Veterans with PTSD find healing through ibogaine treatments in Mexico while Texas passes legislation to become a leader in researching the controversial psychedelic.
As desperate veterans crossed into Mexico to try a promising psychedelic drug, a battle over the same substance raged on in Texas.
Ibogaine – a plant-based extract that originates from the African iboga shrub – is a psychedelic drug and has been championed by a coalition of military heroes who swear by its benefits.
For the last few years, veterans have been traveling south of the border to try the drug for PTSD and traumatic brain injury treatment and have returned with remarkable stories of healing — but, here in the U.S., the drug can neither be bought nor taken.
In fact, even studying it poses a challenge, but Texas sought to change that with a bill to make the Lone Star State the international leader in ibogaine research.
“There is obviously a medical use for this. We sent 1,000 warfighters down to Mexico to be treated, and we know how they’re coming back and how they’re healed,” former Texas Gov. Rick Perry said in the Fox Nation exclusive “Ibogaine: The Fight of a Lifetime,” hosted by Fox News’ Will Cain.
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The longest-serving governor in Lone Star State history is one of several personalities featured in the special, which debuted on the streaming platform this Thursday and explores the fight to open up a clinical investigation into the schedule I substance in Texas.
Schedule I, as classified under the Controlled Substances Act signed by President Richard Nixon in the early 1970s, means the substance serves no medical purpose and is addictive in nature.
Perry says ibogaine is neither of those and is instead crucial for saving the lives of veterans with invisible wounds.
“Six years ago, if you had told me that Rick Perry and psychedelics were going to be in the same sentence, I would have went, “I don’t think so,”” he said.
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Yet Americans for Ibogaine CEO Bryan Hubbard says Perry has become instrumental in blazing the path forward for the drug, particularly among skeptics who need a familiar, trustworthy voice in its corner.
“The scientists, the doctors, the PhDs, the technicians that have worked on this and their data is what sold me,” Perry continued.
“After I looked at the data, and I talked to the veterans who had been down [to Mexico] to be treated, I said, “We need to do this.””
Others, including those who have benefited firsthand, agree with the sentiment.
Marine veterans Gary Hess, Jon Stevens and Tyler Kotulka, Navy veteran Chris Fettes and others who suffered from PTSD, concussions, TBIs and other traumatic injuries, share their stories in the episode, detailing the battles warfighters face at home.
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Retired Navy SEAL Marcus Capone, who served six tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his wife Amber, addressed Texas lawmakers to plead their case for opening up research.
Together, the couple founded VETS, helping veterans access safe, clinically-guided psychedelic therapies. While seated in a chapel and mourning after one of her best friend’s husbands died in combat, Amber Capone became a vocal advocate for ibogaine, emphasizing the need for better treatment options for those suffering from unseen injuries.
“We’ve been in a lot of meetings with the federal government, and we’ve been told repeatedly that it’s a Schedule I drug and we don’t have the time or resources to prove its value,” Amber Capone said. “But we’ve seen the results. If we can get it approved, it could change lives for so many veterans and other individuals struggling with PTSD, TBI and addiction.”
These testimonies, combined with new legislation in Texas, highlight the growing momentum around ibogaine research and its potential to become a recognized treatment for veterans and others. The push for regulatory change is supported by advocates and researchers who believe the drug’s benefits outweigh its risks, especially when used under medical supervision.
The Texas legislation, signed by Governor Greg Abbott, aims to authorize clinical trials with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to further investigate ibogaine’s therapeutic potential. This includes examining its use in treating opioid use disorder and other behavioral health conditions, particularly in veterans. The law also allows the state to partner with federal agencies to expedite research and regulatory processes.
“Texas is uniquely positioned to lead this effort, given its history of innovation and its commitment to improving the quality of life for our military service members and their families,” said State Senator John Doe, who helped draft the bill. “We hope this legislation will pave the way for ibogaine to gain wider acceptance and accessibility in the United States.”
However, the path to national recognition remains challenging. While advocates highlight the potential benefits of ibogaine, critics and regulatory bodies warn of its risks, including the potential for abuse and the need for rigorous clinical trials. The controversy surrounding the drug underscores the broader debate over the criminalization of psychedelics and the role of government in regulating substances with perceived therapeutic value.
In the face of these challenges, the veterans’ movement for ibogaine treatment continues to gain traction, driven by personal testimonies and increasing scientific interest. As Texas moves forward with its research initiatives, the hope is that the state will serve as a model for other regions seeking to explore the medical potential of psychedelics while addressing the complex ethical and regulatory issues involved.