This open-label study (n=86) examined the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) among trauma-exposed Special Operations Forces Veterans (SOFV) in Mexico. Results indicated significant improvements in self-reported PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, insomnia severity, post-concussive symptoms, satisfaction with life, psychological flexibility, and cognitive functioning from baseline to one-month follow-up. The combination of ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT assisted therapy showed potential for providing rapid and lasting improvements in mental health functioning, with effects observed up to six months after treatment.
Background
Research in psychedelic medicine has focused primarily on civilian populations. Further study is needed to understand whether these treatments are effective for Veteran populations.
Objectives
Here, we examine the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy among trauma-exposed Special Operations Forces Veterans (SOFV) seeking treatment for cognitive and mental health problems in Mexico.
Methods
Data were collected from an ibogaine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) clinical treatment program for SOFV with a history of trauma exposure. This clinical program collects prospective clinical program evaluation data, such as background characteristics, symptom severity, functioning (e.g., satisfaction with life, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, sleep disturbance, psychological flexibility, disability in functioning, cognitive functioning, neurobehavioral symptoms, anger, suicidal ideation), and substance persisting/enduring effects through online surveys at four timepoints (baseline/pre-treatment, one-, three-, and six-months after treatment).
Results
The majority of the sample (n = 86; Mean Age = 42.88, SD = 7.88) were Caucasian (87.2%), non-Hispanic (89.5%), and males (100%). There were significant and large improvements in self-reported PTSD symptoms (p < .001, d = .414), depression (p < .001, d = .275), anxiety (p < .001, d = .276), insomnia severity (p < .001, d = .351), and post-concussive symptoms (p < .001, d = .389) as well as self-reported satisfaction with life (p < .001, d = .371), psychological flexibility (p < .001, d = .313) and cognitive functioning (p < .001, d = .265) from baseline to one-month follow-up.
Conclusions
Data suggest combined ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT assisted therapy has potential to provide rapid and robust changes in mental health functioning with a signal of durable therapeutic effects up to 6-months. Future research in controlled settings is warranted.
Papers in Blossom that reference this study
Geoly, A. D., Coetzee, J. P., Buchanan, D. M. et al. · iScience (2026)
Calnan, M., Blest-Hopley, G., Busch, C. et al. · Brain and Behavior (2025)