Exploring ibogaine/5-MeO-DMT as treatment for the relief of PTSD symptoms in Veterans

Abstract:This study examines the use of ibogaine followed by 5-MeO-DMT for treating PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in special operations veterans, focusing on the subjective experience and therapeutic efficacy of these substances. Twelve participants underwent semistructured interviews, with five follow-ups conducted. Long-term data (10 months to three years post-treatment) was available for eleven participants. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, the analysis explores participants’ motivations, treatment experiences, and outcomes. The researcher introduces the theory of gnosis to explain the sustained positive effects observed in all participants. Efforts were made to identify individuals with negative or harmful outcomes, but none were found. Findings have significant implications for psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), PTSD treatment, and the broader application of psychedelics in mental health care.

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    The impact of exposure to morally injurious events on posttraumatic stress symptoms among Israeli combat Veterans: a longitudinal moderated mediation model of moral injury outcomes and dispositional forgiveness

    Abstract: Background: Exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) during military service can lead to moral injury (MI) outcomes and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). This longitudinal study examined the relationships between PMIE exposure, MI outcomes, and PTSS among Israeli combat veterans, and the potential protective role of dispositional forgiveness in these associations. Method: Participants were 169 Israeli combat veterans who participated in a six-year longitudinal study with four measurement points (T1: 12 months before enlistment, T2: Six months following enlistment- pre-deployment, T3: 18 months following enlistment- post-deployment, and T4: 28 months following discharge). Participants’ characteristics were assessed via semi-structured interviews (T1) and validated self-report measures (T2-T4) between 2019-2024. Results: Approximately 36% of participants reported exposure to PMIEs during service, with 13% exceeding the clinical threshold for probable PTSD at T4. PMIE-Betrayal at T3 was positively associated with MI outcomes of shame and trust violation at T4. The indirect effect of PMIEs on PTSS through MI outcome-Shame depended on forgiveness levels. Among veterans with low forgiveness, higher exposure to PMIE-Betrayal was associated with increased MI shame, which was linked to more severe PTSS. Conversely, for those with high forgiveness, exposure to PMIE-Self and Other was associated with decreased MI shame and subsequently reduced PTSS. Conclusion: Dispositional forgiveness moderates the relationship between PMIE exposure and MI outcomes, particularly shame, which mediates the development of PTSS. These findings highlight forgiveness as a potential target for intervention in treating moral injury and preventing PTSS among combat veterans.

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