** Editor’s Note: This submission is from Sam Peterson, a good friend of SOFREP and veteran EOD technician with two combat deployments to Afghanistan under his belt.  Post-service, he has focused his attention on helping the mental health concerns of his fellow veterans. He does this at Mind Spa, a veteran physician let mental health clinic in the Denver, Colorado area. -GDM

Greetings, readers. Sam Peterson here, former EOD tech turned mental health professional. Today’s post, I want to focus on a unique potential ally in the struggle against PTSD, depression, anxiety, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – Ketamine. Before we start, it is important to know that I am not a doctor, and this is not medical advice.

Historically known as a surgical anesthetic and unfortunately abused as a recreational drug, ketamine has recently been repurposed as a mental health treatment in clinical settings across the country. It has emerged as a promising therapeutic tool, particularly for treatment-resistant cases of depression, anxiety, and PTSD1. The most significant advantage of ketamine therapy is its rapid action. Traditional antidepressants typically take weeks to months to show their full effect. However, ketamine can reduce depressive symptoms within hours2, which is critically important for those grappling with severe conditions.