Army Ranger Jesse Gould, a veteran of three combat deployments in Afghanistan, sought alternatives to lifelong medication for his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the pervasive hypervigilance and depression he experienced.
After finding relief from psychedelics during a trip to Peru, Gould founded the non-profit Heroic Hearts Project. The organization hosts retreats where veterans can use ayahuasca or psilocybin to find relief from trauma.
State lawmakers are increasingly considering the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, with Colorado, New Mexico, and Oregon legalizing it for therapeutic use. At least eight other states are reviewing similar legislation.
While many researchers find psilocybin safe under controlled conditions, some advocate for waiting for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval before widespread legalization. Gould argues that the current high suicide rate among veterans necessitates immediate action, stating, "I think something bad is already happening with veterans because they are taking their own lives."
Experts like Joseph Zamaria, a clinical psychologist at the University of California, San Francisco, explain that psilocybin can disrupt the brain's default mode network, potentially loosening the grip of self-referential, damaging narratives that often follow trauma. A 2025 study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology indicated psilocybin, administered with psychological support, may be safe and effective for PTSD symptoms.
Despite potential risks and limited data cited by some researchers, such as Albert Garcia-Romeu from Johns Hopkins University, legislative efforts continue. Minnesota state representative Andy Smith co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to allow psilocybin use for conditions like PTSD and depression with licensed facilitators.
Gould emphasizes that Heroic Hearts Project implements a rigorous intake process to mitigate risks, excluding individuals with certain mental health conditions. The organization has hosted over 1,500 veterans and spouses without reported psychotic episodes, with a waitlist of over 2,000.
Facing a veteran suicide rate more than double the general population, Gould champions state-level exploration of psilocybin therapy as a vital alternative when other options are exhausted.