Heroic Hearts Project: Connecting Veterans to Psychedelic Therapy

Our guest today is Jesse Gould, founder and president of the Heroic Hearts Project, a nonprofit pioneering psychedelic therapies for military veterans. After being deployed as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan three times, Jesse founded the Heroic Hearts Project in 2017 to spearhead the acceptance and use of ayahuasca therapy as a means of addressing the current mental health crisis among veterans. His organization has raised over $350,000 in scholarships from donors including Dr. Bronner’s, partnered with the world’s leading ayahuasca treatment centers, and sponsored psychiatric applications with the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Georgia. Jesse helps shape treatment programs and spreads awareness of plant medicine as a therapeutic method. He has spoken globally about psychedelics and mental health and was recognized as one of the Social Entrepreneurs To Watch For In 2020 by Cause Artist. Today, he will share insights on the importance of providing access to psychedelic medicines for veterans, the limitations of traditional treatment methods, and the need for a new approach to mental health care that prioritizes healing and community support.

Summary

Jesse Gould, founder of Heroic Hearts Project, discusses the importance of providing access to psychedelic medicines for veterans struggling with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. He shares his personal journey of seeking help for his own mental health issues and the limitations he faced with traditional treatment methods. Jesse emphasizes the need for a new approach to mental health care that goes beyond symptom management and focuses on healing and integration. He also highlights the importance of community support and the role of psychedelics in addressing ancestral trauma and building emotional resilience. Heroic Hearts Project is a nonprofit organization that educates people about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and connects veterans and their families to these treatments. They provide support and guidance throughout the entire process, from preparation to integration. The organization also conducts research, advocates for policy change, and aims to reestablish supportive veteran communities. Donations can be made on their website, and veterans can apply for their programs. The goal is to provide veterans with life-saving care and a supportive community to aid in their healing journey.

Takeaways

• Access to psychedelic medicines can be critical for veterans struggling with mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
• Traditional treatment methods often focus on symptom management rather than addressing the root causes of mental health disorders.
• Psychedelics can be a powerful tool for healing and integration, but they require a supportive container and proper preparation and aftercare.
• The current mental health care system is not effectively addressing the needs of veterans, and there is a need for a new approach that prioritizes healing and community support.
• Ancestral trauma and emotional resilience play a significant role in mental health, and psychedelics can help individuals explore and process these aspects of their lives. Heroic Hearts Project educates people about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and connects veterans and their families to these treatments.
• They provide support and guidance throughout the entire process, from preparation to integration.
• The organization conducts research, advocates for policy change, and aims to reestablish supportive veteran communities.
• Donations can be made on their website, and veterans can apply for their programs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Heroic Hearts Project
02:23 Effectiveness of Psychedelics for Mental Health
08:07 Jesse's Personal Journey and the Creation of Heroic Hearts Project
16:18 The Need for Community Support and Infrastructure
30:45 Different Approaches: Symptom Management vs. Healing
35:30 Psychedelics as a Tool for Navigating and Expressing Emotions
39:24 The Need for a New Approach in Mental Health Care
44:46 The Impact of Medications on Emotional Intelligence and Resilience
49:46 The Importance of Experience and Trust in Therapy
54:41 The Physical Effects of Trauma and the Role of Psychedelics
01:02:41 The Impact of Psychedelics on the Brain
01:09:42 The Journey to Legalize MDMA for Medical Use
01:19:49 Heroic Hearts Project: Connecting Veterans to Psychedelic Therapy

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