Our very own Juliana Mercer was featured in Oprah Daily's special issue on psychedelics.

Healing Breakthrough hosted a reception in Washington D.C. late last week and celebrated some of the bi-partisan coalition leading in the fight against PTSD and Veteran suicide.

Juliana talks about the experience of MDMA-assisted therapy and the work our organization is doing to fulfill its mission of making this treatment accessible to Veterans in the United States.

The Hill covers the many lawmakers & advocates who are excited by the potential of MDMA-AT in treating PTSD.

Juliana shares her story from her time in the Marine Corps, her healing journey, to becoming the Policy Director for Healing Breakthrough and what is our mission. She, along with Marcus Capone of VETS, Dr. Nolan Williams of Stanford University, & Brandon Weiss of Johns Hopkins, provide a unique perspective on the clinicals trials and the challenges facing widespread adoption.

The VA's announcement of a Request for Applications (RFA) studying MDMA-Assisted Therapy marks a huge victory for the leading federal veteran advocacy group for MDMA-Assisted Therapy, Healing Breakthrough.

The article highlights the transformative journey of Marine veteran Justin Carlisle, who turned to ayahuasca to alleviate suicidal thoughts and subsequently dedicated himself to studying the effectiveness of psychedelics in conjunction with therapy. His personal experience, including shedding suicidal thoughts and pursuing a career in mental health counseling, serves as compelling evidence of the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic compounds.

The inclusion of an amendment directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a large-scale study into psychedelics with FDA breakthrough status demonstrates a commitment to exploring innovative therapies, such as MDMA for PTSD and psilocybin for depression. The unanimous passage of the amendment reflects congressional recognition of the potential revolutionary impact of psychedelic-assisted therapies on mental health treatment for veterans.

The article highlights the engagement of HB with government stakeholders, particularly the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the Department of Veterans Affairs. This engagement underscores the brand's proactive approach in working with regulatory bodies and policymakers to shape the discourse around psychedelic-assisted therapies. It positions HB as a key player in the ongoing dialogue, contributing to the development of guidelines and regulations for the responsible use of these treatments.

HB's focus on addressing potential challenges in implementing psychedelic-assisted therapies, including the need for clinician training, appropriate facilities, and capacity, showcases a commitment to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of these treatments. This emphasis aligns with HB's advocacy for responsible and controlled use of psychedelics, counteracting potential concerns and reinforcing the brand's dedication to the well-being of individuals seeking mental health support.

Juliana delivers a powerful testimony, sharing her Marine background and dedication to combating the veteran suicide epidemic. She describes her personal struggle and the loss of friends in combat, emphasizing the dire mental health toll on veterans. She stresses the inadequacy of existing solutions and highlights her own transformative experience with psychedelic therapy, urging Congress to acknowledge the urgent need for federally legalizing MDMA-assisted therapy.

Juliana leverages alarming statistics, noting that more veterans have been lost to suicide than in the global war on terrorism, to underscore the urgency of addressing the root cause of PTSD. With compelling data indicating the effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy, including an 86% reduction in PTSD symptoms and 71% experiencing complete remission, she passionately calls on Congress to support nationwide implementation as soon as FDA approval is granted. Juliana's testimony serves as a catalyst for federal action to provide veterans with this breakthrough therapy.

This podcast discusses the noteworthy outcomes of MAPS Clinical Trials, revealing a significant success rate where 71% of participants no longer qualify for PTSD after undergoing MDMA-Assisted Therapy. This statistic underscores the potential efficacy of the treatment and its transformative impact on individuals struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder.

It highlights HB's strategic approach to scaling MDMA-Assisted Therapy, shedding light on the organization's efforts to make this innovative treatment more widely accessible for veterans dealing with PTSD.

This article highlights the personal testimony of Juliana to highlight the positive impact of psychedelic therapies, specifically MDMA-AT, on Veterans dealing with mental health issues. By sharing Juliana’s journey and subsequent advocacy for MDMA and other psychedelic-assisted therapies through her role at HB, the article humanizes the cause and reinforces HB's commitment to promoting solutions for mental health challenges among Veterans.

Her advocacy and openness about her psychedelic therapy experience contributed to a broader societal shift in attitudes toward psychedelics, helping to destigmatize these treatments and pave the way for legislative changes in various cities and states across the country.

This article emphasizes the Bay Area's leading role in advancing the use of MDMA-AT as a treatment for Veterans with PTSD. Palo Alto VA Medical Center is gearing up to recruit and screen participants for its own clinical trials with MDMA-assisted therapy. For HB, being associated with a region at the forefront of such groundbreaking research positions the organization as an innovative leader in mental health advocacy. This aligns well with the brand's commitment to cutting-edge solutions and reinforces its role as a progressive force in the field.

