This open-label study (n=86) examined the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) among trauma-exposed Special Operations Forces Veterans (SOFV) in Mexico. Results indicated significant improvements in self-reported PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, insomnia severity, post-concussive symptoms, satisfaction with life, psychological flexibility, and cognitive functioning from baseline to one-month follow-up. The combination of ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT assisted therapy showed potential for providing rapid and lasting improvements in mental health functioning, with effects observed up to six months after treatment.
Abstract of Open-label study of consecutive ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT assisted-therapy for trauma-exposed male Special Operations Forces Veterans
“Background: Research in psychedelic medicine has focused primarily on civilian populations. Further study is needed to understand whether these treatments are effective for Veteran populations.
Objectives: Here, we examine the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy among trauma-exposed Special Operations Forces Veterans (SOFV) seeking treatment for cognitive and mental health problems in Mexico.
Methods: Data were collected from an ibogaine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) clinical treatment program for SOFV with a history of trauma exposure. This clinical program collects prospective clinical program evaluation data, such as background characteristics, symptom severity, functioning (e.g., satisfaction with life, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, sleep disturbance, psychological flexibility, disability in functioning, cognitive functioning, neurobehavioral symptoms, anger, suicidal ideation), and substance persisting/enduring effects through online surveys at four timepoints (baseline/pre-treatment, one-, three-, and six-months after treatment).
Results: The majority of the sample (n = 86; Mean Age = 42.88, SD = 7.88) were Caucasian (87.2%), non-Hispanic (89.5%), and males (100%). There were significant and large improvements in self-reported PTSD symptoms (p < .001, d = .414), depression (p < .001, d = .275), anxiety (p < .001, d = .276), insomnia severity (p < .001, d = .351), and post-concussive symptoms (p < .001, d = .389) as well as self-reported satisfaction with life (p < .001, d = .371), psychological flexibility (p < .001, d = .313) and cognitive functioning (p < .001, d = .265) from baseline to one-month follow-up.
Conclusions: Data suggest combined ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT assisted therapy has potential to provide rapid and robust changes in mental health functioning with a signal of durable therapeutic effects up to 6-months. Future research in controlled settings is warranted.“
Authors: Alan K. Davis, Yitong Xin, Nathan Sepeda & Lynnette A. Averill
Summary of Open-label study of consecutive ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT assisted-therapy for trauma-exposed male Special Operations Forces Veterans
Special Operations Forces personnel are more likely to have more deployments, a longer time away from home, experience greater isolation, and be exposed to intense combat experiences, which can be traumatic and lead to posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Currently, 22 veterans commit suicide daily, and the number of active military and Veteran suicides has surpassed combat deaths and civilian suicide rates. Novel treatments are urgently needed to help improve quality of life and decrease suicides in this population.
Existing approved psychotherapies for traumatic stress demonstrate limited efficacy in addressing the complex spectrum of psychiatric symptoms among SOFV, and pharmacotherapies are often ineffective with unwanted side effects and long-term use requirements. Transdiagnostic treatments are needed to address PTSD and common overlapping comorbidities presenting in the Veteran population.
Recent Phase III results showed that MDMA-assisted therapy was highly efficacious in individuals with severe PTSD, and treatment was safe and well-tolerated, even in those with comorbidities.
Find this paper
https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2023.2220874
Open Access | Google Scholar | Backup | 🕊
Cite this paper (APA)
Davis, A. K., Xin, Y., Sepeda, N., & Averill, L. A. (2023). Open-label study of consecutive ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT assisted-therapy for trauma-exposed male Special Operations Forces Veterans: prospective data from a clinical program in Mexico. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 1-10.
Study details
Compounds studied
Ibogaine
5-MeO-DMT
Topics studied
PTSD
Depression
Anxiety
Study characteristics
Open-Label
Longitudinal
Participants
86
Humans