The Silent Struggle of Early-Onset Dementia in Veterans

When combat veterans return to civilian life, they often carry invisible scars that can manifest in unexpected ways. While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are well-documented challenges, another insidious enemy has emerged among those who served—early-onset dementia. This condition, often associated with aging, is striking veterans at a much younger age, leaving them to navigate a complicated healthcare system that is often ill-equipped to address their unique needs. The story of Buck Barclay, a 39-year-old combat veteran, offers a powerful testament to this issue and sheds light on the innovative but controversial approaches some veterans turn to in their fight for hope.

Buck Barclay, a combat veteran from Louisiana, began experiencing olfactory hallucinations in May 2021—an unusual but alarming symptom where he would smell things that weren’t there. Initially, he attributed these experiences to stress, given the turbulent period he was enduring, including a difficult divorce. However, as the hallucinations became more frequent and unsettling, Buck sought medical attention through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). After a series of tests, including an MRI, Buck was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a rare form of early-onset dementia characterized by significant atrophy of the temporal lobe and hippocampal volume loss.

Buck’s diagnosis sent shockwaves through his life. At 39, he was facing a reality most people do not encounter until much later in life. His initial response was a mix of disbelief, fear, and frustration, particularly as he encountered delays and difficulties in accessing follow-up care through the VA healthcare system. “It felt like I was fighting a battle on two fronts—one against the disease itself and another against the very system that was supposed to help me,” Buck shared in a recent interview.

Buck’s experience is not an isolated case. Early-onset dementia in veterans, often linked to TBIs and PTSD, is a growing concern. Research shows that veterans with a history of TBIs are significantly more likely to develop dementia compared to their non-injured peers. A study published in JAMA Neurology found that veterans with TBIs had a 60% increased risk of developing dementia, including early-onset cases, underscoring the long-term consequences of combat-related injuries (Barnes & Yaffe, 2014). Another study in the Archives of General Psychiatry highlighted that veterans with PTSD are nearly twice as likely to develop dementia as those without PTSD, further illustrating the compounding impact of service-related psychological trauma on cognitive health (Yaffe et al., 2010).

The challenges extend beyond the heightened risk of dementia. Veterans often face significant delays in receiving specialized care through the VA healthcare system, particularly for complex neurological assessments and diagnostic scans essential for early detection and intervention. A report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO, 2021) revealed substantial gaps in access to care for veterans with dementia, with delays that could exacerbate the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. These systemic issues, combined with the stigma associated with mental health care, make the journey toward proper treatment even more arduous for veterans like Buck.

In the face of a grim prognosis and inadequate conventional treatment options, Buck turned to a controversial but increasingly researched alternative—psilocybin. Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, has gained attention in recent years for its potential therapeutic benefits in treating mental health disorders. Despite its classification as a Schedule I substance in the United States, research on its use in addressing depression, PTSD, and anxiety is gaining momentum, particularly within the context of neurodegenerative diseases.

Buck began micro-dosing psilocybin several days a week, initially without clear guidance or established protocols. “I was at a point where I felt I had nothing to lose,” he recalled. Over time, he reported improved mood, cognition, and overall quality of life. His most transformative experience came on Christmas night of 2023 when he decided to take a “heroic” dose of psilocybin. This intense psychedelic experience, while daunting, allowed him to confront his diagnosis in a deeply personal and introspective way.

In the months following this experience, Buck felt that the progression of his dementia had halted. His latest MRI in August 2024 seemed to confirm this; there was no further deterioration from the previous year’s scan. While anecdotal, Buck’s case adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that psilocybin could play a role in managing neurodegenerative conditions.

Emerging research supports the potential efficacy of psilocybin in treating conditions like dementia. A study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that psilocybin has neuroprotective effects and can promote neurogenesis—the growth and development of nervous tissue—in the brain (Ly et al., 2018). This is particularly relevant for conditions like dementia, where neuronal death and brain atrophy are prominent.

Furthermore, psilocybin has been shown to reduce neuroinflammation, which is increasingly recognized as a contributing factor to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. A 2020 study in Nature Medicine explored how psychedelics like psilocybin can help in “resetting” the brain’s default mode network, potentially offering cognitive and emotional benefits for those with neurodegenerative diseases (Carhart-Harris et al., 2020).

While these findings are promising, it is crucial to note that psilocybin therapy is still in its infancy in terms of research, particularly for dementia treatment. Clinical trials are necessary to establish standardized dosing protocols, long-term effects, and potential risks. However, the personal experiences of veterans like Buck Barclay provide valuable insights and a call to action for more comprehensive studies.

Buck Barclay’s story is one of resilience and hope in the face of a debilitating diagnosis and a healthcare system that often falls short. His journey underscores the need for a more nuanced approach to treating neurodegenerative diseases in veterans—one that considers both conventional and alternative therapies.

The potential of psilocybin and other psychedelics to offer relief, slow progression, or even reverse some of the symptoms of dementia represents a frontier in medical research that could benefit not only veterans but also the broader population affected by these conditions. However, significant legal, ethical, and clinical hurdles remain for these therapies to be widely accepted and utilized.

As Buck continues to navigate his path, he serves as both a beacon of hope and a reminder of the urgent need for systemic changes in how we approach veterans’ health. His story is a powerful call for increased research, better access to care, and a broader acceptance of alternative therapies that could make a profound difference in the lives of those facing similar battles.