CNN 5 Things One Thing: Psychedelics in the Trump Era: A Veteran’s Road to Recovery
Jul 20, 2025
Samantha Juan, a US Army veteran from Bahrain, shares her compelling journey of recovery through psychedelics. She recounts the challenges of military life and the harsh realities of war, leading her to seek healing after trauma and addiction. Juan's experience with Ibogaine and a pivotal peyote ceremony reveals both struggles and transformative healing. The discussion also highlights a growing political openness to psychedelics as therapeutic options, raising questions about safety and the pace of scientific validation.
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Veteran's Intense Afghanistan Mission
- Samantha Juan shared her harrowing experience during a mission in Afghanistan involving casualties and intense emotional trauma.
- She described the moral injury from witnessing destruction and suffering firsthand during her deployment.
Struggling to Process Trauma
- Upon returning from deployment, Samantha struggled with processing trauma and self-medicated with drugs and alcohol.
- She initially tried to express emotions through art but did not truly process her experiences.
Healing Power of Peyote Ceremony
- Samantha tried peyote in a spiritual ceremony which helped her release trauma and feel rejuvenated.
- She described the healing power of ritual, ceremony, and the medicine's effect in helping her move past addiction.