You served. You carried things most people will never understand. And now, back home, you may be carrying something else entirely — the invisible wounds that do not show up on a scan but shape every part of your day. The hypervigilance that will not let you rest. The pain that medications barely touch. The feeling that the person you were before deployment is someone you can no longer reach.

We want you to know: what you are experiencing is not weakness. It is the brain and body responding to extraordinary circumstances. And if the treatments you have tried so far have not been enough, that does not mean nothing will work. It may mean you have not yet found the right approach.

Ketamine for veterans is gaining attention because it works through a fundamentally different mechanism than the medications most veterans have already tried. We want to share what we know, honestly and without overstatement, so you can make an informed decision about whether it might be worth exploring.

Why Are Veterans Seeking Ketamine Therapy?

The numbers paint a sobering picture. Veterans experience PTSD at rates two to three times higher than the general population. Traumatic brain injury affects hundreds of thousands of service members. Chronic pain — from injuries, repetitive strain, or the lasting effects of blast exposure — is present in the majority of veterans seeking care through the VA.

Many veterans arrive at our clinic after years of trying to find relief through conventional channels:

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. And seeking something different is not giving up on the treatments you have already tried. It is an act of persistence.

How Does Ketamine Help with Combat-Related PTSD?

To understand why ketamine may help where other approaches have not, it helps to understand what combat-related PTSD does to the brain at a biological level.

In PTSD, the brain's fear circuits become deeply entrenched. The amygdala — the alarm center — fires too frequently and too intensely. The prefrontal cortex, which should help regulate those fear responses, loses its ability to override them. Over time, the brain's capacity for neuroplasticity — its ability to form new connections and adapt — becomes compromised by chronic stress.

Ketamine works through the NMDA glutamate receptor system, which plays a central role in learning, memory, and neural adaptation. Research suggests several ways this may support veterans with PTSD:

Ketamine does not erase memories. What it may do is help the brain process traumatic experiences with less overwhelming emotional intensity, creating space for genuine healing to begin.

What About TBI and Chronic Pain?

For many veterans, PTSD does not exist in isolation. Traumatic brain injury and chronic pain are constant companions, and they often amplify one another in ways that make each condition harder to treat on its own.

Research into ketamine's effects on TBI and chronic pain has identified several relevant mechanisms:

We approach TBI and pain with the same care and honesty we bring to everything else. Ketamine is not appropriate for every situation, and we will be straightforward with you about what it can and cannot do for your specific circumstances.

Does the VA Cover Ketamine Therapy?

This is one of the most common questions we hear from veterans, and we want to be direct: in most cases, the VA does not currently cover IV ketamine infusions for PTSD, depression, or chronic pain. While VA-funded research into ketamine continues to show promising results, the treatment has not yet been adopted into the VA's standard formulary for these conditions.

We understand that cost can be a real barrier, especially for veterans navigating the transition to civilian life or managing service-related disabilities. Here is what we do to help:

If you have questions about coverage or cost, we are happy to walk through the specifics with you. Call or text us at (615) 988-4600.

What Treatment Looks Like for Veterans at MCK

We understand that for someone who has spent time in high-stress, unpredictable environments, walking into a new clinical setting can carry its own weight. We have thought carefully about every detail of the experience to make it feel safe.

When you arrive at our Cool Springs clinic, you will be the only patient receiving treatment. We see one person at a time, which means there are no crowded waiting rooms, no fluorescent-lit hallways, and no strangers in the next chair. The space is quiet, private, and designed to feel warm rather than institutional.

Marla Peterson, CRNA, will be with you throughout your entire infusion. With over 20 years of anesthesia experience, Marla monitors your vitals and adjusts your dosing in real time. She is calm, present, and attuned to the specific needs of individuals who have experienced trauma. There is no judgment here — only genuine care. You will never be left alone during treatment.

You may also meet Walter White and Wilma, our therapy dogs. Their quiet, grounding presence has a way of easing the tension that often comes with a first visit. Their company is always optional, but many of our patients — including veterans — find real comfort in having them nearby.

During the infusion, most patients experience a sense of deep relaxation and mild dissociation. Some describe it as a floating or dreamlike state. The experience is gentle, and Marla is always there to offer reassurance. Afterward, you will rest in a comfortable space until you feel ready. A trusted friend or family member will drive you home.

We move at your pace. There is no pressure to commit to a full series before you are ready. Many veterans begin with a single session to see how they respond before deciding on next steps.