When PTSD Isn’t the Whole Story
Marcus struggled with depression, isolation, impulsivity, and memory issues. Headaches, insomnia, and increased alcohol use became a consistent coping mechanism. Though diagnosed with PTSD, no treatment brought lasting relief. His wife, Amber, felt something was missing. Her persistence led to a critical discovery: Marcus was also living with an undiagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI), likely the result of repeated blast exposure. This misdiagnosis had obscured the full scope of his condition—and delayed meaningful healing.
Running Out of Options
As Marcus' health declined and conventional treatments failed, Amber began searching for alternatives. A former teammate of Marcus recommended a path few had taken: psychedelic-assisted therapy. Though largely unavailable in the U.S. and burdened by stigma, it offered a glimmer of hope.
A Risk Worth Taking
With everything at stake, Marcus traveled to a vetted clinical program outside the U.S., where he received ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT psychedelic therapies administered in a monitored, medically supervised setting. The experience marked a turning point. Marcus emerged with a renewed sense of clarity, presence, and possibility.
The Start of Something New
This wasn’t about returning to who he once was. It was the beginning of post-traumatic growth. Marcus began to feel calmer, clearer, and more connected—to himself and to the people he loves. The strength remained, but the edges softened. Hope expanded from mere survival to the possibility of a fuller life.
From Grassroots to Global
What began as a grassroots effort to help Marcus’ friends and former teammates quickly grew into a global movement. Veterans, families, clinicians, researchers, and supporters rallied to expand access to safe, vetted psychedelic-assisted therapy and advance evidence-informed care. Together, that momentum crystallized into a clear mission—laying the foundation for what came next.
How VETS Was Born
That commitment became Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS): a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to psychedelic-assisted therapies for veterans with TBI, PTSD, and other mental health challenges. Today, VETS stands at the intersection of healing, research, and advocacy—working to ensure no veteran is left behind.
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