California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine Psychedelic Precision Medicine Research with Veterans
Veterans are individuals who have completed military service in one of the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, to include the National Guard and Reserve. California is home to almost 1.6 million veterans, making it one of the states with the largest veteran population and accounting for around 8% of the U.S. veteran population. Overall, veterans have higher self-reported rates of stroke, cancer, lung disease, arthritis, kidney disease, and diabetes. Younger veterans face the highest burden of mental health and substance use issues. Veterans that are 18–34 years of age as well as ages 35-49, reported substantially higher levels of serious psychological distress and suicidal ideation, as well as the highest burden of alcohol and substance use disorders.
Recent studies have demonstrated effectiveness of certain psychedelics in treating a range of mental and behavioral health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders, with U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for esketamine and potential additional approvals that are anticipated. However, further research is needed to understand which psychedelics are effective for which conditions and for which people, how to optimize the psychedelic session and assisted therapy and support for improved health outcomes and patient benefit, and clinical frameworks and implementation best practices.
About Psychedelic Precision Medicine Research in Veterans
Precision medicine offers a whole-person framework to support veterans in diagnosing, preventing, and treating health conditions. As envisioned in the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) 2011 report, Toward Precision Medicine: Building a Knowledge Network for Biomedical Research and a New Taxonomy of Disease, this approach aims to aggregate, integrate, and analyze vast amounts of data from research, clinical, personal, environmental, and population health settings to develop and deliver more precise preventive measures, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Precision medicine also considers the social determinants of health and the whole person, such as age, cultural background, disability status, ethnicity/race, gender identity, geographic location, religion or faith, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.
Specifically, engaging veterans in research on psychedelic therapies can help improve health outcomes for veterans and advance research in this field. Inclusion of a precision medicine approach ensures meaningful and actionable insights about the whole person and their lived experience, tailored approaches given the variety of psychedelic options and support, and community engagement so that veterans’ perspectives are centered.
RFA for Psychedelic Research in Veterans
CIAPM seeks to fund research projects that advance precision medicine in psychedelics research, engage and impact veterans, aim to reduce health disparities, and leverage team expertise and partnerships.
Through this RFA, CIAPM seeks to fund up to $4 million to support approximately two research projects (up to $2 million per project) over a three- to four-year period, that focus on one of the following:
1. A new psychedelic-based (1) clinical trial, (2) clinical research study, or (3) study based on tribal practices and traditions, that focuses on veterans.
2. Expansion of an existing psychedelic-based (1) clinical trial, (2) clinical research study, or (3) study based on tribal practices and traditions, that supports greater focus on veterans.
Projects must be co-led by a faculty at a California non-profit public or private academic research institution and at least one California-based nonprofit community-based organization, veterans organization, community clinic, or non-state public or tribal entity, including facilities administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, that provides support for veterans and adds lived experience, expertise, and/or community or data assets.
The applicant must describe how their application 1) advances precision medicine in psychedelics research, 2) engages and impacts veterans, 3) aims to reduce health disparities, and 4) leverages team expertise and partnerships.
Partnerships should authentically aim to break down silos between academic institutions and communities, effectively integrate veterans community perspectives to ground the research in real-world needs, and foster co-learning in which partners’ strengths and capacity needs are acknowledged for meaningful integration of perspectives.
Applicants are encouraged to submit questions and consult with CIAPM staff to ensure their application is responsive to this RFA. Email ciapm@chhs.ca.gov with subject line “Psychedelics in Veterans Precision Medicine RFA.” CIAPM staff will strive to respond within 48 business hours; response times may be longer as deadlines approach.