Due to a lack of effective mental health treatments in the U.S., many people have been leaving the country to try psychedelic therapies. Despite their potential health benefits, psychedelics have been illegal in the U.S. for decades.

Episode one of the three-part podcast series, Psychedelics and the Texas Trip, explores the winding road in 2021 that brought a bill — HB 1802 — to fund a clinical trial of psilocybin for Veterans with PTSD to the Texas Legislature.

Psychedelics and the Texas Trip
Part 1: Unlikely Allies (Listen on Texas Public Radio)

A U.S. Navy SEAL Veteran, Marcus Capone was deployed on multiple combat missions over 13 years. He endured traumatic brain injuries, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. After exhausting available treatments that did not work, he considered suicide.

Afraid of losing her husband, Amber Capone searched for alternative treatments outside the American health care system. That’s when she discovered psychedelic therapies.

Amber encouraged Marcus to try it. He was skeptical. But with little left to lose, he traveled to Mexico for ibogaine therapy.

Marcus says it saved his life.

In this episode, you’ll hear about the Capones and other veterans who found relief for their depression and PTSD through psychedelic therapy.

You’ll hear from the people who crafted HB 1802. Former state Representative Alex Dominguez (D-Brownsville) and Legislative Director Logan Davidson explain how they built a bipartisan coalition, including a surprising ally.

The self-proclaimed “knuckle-dragging” former Republican Governor from the State of Texas, Rick Perry shares why he supported HB 1802 and has become an outspoken advocate for psychedelics-as-medicine.

This special series is supported by a Ferriss — UC Berkeley Psychedelic Journalism Fellowship.