Psychedelic Plant Medicine Is the Future of Mental Health, Claims Advocate Elaine Brewer
To say that military service takes a toll on individuals’ mental health is an understatement. Veterans grapple with a variety of mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, depression, and suicidal ideation. These are all debilitating issues that have a huge impact on people’s quality of life.
Unfortunately, the currently available treatments are not as effective as they should be at addressing those issues. Statistics show that as many as 40 veterans lose their lives to suicide every day, which is an alarming number. In the midst of this crisis, some of the best research institutions in the world are showing that psychedelic plant medicine may offer potentially lifesaving treatment.
Based on the available research, therapy assisted by MDMA and psilocybin are considered breakthrough options and they have been shown to lead to major improvement. Despite how promising psychedelic plant medicine is, there’s a lot of red tape surrounding it. Unfortunately, veterans who are suffering with severe mental health issues can’t afford to wait around. Something has to change and that’s where the Breakthrough Therapies Act comes in.
The Breakthrough Therapies Act is meant to remove regulatory barriers that are holding back research and the use of potentially lifesaving treatments that include the use of controlled substances. The Breakthrough Therapies Act could enable veterans to access breakthrough therapies, so it provides a light at the end of the tunnel.
Elaine Brewer, a dedicated advocate and part of the Veterans Mental Health Coalition, has been a driving force behind the push for the Breakthrough Therapies Act. Her efforts aim to grant access to psychedelic plant medicine within controlled therapeutic environments for veterans struggling with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, treatment-resistant depression, addiction, and suicidal ideation.
Elaine’s passion for this cause stems from personal experience within the military community. As a military spouse of 15 years, she witnessed firsthand the toll that repeated deployments, loss of friends in combat, and the silent struggles within the special operations community took on families. The prevalence of alcohol and substance abuse, divorces, and the haunting specter of suicide became painfully apparent.
Her transformative journey into the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy commenced in 2021 when she and other special-operation spouses were offered an opportunity to explore this treatment in Mexico. The profound impact of this therapy was undeniable. Witnessing teammates on the brink of suicide find solace, individuals shedding destructive habits, and the resurgence of life in those who had previously been consumed by mental anguish ignited Elaine’s advocacy fervor.
However, the advocacy for psychedelic therapies encounters significant roadblocks deeply rooted in history. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classified most psychedelic substances as Schedule I drugs, effectively dismissing any potential medical benefits and highlighting their high potential for abuse. Decades of stigma from the War on Drugs have shrouded these substances despite mounting contemporary research showcasing their therapeutic potential.
Elaine ardently argues that psychedelics offer a beacon of hope in addressing mental health crises. Current research indicates that psychedelic substances can foster relaxation, improve well-being, enhance social connectivity, prompt introspection, and induce spiritual experiences. Clinical studies demonstrate promising outcomes in treating addiction, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, with low risks of addiction, overdose, or abuse when administered in controlled environments.
In her advocacy, Elaine confronts the paradoxical stance of the legality of certain substances. She highlights the alarming statistics of alcohol-related deaths and the widespread opioid crisis, juxtaposing them against the stringent categorization of psychedelics. Despite the significantly lower toxicity and evident medical benefits of substances like psilocybin, they remain confined within Schedule I while substances with higher risks persist within more lenient classifications.
Elaine’s plea for a reevaluation of laws and increased government funding for clinical trials resonates profoundly. She emphasizes the need to overcome the shadows of the past that shroud the perception of psychedelic plant medicines, emphasizing the pivotal role of organizations like MAPS in ensuring the safety and efficacy of psychedelic therapy.
Her rallying call urges a radical shift in approach toward mental health, advocating for a reclamation of individual autonomy in making informed decisions about mental and physical well-being. With a nation grappling with division, depression, addiction, and anxiety, Elaine Brewer champions a cause that demands a fundamental reexamination of mental health treatments — a cause propelled by compassion, empirical evidence, and the relentless pursuit of healing.
