Heroic Hearts Project
The leading nonprofit connecting veterans with psychedelic therapy — providing funding, placement at retreats, and connections to clinical trials for veterans with PTSD.
Type: veterans
Location: National (Austin, Texas)
Membership: Veterans apply for program placement
Venues: Partner retreats and clinical trial sites
Activities: Veteran psychedelic therapy placement, funding, clinical trial connections, community support
About
Heroic Hearts Project (HHP) was founded by Jesse Gould, a former Army Ranger who sought psychedelic therapy for his own PTSD after conventional treatments failed. Since 2017, HHP has placed hundreds of veterans in psychedelic therapy experiences — primarily ayahuasca and psilocybin retreats — and connected many more with clinical trial opportunities.
HHP operates as a connector and funder: they vet retreat programs and clinical trial partners for safety and quality, help veterans navigate the application process, provide partial or full funding for qualified veterans who cannot afford treatment, and offer community support before and after treatment.
In 2026, HHP has expanded its clinical trial connection program in response to the April 2026 executive order, which directed VA agencies to expedite psychedelic research for veterans. HHP is positioned as a key community partner for veteran recruitment into these expanded trials.
The organization also conducts peer education, congressional advocacy, and storytelling campaigns featuring veteran accounts of psychedelic healing.
Why It Matters
Veterans with PTSD represent the most pressing access-equity case in psychedelic medicine. They are both the population with the strongest evidence for benefit (psilocybin and ibogaine data) and, for many, the population with the most limited financial resources to access private treatment. Heroic Hearts is the most operationally effective nonprofit solving this access gap.
State Legal Context
See current psilocybin laws in Texas.