Veterans · Service members · Families
A respectful place to research PTSD, moral injury, depression, addiction, medicines, safety, family support, and the full journey before and after an experience.
A place to start—not another promise
You deserve information that does not reduce you to a diagnosis or use military identity as a marketing story. Pō a Ao brings research, medicine questions, provider roles, preparation, family support, and integration into one path.
These are positive outcomes reported in research—not promises. Each medicine has a different evidence level, population, legal status and safety profile. The full page names exactly what was measured, who was studied and what remains unproven.
Reported reductions in PTSD, depression and disability/functioning scores after a combined magnesium–ibogaine protocol in 30 male Special Operations Forces veterans; lower withdrawal and drug-use-severity scores in small non-veteran cohorts.
Not randomized, not controlled, not ibogaine alone and not proof of durable benefit. Serious cardiac and neurologic risks—including deaths—are documented.
Moderate evidence for rapid short-term depression-score reduction in general adult trials. In 158 veterans and service members with resistant PTSD, a secondary depression measure improved.
The same veteran trial did not show benefit for core PTSD symptoms. Racemic ketamine, esketamine, compounded products and retreats are not interchangeable.
Two phase 3 trials reported larger short-term reductions in PTSD symptoms and functional-impairment scores for pharmaceutical MDMA plus structured psychotherapy than placebo plus the same therapy.
Not FDA-approved. Pivotal samples were chiefly civilian; no veteran-only efficacy result was reported. FDA identified effectiveness, safety and data-quality uncertainties.
Read study design, population, outcomes, limitations, and what has not been established.
02Build a sourced question list for a prescriber or pharmacist without changing medication on your own.
03Separate prescribing, licensed therapy, coaching, facilitation, peer support, and retreat services.
04Think through support, sleep, transportation, consent, family communication, and expectations.
05Explore qualified therapy, peer community, family support, reflection, and warning signs after an experience.
06Understand more, reduce pressure, and build a support plan without deciding for someone else.