Testimonials

The Story of Burton: A Wife’s Perspective

Burton and I have shared twenty-two years together. I’ve been by his side since the first signs of PTSD and brain trauma-induced seizures began. We were together before the onset of these challenges, but it was clear from the moment the seizures started that something was deeply wrong. The seizures grew progressively worse, but then something changed. One day, the
anger—extreme, inconsolable rage—became apparent. As time passed, the anger intensified, consuming him entirely. Violent outbursts occurred without warning, and I, his closest confidante, couldn’t ease his pain. His depression deepened alongside the rage, and it reached a point where I braced myself every day for the worst. I could feel it, I could see it in his eyes—his spirit, once so bright, had dimmed. His face, which used to light up with joy, had become a mask of desolation.

The smallest things would set him off—something as simple as a cup of coffee could trigger an eruption that would send him into a dark, empty room, staring into the abyss for days.  Sometimes, it was only time that could pull him from that place, but often, it didn’t last. The
things that would frustrate an average person consumed his life. He couldn’t control his reactions, no matter how small the provocation.

For over fifteen years, I watched helplessly as Burton’s life unraveled. Seizures dominated his days—some days, he had multiple, each one violent enough to break fingers, toes, and leave his teeth shattered. Each seizure left him dazed and confused, unable to recover before the next one hit. It was an unrelenting cycle, one that left him debilitated by anger, rage, and deep sorrow. He often told me that he wished God would have mercy on him. Despite years of seeking help, no doctor seemed able to understand how to fix him. They knew he had complex PTSD, but they had no idea how to approach his treatment. He was medicated, drugged with doses that left him in a constant fog, unable to function. Yet, nothing helped. Therapy, medication, nothing worked.

Then, two years ago, my greatest fear became a crushing reality. Burton told me he wanted one last birthday, after which he intended to leave this earth. He had lost all sense of purpose. He no longer saw beauty or meaning in life. All he could see was the pain he caused me, and he
believed I could survive his loss, just as I had survived the death of my father. My heart shattered. But I refused to give up. Through it all, I remained his rock—steadfast, even when the pain was unbearable. I knew the man I loved was still there, buried beneath the anger and the
despair. I just needed to find him again.

In the midst of our search for hope, Burton was referred to a psychologist who specialized in PTSD. It felt like a last-ditch effort. She was thrilled to see him return each week, unsure whether he would even make it back. But progress was slow. Around the same time, we stumbled upon research about psilocybin treatment for veterans with PTSD. I can’t remember where I saw it—perhaps it was a news article or a TV segment—but I began to dig deeper. The more I learned, the more convinced I became that this could be our answer. But we had no idea how to even begin, or if it was legal.

Burton discussed it with his psychologist, and she agreed that psilocybin could be worth pursuing, especially considering her clinical belief that his condition was worsened by CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a result of his brain injuries. Burton was devastated by this
diagnosis, unwilling to accept the idea of living with CTE. But after much discussion, we both agreed that we needed to try psilocybin treatments if we could find a way.

I signed Burton up for a trial at the University of Washington, but we were faced with uncertainty—he could be placed in a placebo group, and even if he received the treatment, there was no guarantee it would be effective. Time was not on our side. So, I searched for alternatives and found Vital Reset in Hood River, Oregon. Desperate, I reached out to them, explaining that
Burton’s life was on the line. He only had a few months left, and we both knew it. Burton was skeptical at first, unsure how “tripping on magic mushrooms” could help him, but I held onto hope.

The next day, Jadryn from Vital Reset reached out. A month later, Burton was one of the first patients to receive psilocybin treatment for complex PTSD and probable CTE. The team at Vital Reset—Jadryn, John, and Heidi—understood the gravity of his situation and handled him with the utmost care. Fourteen months ago, Burton received his first treatment. Thank God for this
intervention, for this facility, and for Jadryn. Since then, Burton has undergone several treatments, and the transformation has been nothing short of miraculous.

Today, I see a man who has rediscovered joy. His face, once clouded with anger and pain, now radiates happiness. We laugh, we talk, we cherish the simple moments together. He now recognizes the value in everyday experiences, like sitting outside and watching the sunset, or sharing a meal while reminiscing about the day. His emotional intelligence has grown, and while
he still experiences frustration or sadness, he quickly refocuses and says, “Let’s make today a good day.” Burton has shed the emotional numbness that once defined him, and I see him re-engaging with the hobbies and passions he had long abandoned. He now approaches life with renewed purpose.

The transformation is nothing short of astonishing. People who knew him before would never believe the change unless they saw it with their own eyes. Burton wakes up happy each day, and his gratitude for this therapy is palpable. He is a living testament to the power of psilocybin and what it can do for people suffering from PTSD and brain trauma.

For me, the journey didn’t stop with Burton’s recovery. I too needed healing. For years, I had lived in the shadows of his pain. I was in the hole with him, and now, as he emerged from it, I found myself still there. But now, I too am healing. I wake up each day feeling thankful, seeing
the beauty around me—the sun rising, the sky’s vastness, the vibrant green grass beneath our feet. We are living a life we never thought possible, and I am filled with hope for the future.

Burton’s journey is ongoing, as CTE is degenerative, but there is no longer a sense of helplessness. We no longer rely on temporary fixes—there is real, effective therapy available. We are committed to spreading the word and advocating for others who need a chance at healing.

I am eternally grateful to the team at Vital Reset and to Jadryn for the life-changing gift they have given our family. We will never forget what they have done for us. Our lives have been renewed with love, happiness, and purpose.

Forever grateful,
Burton’s wife