Over the last 20 years, the Navy SEAL Foundation has been supporting SEALs, SWCCs, and their families. Just recently, the Navy SEAL Foundation made one of its largest donations to date, pledging $50,000 to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). PRWEB published a detailed article about the event.

This donation is to support the research and implementation of a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy program. This program is the first of its kind.

Importantly, a major effort is being made to help the program achieve the designation of Breakthrough Therapy from the FDA. The ultimate goal is to help individuals with PTSD.

PTSD is a very real challenge for those that the Navy SEAL Foundation serves. The War on Terror is the longest armed conflict we have undertaken in our nation’s history: Many SEALs entered the service right after 9/11 and have been serving for nearly 20 years, which means many are now beginning to retire. Those that have served in the last two decades have been exposed to heavy combat and high op-tempos.

The work hasn’t been easy. There’s no question that most operators have lost friends and have experienced things that will change them forever. Some guys have physical scars while some struggle with the invisible injuries of war. The Navy SEAL Foundation knows the importance of their people getting the help they need, which is why the foundation supports organizations such as MAPS.

The Navy SEAL Foundation has made it its goal to address and educate people on the invisible wounds of war. It has established an annual Whole Warrior Impact Forum to help normalize PTSD and create an open line of discussion and understanding so that veterans feel confident in asking for help.

Addressing the Navy SEAL Foundation’s support of this new type of study, the Foundation’s CEO, Robin King said, “This pioneering work has shown great promise and has now made its way into the mainstream. It is close to achieving a major goal by attaining FDA approval for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a treatment for PTSD. We’re leaning in to help NSW and other veterans overcome the debilitating effects of PTSD. The NSF Board took on this lead role and hopes to inspire other NSW supporting organizations to raise funds for this promising research also.”

In response to the Navy SEAL Foundation’s donation and commitment to PTSD treatments, the MAPS founder and executive director, Rick Doblin had this to say:

“We are delighted that the Navy SEAL Foundation has listened to those Navy SEALs who have found relief from PTSD through legal psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy outside the U.S. and to those SEALs who are living with PTSD and haven’t found relief from the limited treatments available to them. By supporting the advancement of research into MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, the Foundation is responding to an urgent need for their constituents: a PTSD treatment that may prove to be more effective than any other currently available option. This grant from the Foundation will facilitate the final drug approval Phase 3 study through the FDA — a gift to Navy SEALs and all who live with PTSD.”

Former Navy SEAL and SOFREP founder Brandon Webb commented on the news, “I’m glad to see the Navy SEAL Foundation is doing this at a time when the community needs all the help we can get after two decades of nonstop combat deployments.”

Hopefully, this new type of psychedelic psychotherapy treatment will pave the way for mass treatment of individuals that suffer from PTSD. Additionally, as we learn more about the disease, the stigmas and walls that have been put up around PTSD will begin to fall.

The success of this program is not only of paramount importance for the individuals that suffer from PTSD, it’s also for their family and friends. Veterans that are healthy mentally, will be able to thrive during and after their time in the service, thus creating a better quality of life for all involved.