Ex-British army chief calls on ministers to back MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans

The Guardian - World NewsEN 4 min read 100% complete by Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editorFebruary 1, 2026 at 08:00 AM

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Former British army chief Sir Nick Carter is urging the UK government to ease regulations on MDMA to reduce the cost of research into its potential as a PTSD treatment for veterans. Citing a study showing significant PTSD symptom reduction with MDMA-assisted therapy, Carter advocates for cheaper trials, suggesting a reclassification specifically for medical use. Current regulations inflate the cost of medical-grade MDMA, hindering research efforts. A University of Cambridge group, partnering with the charity Supporting Wounded Veterans, is seeking £2 million to fund further trials involving veterans, first responders, and war correspondents. Researchers aim to leverage MDMA's empathogenic effects in therapy sessions to help patients explore underlying trauma.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Afghanistan 30% NHS 30% Iraq 30% Gilly Norton 40% Supporting Wounded Veterans 50% University of Cambridge 60% United Kingdom ×270% MDMA ×880% Nick Carter ×490%

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mdma-assisted therapy 100% ptsd 90% veterans 80% clinical trials 70% mdma 70% mental health 60% drug regulation 50% sir nick carter 50% supporting wounded veterans 40%

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