{"id":127670,"date":"2025-07-14T06:00:24","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T10:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/?p=127670"},"modified":"2025-07-11T18:03:03","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T22:03:03","slug":"cchr-cautions-veterans-psychedelics-reflect-a-dark-history-of-exploitation-harm-and-failed-science","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/cchr-cautions-veterans-psychedelics-reflect-a-dark-history-of-exploitation-harm-and-failed-science\/","title":{"rendered":"CCHR Cautions Veterans: Psychedelics Reflect a Dark History of Exploitation, Harm and Failed Science"},"content":{"rendered":"

LOS ANGELES, Calif., July 14, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR)<\/a> is warning Congress and the public that new legislation to legalize psychedelic drugs for U.S. veterans is a dangerous repeat of history\u2014when defenders of the nation were used as test subjects in unethical psychiatric experiments.<\/p>\n

\"Psychiatry
Image caption: Psychiatry and the U.S. military\u2019s shameful history of drug experiments on troops is well-documented, yet often ignored.<\/em><\/p>\n

A newly introduced federal law would expand funding to fast-track psychedelic treatments for veterans. Legislators say it\u2019s needed because one veteran suicide is too many.[1] CCHR agrees but says masking deep wounds with mind-altering drugs is a betrayal of those who served, and a review of the drugs shows many can induce suicide that veterans may not be informed of.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not real help \u2014 the psychiatric-pharmaceutical industry will exploit our veterans as guinea pigs to prop up a $10 billion psychedelics business,\u201d the watchdog states.<\/p>\n

Psychiatry’s shameful history of drug experiments on troops is well-documented\u2014yet often ignored. A December 2024 National Security Archive release revealed 1,200 once-secret records exposing the CIA\u2019s mind-control programs in the 1950s and 1960s, which used unwitting subjects to test hallucinogens like LSD.[2] The Federal Practitioner noted the project was \u201crife with violations of research ethics and human rights.\u201d[3]<\/p>\n

Between 1955\u20131975, over 7,000 soldiers were exposed to more than 250 chemicals \u2014 including nerve agents like BZ and LSD[4]\u2014in chemical warfare tests like Operation Delirium at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland. Researchers even developed BZ, a hallucinogen 100 times more powerful than LSD, to incapacitate enemy minds, but used U.S. soldiers to test it.[5]<\/p>\n

The Conversation reported in April 2024: \u201cThe full range of mechanisms, safety risks, and long-term effects of psychedelics are not known. Conflicts of interest\u2026 can contribute to an overly optimistic opinion by researchers, the public, and policymakers. This may pose safety risks to the public if legislative changes that increase access are made prematurely, as witnessed with tobacco<\/a> and opioid industries<\/a> in the past.\u201d[6]<\/p>\n

History shows what happens when psychiatric \u201cwonder drugs\u201d are marketed. The first SSRI antidepressant was sold in the 1980s and 90s on the claim that it corrected a \u201cchemical imbalance.\u201d Pharmaceutical companies touted antidepressants as wonder drugs that could make the world a happier place. However, studies now confirm SSRIs can make patients agitated, violent or suicidal.[7]<\/p>\n

In 2022, Prof. Joanne Moncrieff and colleagues from the University of London\u2019s landmark study found \u201cno evidence of a connection between reduced serotonin and depression,\u201d exposing the myth.<\/p>\n

EVIDENCE OF HARM, NOT CURE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Real-world studies show psychedelics can do more harm than good:<\/em><\/p>\n

A 2023 study in PLOS One found that one-third of users experienced severe anxiety, fear, social disconnection, depersonalization, and derealization. Transient visual distortions experienced after taking a psychedelic substance were reported by 40\u201360% of users. While largely referring to illicit uses of the drugs, the authors stated that the \u201cvariety of profoundly challenging experiences that can occur following the use of psychedelics\u201d can also occur following use in guided settings.[8]<\/p>\n

Another 2023 study discussed how ~40% of participants in an earlier study on psilocybin experienced moderate to severe anxiety, panic, or distress.[9]<\/p>\n

In another 2023 study, 7 out of 15 participants described challenging derealization experiences subsequent to taking psychedelic drugs as: \u201chaving daily out-of-body-experiences,\u201d \u201creality felt thin or unstable,\u201d \u201c[being] completely disconnected from the universe,\u201d and \u201c\u2026like, there was something wrong with my normal world.\u201d[10]<\/p>\n

Studies provide decades of evidence indicating that a \u201cbad trip\u201d can cause intense fear and panic, which sometimes lasts for weeks or months after taking the psychedelic drug. Serious anxiety issues can develop even years later.[11]<\/p>\n

