Peach Tree Times

As state lawmakers consider the potential benefits of psilocybin, or "magic mushrooms," for military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress, testimony was heard recently from the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee over the use.

FOX 5 Atlanta reports that Ethan Whitfield, a retired U.S. Army veteran who lives in East Cobb, said he had an overnight change when he experienced psychedelic-assisted therapy.

“My thought patterns and my self-destructive habits of thought processes and negative thought patterns that I constantly had within myself changed overnight," Whitfield said in his testimony, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.  "That neuroplasticity from the medicine allowed me to experience my entire life from a different perspective and (be accepting) of it all.  And really give me since then a love of life, a love of myself and just improvement in everything."  

State residents suffering from post-traumatic stress already qualify for Georgia's medical cannabis oil program, but if lawmakers have their way, they could soon benefit from the use of drugs like psilocybin as well. 

Whitfield told the panel he completed 16 combat tours during his 23-year career with the Army and had experiences that took a toll on his mental health. He added he finally took control of the situation after a friend committed suicide in 2017. 

Lawmakers in Texas approved similar legislation in 2021, paving the way for a study at Baylor University. In Atlanta, lawmakers pushing for such legislation are hoping the state can partner with private corporate donors to fund research at Emory University.