Alan Ritchson is the towering star of Reacher and no stranger to the adversities of life. He stands tall, over 6 feet, and is built of pure muscle, which makes him look quite intimidating. But behind the huge stature is a man who has battled his own demons.
Ritchson is just as strong mentally and emotionally as he is physically. While he continues to dominate on screen, here’s a glimpse of his off-screen struggles and his unconventional road to healing.
Alan Ritchson vouches for MDMA therapy
For Alan Ritchson, MDMA-assisted therapy wasn’t just a treatment but a lifeline. The actor has been quite open about his struggles with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and he credited the slightly controversial therapy method for rewiring his brain in an interview with GQ.
To be precise, the progressive form of therapy that he seems to believe in involves a mix of psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA. He talks about trying the option out of “desperation” because he was at a point where he felt like he “might as well try everything.”
MDMA is commonly referred to as ecstasy and is being actively studied for its potential to treat PTSD. For Ritchson, it brought emotional openness and proved to be a transformative experience. The actor said, “Truly, I felt a light switch come on. It was wildly healing.” MDMA is not FDA-approved for widespread use, but we’re beyond grateful to know that it has worked for Ritchson.
Alan Ritchson’s mental health journey and suicide attempt
The Reacher famed actor started MDMA therapy during a dark period of his life, which also involved a suicide attempt. In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Ritchson opened up about his mental health struggles, which were prevalent even before his rise to fame.
He described the experience by saying, “It all happened so fast, and I was dangling there.” After seeking help, the actor was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and his friend suggested the treatment he followed. “I was super depressed and didn’t know how to navigate that,” he described the period that led to his suicide attempt.
He grew up in a strict and faith-filled household where he always felt out of place. Ritchson struggled with feeling inadequate, and these dark thoughts followed him into adulthood. The pressure of being in the entertainment industry and his personal trauma began to take a toll on him. But now, his willingness to share his story shows that the actor is strong and resilient and will continue to heal from the darkest times of his life.
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