Societal Sheet

Psychedelics for PTSD? Great Idea in a Broken Culture

Written by Scott K. James

Colorado’s leaning hard into psychedelics to help vets and first responders. Noble intentions, dangerous execution in a society without guardrails.

Colorado Public Radio just dove headfirst into the latest psychedelic policy experiment with an eye-opening piece. The article sings the praises of using shrooms, yes, magic mushrooms, as therapy tools for veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD. Sound noble? Sure, it does. But it’s written with the same wide-eyed optimism you’d expect from someone who burned incense inside their Subaru while talking about their ‘healing journey.’ Doing right by our vets is crucial, but so is not letting our state nosedive into a full-blown acid trip in the name of progress.

The Bullet Point Brief

  • Psychedelic therapy is now legal in Colorado and targeting trauma cases like veterans with severe PTSD.
  • Experts warn there’s next to no regulation, basically DIY brain surgery with fungus.
  • Therapists aren’t required to have medical licenses to run psychedelic sessions. Let that sink in.
  • Veterans giving testimonials say these drugs saved their lives, but even they admit it’s risky business.
  • Critics are concerned Colorado’s all-gas-no-brakes approach could end up hurting more than it heals.

My Bottom Line

Here comes my libertarian streak throwing elbows again – I’ve always believed you do you, I do me. Stay off each other’s lawns and maybe lend a mower now and then if someone asks nicely. That’s why when weed got legalized here in Colorado, I grumbled but didn’t throw pitchforks. Seems fair enough on paper, right until your paper starts reeking of apathy-soaked sesame oil and patchouli. Colorado has become full-blown permissive – we’re becoming a state where everything is allowed and nothing is wrong. However, we’re not morally equipped to handle it.

Now here we are handing out magic mushrooms like they’re communion wafers for trauma scars, all under the banner of “healing.” And listen – I want our veterans to be helped. I want our first responders whole. God bless those folks because they see stuff most of us couldn’t stomach even once. But handing over this kind of powerful tool to an unguided culture? That’s giving fire to unsupervised teenagers and praying they build a house instead of burning it down.

See, tools only work when people wield them wisely, and folks, wisdom ain’t exactly trending right now. We live in a morally ambiguous sludge pile where feelings outrank facts, and society treats discipline like it’s old-man bigotry wrapped in denim overalls. You want boundary-less mushroom trips to heal people? Cool idea in theory… if you’re operating inside a society grounded in moral truth and guardrails. Sadly, we tossed those years ago somewhere between social media filters and progressive TED Talks.

We don’t need fewer rules, we need better ones backed by actual moral compasses that point somewhere other than “whatever makes you feel good today.” So yeah, I acknowledge psychedelics might help some, but I sure as hell don’t trust today’s version of America not to abuse the hell out of it.

About the author

Scott K. James

A 4th generation Northern Colorado native, Scott K. James is a veteran broadcaster, professional communicator, and principled leader. Widely recognized for his thoughtful, common-sense approach to addressing issues that affect families, businesses, and communities, Scott, his wife, Julie, and son, Jack, call Johnstown, Colorado, home. A former mayor of Johnstown, James is a staunch defender of the Constitution and the rule of law, the free market, and the power of the individual. Scott has delighted in a lifetime of public service and continues that service as a Weld County Commissioner representing District 2.