Zachary Alden didn’t turn to psychedelic medicine because he was chasing an experience. He turned to it because the world he stepped into after the Marine Corps no longer made sense.
It was during the isolation of the pandemic that Alden was introduced to ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian plant medicine. At first, the idea conflicted with everything he had been taught in uniform. “A part of the military is saying no to substances,” he said. “That structure sticks with you.”
He likens the experience to a shedding. “It’s like a serpent losing its skin,” he said. “Those old roles served a purpose, but they don’t define who you are now.”
Zach is just one of the many voices who are featured in DAV Mindscapes, an upcoming multimedia look at psychedelic therapies for veterans. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more content on this subject.
... Read MoreSee Less
Have you had a chance to read the latest issue of DAV Magazine? In this special issue:
· Veteran responds to media's attack on health care and benefits
· Navy veteran finds purpose through accountability and community
· 5-year check-in on historic Deborah Sampson Act
· Learn about the Written Informed Consent Act
· What happens when war comes home
· Empowering veterans living with diabetes
· From jobless to workplace advocate
· Air Force veteran founds youth financial education company
· WWII veteran says VA progress requires persistence
· Former corpsman finds purpose in content creation
Click here to read the online edition: dav.la/3qi.
#DAVMagazine #Veterans #KeepThePromise #DAV
... Read MoreSee Less
March 13 is known as National Good Samaritan Day in the United States. The day serves as a reminder that we should all strive to help those less fortunate and work toward kindness and charity for others. One way to celebrate is to volunteer some of your time to help a veteran in your community. Whether you can help with yard work, visit and chat for an hour or provide a meal for a veteran in need, DAV encourages you to reach out to a veteran and be a good Samaritan today! What other ideas do you have? Share them in the comments!
... Read MoreSee Less
DAV is thrilled to partner with Cincinnati Pops Orchestra to celebrate America 250 on July 4 at Riverbend Music Center this summer! Details below.
... Read MoreSee Less
