
- U.S. veterans (nationally representative survey estimate yielding approximately 4.8 million users)
- Dose
- Not applicable (survey study)
- Design
- Survey examining lifetime psychedelic use, attitudes toward legal access, and VA policy awareness
- Key outcome
- An estimated 27.5% of veterans report lifetime use of psilocybin, LSD, or MDMA; roughly half were unsure about disclosing use to VA providers
- Main limitation
- Self-reported survey data; prevalence figures are estimates with inherent recall and social-desirability biases
What the Research Examined
The research was conducted by RAND, a Washington-based policy think tank, and released in June 2026. The study is a survey examining three specific questions: how many U.S. veterans have used psilocybin mushrooms, LSD, or MDMA; how much they support legal access to those substances; and how well they understand current VA policy on psychedelic use. Lead author Michelle Priest and her colleagues produced a nationally representative estimate placing lifetime veteran psychedelic use at approximately 4.8 million individuals, or about 27.5% of the veteran population. The full RAND report is the primary source; the findings summarized here were reported by Military Times on June 23, 2026.
The study was not a clinical trial and did not evaluate therapeutic outcomes. It was designed as a policy-relevant landscape assessment at a moment when the federal and state policy landscape for psychedelics is shifting rapidly, including a 2026 executive order directing at least $50 million toward ibogaine research and a newly announced VA clinical trial of MDMA-assisted therapy for severe mental health disorders. Those policy developments form the backdrop against which the RAND team asked veterans about their experiences and comfort with disclosure.
A notable absence the study highlights is a formal VA guidance document for psychedelics comparable to the 2023 marijuana policy, which explicitly told veterans their cannabis use would not affect their benefits. No equivalent guarantee exists for psilocybin, LSD, or MDMA, and the VA’s public-facing language continues to discourage self-medication with unprescribed substances. That gap, the authors suggest, may be a meaningful driver of veterans’ reluctance to discuss psychedelic use with their providers.
What the Findings Show
- Estimated lifetime users.Approximately 4.8 million U.S. veterans have used psilocybin mushrooms, LSD, or MDMA at least once, representing about 27.5% of the total veteran population.
- Disclosure uncertainty.Roughly half of veterans in the survey were unsure whether telling a VA doctor about their psychedelic use could jeopardize their VA benefits.
- Support for legal access.23% of veterans supported legal psilocybin use and 11% supported legal LSD use, both figures higher than comparable national averages; support for legal MDMA (9%) matched the general population.
- Ibogaine use and openness.Fewer than 1% of veterans reported ever using ibogaine; approximately 5% of those who had not used it said they would be willing to try it.
The RAND team also noted that veterans were more likely than the general U.S. population to have used LSD in their lifetime. The study does not provide data on whether veterans who used these substances did so for mental health reasons, in ceremonial or recreational contexts, or some combination, which limits conclusions about motivations or outcomes.
How many veterans have used psilocybin mushrooms or other psychedelics?
A 2026 RAND survey study estimates approximately 4.8 million U.S. veterans have used psilocybin mushrooms, LSD, or MDMA at least once. LSD was the most commonly used substance. These are survey-based estimates and should be understood as approximations rather than exact counts.
What This Is, and What It Is Not
This is This is a nationally representative survey study measuring self-reported lifetime psychedelic use, policy attitudes, and disclosure comfort among U.S. veterans.
This is not This is not a clinical trial and does not demonstrate that psychedelics treat or cure any condition. Survey data carry recall and social-desirability biases, and the findings should not be taken as medical guidance. Individuals with questions about their own mental health care should consult a qualified provider.
Our Take
For those of us who approach psilocybin as a sacrament, the scale of veteran use is not entirely surprising. Many who have served carry wounds that conventional systems have struggled to reach, and some have quietly sought other paths. What this RAND study clarifies is that the journey many veterans have already taken exists in a policy vacuum, one where the fear of institutional consequence keeps real experience hidden from the very providers meant to help. Honesty between a person and their healer is a foundation of any genuine healing process. A policy environment that discourages that honesty deserves scrutiny, regardless of where one stands on the substances themselves.
If you are a veteran, a family member, or simply someone who has wondered how these substances move through the lives of those who have served, we welcome you here. The Mycelium Report exists to bring the science into the open, plainly and without agenda. Whatever station of the path you find yourself on, curiosity itself is a form of courage. We are glad you are reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will veterans lose their VA benefits if they tell their doctor they use psilocybin or other psychedelics?
The VA has not issued a policy that protects veterans who disclose psychedelic use the way its 2023 marijuana policy does. About half of veterans surveyed by RAND were unsure about this, and the VA’s public guidance continues to discourage unprescribed psychedelic use. Veterans should consult a provider or patient advocate directly.
What psychedelics have veterans used most commonly?
According to the 2026 RAND survey study, LSD was the most commonly used psychedelic among U.S. veterans, and veterans were more likely than the general population to have used it. Psilocybin mushrooms and MDMA were also included in the study’s scope.
Is the VA conducting research on psychedelic therapies for veterans?
As of 2026, the VA has announced a clinical trial evaluating MDMA-assisted therapy for severe mental health disorders. A 2026 executive order also directed at least $50 million toward ibogaine research, and Walter Reed received a prior grant to study MDMA for active-duty PTSD.
What percentage of veterans support legalizing psilocybin?
The RAND study found that 23% of veterans supported the legal use of psilocybin mushrooms, a figure higher than comparable national averages. Support for legal LSD was 11%, while support for legal MDMA was 9%, which was similar to the general population.
How many veterans have tried ibogaine?
The RAND survey found that fewer than 1% of veterans reported ever using ibogaine. About 5% of veterans who had not used it said they would be willing to try it, a figure that may change as federal research funding and awareness grow.
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