The Daily The Veterans Fighting to Legalize Psychedelics
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Feb 22, 2023 
Andrew Jacobs, a health and science reporter for The New York Times, and Juliana Mercer, a veteran advocate, tackle the urgent issue of psychedelic legalization for therapeutic use. Mercer shares her personal struggle with PTSD and how psychedelics offer a promising path to healing. They discuss the evolving perspectives on these substances and the growing bipartisan support fueled by veteran advocacy. The conversation highlights Oregon's pioneering steps toward legal psilocybin and the FDA's recognition of MDMA for PTSD treatment, marking a significant shift in drug policy.
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Juliana's Story
- Juliana Mercer, a Marine, served in Iraq and Afghanistan, witnessing traumatic events.
- Back in the US, she developed PTSD, experiencing hallucinations and emotional repression.
Juliana's Psychedelic Experience
- Juliana tried talk therapy for PTSD but found limited relief.
- A single high dose of psilocybin led to a profound emotional release and reconnection with herself.
Psychedelics and Neuroplasticity
- Psychedelics, like psilocybin, promote neuroplasticity, rewiring the brain.
- This rewiring helps break negative thought loops associated with mental health conditions like PTSD.