It underscores the efforts by HB and its partners to scale up MDMA-assisted therapy. The bipartisan support mentioned in the article reflects positively on HB's ability to navigate political landscapes and gain crucial backing for its initiatives. This advocacy not only contributes to the brand's credibility but also positions it as an instrumental force in the potential nationwide rollout of trials, demonstrating a commitment to making innovative treatments accessible to veterans across diverse demographics.

Juliana’s insights as a Marine Corps veteran and Policy Director for Healing Breakthrough provide a unique perspective on the Phase 3 clinical trial results of MDMA Assisted Therapy, where a remarkable 67% of veterans achieved complete healing.

The episode serves as an informative resource for understanding the intricacies of these clinical trials and the challenges MDMA still faces for widespread adoption within the VA system.

This episode serves as an enlightening exploration of the intersection between mindfulness, MDMA-Assisted Therapy, and mental health for veterans, offering valuable insights into the challenges of PTSD and innovative treatment approaches.

Juliana's personal journey, combined with her role as the Director of Public Policy for HB, provides a unique perspective on the potential of mindfulness and MDMA-Assisted Therapy to address the mental and physical impacts of PTSD in veterans, making this episode a valuable resource for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of these topics.

In this panel, Juliana, Natalie Lupiani, and Kristin Barnes collectively share their unique journeys as female veterans. Juliana describes her transition from military service and her commitment to preventing veterans from falling into a "black hole." Having explored various therapies, including unconventional ones, Juliana found profound transformation through psychedelic retreats, motivating her to extend support to others.

The panel sheds light on the challenges female Veterans face. Juliana emphasizes the detachment experienced by women from their military service due to societal acceptance issues. Juliana's personal psychedelic-assisted therapy allowed her to credit herself for her contributions and confront negative experiences. The bipartisan support highlighted by Juliana underscores the logical decision to adopt these treatments, saving lives among both veterans and women dealing with PTSD, providing a poignant call for action.

Juliana highlights her advocacy for Veterans, bringing attention to the staggering loss of 30,000 Veterans on American soil to PTSD, emphasizing the urgent need for effective treatments.

She discusses the ongoing efforts to obtain FDA approval for MDMA-Assisted Therapy, underscoring the importance of innovative approaches in addressing the mental health challenges faced by Veterans and preventing further loss.

This piece features compelling personal narratives from Nigel McCourry, Julian Mercer, and Marcus Capone, exploring their experiences with MDMA-Assisted Therapy (MDMA-AT) and related therapies as a transformative intervention for combating PTSD.

Nigel and Marcus express a sense of reclaiming their lives, offering powerful testimonials that shed light on the potential of this therapy in restoring mental health and well-being for individuals grappling with the impact of PTSD.

Juliana mentions her 22nd anniversary as a Marine and shares her journey from military service to becoming an advocate for veterans. By humanizing herself as a hero with a cause, Mercer details her experiences in the Marines and how they led her to the mission of assisting fellow veterans back home, showcasing her commitment to the well-being of her comrades.

She passionately discusses her own transformative experience with psilocybin-assisted therapy, narrating how it brought her back to her authentic self. This personal revelation becomes a gateway to discussing the broader movement among veterans who, having exhausted traditional avenues, are trusting and advocating for psychedelic therapies. She highlights the bipartisan support for these treatments, emphasizing that seven members from both sides of the aisle submitted appropriations funding requests specifically for MDMA-assisted therapy within the VA, underscoring the urgency and importance of these alternative approaches for veteran mental health.

This article positions HB as a leading advocate for mental health breakthroughs, particularly in the context of psychedelics. By highlighting the bipartisan support and government initiatives around psychedelics as a potential solution to America's mental health crisis, HB can leverage this positive narrative to reinforce its commitment to innovative, effective, and evidence-based approaches to mental health treatment.

It showcases key figures, including Rep. Morgan Luttrell and organizations like the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), endorsing the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. HB, by association, can enhance its credibility by aligning with these influential voices and the emerging consensus within government agencies. This could help overcome historical stigma associated with psychedelics, positioning HB as a trusted and forward-thinking authority in the mental health space.

Veterans, drawing on their military service and struggles, emerge as powerful advocates for psychedelic medicine, particularly in addressing post-traumatic stress and mental health challenges.

It accentuates the intersection of the mental health crisis among Veterans, the advocacy for psychedelic medicine, and the changing landscape of drug laws. With a focus on the alarming rate of Veteran suicides and the inadequacies of traditional pharmacological interventions, the campaign led by veterans seeks alternative solutions, including psychedelic therapies. The narrative emphasizes the urgency of addressing mental health issues among Veterans and explores the evolving public attitudes toward drug prohibition.