08/16/2026: A Psychedelic Journey, The Mardi Gras Indians, The Indomitable Margaret Atwood
About this episode
The episode explores the use of psychedelics for veterans with PTSD, the cultural significance of the Mardi Gras Indians, and an interview with author Margaret Atwood.
The Veterans Administration announced it would begin funding clinical trials to explore the use of psychedelic drugs for treating post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and addiction. However, these trials are small, and even if successful, it will likely be years before veterans can access psychedelics at the VA. Many U.S. veterans struggling with PTSD aren’t waiting. Thousands of them are traveling overseas seeking relief at psychedelic retreats where these substances are legal to use, mostly in indigenous ceremonies. Correspondent Anderson Cooper follows nine veterans on a psychedelic journey to the west coast of Mexico, where they hope to find healing. Katie Brennan is the producer. Every year on Mardi Gras, Black revelers roam the backstreets of New Orleans in dazzling hand-sewn suits that take an entire year to create. Correspondent Bill Whitaker meets the Mardi Gras Indians, also known as Black Masking Indians, one of America’s last secret societies, who are preserving a culture that dates to at least the 1800s. It’s a tradition marked by resilience and resistance that honors their ancestors. Nichole Marks is the producer. Correspondent Jon Wertheim profiles…
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