OHRP Exploratory Workshop 2023

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.

Watch the video here.