In recent years, more veterans have traveled abroad to seek alternative treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One approach gaining momentum is the psychedelic retreat, offering legal access to substances like psilocybin and MDMA—both under active investigation for their potential to transform trauma treatment.
Why Veterans Are Turning to Psychedelic Retreats
Many veterans have explored traditional treatments like:
- Talk therapy
- Exposure therapy
- Antidepressants
- Meditation
Yet, for thousands, the symptoms of PTSD persist—affecting daily life, relationships, and mental well-being.
With limited success from conventional methods, some are traveling to countries like Mexico and Peru, where psychedelic use is legal in ceremonial or spiritual settings.
One example: Nine U.S. veterans traveled to a remote village near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for a guided retreat with the Heroic Hearts Project, a nonprofit connecting veterans to therapeutic psychedelic experiences. The program included multiple psilocybin ceremonies and one final session with 5-MeO-DMT, a powerful substance derived from the Sonoran Desert toad.
A Journey Into the Self
Participants described the experience as emotional, introspective, and in many cases, life-changing. One veteran described the session as an “exorcism” of past trauma. Another visualized reuniting with fallen comrades, gaining a sense of closure that had previously eluded him.
While not every participant had a positive experience—one left early due to emotional destabilization—eight out of nine veterans later reported they no longer experienced suicidal thoughts and felt a weight had been lifted.
VA Clinical Trials and the Path Ahead
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking note. For the first time, the VA has launched clinical trials investigating the use of psilocybin and MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, depression, and addiction.
In a Phase II MDMA-assisted therapy trial, 45% of participants achieved complete remission from PTSD symptoms. This far exceeds results from standard treatments like SSRIs or exposure therapy.
Still, full federal approval could take years. In the meantime, psychedelic retreats remain a controversial but hopeful option for many veterans.
What Happens at a Psychedelic Retreat?
Retreats such as the one in Mexico typically include:
- Medical screenings before participation
- Tapering off antidepressants before arrival
- Guided ceremonies with traditional healers or facilitators
- Integration sessions held post-retreat, often virtually
Though many of these retreats are held in spiritual or indigenous contexts, participants often report tangible psychological breakthroughs. Still, the absence of licensed mental health professionals during ceremonies is a concern raised by some medical experts.
Benefits and Risks of Psychedelic Retreats for PTSD
Potential Benefits:
- Rapid symptom relief
- Ability to revisit trauma with a new emotional lens
- Increased emotional processing and self-awareness
- Reduced suicidal ideation and depression
Possible Risks:
- Emotional destabilization during or after treatment
- Lack of clinical regulation or oversight
- Possible interactions with medications
- No guarantee of a therapeutic experience
Moving Forward with Compassion and Science
As the field of interventional psychiatry grows, so must our willingness to explore evidence-based innovations for trauma. Psychedelic retreats are not a silver bullet, but they may represent an important piece of the puzzle in reshaping veteran mental health care.
For veterans like Ed Glover and Randy Weaver, the retreat changed everything.
“Prior to the retreat, I thought about taking my life almost every day. That is no longer the case.” — Ed Glover
Citations
CBS News. (2025, February 2). Nine veterans with PTSD went to Mexico for a psychedelic retreat. This is how they feel nearly a year later.Retrieved from CBS News
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2023). VA research on PTSD: Psychedelics and other alternative therapies.Retrieved from VA Research
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