Frequently Asked Questions

The Aya Mission is an IRS-certified 501(c)(3) veteran harm reduction nonprofit. We provide preparation coaching, peer support, harm reduction education, and integration services for veterans pursuing entheogenic healing. We do not conduct ceremonies ourselves — sacramental ceremonies are conducted by independent religious organizations we trust, with their own separate enrollment processes. Our role is to walk alongside you before, during, and long after that journey.

Our program serves Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. You don't need a specific discharge status or VA enrollment to reach out — start with the intake form and we'll talk through your situation together.

Yes — many veterans who come to us have never participated in an entheogenic ceremony. That's exactly why preparation coaching exists. We provide honest, evidence-based education about benefits, risks, and how to prepare — mind, body, and spirit — so you can make an informed decision that's right for you. There is never pressure to participate.

Entheogens are plant-based substances — like ayahuasca — that have been used in sacred and ceremonial contexts for generations. A growing body of research suggests they may help some people process trauma, depression, anxiety, and addiction when used in a supported, intentional setting. They are not a magic cure, and they are not right for everyone — which is why education, screening, preparation, and integration are the core of what we do.

No. We see entheogenic healing as a complement to — not a replacement for — professional mental health care. Veterans in our community consistently say that prior therapy made their plant medicine experience more meaningful, and our integration support works best alongside ongoing care. We actively connect veterans with VA and non-VA mental health resources, and we encourage you to keep your providers in the loop.

Complete the support intake form. Our team reviews each application and follows up personally. Veterans accepted into our program receive preparation coaching and a direct link to our partner church's independent ceremony registration — the church conducts its own separate enrollment process. After ceremony, you're welcomed into structured integration support and our Peer Support Group.

Ceremonies are hosted around Memorial Day and Veterans Day weekends in the Arizona desert, typically with around 22 veterans per gathering. TAM supports the weekend with preparation, meals, peer support, and community — the sacramental ceremony itself is conducted by the partner religious organization. Veterans consistently describe the community aspect — being surrounded by others who understand — as transformative in its own right.

Safety is our priority, and honesty is part of that: entheogenic ceremonies are not appropriate for everyone. Certain medical conditions, psychiatric histories, and medications can make participation unsafe. This is exactly what our screening and preparation process is for — be fully transparent on your intake form and with your healthcare providers. We provide harm reduction education precisely so that every veteran can make a clear-eyed, informed decision.

Part of our support is informing you about your VA benefits and helping you navigate those questions before you make any decisions. Every situation is different, so raise this during intake — we'll make sure you have accurate, current information rather than guesses.

The Aya Mission is donor-funded so that cost is never the reason a veteran goes without support. Community donations fund preparation coaching, integration services, meals at ceremony weekends, and travel assistance. Ask about current costs and assistance during intake — and if you'd like to help another veteran access healing, every dollar goes directly to the mission.

We measure it. Veterans in our program complete PHQ-9 (depression) and GAD-7 (anxiety) clinical assessments before ceremony and at follow-up, and we're developing EEG-based research with an Institutional Review Board. So far: moderate-or-greater anxiety dropped from 64% of participants to 0% at the 3-month follow-up, and moderate-or-greater depression fell from 50% to 22%. See the full picture on our Impact & Research page.

Three ways: donate (100% goes to the mission via Zeffy, tax-deductible), volunteer or partner with us, or simply share our work with a veteran who might need it. Sometimes the bridge to healing is one person passing along a link.