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Research

Research at Mission Within Foundation.

Turning Research Into Access and Healing

At the Mission Within Foundation, we are committed to advancing the science behind psychedelic-assisted therapies, particularly for Veterans, Gold Star families, and those affected by trauma and loss. In collaboration with leading academic institutions, we are supporting and facilitating research that explores the healing potential of powerful entheogens such as ibogaine, psilocybin, and 5-MeO-DMT.

Our goal is to generate rigorous data that can inform clinical practices, influence policy, and ensure broader access to safe and effective treatments.

We Are Currently Involved in Three Pivotal Research Studies:

01: Psychedelic Therapy for Surviving Family Members

About the Study - Female Participants needed

In partnership with The Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy at UT Austin’s Dell Medical School, this groundbreaking study is the first of its kind to explore the impact of psychedelic-assisted therapy on complicated grief in bereaved family members of military personnel.

We hope to learn more about how brain function is influenced by psychedelic assisted therapy and how this may impact psychiatric symptoms related to the loss of a loved one. Family of military service members are prone to experiencing symptoms of complicated grief/prolonged grief disorder, particularly because military-related deaths often occur suddenly and without warning.

Transportation and hotels at Austin will be covered, as will incidental expenses for meals and ground transportation. If the grieved, lost loved one was a veteran family member, then the cost of  your retreat will also be covered. Please contact us for more information!

Individuals can earn up to $925 for participation in this study and will additionally be provided two all-expenses paid trips to Austin, TX. You could also be reimbursed to hire a caregiver in your absence if you meet certain requirements. This is a prime opportunity to contribute to providing better mental health treatment for complicated grief/prolonged grief.

The study will test the hypothesis that the receipt of psilocybin or 5-MeO-DMT assisted psychotherapy will: (1) demonstrate therapeutic benefits for mental health symptoms of prolonged/complicated grief, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms; and (2) promote changes in brain function that show relationships to facets of clinical symptom change.

This study will measure changes in brain function utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalographic recordings (EEG) that occur before and after participating in a retreat. Additional tests and measures will be performed.
1. Evidence of the current or prior history of psychosis or bipolar disorder as evidenced by self-report or clinical interview.

2. Unremovable ferrous metal in the body.

3. History of neurological disorder, stroke, seizures/convulsions (except febrile seizures in childhood), epilepsy, brain surgery, electroconvulsive or radiation treatment, brain hemorrhage or tumor, moderate-to-severe head injury or any penetrating head injury, or an uncontrolled thyroid disorder.

4. Current psychological and/or physical conditions that would be contraindicated for treatment with psilocybin or 5-MeO DMT, including, but not limited to, uncontrolled hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, the taking of certain medications known to be contraindicated for use with serotonergic psychedelics (e.g., monoamine oxidase inhibitors), current active alcohol or drug dependence, and being pregnant or about to become pregnant.

You may qualify for this test if you are

  • Female, over the age of 18, and fluent in English.
  • Are currently experiencing mental health difficulties related to the death of a family member such as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, cousin, or other close relationship such as a long-term romantic partner.
  • Meet the criteria for prolonged grief.
  • Meet the criteria for prolonged grief.
  • Are not pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or claustrophobic.
  • Are willing and able to undergo fMRI brain scans, vision measures, and EEG with optional blood draw.
  • Are willing to travel to the Austin, TX Dell Med facility for fMRI scans, vision and EEG measurements.

If you would like to participate, the first step would be to complete a brief online questionnaire.

Please use the referral code HHP when prompted by our online questionnaire.
Apply Here

Goals

  • To evaluate whether psilocybin- or 5-MeO-DMT-assisted psychotherapy improves symptoms of prolonged grief, depression, and PTSD.
  • Conduct detailed medical history assessments and risk stratification

Design

Participants undergo brain imaging and psychological assessments before and after attending a retreat. This study includes bereaved spouses, parents, siblings, and other close family members, offering support where traditional interventions have fallen short.

Impact

Thanks to your support, we have already been able to treat six participants in this study, helping to lay the foundation for a new standard of care for complicated grief. This research has far-reaching implications for how we approach trauma in surviving military families and beyond.

About

Also conducted with UT Austin’s Dell Medical School, this study examines the effects of ibogaine therapy on the brain health of Special Operations Forces veterans—one of the most resilient yet deeply affected communities we serve.

Goals

  • To explore how ibogaine treatment impacts neurological markers of trauma and emotional regulation in veterans with treatment-resistant symptoms.
  • To track measurable changes in brain function pre- and post-treatment using cutting-edge brain imaging technology.

Eligibility

Participants are special operations veterans receiving ibogaine treatment through our partners at Heroic Hearts Project. Each participant travels to Austin twice for assessments, with all expenses covered.

Impact

This is one of the only studies in the world to explore ibogaine’s effect on brain function in elite veterans. Findings may lead to greater acceptance and integration of ibogaine as a legitimate treatment pathway for those suffering from PTSD, TBI, and depression.

About

This prospective observational study evaluates the long-term impact of psychedelic therapy in a group of 100 Marine Corps veterans undergoing treatment through The Mission Within.

Goals

To measure psychological and emotional changes across several domains, including:
  • PTSD symptoms
  • Moral injury
  • Compassion
  • Flourishing and well-being
  • Chronic pain
  • Substance use
  • Mystical experience and transformation

Design

Participants complete surveys at four time points:
  • Pre-treatment
  • 1 day post-treatment
  • 3 months post-treatment
  • 6 months post-treatment

Impact

This study will provide critical insight into the durability of healing following psychedelic therapy and may help define best practices for long-term integration and support in veteran care models.

