In a remarkable transformation that's capturing political attention, former Navy SEAL Marcus Capone has become an unlikely champion for psychedelic therapy after his own battle with post-traumatic stress left conventional treatments failing.
The Breaking Point
After thirteen years of distinguished service that included nine combat deployments, Capone returned home a shadow of the man he once was. The trauma he carried manifested in crippling anxiety, depression, and a growing dependence on alcohol - what he describes as the "invisible wounds" of warfare that traditional medicine couldn't heal.
A Controversial Solution
Facing a downward spiral that threatened to cost him his family and his life, Capone turned to what many would consider a last resort: psychedelic-assisted therapy. Through carefully guided sessions using substances like ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT, he experienced what he calls a "complete reset" of his mental state.
From Patient to Advocate
The profound healing Capone experienced sparked a mission that would become his new life's work. Together with his wife Amber, he founded VETS - Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions - an organisation dedicated to helping other former service members access similar alternative treatments.
Political Recognition
The movement has gained such traction that it's now caught the attention of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who recently vetoed legislation that would have legalised psychedelic use but simultaneously called for new therapeutic frameworks recognising the potential of these substances.
The Wider Impact
Capone's story represents a growing shift in how we approach mental health treatment for veterans. With suicide rates among former service members remaining alarmingly high, his work offers a beacon of hope for those who've found little relief through conventional methods.
As research continues to validate what Capone experienced firsthand, the conversation around psychedelic therapy is moving from fringe to mainstream, potentially revolutionising how we treat trauma in those who've served their country.
