From the Front Lines to Future Frontline Therapy: A Conversation with Dr. Carl Bonnet on Ketamine Therapy
Synopsis: Dive into the inspiring journey of Dr. Carl Bonnett, from military veteran and ER doctor to a leader in ketamine therapy. Explore his mission to transform care for veterans and first responders, the growth of his clinics, and the innovative use of ketamine therapy.
This blog was adapted from excerpts from our podcast Episode 2 - For Heroes & All: Expanding Ketamine Therapy With Dr. Carl Bonnet. Which you can listen to wherever you enjoy your favorite podcast!
Dr. Bonnett had a journey from traditional medicine to providing ketamine therapy for veterans and more.
A Beacon of Hope: Dr. Carl Bonnett's Journey in Ketamine Therapy
We had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Dr. Carl Bonnett at the ASKP conference last year in Austin, Texas. Our conversation was wide-ranging, but it was Dr. Bonnett's profound dedication to the well-being of first responders and veterans that truly stood out. From starting in a small clinic to expanding into a network of hope, Dr. Bonnett’s work in ketamine therapy has been integral in reshaping traditional mental health approaches.
From Emergency Medicine to Psychedelic Healing
Dr. Bonnett's transition from a military veteran and emergency medicine physician to a ketamine therapy pioneer is both inspiring and telling. As a military veteran and an emergency medicine physician, he saw what ketamine could potentially do for PTSD. His journey began in a humble 240-300 square-foot clinic in San Antonio, Texas, growing to five locations with more on the horizon. His driving force? "My initial why was I wanted to change the veteran suicide rate in the United States. It has since morphed into, I want to change the suicide rate."
Dr. Bonnett highlights the importance of supporting the mental health of first responders which could result in safer interactions with the community they serve.
Prioritizing Mental Health for First Responders
Focusing on the mental health of first responders, particularly police officers, Dr. Bonnett emphasizes the importance of comprehensive care. "We as society and taxpayers have an obligation to take care of them, right? Because, you know, from day one, we know we're gonna be putting them into a situation, this would be enormous psychological trauma," he stated, highlighting the profound mental and emotional toll their service can take. His approach suggests that addressing mental health proactively can lead to safer, more peaceful community interactions.
Ketamine's Breakthrough Role in Mental Health
"It's not very often in history that some medication has one indication, just a whole way of using it, which then everything is radically changed," Dr. Bonnett remarked, capturing the paradigm shift ketamine therapy represents in treating mood and pain disorders. His advocacy is supported by his participation in studies, notably one on combat veterans with PTSD published in the Annals of Clinical Psychiatry.
Diving Deeper into Dr. Bonnett's Vision
For a more comprehensive look at Dr. Bonnett's insights and pioneering work, we invite you to listen to the full podcast episode. His commitment to revolutionizing mental health care extends far beyond conventional methodologies, inspiring us all in the ketamine therapy industry.
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Dive into the inspiring journey of Dr. Carl Bonnett, from military veteran and ER doctor to a leader in ketamine therapy. Explore his mission to transform care for veterans and first responders, the growth of his clinics, and the innovative use of ketamine therapy.
Discover strategies to overcome slow growth in your ketamine clinic by reconnecting with your passion and turning challenges into opportunities.