01: Psychedelic Therapy for Surviving Family Members

About the Study - Female Participants needed

In partnership with The Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy at UT Austin’s Dell Medical School, this groundbreaking study is the first of its kind to explore the impact of psychedelic-assisted therapy on complicated grief in bereaved family members of military personnel.

We hope to learn more about how brain function is influenced by psychedelic assisted therapy and how this may impact psychiatric symptoms related to the loss of a loved one. Family of military service members are prone to experiencing symptoms of complicated grief/prolonged grief disorder, particularly because military-related deaths often occur suddenly and without warning.

Transportation and hotels at Austin will be covered, as will incidental expenses for meals and ground transportation. If the grieved, lost loved one was a veteran family member, then the cost of  your retreat will also be covered. Please contact us for more information!

Individuals can earn up to $925 for participation in this study and will additionally be provided two all-expenses paid trips to Austin, TX. You could also be reimbursed to hire a caregiver in your absence if you meet certain requirements. This is a prime opportunity to contribute to providing better mental health treatment for complicated grief/prolonged grief.

The study will test the hypothesis that the receipt of psilocybin or 5-MeO-DMT assisted psychotherapy will: (1) demonstrate therapeutic benefits for mental health symptoms of prolonged/complicated grief, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms; and (2) promote changes in brain function that show relationships to facets of clinical symptom change.

This study will measure changes in brain function utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalographic recordings (EEG) that occur before and after participating in a retreat. Additional tests and measures will be performed.
1. Evidence of the current or prior history of psychosis or bipolar disorder as evidenced by self-report or clinical interview.

2. Unremovable ferrous metal in the body.

3. History of neurological disorder, stroke, seizures/convulsions (except febrile seizures in childhood), epilepsy, brain surgery, electroconvulsive or radiation treatment, brain hemorrhage or tumor, moderate-to-severe head injury or any penetrating head injury, or an uncontrolled thyroid disorder.

4. Current psychological and/or physical conditions that would be contraindicated for treatment with psilocybin or 5-MeO DMT, including, but not limited to, uncontrolled hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, the taking of certain medications known to be contraindicated for use with serotonergic psychedelics (e.g., monoamine oxidase inhibitors), current active alcohol or drug dependence, and being pregnant or about to become pregnant.

You May Qualify for this test if you are

  • Female, over the age of 18, and fluent in English.
  • Are currently experiencing mental health difficulties related to the death of a family member such as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, cousin, or other close relationship such as a long-term romantic partner.
  • Meet the criteria for prolonged grief.
  • Meet the criteria for prolonged grief.
  • Are not pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or claustrophobic.
  • Are willing and able to undergo fMRI brain scans, vision measures, and EEG with optional blood draw.
  • Are willing to travel to the Austin, TX Dell Med facility for fMRI scans, vision and EEG measurements.

If you would like to participate, the first step would be to complete a brief online questionnaire.

Please use the referral code HHP when prompted by our online questionnaire.
Apply Here

Goals

  • To evaluate whether psilocybin- or 5-MeO-DMT-assisted psychotherapy improves symptoms of prolonged grief, depression, and PTSD.
  • Conduct detailed medical history assessments and risk stratification

Design

Participants undergo brain imaging and psychological assessments before and after attending a retreat. This study includes bereaved spouses, parents, siblings, and other close family members, offering support where traditional interventions have fallen short.

Impact

Thanks to your support, we have already been able to treat six participants in this study, helping to lay the foundation for a new standard of care for complicated grief. This research has far-reaching implications for how we approach trauma in surviving military families and beyond.

02: Ibogaine and Brain Function in Special Operations Veterans

Also conducted with UT Austin’s Dell Medical School, this study examines the effects of ibogaine therapy on the brain health of Special Operations Forces veterans—one of the most resilient yet deeply affected communities we serve.

Goals

  • To explore how ibogaine treatment impacts neurological markers of trauma and emotional regulation in veterans with treatment-resistant symptoms.
  • To track measurable changes in brain function pre- and post-treatment using cutting-edge brain imaging technology.

Eligibility

Participants are special operations veterans receiving ibogaine treatment through our partners at Heroic Hearts Project. Each participant travels to Austin twice for assessments, with all expenses covered.

Impact

This is one of the only studies in the world to explore ibogaine’s effect on brain function in elite veterans. Findings may lead to greater acceptance and integration of ibogaine as a legitimate treatment pathway for those suffering from PTSD, TBI, and depression.

03: Prospective Outcomes Study: Marines and Psychedelic Therapy

This prospective observational study evaluates the long-term impact of psychedelic therapy in a group of 100 Marine Corps veterans undergoing treatment through The Mission Within.

Goals

To measure psychological and emotional changes across several domains, including:
  • PTSD symptoms
  • Moral injury
  • Compassion
  • Flourishing and well-being
  • Chronic pain
  • Substance use
  • Mystical experience and transformation

Design

Participants complete surveys at four time points:
  • Pre-treatment
  • 1 day post-treatment
  • 3 months post-treatment
  • 6 months post-treatment

Impact

This study will provide critical insight into the durability of healing following psychedelic therapy and may help define best practices for long-term integration and support in veteran care models.

Why Research Matters

Each of these studies not only deepens our scientific understanding but also helps shape the future of mental health care for underserved communities. Our research:

Guides policy decisions and expands access to safe, evidence-based treatments.

Guides policy decisions and expands access to safe, evidence-based treatments.

Guides policy decisions and expands access to safe, evidence-based treatments.

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