Ketamine Therapy for Veterans: Understanding a Proven Treatment

For Florida veterans struggling with PTSD, depression, and anxiety, ketamine therapy offers

a scientifically-proven path to healing—backed by the Florida Department of

Veterans Affairs and available at no cost.

This program is made possible through a partnership between MPF and the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs

Ensuring no cost to eligible veterans

Veteran-Centered Care

We understand military culture and speak your language

Evidence-Based Treatment

Innovative, scientifically backed alternative therapies

No Red Tape

No VA enrollment or formal diagnosis required

Local Support

Based in Florida

"I Was a Basket Case": A Green Beret's Journey from Trauma to Transformation

Bruce Parkman, founder of The Mac Parkman Foundation, is a retired Green Beret Sergeant Major who spent decades in special operations. Three and a half years ago, he was struggling with the invisible wounds of war—PTSD, anxiety, and trauma that traditional treatments couldn't fully address.

Then he discovered ketamine therapy. The transformation was so profound that his wife now calls him "Bruce 3.0."

featuring Christi Myers, founder of Flow Integrative and a leader in psychedelic-assisted therapY

In this candid conversation, Bruce shares his personal experience with ketamine therapy—not as a researcher or advocate, but as a veteran who lived through the struggle and found a way out. He explains how the treatment works, why it's safe, and why he's committed to bringing this option to other veterans who are still fighting battles no one can see.

If you're considering this program, hear Bruce's story first. He knows what you're going through, because he's been there.

Success Story

a VETERAN participants TESTIMONIAL

Watch Alex’s Story

Alex Wright is an Air Force veteran who struggled with PTSD, anxiety, and depression for years. Traditional

treatments—therapy, medications, lifestyle changes—helped, but something was still missing. Then she discovered

ketamine therapy through the Mac Parkman Foundation’s Florida program.

Frequently Asked Question

1. Isn’t Ketamine a Street Drug? Let's set the record straight.

We understand your hesitation. You may have heard about ketamine in the wrong context. Ketamine has been an FDA-approved medicine since 1970—over 50 years of safe use in hospitals across America. It was first used to save the lives of wounded soldiers on the battlefields of Vietnam. Today, it’s helping veterans heal from the invisible wounds of war.

The difference between medical ketamine and recreational abuse is everything. In our program, ketamine is

administered by licensed medical professionals in a controlled clinical setting, at carefully calculated therapeutic doses,

with continuous monitoring. This is not experimental. This is evidence-based medicine with decades of proven safety

and effectiveness.

Here’s what you need to know:

Medical ketamine therapy is administered under strict medical supervision in a professional clinic. The doses used for

mental health treatment are significantly lower than those associated with recreational use. Every session is monitored

by trained healthcare providers who specialize in ketamine therapy. The treatment has been safely used in millions of

patients worldwide, including children undergoing surgery.

The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs has partnered with The Mac Parkman Foundation to offer this treatment

because the evidence is clear: ketamine works when other treatments have failed.

2. From Battlefield Medicine to Brain Health: Ketamine’s Journey

This isn’t a new drug. It’s a proven medicine being used in a new way—to heal the brain, not just the body.

Ketamine’s story begins where many veteran stories do—on the battlefield.

In the 1960s, researchers were searching for a safer anesthetic that could be used in combat zones. They needed

something that would keep wounded soldiers alive during emergency surgery, even in the most challenging conditions.

In 1970, the FDA approved ketamine for exactly that purpose.

During the Vietnam War, ketamine became the anesthetic of choice for battlefield medics. Why? Because unlike

other anesthetics, ketamine doesn’t suppress breathing or blood pressure. It keeps patients stable while providing

powerful pain relief. It saved countless lives.

For decades, ketamine remained a trusted tool in emergency rooms, operating rooms, and pediatric hospitals. It’s on

the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines—the safest, most effective medications needed in a health

system.

But in the 2000s, researchers made a groundbreaking discovery: ketamine didn’t just treat physical pain. At lower

doses, administered in a controlled setting, it could rapidly reduce symptoms of depression, PTSD, and

anxiety—conditions that had been resistant to every other treatment.

In 2019, the FDA approved esketamine (a form of ketamine) specifically for treatment-resistant depression. The VA

began offering ketamine therapy at select facilities nationwide. Today, ketamine is recognized as one of the most

promising treatments for the mental health challenges that so many veterans face.

3. The Science Behind the Healing: HOW KETAMINE THERAPY ACTUALLY WORKS

You don’t need a medical degree to understand why ketamine works. Here’s the simple version.

Depression, PTSD, and chronic anxiety change your brain. Over time, these conditions create rigid patterns of

negative thinking. Your brain gets “stuck” in loops of fear, hopelessness, and emotional pain. Traditional

antidepressants try to adjust brain chemistry, but they don’t address the underlying problem: your brain has lost its

ability to adapt and form new, healthier patterns.

Ketamine works differently. It acts on receptors in the brain called NMDA receptors, which play a key role in

something called neuroplasticity—your brain’s ability to rewire itself and form new connections.

Think of it this way: if depression is like a path worn deep into the ground from walking the same route every day,

ketamine is like giving your brain the ability to forge new paths. It doesn’t just mask the symptoms. It helps your brain

heal at the source.

The result? Many veterans report rapid improvements—sometimes within hours or days, not weeks or months. They

describe feeling like a fog has lifted, like they can finally see a way forward.

And because ketamine works on a different system than traditional antidepressants, it’s effective even for people who

haven’t responded to other treatments. That’s why it’s called a breakthrough therapy.

4. Safe, Professional, and Designed for You: WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE PROGRAM

This program is a partnership between The Mac Parkman Foundation and the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs,

delivered through Complete Ketamine Solutions—a licensed, veteran-friendly clinic in Tampa.

