Psychedelics and PTSD (Part 1)

Thank you

A massive thank you to everyone who attended Psychedelics and PTSD (Part 1) and helped make the event such a success. It was a real privilege to host, see and hear about connections made and stories shared beyond those on the stage.

Immense thanks go to our speakers who all provided vital insight and powerful stories. Thanks also to Neil - pictured - for your ability to weave all the threads into a compelling narrative. People are not only being harmed, on both sides of the war of drugs, they are also being prevented from accessing potential transformative therapies. Policy needs to change.

'Keith' - The Secret Psychedelic Policeman - who we can’t show here for obvious reasons - provided compelling and moving testimony about how experiences with Ayahuasca in ceremonial settings prevented a descent into PTSD, saved his marriage and enabled him to become more compassionate at his job. 

We commend your bravery Keith, both in taking the action you did and in sharing your story. 

The issue of prevention for high risk roles - such as the emergency services - is important to keep in focus as currently, even when available, treatments with psychedelics will be only for those with a diagnosis of PTSD. Would it not be better if we could help people before they even got there?

Simon Ruffell and Grace Blest-Hopley from Heroic Hearts added balanced and insightful perspectives on psychedelics and their potential both for PTSD therapy and for treatment of traumatic brain injury. Both made a persuasive and compassionate case to back Heroic Hearts Project UK's work in supporting Veterans and Emergency Services workers and questioned why more isn't being done already, given the scale of the issue. 

We support your program to provide access for those who are not helped by current treatments.  But we have to ask why should it be necessary to travel overseas to receive such treatment?

Diane Goldstein Executive Director of LEAP US joined us live from California to eloquently express the urgency of finding treatments to prevent issues amongst police officers, such as problematic substance use, family breakdown and spill over violence. The discussion with Diane also exposed how the UK's binary, centralised policy-making system and lack of local democratic options are limiting reform of drug policy, compared to the US. 

Maybe that's something that will be changing soon if recently announced efforts to decentralise power away from Westminster come to fruition. Should we ask for drug policy to be part of that?

Jason Reed and  Danielle provided a brief but stark insight into a violent and traumatic life on the other side of War on Drugs one from which escape is difficult, fear stalks every minute of every day and where hurt people, hurt people. 

This cycle needs to end.

Drug policy can play a key role in reducing harm but also by reducing barriers to treatment for which the supporting evidence is strong and growing. 

It's important to keep in mind that the largest group of PTSD sufferers are women who have experienced sexual violence, this fact, can be missed amongst other groups of need.

Danielle also gave insight into barriers of stigma and awareness about psychedelics that exist even among those who sell drugs. 

If you want to learn more of Danielle's story her book 'Top Girl' is recommended reading.  Jason has recorded a chat with Danielle on his most recent release of the Stop and Search Podcast, which is also recommended.  It's difficult to convey the clarity with which Danielle tells her story, it's one that should give us all pause for thought.

Thanks also to Antonia Rolls for providing, through your art - humanising and moving portrayals of struggles with substance use.

We are looking forward to seeing you all again when we explore the science around and need for MDMA assisted therapy as treatment for PTSD in Part 2 of this series.