Ocasio-Cortez Campaign Spent $19K on Ketamine Therapy

0:00On March 23rd, Repay, Alexandria, Ocasio, Cortez's campaign spent nearly $19,000 last year on services from a Boston psychiatrist, specializing in ketamine therapy. Federal Election Commission records show payments totaling $18,725 to Dr. Brian Boyle, listed as, leadership training and consulting. Those payments broke down to $11,550 in March, $2,800 in May, and $4,375 in October. Boyle works with Stella Clinics, which provide ketamine treatments for issues like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety. The exact services and who benefit it remain unclear, drawing fire from ethics advocates who question the use of campaign money. Meanwhile, Ocasio Cortez has pushed for more research on psychedelics, co-sponsoring bills to ease restrictions on substances like psilocybin and MDMA, with one passing in 2023.

1:00Ketamine, once mainly an anesthetic, is getting attention for mental health potential, but faces scrutiny after actor Matthew Perry's death in 20, 23 while undergoing the therapy. Medical experts warn it needs strict oversight due to risks. This case spotlights how campaigns tap into cutting-edge treatments, even as debates grow over their safety and funding.