In Episode 19 of the Disruptors for Good podcast I speak with military veteran, Jesse Gould, Founder of Heroic Hearts Project on how ayahuasca therapy is transforming the lives of veterans with PTSD and why its important to overcome the stigma of psychedelics.
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About the Heroic Hearts Project
Heroic Hearts Project (HHP) offers a proprietary program to veterans who are interested in pursuing psychedelic treatment options. They primarily work with ayahuasca retreat centers due to the powerful effect it has shown to have on healing PTSD.
The program has been designed to ensure veterans get the most out of this valuable opportunity and are set up for success when they return home.
They also provide financial scholarships to veterans who are struggling financially. To date, the organization has provided more than $200,000 in support to veterans applicants.
The Heroic Hearts Project (HHP) is a registered 501(c)(3) non profit that connects military veterans struggling with mental trauma to ayahuasca therapy retreats.
These veterans typically have tried all the available resources offered by the Department of Veteran Affairs with limited success leaving them with very few options.
The organization opens the doors to other viable options. HHP also provides support and professional counseling to these veterans throughout the process.
Their mission is to provide hope and healing to military veterans that have been left hopeless by the current Veteran Affairs system.
They seek to spread awareness in the veteran community of powerful plant based therapies like ayahuasca and end the excessive dependence on powerful medications to treat mental traumas.
Ayahuasca Therapy
Ayahuasca is a powerful psychedelic plant medicine with a long history of traditional use in the Amazonian basin. Over the last few decades, ayahuasca has become increasingly popular in Western cultural circles, and is now used by people from all walks of life as a means of personal and spiritual transformation.
Ayahuasca therapy refers to the use of ayahuasca in a structured setting, usually with the guidance of a trained shaman or facilitator. Ayahuasca therapy can be an incredibly powerful experience, offering insights into one’s own psyche and helping to bring about positive changes in one’s life.
If you’re considering ayahuasca therapy, it’s important to do your research and choose a reputable provider. Make sure you understand the potential risks and benefits of the experience, and be sure to ask any questions you may have before committing to anything.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a disorder that can develop after a person is exposed to a traumatic event, such as combat, a natural disaster, sexual assault, or other violent personal experience.
People with PTSD may relive the event through flashbacks and nightmares; they may feel emotionally numb and detached from others; and they may experience a range of other problems, such as difficulty sleeping, irritability, and depression.
PTSD is a serious condition that can have lasting effects on a person’s mental and physical health. But it is treatable, and there are many ways to manage the symptoms. With treatment, people with PTSD can lead full and productive lives.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
The symptoms of PTSD fall into four main categories: intrusive thoughts, avoidance, negative changes in mood and thinking, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.
Intrusive thoughts: People with PTSD may relive the traumatic event through flashbacks or nightmares. They may also have intrusive thoughts about the event.
Avoidance: People with PTSD may try to avoid anything that reminds them of the traumatic event. They may also avoid people or places that remind them of the trauma.
Negative changes in mood and thinking: People with PTSD may have negative, distorted, or dysfunctional beliefs about themselves, other people, or the world. They may also feel hopelessness, shame, or despair.
Changes in physical and emotional reactions: People with PTSD may be easily startled, have trouble sleeping, or be unable to concentrate. They may also have angry outbursts, feel irritable or aggressive, or be hypervigilant (on constant “red alert”).
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