Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Brent Agin.
Hi Dr. Brent, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Brent Agin, MD. I’m a medical doctor in Clearwater, Florida. I started my medical journey after earning my degree at Michigan State University and completing my residency training at the University of South Florida. Early in my residency, I realized that in traditional medical settings, I would not be able to manage patients the way I had envisioned. The opportunity to educate and develop lasting relationships would be impossible within a typical traditional insurance-based medical practice.
My years of college athletics and appreciation for wellness pushed me away from traditional philosophies of medicine. Immediately after completing my residency program, I followed my instincts and passion and dove headfirst into concierge and functional (wellness) medicine. I persevered through the next several years, waiting for this type of medicine to gain traction and become accepted in the medical community. In 2010, functional medicine started to expand and open doors for more opportunities.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In the first half of my career, I focused heavily on improving physical health and preventing disease, mostly through lifestyle modifications. The second half of my career shifted towards treating and preventing diseases of the brain, including all forms of mental illness. It was during this time that I recognized the lack of therapeutic options for the treatment of all brain diseases.
Through my research, I struggled to identify alternative therapies to significantly impact brain disease until I came across ketamine. In 2010, few doctors were providing ketamine therapy, but those who did had very good outcomes. The positive outcomes, along with supportive research dating back to the early ’90s, motivated me to learn as much as I could about ketamine and other psychedelic medicines.
With over 15 years of experience in detox medicine and my new understanding of psychedelic healing, I began to formulate a plan to provide therapies for those suffering from treatment-resistant mental illness.
Fast forward 13 years, after the successful use of ketamine for mental illness and multiple other brain conditions, I started to focus on those suffering from brain diseases caused by occupational hazards, such as military service and first responder duties. After a few cases, I witnessed veterans regain control of their lives and feel they could contribute to their families and society. We have now serviced many former military personnel, firefighters, police officers, EMS workers, nurses, and others who have struggled with traumas related to their occupations.
We discovered that many military and first responders could not afford ketamine treatments, which led to the launch of the nonprofit organization Crusaders for Hope. Crusaders for Hope was created to raise money and provide life-changing therapy to those who cannot afford it.
We’ve been impressed with Crusaders For Hope, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Crusaders for Hope (CFH), a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is committed to supporting military personnel and first responders’ well-being, especially regarding mental health issues. We raise funds to provide access to innovative treatments like ketamine infusion therapy, offering relief for conditions such as PTSD, depression, chronic pain and more. CFH aims to provide effective solutions and a message of hope.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Through my years in medicine, I have learned that the basic concepts handed down from the founding fathers of medicine are still the most impactful. We need to empower the minds of the people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Crusadersforhope.org
- Other: https://Priorityyoumd.com
