Trevor Millar - Episode 25

Episode 25: Trevor Millar – Revolutionizing Veteran Healing with Ibogaine at Ambio Life SciencesIn this gripping episode of The Shawn Johnson Podcast, host Shawn Johnson sits down with Trevor Millar, co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of Ambio Life Sciences, the pioneering ibogaine clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. With over a decade of hands-on experience in psychedelic therapy, Trevor pulls back the curtain on his journey from operating underground clinics in Canada to establishing a world-class facility that's transforming lives—especially for military veterans battling the invisible wounds of service.Trevor shares the raw origins of Ambio, co-founded in 2021 alongside CEO Jonathan Dickinson and paramedic expert Jose Inzunza. What started as a bold vision to harness ibogaine—a powerful psychoactive root bark from Central Africa—has grown into a beacon of hope. Ibogaine, long revered in Bwiti traditions for spiritual insight, interrupts addiction cycles in a single profound session, resetting brain chemistry to alleviate withdrawal and cravings. But at Ambio, it's more than detox: it's holistic rebirth, blending medical oversight with somatic therapies, breathwork, yoga, and psychedelic integration coaching.At the heart of Trevor's mission? Military veterans. With a staggering 22 daily veteran suicides in the U.S., Trevor recounts how Ambio has treated over 1,000 service members, offering discounted programs starting at $7,350 for foundational care. He dives deep into the landmark Stanford University study published in Nature Medicine in 2024, where 30 former Navy SEALs underwent Ambio's Magnesium-Ibogaine Safety and Therapeutic Care (MISTIC) protocol. The results? Dramatic reductions in PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety—up to 88% improvement—plus neuroregenerative effects reversing traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from blasts and concussions. Brain scans showed increased coherence in damaged regions, a breakthrough with no existing pharmacotherapy.Trevor gets candid about the clinic's setup: a serene Tijuana compound just 30 minutes from San Diego, equipped with ECG monitoring, IV magnesium to safeguard hearts, and a team of nurses, firefighters, and coaches fostering unbreakable bonds among patients. Hear stories of elite athletes like NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre, who sought treatment for Parkinson's, and UFC fighters tackling CTE—proof ibogaine's reach extends to neurodegenerative conditions like MS and beyond.But Trevor doesn't sugarcoat the challenges. Ibogaine's Schedule I status in the U.S. drives seekers south, where it's unregulated but Ambio's 40+ years of combined expertise ensures safety. He discusses ethical sourcing from African Voacanga trees, the push for FDA trials (bolstered by Texas's $50M investment and Arizona's $5M study), and the ethical tightrope of scaling a sacred medicine without commodifying it.From Trevor's feature in the 2019 documentary DOSED to collaborations with nonprofits like Heroic Hearts Project and VETS Inc., this episode uncovers how one man's entrepreneurial grit is fueling a paradigm shift in mental health. If you've ever wondered how a single flood dose can rewrite trauma's script, or why veterans are leading the charge in psychedelic advocacy, tune in. Trevor Millar isn't just treating symptoms—he's restoring warriors.Produced by The Shawn Johnson Podcast. Available on all major platforms. Content warning: Discussions of trauma, addiction, and psychedelics.Shawn Johnson & Co. on:X: https://x.com/shawnbjohnson Instagram: / shawnbjohnsonofficial Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/TheShawnJohnsonPodcast