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Episodes / Kelsi Sheren: War, Artillery, PTSD, and Love

Kelsi Sheren: War, Artillery, PTSD, and Love

05-28-26 ▶ 4h 6m 📖 9 min read
Core Takeaways
Kelsi Sheren used ayahuasca to transition off 10 medications, finding relief from PTSD symptoms.
Why it matters This suggests a potential alternative for veterans struggling with traditional PTSD treatments, challenging pharmaceutical reliance.
The Excalibur artillery round costs $500,000 and offers GPS-guided precision over 40 km. ▶ 1:00:00
Why it matters This highlights the immense cost and technological sophistication involved in modern artillery warfare.
Kelsi's military service was influenced by a WWII veteran encounter on a bus after a Remembrance Day ceremony. ▶ 30:00
Why it matters This personal connection underscores how historical narratives and personal encounters can shape life-altering decisions.
Brass and Unity supports veterans' mental health, reflecting a gap in government care. ▶ 2:00:00
Why it matters This underscores the critical need for community-driven mental health support where institutional systems fall short.
The divorce rate among special operations families is approximately 95%, highlighting unique stressors. ▶ 2:30:00
Why it matters Such high rates indicate the severe impact of military life on personal relationships, necessitating targeted support.

Detailed Insights

Artillery and Military Engineering
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•
The Excalibur round costs $500,000 and is GPS guided for precision.
•
Artillery can shoot up to 40 km accurately with a 155 mm howitzer.
•
Russia leads the world in the number of tanks.
Mental Health and Psychedelics
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•
Kelsi used ayahuasca and cannabis to manage PTSD, transitioning off pharmaceuticals.
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Heroic Hearts helps veterans through psychedelic therapy, with a significant waiting list.
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Brass and Unity supports veterans' mental health, filling gaps left by government.
Military Service and Personal Trauma
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•
Kelsi's military service was influenced by a WWII veteran encounter.
•
The guest sustained a severe rugby injury, impacting their military readiness.
•
The guest's coach's criminal actions deeply affected their trust and decision-making.
Family Dynamics and Military Impact
+
•
The divorce rate among special operations families is 95%.
•
Military life severely impacts personal relationships, necessitating targeted support.
•
Kelsi emphasizes the importance of physical activity for mental health.

How the conversation moved

Lex Fridman introduces Kelsi Sheren, framing the conversation around her experiences with war, trauma, and healing. Kelsi begins by reflecting on her family's history with World War II, emphasizing the personal connection and impact of historical trauma. This sets the stage for discussing the broader psychological effects of war and the human psyche's response to extreme conditions.

Kelsi shares her journey from a promising athletic career to military service, influenced by a chance encounter with a WWII veteran. She details the physical and emotional challenges she faced, including a severe rugby injury and personal betrayals, which shaped her resilience and decision to join the military. Her narrative highlights the complex interplay between personal trauma and professional choices.

Despite the depth of Kelsi's experiences, Lex does not challenge her views on alternative therapies or military strategies, leaving potential gaps in exploring the efficacy of such treatments. The conversation could have benefited from a deeper examination of the scientific backing for ayahuasca and cannabis as PTSD treatments, as well as the broader implications of military recruitment strategies.

The discussion concludes with Kelsi's advocacy for veterans' mental health through her organization, Brass and Unity. She emphasizes the importance of community support and alternative therapies, such as psychedelics, in addressing the mental health crisis among veterans. The episode ends on a hopeful note, with Kelsi's belief in love and human connection as fundamental to overcoming trauma and fostering resilience.

Surprising moments

Kelsi Sheren
Kelsi revealed she transitioned off 10 medications using ayahuasca, suggesting a significant shift in her PTSD treatment approach.
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said_on_episode
The Excalibur artillery round costs $500,000, highlighting the financial and technological investment in modern warfare.
Kelsi Sheren
Kelsi's decision to join the military was influenced by a conversation with a WWII veteran, a pivotal moment in her life.

Topics Covered

Artillery and Military Engineering Mental Health and Psychedelics Military Service and Personal Trauma Family Dynamics and Military Impact

Memorable Quotes

"I think love is the only reason that we haven't destroyed ourselves." — Kelsey
"Mama ayahuasca is real. And she takes no prisoners." — said_on_episode
"Move your fucking body. Move your body. Get your blood moving." — Kelsey Sharon
"We are losing people like it's going out of style." — said_on_episode
"The barrel's worth a million dollars." — Kelsey

Still open

Unresolved by the end of the conversation

  • Lex asked if alternative therapies like ayahuasca could be integrated into mainstream PTSD treatment protocols.
  • Kelsi wondered whether the military could better prepare soldiers for the psychological impacts of combat.

Jargon glossary

Excalibur round
A GPS-guided artillery shell costing $500,000, used for precision targeting.
M777 howitzer
A lightweight towed artillery piece used by the military, valued at $1 million per barrel.

References & Resources

Man from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky book
Goodreads Google Books
Heroic Hearts by Jesse Gould other
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For the specialist

What a senior practitioner would find new

  • The Excalibur artillery round's GPS guidance allows for unprecedented precision over long distances, changing battlefield dynamics.
  • Brass and Unity's approach to mental health highlights a grassroots solution to systemic veteran care failures.
  • Kelsi's use of ayahuasca and cannabis as PTSD treatments challenges traditional pharmaceutical approaches, suggesting alternative therapies.

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