The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology found ketamine linked to flashbacks, amnesia, delirium, and violence.[12]<\/p>\n

Vice\u2019s \u201cKiller High\u201d series revealed multiple cases in just three years where LSD use was linked to sudden, brutal killings. The article \u201cKiller High: Exploring the Phenomenon of LSD-Fueled Murder\u201d highlighted how even seemingly ordinary, stable people turned homicidal while under the influence.[13]<\/p>\n

\u201cVeterans need real help addressing trauma, injuries, and reintegrating into civilian life,\u201d says Jan Eastgate, president of CCHR International. \u201cThey don\u2019t need mind-bending chemicals that risk harming them further\u2014all while lining the psychiatric-pharmaceutical industry pockets.\u201d<\/p>\n

CCHR<\/a>, established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and professor of psychiatry, Dr. Thomas Szasz, provides a Fact Sheet on Psychotropic Drugs Create Suicide, Failing Service Members & Veterans<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To learn more, visit: https:\/\/www.cchrint.org\/2025\/07\/11\/psychedelics-for-vets-exploitation-failed-science\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Sources:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

[1] https:\/\/correa.house.gov\/news\/press-releases\/correa-bergman-push-to-amend-military-veterans-funding-bill-prepare-va-for-administration-of-psychedelic-therapies<\/a>;<\/p>\n

[2] https:\/\/nsarchive.gwu.edu\/briefing-book\/dnsa-intelligence\/2024-12-23\/cia-behavior-control-experiments-focus-new-scholarly<\/a><\/p>\n

[3] https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC9896363\/<\/a><\/p>\n

[4] https:\/\/www.newschannel5.com\/news\/newschannel-5-investigates\/u-s-soldiers-used-as-human-guinea-pigs-in-top-secret-chemical-testing-program<\/a>; https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2012\/03\/01\/health\/human-test-subjects\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n

[5] https:\/\/www.ranker.com\/list\/edgewood-arsenal-human-experiments\/melissa-sartore<\/a>;\u00a0 https:\/\/ahrp.org\/dr-harris-isbells-experiments\/<\/a>; https:\/\/pages.uoregon.edu\/munno\/OregonCourses\/REL253F12\/REL253Notes\/BZStory.htm<\/a><\/p>\n

[6] https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-corporate-involvement-in-psychedelic-research-could-threaten-public-safety-226689<\/a><\/p>\n

[7] https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20210211031717\/https:\/\/www.newscientist.com\/article\/mg18324545-300-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-wonder-drugs\/<\/a><\/p>\n

[8] https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0293349<\/a><\/p>\n

[9] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41598-023-41145-x<\/a><\/p>\n

[10] https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-023-41145-x<\/a><\/p>\n

[11] \u201cLSD Toxicity Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Prehospital and Emergency Department Care, Inpatient Care<\/a>,\u201d\u00a0Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology, 3 May 2017; \u201cTreatment with psychedelics is psychotherapy: beyond reductionism,\u201d The Lancet Psychiatry, published online December 12, 2023, citing Calder, A.E. and Hasler, G., \u201cTowards an understanding of psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity,\u201d Neuropsychopharmacology 2023, 48: 104-12<\/p>\n

[12] https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6315094\/<\/a><\/p>\n

[13] https:\/\/www.vice.com\/en\/article\/acid-lsd-fuelled-murder-homicide\/<\/a>; https:\/\/www.vice.com\/en\/article\/prescribed-ketamine-turned-these-men-violent-allege-lawsuits\/<\/a><\/p>\n

MULTIMEDIA:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Image link for media: https:\/\/www.Send2Press.com\/300dpi\/25-0714-s2p-cchrtroops-300dpi.jpg<\/a><\/p>\n

Image caption: Psychiatry and the U.S. military\u2019s shameful history of drug experiments on troops is well-documented, yet often ignored.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

LOS ANGELES, Calif., July 14, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR) is warning Congress and the public that new legislation to legalize psychedelic drugs for U.S. veterans is a dangerous repeat of history-when defenders of the nation were used as test subjects in unethical psychiatric experiments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9788,"featured_media":127669,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[134,12804,10,187],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-127670","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-editorial-news","category-ap","category-california-news","category-los-angeles-news","has-post-title","has-post-date","no-post-category","no-post-tag","no-post-comment","has-post-author"],"acf":[],"views":2636,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127670","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9788"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=127670"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127670\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":127673,"href":"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127670\/revisions\/127673"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/127669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=127670"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=127670"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=127670"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}