Here’s what the process looks like:

You’ll begin with a comprehensive assessment to determine if ketamine therapy is right for you. Our clinical team will

review your medical history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. If you’re a good fit for the program, you’ll receive

six ketamine therapy sessions over the course of two to three weeks.

Each session takes place in a private, comfortable treatment room. You’ll sit in a reclining chair while a trained nurse

practitioner administers the ketamine through a small IV. The dose is carefully calculated based on your weight and

medical profile.

During the session, you’ll be awake but deeply relaxed. Some people describe a sense of calm or a dreamlike state.

You’ll be monitored continuously by medical staff. Each session lasts about 45 minutes to an hour.

After the session, you’ll rest in the clinic for a short period before being cleared to leave. You’ll need someone to drive

you home, as you won’t be able to drive for the rest of the day.

Throughout the program, you’ll be supported by a team that understands military culture and veteran mental health. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s personalized care designed to give you the best possible chance at healing.

And here’s the most important part: this program is offered at no cost to qualifying Florida veterans. No VA

enrollment required. No diagnosis required. Just a willingness to try something that could change your life.

5. Real Outcomes, Real Hope: THE RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

Real Outcomes, Real Hope.

The Mac Parkman Foundation’s Florida pilot program is showing measurable results. Veterans who have completed the

ketamine therapy protocol are reporting improvements of 30% or more in key biomarkers and symptom assessments.

But the numbers only tell part of the story. The real impact is in the lives changed.

Veterans are reconnecting with their families. They’re sleeping through the night for the first time in years. They’re

finding joy in activities they’d given up on. They’re no longer defined by their pain.

One veteran said her daughter noticed she was “more patient.” Another said he finally felt like himself again.

These aren’t just statistics. These are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends who are getting their lives back.

This program is limited to 50 participants, and spots are filling quickly. If you’ve been struggling and traditional

treatments haven’t worked, this could be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.

6. How do I know if ketamine therapy is right for me?

The best way to find out is to speak with our team. We’ll conduct a thorough assessment and help you determine if this

treatment aligns with your needs and goals.

7. Is ketamine therapy safe? Will I become addicted?

Yes. Ketamine has been used safely in medical settings for over 50 years. In our program, it’s administered by licensed

healthcare professionals in a controlled clinical environment with continuous monitoring.

...and no. When administered in a clinical setting at therapeutic doses, ketamine does not cause addiction. The treatment

protocol is short-term (six sessions), and you’ll be closely monitored throughout.

8. What if I’m already taking antidepressants?

That’s okay. Ketamine works on a different system in the brain, so it can be used alongside most other medications. Our

clinical team will review your current medications during your assessment.

Get Started Today

Ready to begin your journey to recovery?

Start Your Assessment

Complete our secure online assessment to

begin the process

Contact Our Team

Have questions? Our team is here to help

[email protected]

Response within 2 business days

This program is made possible through a partnership between MPF and the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs

Ensuring no cost to eligible veterans

Ketamine therapy is an evidence-based treatment for depression, TBI, PTSD, and anxiety, but individual results may vary. Participation in this program does not guarantee specific outcomes.

Frequently Asked Question

1. Do I need to be enrolled in VA healthcare to qualify?

No. You don’t have to be in the VA system to apply. This program is open to Florida veterans whether or not you are currently using VA care. We do encourage you to register with the VA, if you have not done so already, but it is not a requirement to receive treatment.

2. What if I don’t have an official diagnosis?

That’s okay — a formal diagnosis isn’t required. Brain injuries don’t only happen in combat. They can occur during training, field exercises, or even the daily demands of duty. What matters is not when it happened, but that repeated head trauma has occurred and is now affecting your brain health.

If you’ve experienced blast exposures or head injuries in service — whether in combat, training, or routine operations — and are now dealing with symptoms like memory problems, mood changes, headaches, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, or depression, you may qualify for support through this program.

3. Does my discharge status matter?

No. We welcome all veterans, regardless of discharge type.

4. How much does this program cost?

Nothing. There is no cost for eligible participants. The program is funded through a partnership with the State of Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.

5. What treatments are available?

We provide access to innovative brain health treatments that are not typically available through the VA or Tricare, made possible through approval by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Our treatment partners work only by direct referral from our program and are bound by strict compliance and privacy standards (HIPAA) to protect your information.

Treatments may include:

• Ketamine therapy – an evidence-based option shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts rapidly and effectively.

• Millennium Health protocol treatments – advanced therapies designed to support brain repair, improve function, and promote long-term recovery.

All care is delivered by trusted medical professionals who specialize in working with veterans and understand the challenges of Repeated Blast Exposure (RBE) and traumatic brain injury.

6. Is my information private, and how will it be used?

Yes. Everything you share is confidential and protected under HIPAA standards. Your personal details are only seen by you and your treatment team.

We will not share your name or records with the VA or any outside agency. The only information reported is general, anonymous outcomes — for example, how many veterans completed the program and what kinds of improvements were seen. This helps us demonstrate to the State of Florida that the program is working, while keeping all personal information safe and secure.

7. What happens after I complete the assessment?

Our team will review your answers, contact you for a short clinical interview, and then help you begin a personalized treatment plan.

8. Can family members apply on behalf of a veteran?

Yes. Family members can start the application, but the veteran must be aware and involved in the process. The veteran will need to assist with the assessment and ensure all required forms are submitted.

Supporting Florida Veterans with specialized care for blast exposure and traumatic brain injury.

Quick Links

Quick Links

Contact Info

Contact Info

Email: [email protected]

Service Area: Available to all qualifying Florida Veterans with an emphasis on those who reside in Polk, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota Counties.