Nine U.S. veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) traveled to a remote village near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for a week-long psychedelic retreat. This journey, organized by the Heroic Hearts Project, aimed to provide relief through the use of psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms. Nearly a year after their experience, many veterans reported significant changes in their mental health.

The Veterans Administration (VA) has begun funding clinical trials to explore the use of psilocybin and MDMA for treating PTSD, depression, and addiction. However, these treatments are not yet available to veterans, prompting many to seek alternative therapies abroad. The retreat in Mexico offered a chance for these veterans to explore their trauma in a supportive environment.

Among the participants was TJ Duff, a former Navy sailor who survived a suicide bombing on the USS Cole in 2000. Duff expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of traditional therapies, stating, "Being optimistic is hard for me. Because I've been through a lot of therapy, a lot of different treatments. And not a lotta success."

Randy Weaver, a former Army staff sergeant, also attended the retreat. Diagnosed with PTSD after multiple deployments, he shared his struggles with the condition. "It's the constant, you know, what if I had done this? What if we did that?" he said. Weaver has worn a bracelet with the name of a fallen comrade for 20 years, a reminder of the trauma he carries.

The retreat required participants to work with their doctors to discontinue any antidepressants or anxiety medications, as these could interact negatively with the psychedelics. A local doctor was present during the ceremonies, but no mental health professionals were on site.

Jesse Gould, founder of the Heroic Hearts Project, believes psychedelics can help veterans confront their trauma in ways traditional therapies may not. "The value of what we're finding with psychedelics is it's a very individualistic journey," he explained. "It brings up the emotions. It heightens your senses. And so you're having to face it."

During the retreat, participants engaged in multiple ceremonies, consuming psilocybin-infused tea. The experiences varied widely among the veterans. Michael Giardina described his experience as feeling like an exorcism, while Ed Glover felt a deep connection to those he had lost. "I felt like I was taking every last breath of any victim, patient, or friend that I had lost," Glover said.

However, not all experiences were positive. TJ Duff found the process unsettling and ultimately left the retreat early, later reporting a decline in his mental health and returning to antidepressant medication.

The final ceremony involved 5-MeO-DMT, a powerful psychedelic. After returning home, the veterans participated in virtual follow-up sessions with counselors from the Heroic Hearts Project. Glover reflected on the importance of self-care, stating, "I think my biggest takeaway was making sure I make the time to take care of myself."

The VA has expressed concerns about the safety of such retreats, with Dr. Shereef Elnahal noting the risks of self-medicating. "They're seeking these therapies because they do not see our current options for them to be effective enough, and they're in a state of desperation," he said. The FDA has yet to approve any psychedelic treatments for PTSD, leaving many veterans to seek alternative solutions.