Emerging Virtual and Psychedelic Therapies Transform PTSD Treatment in Workers’ Comp

America’s escalating mental health crisis, particularly reflected in the increasing prevalence of PTSD, is a pressing concern. About 5% of U.S. adults experience PTSD symptoms annually, according to the Veterans Administration. In the workers’ compensation field, innovative treatments like virtual reality (VR) and psychedelic-assisted therapy are emerging as hopeful alternatives to traditional methods.

David Vittoria, VP of clinical services at Carisk, discusses the shift in workers’ compensation towards holistic treatment approaches. This includes recognizing PTSD symptoms as compensable and exploring novel treatments like Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) and psychedelic treatments. VRET, supported by clinical trials, has shown effectiveness in reducing trauma-related symptoms. Vittoria emphasizes the importance of careful application and monitoring of these therapies to avoid retraumatization.

Tyler Wilson, a sheriff’s deputy and PTSD survivor, shares his positive experience with VR therapy, noting its advantages over pharmaceutical treatments. He highlights the challenges posed by the pharmaceutical industry’s dominance in treatment options.

Psychedelic drug therapies like psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine, while less common, are gaining acceptance. Vittoria points out their promising therapeutic potential in combination with traditional psychotherapy. These treatments, administered in controlled settings, seem to facilitate brain rewiring, enhancing the effectiveness of therapy. However, long-term effects remain uncertain, and these treatments pose risks due to the heightened vulnerability of patients under their influence.

Vittoria estimates a 3-5 year timeline for FDA recognition of these interventions. Despite this, companies like Dr. Bronner’s, in partnership with Enthea, have begun offering ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) as a health benefit. Sherry Rais, CEO & co-founder of Enthea, discusses the success of this program, with notable symptom reduction in PTSD and other mental disorders. She expresses hope for FDA approval of MDMA and psilocybin therapies, acknowledging the challenges posed by misconceptions about their recreational use.

The future of PTSD treatment in workers’ compensation is likely to see VR becoming more prevalent, with psychedelics following as research and regulatory approvals progress. The industry needs to prepare for significant changes in treatment approaches for PTSD.