When news broke that on July 28, 2025, a gunman in New York City had killed four people—including an NYPD officer—our hearts broke. As more details emerged, a familiar, sad story unfolded. The shooter was a former football player with a history of head trauma. He left a suicide note asking researchers to study his brain. And he ended his life in a way that preserved his brain for study—by shooting himself in the chest. It’s likely he knew what he was suffering from: CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head injuries.
One of our clients, Burton, read the article and felt an instant, painful recognition. He sent us an email empathizing with the gunman.
“Trust me, I was in a very similar situation,” Burton told us. “I would have done anything to get my point across.”
Burton had lived for years under the weight of traumatic brain injury and suspected CTE. He came to Vital Reset for a legal psilocybin journey. And afterward, everything changed.
“Now I am free of all CTE problems,” he says. “People can be saved.”
We’re sharing his words here—with his permission—because he wants others to know there is another way.
When Brain Injury Changes Everything
TBI and CTE don’t just affect coordination or memory. They can rewire how a person feels, reacts, and connects. Mood swings, depression, violent outbursts, panic attacks, paranoia, and emotional numbness are all common. These conditions are often invisible—and tragically, often untreated.
People with CTE often know something is wrong. But they’re frequently misdiagnosed, dismissed, or left isolated in their suffering.
Burton’s Psilocybin Experience in Oregon
After exhausting other options, Burton legally traveled to Oregon to work with a licensed psilocybin facilitator. His journey gave him something no other treatment had:
“The mushrooms let me see what I’d become, and why. I could finally feel the pain I’d been shoving down for years. But I also felt love—love for myself, for others, even for the parts of me that had been so angry. After that, I knew I had a choice. I didn’t have to live in that dark place anymore.”
The shift wasn’t instant, but it was real. He describes a sense of clarity, peace, and emotional stability that he hadn’t experienced in years.
“Now I am free. I want others to know this exists.”
What the Research Is Beginning to Show
Scientific research is just starting to explore what Burton already knows firsthand. Early studies suggest that psilocybin may:
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Increase neuroplasticity—helping the brain build new patterns
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Reduce inflammation and improve brain function
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Support emotional regulation and insight
Animal studies point to psilocybin’s potential in restoring function after brain injury. Clinical trials are beginning to explore these effects in humans.
A Legal, Supported Option
Oregon is one of the only places in the world where adults can legally access psilocybin services. At Vital Reset, we offer safe, supportive experiences designed for people facing emotional, cognitive, or spiritual challenges—including those living with the effects of TBI.
There is no diagnosis required. You don’t need a referral. Just a desire to explore healing.
Burton’s Message to Others Living with CTE or TBI
Burton’s story could have ended very differently. He wants others to know that they don’t have to keep suffering.
“People can be saved. I was. I am. If you’re struggling with CTE, if you’re angry and lost, you don’t have to stay there. There’s a way out.”
We are grateful to Burton for sharing his story. And if you’re living with brain injury—or love someone who is—we invite you to reach out. Let’s talk.
