The Gripping Story Behind Netflix’s In Waves and War

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A new Netflix documentary follows veterans who have experienced significant relief from PTSD and depression through the use of psychedelics.

Premiering November 3rd, the documentary In Waves and War follows U.S. Navy SEALS who are trying an experimental treatment called Ibogaine. This substance, extracted from a Central African shrub called Tabernanthe iboga, is currently illegal in the United States. As a result, the veterans have traveled to a clinic in Mexico, where researchers from Stanford University are monitoring their experiences.

The film shares the personal stories of veterans, exploring what motivated them to join the military, the difficult experiences they faced during deployment, and their lowest moments. It also includes interviews with researchers from Stanford University and the veterans’ spouses. Ultimately, the film aims to reduce the alarmingly high rate of veteran suicides – nearly 17 per day – by offering a message of hope to those who are struggling.

This explains the psychedelic drug and how it’s been assisting veterans in their healing process after serving in the military.

The therapeutic uses of psychedelics like Ibogaine

In 2021, TIME magazine published an article covering recent studies on Ibogaine, including experiences shared by U.S. veterans who have tried it, and a general overview of current psychedelic research.

Psychedelics became well-known through the counter-culture movement of the 1960s, but are now receiving increased attention from doctors and researchers. Studies have shown that substances like psilocybin – found in magic mushrooms – can quickly help ease depression and anxiety, particularly for people battling cancer.

Although Ibogaine hasn’t been studied in FDA-approved clinical trials in the U.S. yet, early research shows potential.

A 2025 study published in Nature by Stanford Medicine researchers showed that a treatment combining Ibogaine and magnesium helped reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression in 30 special operations veterans. The treatment also improved daily functioning for veterans with traumatic brain injuries.

A 2020 study in the journal Chronic Stress showed significant improvements in 51 U.S. veterans who received Ibogaine treatment in Mexico between 2017 and 2019. The treatment led to substantial reductions in symptoms like suicidal thoughts, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and problems with thinking and memory.

Pharmaceutical companies have generally avoided researching Ibogaine due to worries it could disrupt heart function, potentially leading to dangerously irregular heartbeats and even death.

Atai Life Sciences, a German pharmaceutical company, is creating a potential medication for opioid-use disorder with the goal of FDA approval. Meanwhile, Mind Med, a company based in the U.S., is researching a synthetic version of ibogaine, called 18-MC, as a treatment for opioid addiction.

So, I was reading about this really interesting research coming out of UC Davis. They’re looking at a compound called tabernanthalog – or TBG, for short. It’s related to Ibogaine, which has shown promise in treating addiction, but Ibogaine can be tough on the heart. This new compound seems to avoid that issue. The early results, from studies with rodents, are pretty amazing – it boosted their brains’ ability to form new connections, and actually reduced their desire for both heroin and alcohol. Plus, it seemed to have antidepressant effects too! It’s still early days, but it’s a really promising development, and as a movie buff who loves a good redemption story, I’m definitely keeping an eye on this one.

Even if these drugs prove effective, it will take several years before veterans can easily access them. Currently, Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) helps veterans afford psychedelic treatments in other countries. TIME magazine featured VETS founders Marcus and Amber Capone in 2021, and they, along with the veterans the organization supports, are also highlighted in the Netflix documentary In Waves and War.

How U.S. Navy SEALs reacted to Ibogaine

The veterans in the film tried Ibogaine after years of struggling with their mental health. Interviews with Stanford researchers revealed they hadn’t been able to find conventional treatments that fully relieved their depression.

In the movie, former Navy SEALs Capone and DJ Shipley guide fellow veterans on their first experiences with Ibogaine in Mexico, drawing on their own past use of the drug to offer encouragement and support.

The film uses animation to depict the experiences veterans described from their treatment sessions. Capone recounts that during his first Ibogaine experience, he heard chainsaw noises and remembered scenes from his childhood. He explains this allowed him to view challenging moments from his past in a new light, leading him to understand he wasn’t to blame for what happened.

While traveling, Shipley felt like he’d stepped into an episode of The Wonder Years when he observed the cast sharing a family meal. This inspired him to think, “If I could give my own children that same warm, family feeling, maybe they’d have a better start in life than I did.”

During a unique therapy session, veterans gather around a campfire to write down things they want to let go of, then symbolically release them by throwing the papers into the flames. Afterwards, having undergone Ibogaine treatment, they rest comfortably on mattresses and allow themselves to experience its effects.

Matty Roberts, a veteran, breaks down in tears. He describes a disturbing experience of not recognizing his own reflection, feeling like a stranger was staring back at him. As the effects of a drug subside, Capone and Shipley sit with him, offering comforting support by placing a hand on his back.

Elias Kfoury reports that his chronic headaches, which he’d suffered with for twelve years, significantly improved after undergoing an Ibogaine experience. During the experience, he was overcome with emotion, crying and repeatedly saying “thank you” while cradling his head.

In the documentary, Capone admits that substances like Ibogaine might not completely eliminate his depression. However, he believes they can help veterans achieve a more positive mindset, allowing them to develop strategies to cope with future struggles. While meditating on a beach, he explains that these treatments offer a fresh start, but emphasizes the importance of having a plan in place to prevent relapse, stating, “You have to put plans…in place otherwise you potentially can go back.”

After talking with Stanford researchers, veterans involved in the study reported feeling surprisingly good. One veteran, Joe, described feeling a renewed sense of joy, like something he hadn’t experienced since childhood. Researchers determined that the veterans were no longer exhibiting signs of severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

Six months after his journey, the film concludes with Roberts discussing his experience with his therapist. He explains that he now feels better able to manage his feelings. He shares that when he faces difficult emotions, he can now step back and observe them, rather than being overwhelmed by them. He no longer feels trapped by his darker feelings.

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2025-11-03 22:07