In this photo made with a long exposure, a man is silhouetted against lights reflected in the waters off Cape Neddick in Maine on Dec. 11, 2017. Researchers have increasingly explored psychedelics as a potential treatment for PTSD and other mental health issues in recent years. (Robert F. Bukaty/AP)
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate among veterans is nearly 60% higher than the general population. It is one of the leading causes of deaths among veterans under the age of 45. Post-traumatic stress disorder being left untreated or mistreated adds to the problem. PTSD leads to overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, emotional numbness and isolation. These are directly linked to suicidal ideation. Flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, anger and avoidance behaviors severely disrupt daily functioning, further exacerbating depression and making recovery feel impossible. Self-medicating with substances like alcohol or drugs — common for those suffering — can further compound the issue.
A broad stroke of traditional medication and talk therapy is not enough to combat the complexities involved in this crisis. Often when addressing PTSD and other mental health related treatments, heavy pharmaceuticals will be applied. This method is rife with dangerous drug side-effects coinciding with the risk of reliance and addiction to a drug not specifically adept at correcting the misfiring brain chemistry. It can be a “wet-blanket” effect, leaving patients feeling empty or zombie-like while simply going through the motions of life.
Emerging treatments such as psychedelics are being explored with comprehensive medical evaluation as long-term recovery options. Ibogaine is one example. Derived from the African plant Tabernanthe iboga, ibogaine has been studied for its potential to alleviate symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety. Recent research indicates that ibogaine can effectively reduce those symptoms in veterans with traumatic brain injuries.
Treatments via ibogaine interact with multiple neurotransmitter systems, including serotonin, dopamine and glutamate, while modulating N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and promoting neuroplasticity. This neuroplasticity is the key to “resetting” natural pathways. They are repairable, but not via typical pharmaceuticals. Trauma and triggering events disrupt brain activity to the point of reliving the events over and over, causing deeper damage with the sufferer stuck in a loop of intrusive thoughts and memories. This can lead to a stasis of emotional numbing that makes actual healing more difficult. Restoration is key to long-term recovery.
When a heavy-duty benzodiazepine is introduced (and often over-proscribed), the ultimate effect can be reliance. These drugs do their immediate job of treating symptoms and masking pain, but do nothing to help in the long term. This can be likened to applying Novocain for years for an extreme toothache. Real repair is needed, through dedicated therapeutics, for patients to feel and work through the events negatively impacting their nervous systems.
By repairing the pathways, there are ways to properly process and repair the damage done to the brain. Research is showing that ibogaine may promote neurogenesis (the growth of new neurons) and support synaptic plasticity, which helps reverse the structural and functional changes in the brain caused by PTSD.
Companies like mPath Therapeutics Corp. are at the forefront of developing standardized, pharmaceutical-grade ibogaine treatments. Their approach emphasizes safety through hospital-administered care and compassionate aftercare. By providing regulated and ethically sourced ibogaine, mPath aims to offer veterans a viable alternative for long-term recovery from trauma-related disorders.
Addressing the mental health challenges faced by veterans requires a multifaceted approach. Exploring and supporting innovative treatments like ibogaine therapy is a significant step toward reducing the incidence of PTSD, depression and suicide among those who have served our nation. This is a fixable crisis. By prioritizing new-approach, evidence-based treatments for PTSD and expanding access, we can make meaningful progress in reducing veteran suicide rates.
Wes Martin, a retired U.S. Army colonel, served as the first Senior Antiterrorism/Force Protection Officer for all Coalition Forces in Iraq.
