Psychedelics can help them overcome their trauma and possibly fight back
Ihor Kholodylo was probably not supposed to survive. A military psychologist and medic was evacuating his comrades in early 2023 when his jeep was hit by a Russian tank shell. He remained barely able to communicate. The operation saved his heart and eyesight. But doctors were unable to correct his speech problem and stuttering. He tried all kinds of radical therapy, but nothing helped. Then he met Vladyslav Matrenytskyi, a pioneer of psychedelic psychotherapy, who asked an unexpected question. Would he try ketamine?
Mr. Cold did not expect much, but the result was amazing. After one session, his stuttering was almost gone. Five more and he was almost back to normal. Gone are the nightmares and fears about everyday life. Ketamine therapy wasn't easy, he said, but it allowed him to resolve the trauma that was causing his symptoms: "I was back to what you could call life ... I felt light, just blessed."
