Psychedelic Retreat Program for Veterans

Heroic Hearts Project hosts retreat programs for veterans living with PTSD throughout the year and has helped over 1,500 veterans and veteran spouses significantly reduce their PTSD symptoms and improve overall quality of life.

Geographic Scope

• Domestic (USA): Oregon (psilocybin legal); Colorado (anticipated beginning 2026)
• International: Peru, Mexico, Jamaica
• Branches: Canada, United Kingdom, Australia

Focus Areas

• PTSD treatment for combat veterans and military sexual trauma survivors
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Support for military spouses/families through the Hope Project

Psychedelic Types Offered

• International retreats: Ayahuasca (three ceremonies)
• Domestic programs: Psilocybin (two ceremonies)
• Partner referrals: Ketamine-assisted therapy and ibogaine (occasionally)

The Heroic Hearts Process Components

1. Screening: Careful veteran screening
2. Preparation: Three one-hour private sessions and three one-hour group sessions with HHP coach
3. Retreat Experience: 1-5 psychedelic ceremonies with licensed facilitators (domestic) or indigenous/traditional healers (international)
4. Integration: Three one-hour private sessions and three one-hour group sessions; long-term alumni support via community calls
5. Long-term Aftercare: Alumni program access, community calls, referrals to long-term care practitioners

Eligibility Criteria

• Primary: Veterans who can trace major trauma to time in service (combat trauma or Military Sexual Trauma)
• Preferred: Veterans already engaged in other healing modalities (therapy, coaching, mindfulness)
• Must demonstrate motivation to "do the work" and take ownership of healing
• Ability to cover minimum financial contribution
• For international programs: active passport with 9+ months validity
• Non-US veterans and veterans living abroad accepted

Ineligibility/Deferral Factors

• Contraindicated heart or respiratory conditions
• Personal/family history of psychosis, schizophrenia, DID, Bipolar Type I
• Inability to wean off contraindicated medications 4-6 weeks in advance
• Recent participation in another psychedelic retreat or macro-dose use within 4 months
• Unwillingness to follow preparation diet requirements
• Active crisis or suicidal thoughts (without stabilization)
• Homelessness, active addiction, on parole, or in-patient treatment center

Medication Contraindications

Blood pressure medications/hypertension: Tapered off and controlled 90+ days before retreat
For Ayahuasca: SSRIs, SNRIs, SARIs, NDRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, stimulants (taper 4 weeks before); anticonvulsants (2 weeks before); Lithium (30 days minimum)
For Psilocybin: Similar contraindications apply

Financial Contributions

All participants encouraged to pay what they can:

• $500 (Domestic minimum) or $750 (International minimum): For those experiencing financial hardship, equity-denied communities, essential care professionals
• $1,600: Covers travel for another veteran; for those with basic financial security
• $3,600: Covers retreat and travel for another veteran; for those with extra income/assets
• $6,500: Covers full program for another veteran; for those financially successful

Heroic Hearts Project Grant: Available for those unable to afford participation

Average program cost: $6,500 per veteran served

Privacy & Compliance

HHP services are not medical and do not fall under HIPAA compliance. Privacy and media policies must be agreed upon at enrollment.

Enrollment Timeline

• Application to Approval: ~2 weeks response time
• Open Enrollment Periods: Every 3-4 months (4x per year)
• Enrollment Request to Selection Decision: 2-3 weeks
• Process Steps: Initial Application → Open Enrollment Period → Enrollment Request Form → Video Intake Call → Safety Screening → Legal Documents & Financial Contribution

Support for Families

The Hope Project: Provides coaching and community support to spouses/partners of veteran participants

Initial Application

1. Submit initial application at https://heroicheartsproject.org/veterans/applicant-faqs/
   • Provide detailed information about your situation
   • Explain why plant medicine would help you
   • Applications that are rushed or incomplete will be returned
   • Response time: ~2 weeks
   • Contact email: operations@heroicheartsproject.org (add to contacts)

Wait for Open Enrollment Period

1. Quarterly Open Enrollment Periods (approximately every 3 months, 4x per year)
   • Eligible veterans receive email and text message 1 week prior
   • Information includes available retreat options and details

Enrollment Request Form

1. Submit Enrollment Request Form during Open Enrollment Period
   • Verify application information
   • Gather travel readiness details
   • Select top three retreat program choices (best effort to honor choices, no guarantees)
   • For international retreats: must have active passport with 9+ months validity
   • Response time: 2-3 weeks for selection decision
   • Note: System saves detailed answers and pre-populates future forms (update retreat preferences only)

Video Intake Call

1. Schedule and conduct Video Intake Call via Zoom
   • Format: On camera
   • Purpose: Discuss intentions for seeking retreat; get to know applicant; ensure good fit
   • Timeline: Schedule as soon as possible to progress enrollment

Safety Screening

1. Complete Safety Screening via SIGNAL (free messenger app required)
   • Format: Phone call
   • Content: Discuss medical and health history
   • Conducted by: Trained Safety Screeners (medical professionals serving as advisors)
   • Purpose: Determine if safe to attend retreat
   • Note: Screeners provide guidance but not medical advice; must consult prescribing physician

Final Enrollment

1. Final Enrollment Steps
   • Sign legal documents
   • Submit financial contribution
   • Complete enrollment

Selection Factors for Specific Retreats

When requesting to enroll for specific retreats, HHP considers:

• Retreat-specific eligibility criteria (e.g., TBI focus, female veteran designation)
• Individual veteran's needs
• Timeliness of response to Open Enrollment (sooner is better)
• Willingness to commit to preparation and integration work (coaching calls, diet adherence)
• Time veteran has been eligible
• Ability to cover minimum financial contribution
• Passport validity (for international programs)
• HHP prioritizes those waiting longest and those with multiple enrollment requests

Resources Provided

Applicants receive access to:

• Open Enrollment Information Briefing (Zoom recording available)
• Retreat Program Information Packets (specific to each retreat)
• Dietary and Medical Guidelines (ayahuasca or psilocybin specific)
• Eligible Candidate Packet with policies and resources
• The Veteran's Guide to Psychedelics: Preparation & Integration Workbook
• 21-Day Mindfulness Course
• Recommended Reading List
• Additional Resources List

Reapplication Policy

If not selected during enrollment round:

• Can request to enroll again in the following quarter
• System retains application answers for next round
• Must update retreat preferences (which change quarterly)
• Higher chance of selection in subsequent round if continuing to apply