Psychedelics help special operations veterans’ mental and cognitive health

In a sample of U.S. special operations forces veterans who sought treatment at a clinic in Mexico, one treatment each of two psychedelic drugs decreased depression and anxiety and enhanced cognitive functioning, according to a new analysis. Researchers used psychedelics: Ibogaine hydrochloride, derived from the West African shrub iboga, and the hallucinogenic substance secreted by the Colorado River toad.

Psychedelics Offer New Hope for Veterans with PTSD and Brain Injuries

Ibogaine hydrochloride, derived from the West African shrub iboga, and 5-MeO-DMT, a psychedelics compound secreted by the Colorado River toad. Under the Controlled Substances Act of the United States, both are classified as Schedule I drugs.

The combined treatment not only reduced PTSD symptoms but also cognitive impairment brought on by traumatic brain injury. More conventional therapies are ineffective for treating the complex psychiatric symptoms of many veterans of special operations forces.

“Interestingly, what sets this group apart from some other veterans and civilians is that often, they are exposed to repeated traumatic events as a routine part of their jobs. This build-up of exposure to these difficulties seems to produce a cluster of challenges that include traumatic brain injury, which we know in and of itself predisposes people to mental health problems,” said lead author Alan Davis, associate professor and director of the Centre for Psychedelics Drug Research and Education (CPDRE) in Ohio State’s College of Social Work.

Psychedelics Show Promise in Healing Veterans: Enhancing Mental Health and Cognitive Recovery

“So the fact that we saw that there were improvements in cognitive functioning linked to brain injury were probably the most striking results, because that’s something we didn’t predict and it’s very new and novel in terms of how psychedelics might help in so many different domains.”

In the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, the study is published. After 9/11, the majority of the veterans participating in the clinic retreat program were on active duty, and they said they were seeking treatment for memory loss, brain damage, depression, anxiety, PTSD, sleep issues, anger, and fatigue. Eighty-six percent of participants reported past head trauma, attributing it to current memory issues, irritability, sleep disorders, and tinnitus.

86 veterans responded to pretreatment questionnaires about various mental health symptoms, life satisfaction, level of anger, and suicidality. Researchers administered Ibogaine hydrochloride orally once and gave each participant five incremental doses of 5-MeO-DMT, totaling 50 milligrams. Each treatment included preparation and reflection sessions before and after.

Participants reported major improvements in PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and anger, with sustained life satisfaction increases at follow-ups. Moreover, reported improvements over six months included reduced disability, post-concussive symptoms, and significant gains in psychological flexibility and cognitive functioning.

Unveiling the Power: Profound Shifts in Mind and Spirit

Davis suggests researchers need to investigate whether improved thinking comes from reduced symptoms, brain changes, or both. Furthermore, previous research links increased psychological flexibility to insightful, mystical experiences, where one acts consistently with their values.

Davis said that increased psychological flexibility likely leads to reduced mental health symptoms and improved overall well-being.

The majority of participants also reported mild to significant positive changes in a variety of attitudes, behaviors, and relationships. One month post-therapy, nearly half found their experience most spiritual (48.6%) or enlightening (42.9%), while 17.1% found it most challenging.