New path on road to recovery
CEO shares how riding a bike led him to advocate for the use of psychedelic drugs to treat trauma, depression and addiction
Specialized Bicycles CEO Mike Sinyard’s path to promoting the use of psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin mushrooms and MDMA to treat trauma, addiction and depression started seven years ago, when he realized that when he was riding a bike, he wasn’t troubled by his attention-deficit disorder. That led to his Morgan Hill-based bike company funding research into managing ADHD through bicycling. When the opioid crisis hit America and addiction and overdoses began devastating communities, Sinyard’s mind was open to novel ways of treating mental illness. His heart made him want to help halt the suffering and death.
Research led Sinyard to Holocaust survivor and venture capitalist George Sarlo, whose foundation funds research into psychedelic therapies. Talking with Sarlo drew Sinyard deeper into the science behind mental-health treatments. Then a man Sinyard was thinking about hiring at Specialized mentioned a family member — a U.S. Army veteran — who was struggling with trauma and addiction in the wake of two Afghanistan combat tours.
“Mike invited me over that night,” said veteran Dylan Jouras, 26, of Campbell, who spent 180 days days in combat as a machine-gunner. He returned home with post-traumatic stress disorder and brain damage from explosions. Prescribed a powerful painkiller for severe headaches, Jouras ended up addicted to opioids while still suffering the nightmares, guilt and depression that came from his trauma. Sinyard taught him some meditative breathing exercises, and when those seemed to help, told Jouras, “I know this guy who can do an MDMA session with you.”
Jouras had two sessions with a doctor specializing in MDMA therapy that transformed the way he thought about the traumatic events in his past, he said. Today, the nightmares and drug cravings are gone, along with the guilt. He’s working for a bicycle-equipment company and his mother, Arleen Pietrzak, says, “I feel hopeful for the first time that there’s a future for him. It felt like we tried every possible avenue and the outcome I’ve seen with this, it’s a breakthrough.”
Sinyard, meanwhile, has just launched Project New Day, his own foundation for researching and promoting psychedelic treatments. Oakland last year decriminalized psilocybin and other plant-based hallucinogens, with a city report citing their use for treating anxiety, addiction, PTSD, depression and other maladies. Santa Cruz this year followed suit. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year gave “breakthrough therapy” designation to psilocybin to facilitate research into using it against severe depression.
This news organization caught up with Sinyard at his San Jose home. His comments have been edited for length and clarity.
Q
What psychedelic substances have promise for clinical treatments, and what might they promise?
A
I’m not a doctor, but a lot of times with the opiate addiction or even meth, whatever kinds of addiction or even alcohol, underneath that is a trauma and anxiety. One of the things to emphasize is it’s not like we’ve just got to take MDMA or psilocybin; it’s really with the right certified doctor and to take that with the right preparation and the right work. People will take an opiate, it’s like putting a blanket over you, you escape the feeling. Sometimes with these other medicines, it puts you right in it, you are facing your demons. I’ve supported a number of people that have had really good success. Probably altogether maybe 30. Like Dylan. I really love Dylan. His success just made us all feel so good.
Q
Do you think stigma around illegal drug use will hinder adoption of psychedelics for therapy?
A
It Not does. everybody’s It is an issue ready for for people. it. When I decided, well, I’m going to start this foundation … in the beginning I was uncomfortable sharing about it because I have a company and a lot of people that rely on me, and people think, “Oh, that’s really weird.” After a while I thought, “You know what, it’s not weird at all, it’s great.”
Q
How do you push back against the stigma?
A
data, I being a would tremendous done, say there’s there’s amount a research lot of of that, research and but probably the testimonials more important from people than that that their is lives have been turned around. We’re not advocating recreational use of these medicines. We’re not advocating anything that’s illegal. We’re just really trying to be a source of information to help people heal.
Q
Are there risks to the treatment?
A
The people I’ve supported have not had any negative outcomes. I’m sure there can be negative outcomes. The doctor they work with, and the therapist, is a big factor. It’s really hard work. It’s warrior work. You can be in a heavy session and feeling trauma and crying and sobbing. It’s not a party. There’s always risk with that and that’s why people need to do it in the right way.