How Trump could help bring magic mushrooms to veterans with PTSD

The Psychedelic Science Conference made a grand return last week.

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Scientists, experts and enthusiasts gathered in Denver, Colorado, for a packed five-day schedule with 500 speakers. Among the many discussions of psilocybin-, ketamine and MDMA-assisted therapies, the hot topic was the promise shown in these psychedelic-assisted treatments for war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Psychedelic Science organisers Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (Maps) partnered with Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions this year.

Swathes of the conference were dedicated to "psychedelic healing for veterans." Anyone can be vulnerable to PTSD, but it is especially prevalent in those exposed to combat situations. It is estimated that seven per cent of US military veterans will experience PTSD at some point. It's a growing problem in the UK, where a 2024 study from King's College London found that 11 per cent of current and ex-serving personnel of the Armed Forces reported probable PTSD, up from six per cent in 2014/16.

Trauma can alter the brain's structure, causing - among other mental health issues - PTSD.