PROCESS & TREATMENT
Trauma thrives in isolation. Healing happens in Community.
What have we learned from treating more than 600 military veterans and their 100 family members? That the deepest and most lasting healing happens in a community of peers. Our organization has organically grown to mirror the population we serve. From the discovery call to the medicine retreat, to the long-term integration, you will interact with veterans, veteran spouses, and medical professionals that specialize in military trauma.
At the Mission Within, we understand the importance of thoughtful preparation and ongoing integration following the retreat experience.
Every step of our process is thoughtful and purposeful. We will ensure that you’re prepared for the experience with expertly led coaching calls. Supported during the experience by world-class therapists and medical professionals. And armed with the mindset and tools necessary for successful integration.
Rather than providing a singular retreat experience, we bring participants into a community committed to healing and personal growth. A community that understands that on the other side of fear lies purpose, meaning, and joy.
While Ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT, and Psilocybin are powerful medicines, they are not a proverbial “magic pill”. But when placed in the hands of veterans that are committed to creating lasting change, true healing can take place.
The Mission Within is deeply honored that so many veterans and their family members have chosen us as their trusted companions on their healing journey. If you’re suffering from mTBI, PTSD, depression or anxiety, and are interested in how these powerful medicines can help, please reach out. Together, we can create a more beautiful world in which our veterans and their family members find purpose, meaning and joy.
OUR 6 WEEK PROCESS
(conducted virtually with the exception of the Medicine Retreat)
APPLICATION & DISCOVERY CALL
HEALTH SCREENING & RETREAT LOGISTICS (1 WEEK)
PREPARATION COACHING (MINIMUM 2 SESSIONS)
MEDICINE RETREAT (4 DAYS)
INTEGRATION COACHING (MINIMUM 3 SESSIONS – 2 WEEKS)
AFTERCARE RESOURCES (HEALTH FOLLOW UP, PEER SUPPORT, WELLNESS OFFERINGS)
Ibogaine and 5-MeO Retreat Schedule
Group lunch and drive to Mexico. Arrive and get settled. Preparation session. Testing and assessments (EKG, drug urinalysis, etc). Preparation Circle. Ibogaine Ceremony (lasts overnight).
Rest, reflection, and recovery day. Integration activities, 1:1 with therapist. Group Dinner.
Preparation Session. Individual 5-MeO sessions. Integration activities on 1:1 and group basis. Group Dinner.
Closing Circle. Departures.
Psilocybin and 5-MeO Retreat Schedule
(Limited availability - jamaica)
Group lunch and drive to Mexico. Arrive and settle in. Mindfulness practice and therapeutic preparation circle. Group dinner.
Mindfulness and movement practice. Intention setting. Plant medicine ceremony. Therapeutic integration circle. Group dinner.
Therapeutic preparation circle. Individual 5-MeO-DMT ceremonies. Therapeutic integration circle. Cacao ceremony. Group dinner.
Mindfulness practice and group circle. Departures.
You have to WANT THIS. I screen a lot of participants. You can’t force it on anyone. You can intellectually explain it, but they won’t get what they can out of these medicines until someone is ready in their hearts.
– Former SEAL, former participant, current therapist
You have to WANT THIS. I screen a lot of participants. You can’t force it on anyone. You can intellectually explain it, but they won’t get what they can out of these medicines until someone is ready in their hearts.
– Former SEAL, former participant, current therapist
OUR MEDICINES
Ibogaine
Ibogaine is derived from two African plants, iboga or voacanga. Ibogaine helps individuals work through trauma by inducing a state in the brain similar to the REM sleep cycle when dreaming and memory consolidation occur. PTSD symptoms include debilitating nightmares and flashbacks of past experiences. Our patients consistently report reduction or elimination of these long-standing symptoms. Ibogaine exhibits promising treatment for mTBI and degenerative brain diseases because it is a neuro-regenerative compound.
Ibogaine upregulates the Glial Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in parts of the dopaminergic system of the brain. BDNF supports the survival of cells and promotes the growth and differentiation of new neurons, and dysregulation of NGF is related to neurodegenerative diseases. It also modulates activity in the NMDA neurotransmitter system, which is involved in learning and unlearning addictive patterns.
The increase of these neurotrophic factors by ibogaine has the potential to heal a damaged brain at the neuronal level.
It is known as an “addiction interrupter” because of its ability to break addictive patterns of several substances, including opioid pills, heroin, crack/cocaine, alcohol, methamphetamines, and nicotine. Ibogaine helps regulate and heal the brain’s dopamine system.
Ibogaine exhibits promising treatment for mTBI and degenerative brain diseases because it is a neuro-regenerative compound.
Ibogaine exhibits promising treatment for mTBI and degenerative brain diseases because it is a neuro-regenerative compound.
5-MeO-DMT
When ingested from an external source, 5-MeO-DMT has the faculty of creating intense mystical experiences that empower transcendence of the ego and therapeutic experiences characterized by feelings of unconditional love, feeling reborn, and awareness of the interconnectedness of all reality. Individuals also frequently experience emotional catharsis and discharging of avoided or repressed painful emotions.
Meta-analyses of psychedelic therapies such as LSD, psilocybin, and ayahuasca indicate the mystical experience is a fundamental predictor of positive long-term outcomes in mental health and addiction. Research suggests that the 5-MeO-DMT is perhaps the most potent and reliable compound to occasion sacred/mystical experiences.
5-MeO-DMT provides an anti-inflammatory effect that allows the brain to start healing itself. On a microscopic level, 5-MeO-DMT also increases axonal branching and synaptic connectivity.
We use both organic Bufo (the organic secretion of the Sonoran Desert toad) and synthetic 5-MeO-DMT. We opt for synthetic as much as possible as we believe that favoring organic toad-derived 5-MeO enables and perpetuates toad exploitation and leads to the decline of the species throughout its natural habitat range.
5-MeO-DMT provides an anti-inflamatory effect that allows the brain to start healing itself. On a microscopic level 5-MeO-DMT also increases axonal branching and synaptic connectivity.
5-MeO-DMT provides an anti-inflamatory effect that allows the brain to start healing itself. On a microscopic level 5-MeO-DMT also increases axonal branching and synaptic connectivity.
Does ibogaine work? WHAT VETERANS SAY ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PSYCHEDELIC MEDICINES AND TRADITIONAL TREATMENTS.
There’s a saying in Special Ops: “You gotta want it” The same is true for the medicines and healing. “You gotta want it” - no one can do it for you - you have to know you need help, but you have to want to heal.
– 20-year Army, 13-year Delta Force Veteran
“There’s a saying in Special Ops: “You gotta want it” The same is true for the medicines and healing. “You gotta want it” - no one can do it for you - you have to know you need help, but you have to want to heal.
– 20-year Army, 13-year Delta Force Veteran