According to Federal Election Commission filings, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spent $18,725 in campaign funds last year on services from a psychiatrist specializing in ketamine-based therapy.
The payments totaled $11,550 in March, $2,800 in May, and $4,375 in October, categorized as “leadership training and consulting.” The psychiatrist, Brian Boyle, is affiliated with Stella, a network of mental health clinics that offers what it describes as “novel” treatments for conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety, including ketamine therapy. Boyle identifies himself as an “interventional psychiatrist” focused on treatment-resistant cases.
It remains unclear what specific services were provided under the campaign payments or who participated in those sessions.
Ketamine, originally developed as an anesthetic, has gained attention for its potential use in mental health treatments. Boyle has publicly described it as effective for some patients. The drug has also drawn scrutiny following its association with the 2023 death of actor Matthew Perry, who was receiving ketamine therapy prior to his passing.
Representative Ocasio-Cortez previously supported expanding research into psychedelic and alternative therapies. Since entering Congress, she has introduced multiple proposals aimed at easing federal restrictions on studying substances such as psilocybin and MDMA for medical use. A related measure she co-sponsored was enacted in 2023 after earlier attempts failed.
Ocasio-Cortez has also spoken publicly about her own mental health, including seeking therapy following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
The campaign expenditures have drawn criticism from ethics advocates. Paul Kamenar, counsel to the National Legal and Policy Center, stated that the spending could raise concerns about whether federal campaign funds were used for personal purposes, which is prohibited under law.
Others note that while emerging therapies like ketamine show promise, medical professionals caution that such treatments carry risks and require careful clinical oversight.
