I have started a Master’s Degree program at the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy. It is a Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation, the first degree program of its kind in the US, and is one of the most interesting and important areas I have ever studied. I started the program with the intention of expanding my mind, challenging myself, and learning about some (illegal) plant medicines that have the potential to change how we care for mental health. I became interested after my nephews, who were Marine officers, discussed the alarming rate of suicide for vets returning from active duty. Years of therapy seem to be ineffective in treating PTSD and Treatment Resistant Depression. I started looking into the psychedelic treatment space, and was able to attend a Womens Psilocybin Retreat in Jamaica with military women, either vets themselves or loved ones of vets. I was lucky enough to be able to go as a participant, with the hopes of learning about the process in order to help women get this kind of therapy, those who need it and cannot afford it. After attending the Psilocybin Retreat myself, I am now committed to making impact in this space. The retreat was transformational to all the women there, myself included. Therapy and SSRIs have had mediocre results when it comes to PTSD and Treatment Resistant Depression. Research, clinical trials, and how these medicines are going to be legalized is all happening in real time, as I write. It is said that we will need 100,000 mental health facilitators in the next 5-10 years who are credentialed to give this assisted therapy, once some of these medicines are legal. It is an exciting time to be in school.
