From War Zones to Healing Minds

I am writing these words from my home desk in the heart of Israel. Throughout the day, sirens blare and rockets whiz overhead, prompting me to rush to the designated "safe room" and await confirmation that it's safe to emerge.

The longstanding conflict in the Middle East has persisted for years, but October 7th signified an entirely unprecedented event, reshaping not just Israel but the global landscape as we know it: Violence has reached unprecedented levels, marked by atrocities of slaughter, decapitation, rape, and the burning of families alive. This horrifying escalation has plunged millions in the Middle East into the depths of an active war zone, altering their daily realities significantly, and imposing an immense psychological weight on every individual in the area.

For centuries, the profound psychological impact of traumatic stress, now recognized as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has accompanied humanity under various names, such as "soldier's heart" during the Civil War and "shell shock" in WWI. This enduring response to life-threatening events, and specifically wars, transcends culture and gender.

While stress is common after a trauma, people with PTSD often relive a traumatic event in their minds. They may also feel distant from friends and family and experience anger that does not go away over time or may even get worse.

There is a significant relationship between PTSD and major depressive disorder (MDD), commonly known as depression. Many individuals with PTSD also experience symptoms of depression, and the two conditions often co-occur. The symptoms of both disorders can overlap, leading to a complex array of emotional and psychological challenges for affected individuals. It was estimated that in 2015, about 354 million adult war survivors suffered from PTSD and/or MDD worldwide (see reference).

Treating PTSD

There are several traditional treatments for PTSD, and it's important to note that the effectiveness of these treatments can vary from person to person. Some of the common traditional treatments for PTSD are:

1. Psychotherapy and counseling: Psychotherapy is a common and effective treatment for PTSD. Different types of psychotherapy can be used, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). These therapies help individuals process the traumatic event and develop coping strategies to manage symptoms.

2. Group Therapy: Group therapy sessions involve interactions with others who have experienced similar traumas (not unlike AA for people who suffer from alcohol use disorder). Sharing experiences and coping strategies in a supportive group setting can provide a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation.

3. Medications: Certain medications, such as antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs) and anti-anxiety medications, can help manage PTSD symptoms. These medications can help regulate mood, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep, making it easier for individuals to engage in therapy and cope with their symptoms.

However, the effectiveness of these treatments is not sufficient, and finding effective drug treatments for PTSD should be a global mental health priority. Health organizations should be committed to funding research to better understand, diagnose, assess, and treat PTSD.

Give Psychedelics a Chance

With the challenges in treating trauma effectively, new treatments and approaches are being explored. Psychedelics are increasingly being recognized as a potential breakthrough therapy for trauma.

Emerging research suggests that substances like MDMA can facilitate profound therapeutic experiences when administered in controlled settings. These substances have the ability to alter perception and consciousness, allowing individuals to revisit traumatic memories in a safe and supported environment.

Under the guidance of trained therapists, psychedelics can help patients confront and process their trauma, often leading to significant reductions in symptoms related to PTSD and other trauma-related disorders. By promoting introspection, access to unconsciousness processes, empathy, a sense of interconnectedness, and an enhanced therapeutic alliance, psychedelics may offer a unique pathway to healing that traditional therapies have struggled to achieve, making them a promising frontier in the treatment of trauma. However, this area of research is still evolving, and more studies are needed to fully understand the long-term efficacy and safety of psychedelics in therapeutic contexts.

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing research and promoting the safe and beneficial use of psychedelics in therapy and medicine, funded and led the largest clinical trial for treating PTSD with MDMA.

Rick Doblin, Ph.D., MAPS founder and president, said recently: “Since founding MAPS, I have been dedicated to bringing psychedelic healing to Israel and Palestine and around the world through the treatment of trauma, psychedelic peacebuilding, and conflict resolution projects.”

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Israeli researchers and institutions have contributed significantly to the growing body of knowledge surrounding the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, particularly in the treatment of PTSD. MAPS Israel operates within the framework of MAPS and focuses on conducting clinical trials, research, and educational initiatives related to psychedelics in Israel. Two of the sites participating in MAPS’ multi-site phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD were located in Israel.

More recently, MAPS Israel has been providing crisis trauma interventions for individuals affected by the current war, while also spearheading two impactful research projects. These initiatives aim to make MDMA-assisted group therapy accessible to a substantial number of survivors, facilitating healing on a larger scale. Another relevant project called RIPPLES involves the research of collective psychedelic practices which explore the potential of psychedelics for peacebuilding and healing collective traumas, with a focus on the Israeli-Palestine conflict. My own company has also shown promising pre-clinical results in treating MDD (including PTSD-derived MDD).

I see the current heartbreaking trauma unfolding in this area as a great challenge for anyone who’s trying to improve mental health, but also as an opportunity for learning and healing. In the shadow of the darkness, Israel’s innovative research into psychedelic therapy offers new hope for healing the deep wounds of trauma. Their progress is a beacon of hope, promising a revolution in the treatment of war-induced psychological scars.