A former Navy SEAL named Craig deployed nine times over nearly three decades in the military. When he left the service, he felt lucky to have all his limbs, toes and fingers. But he found himself struggling with language and memory and rising frustration. One day he forgot his wife’s name and couldn’t remember it for hours. His wife Gretchen started looking for help online and found information about a Stanford University research study on ibogaine and veterans. Craig volunteered. 

A plan to protect the peyote cactus is taking shape on the Winnebago Reservation in Nebraska during this summer’s Native American Church of North America conference. Indigenous leaders are hustling to take their peyote proposal all the way to the White House before the November election. Producer Adreanna Rodriguez tells the story.

When journalist Anna Silman started reporting on ketamine five years ago she did so because people in her friend group had begun taking the drug recreationally. She was intrigued by the ways that interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy meant more people were taking ketamine, both with a prescription and without one too. But as she started to see friends struggle with dependency, something other countries have been ringing the alarm about for years, she began to wonder whether the U.S. has been too naive. We hear from a woman we’re calling Olivia, just a few months out of rehab, who thinks the risks of ketamine have been severely underestimated.

At first the effort in Oregon to legalize psilocybin seemed doomed. Then the organizers started talking to the architect behind the carefully coordinated, state-by-state campaign to legalize cannabis, an attorney by the name of Graham Boyd. His initial thought was that what worked for cannabis would never work for psychedelics. But what he found in Oregon changed his mind. Producer Damiano Marchetti investigates.

Ernesto Londoño, a national correspondent and former war reporter, opens up about his transformative journey through ayahuasca retreats across Latin America. He shares how his traumatic experiences from war zones drove him to seek healing and self-discovery. The conversation dives into the interplay between personal healing and psychedelics, discussing the emotional revelations faced during ceremonies. Ernesto also addresses the complexities of integrating psychedelic practices in modern mental health and the implications for indigenous cultures, providing profound insights on personal growth.

Altered States is taking a short breather and will be back soon. In the meantime, consider joining host Arielle Duhaime-Ross and other journalists for a virtual panel called The New Psychedelic Beat: Unraveling Oregon’s Drug Policy Story hosted by the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics. September 25, 2024 at 1 pm PT.

In recent years, an increasing number of international clinics have begun offering treatments using ibogaine, a psychedelic drug that comes from a West African plant, to help treat conditions such as trauma and addiction. Much of the global supply of ibogaine is smuggled illegally out of Gabon. A former NBA basketball player from Gabon named Stéphane Lasme is at the forefront of new efforts to build a sustainable fair trade iboga industry.

Heather shares her journey after participating in a clinical trial for treatment-resistant depression involving psilocybin. She reveals the strange visual distortions she's experienced since, including ‘visual snow’ and shimmering walls. The discussion delves into hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder and its impact on daily life. Heather also explores the challenges of coping with these persistent symptoms and the need for medical awareness regarding the long-term effects of psychedelics. Her story sheds light on both the therapeutic potential and risks associated with psychedelic use.

Shaina Shealy, a producer focused on peace activism, is joined by Sami Awad, a prominent Palestinian peace activist, and Lior Roseman, an Israeli neuroscience expert. They discuss the transformative use of ayahuasca ceremonies by activists from both sides to heal trauma and foster understanding. Sami shares his insights from using his kitchen as a peacebuilding hub. The trio explores the emotional journeys participants experience and the potential for collective healing, even amidst ongoing conflict and chaos.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s decision on MDMA-assisted therapy for post traumatic stress disorder.