Legislation has been introduced in the Texas Senate to require state health officials to study the use of MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine as treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
Dried psilocybin (left), MDMA (middle), and ketamine (right).
Senate Bill 3005 was filed yesterday with the exact language as House Bill 4014, which was introduced by State Representative John Bucy (R) last week.
The measure would direct the Department of State Health Services to conduct a comprehensive study on psychedelic-assisted therapy for PTSD, depression, and other related conditions. The research would be carried out in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine and the Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.
The legislation mandates a review of clinical trials and scientific literature on psychedelic therapies, along with an evaluation of potential treatment guidelines. It also requires an assessment of patient access to existing PTSD and depression treatments, with recommendations for expanding psychedelic-assisted therapy if the substances receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
A final report outlining the study’s findings and policy recommendations would be due to state leadership by December 1, 2026. If enacted, the legislation would take effect on September 1, 2025, and expire in 2027.
