Vets Trying Psychedelics for Brain Injury Relief

In July, a group of U. S. Special Operations veterans embarked on an unusual journey. They traveled to Mexico in search of relief for their post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms. Their mission? To experiment with powerful psychedelics. Over two days, they planned to ingest a psychedelic extract from a West African shrub and smoke the poison of a desert toad. The veterans had tried many other treatments without success. One of them, a retired Army Green Beret named Jason, explained, "It might seem extreme, but I’ve exhausted all other options. "Psychedelics, derived from plants or animal secretions, can induce intense hallucinations. Despite the risks, some veterans believe these substances offer a chance for healing. Their goal is not just to manage symptoms, but to find genuine relief. The stigma associated with using such substances is a concern for many, which is why Jason and others requested anonymity. The decision to resort to psychedelics underscores the desperation of some veterans struggling with PTSD and TBI. Conventional treatments have often fallen short, leaving them to explore unconventional methods. The use of psychedelics in this context is a sensitive and complex issue, raising questions about safety, legality, and efficacy.