Veterans Lead the Way in Psychedelic Healing

As veterans explore psychedelic-assisted therapies for PTSD, trauma, and addiction, their experiences could transform mental health care for all.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:51pm

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A minimalist design in the style of Keith Haring where the outline of a human brain is defined entirely by vibrant, glowing neon lines against a dark background, conceptually representing the therapeutic potential of psychedelics to unlock new perspectives and heal the mind.Veterans' personal journeys with psychedelic-assisted therapies could lead to breakthroughs in mental health treatment for all.Denver Today

Veterans are at the forefront of the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted therapies, using substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and ibogaine to address the invisible wounds of war. Panels at the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference and the Netflix documentary 'In Waves and War' have highlighted veterans' personal journeys through plant medicine, helping them process memories, reconnect, and rediscover purpose. As veterans participate in clinical trials and advocate for policy reforms, their pioneering efforts could unlock breakthroughs that eventually benefit the wider public, much like past military innovations in fields like trauma surgery and emergency transportation.

Why it matters

The unique experiences and trauma of military service have often forced veterans to be unintended pioneers in advancing medical knowledge and treatments. As veterans explore psychedelic-assisted therapies for conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury, depression, and moral injury, their personal stories and participation in research could lead to profound insights that transform mental health care for the broader population, just as battlefield innovations in areas like triage and medevac later benefited civilian emergency medicine.

The details

Veterans have been speaking out about their experiences using plant medicines like psilocybin, MDMA, and ibogaine to process trauma, break addiction, and reduce the effects of brain injuries and PTSD. Their stories were featured prominently at the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference in Denver, as well as in the Netflix documentary 'In Waves and War.' While much work remains to ensure these therapies are safe, accessible, and responsibly integrated into mainstream medicine, veterans are participating in clinical trials and advocating for policy reforms that would allow those suffering from mental and physical health challenges to access these emerging treatments under medical supervision.

  • The Psychedelic Science 2025 conference took place in Denver.
  • The Netflix documentary 'In Waves and War' recently premiered.

The players

Rob Lewis

The national communications director for DAV (Disabled American Veterans).

Michael Pollan

An author who has chronicled the modern psychedelic renaissance.

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What they’re saying

“As author Michael Pollan observed while chronicling the modern psychedelic renaissance, these substances can allow people to see the mind 'from a different vantage point,' loosening rigid patterns of thought that keep people trapped in trauma and depression.”

— Michael Pollan

“Increasingly, the question is no longer whether these therapies hold promise, but how they can be responsibly studied and integrated into modern medicine.”

— Rob Lewis, National Communications Director, DAV

What’s next

DAV has launched Mindscapes, a new online multimedia resource dedicated to psychedelic education and exploration, bringing together the voices of veterans, clinicians, researchers, and mental health professionals to engage the public in the conversation shaping the future of mental health care.

The takeaway

Veterans' pioneering experiences with psychedelic-assisted therapies could unlock breakthroughs that transform mental health care for the broader population, just as past military innovations in fields like trauma surgery and emergency transportation later benefited civilian medicine. However, progress will depend on public understanding, policy reform, and responsible investment to ensure these therapies are safely and responsibly integrated into modern healthcare.