Last updated: 3-18-2026 | Reviewed by Dr. Chris Jackson, PharmD
When I first treated wounded soldiers in combat zones, I never imagined that experience would lead me to create one of America's most trusted respiratory wellness brands. But that's exactly what happened. The journey from Army Combat Medic to Doctor of Pharmacy to founder of Betterbrand is a story about seeing gaps in healthcare—and having the courage to fill them.
Today, more than 836,000 customers trust Betterbrand products for their respiratory health needs. BetterLungs capsules sit on shelves at CVS, Walgreens, and GNC nationwide. But this success didn't happen overnight, and it certainly didn't happen by accident.
This is the full story of how my military service, pharmaceutical training, and personal mission combined to create products that support lung health for hundreds of thousands of Americans.
Table of Contents
- The Making of a Combat Medic
- From Battlefield to Pharmacy School
- Seeing the Gap in Respiratory Wellness
- The Birth of Betterbrand
- The Science Behind the Mission
- Why Veterans Often Lead Healthcare Innovation
- What Sets Doctor-Formulated Products Apart
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
The Making of a Combat Medic
Before I earned my PharmD, I earned something far more visceral: the trust of soldiers whose lives depended on my decisions.
As a US Army Combat Medic, I served in environments where every second mattered. Combat medics operate under extreme pressure, making rapid medical decisions with limited resources. According to the US Army Medical Department, combat medics complete over 16 weeks of intensive training, learning everything from emergency trauma care to preventive medicine.
What makes combat medic training unique is its emphasis on adaptability. Unlike civilian emergency medical technicians who can call for backup or transport patients to hospitals quickly, combat medics often work in isolated conditions. They learn to improvise, prioritize, and think critically about what the body actually needs to heal.
For me, this experience planted seeds that would later bloom into a different kind of healthcare mission.
From Battlefield to Pharmacy School
After my military service, I came back to the states and pursued a Doctor of Pharmacy degree—a rigorous program that typically takes four years of post-graduate education. PharmD programs cover pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, therapeutics, and patient care at an advanced level.
But my education didn't stop at traditional pharmaceuticals.
During my pharmacy training, I began noticing something troubling: patients often felt stuck between harsh pharmaceutical options and unregulated supplements of questionable quality. People seeking support for respiratory wellness, in particular, faced limited choices.
Research published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine has found that approximately 38% of American adults use some form of complementary medicine, with that number climbing higher among those dealing with respiratory concerns. Yet many of these consumers navigate a marketplace full of products lacking scientific rigor or transparency.
My military background taught me that effective solutions require both scientific precision and practical accessibility. My pharmacy education gave me the tools to understand exactly what ingredients do at the cellular level. The combination would prove powerful.
Seeing the Gap in Respiratory Wellness
The American Lung Association reports that millions of Americans live with chronic respiratory concerns, and many more deal with seasonal respiratory challenges. Meanwhile, according to CDC data, roughly 28.3 million American adults have smoked cigarettes at some point in their lives, with many now seeking support for post-smoking wellness and ex-smoker lung recovery.
I noticed that people seeking natural respiratory support faced three major problems:
Problem 1: Quality Control Issues
Many supplement companies operate with minimal oversight. A 2023 analysis by the Clean Label Project found that some supplements contained contaminants or didn't contain the amounts of active ingredients listed on their labels.
Problem 2: Lack of Scientific Formulation
Most respiratory supplements were created by marketing teams, not healthcare professionals. Ingredients were often chosen for their selling points rather than their evidence base.
Problem 3: No Real Options for Specific Populations
Former smokers, vapers, and people exposed to environmental pollutants had few products designed specifically to support their respiratory wellness journeys. The market for vaping recovery support barely existed, despite the growing population of people seeking healthier alternatives.
I saw an opportunity to create something better—products formulated by someone who understood both the science and the real-world needs of people seeking lung health support.
The Birth of Betterbrand
Betterbrand launched with a clear mission: better living through science.
The flagship product, BetterLungs capsules, combined traditional botanical ingredients with modern scientific understanding. Each ingredient was selected based on research, not marketing appeal.
The formula includes:
-
Vitamin D (1000 IU) - Research published in the European Respiratory Journal has linked vitamin D levels to respiratory wellness
- NAC (N-Acetyl L-Cysteine) 400mg - Extensively studied for its role in supporting respiratory function
- Mullein Leaf 300mg - A traditional herb with centuries of use for respiratory comfort
- Maritime Pine Bark Extract 150mg - Contains compounds that support antioxidant activity
- Elderberry 100mg - Traditional immune support ingredient
- American Ginseng 50mg - Adaptogenic herb supporting overall wellness
- Reishi Mushroom 37.5mg - Used in traditional medicine for respiratory and immune support
The mullein benefits, in particular, drew from both traditional herbalism and modern research. Mullein has been used for respiratory support since ancient times, and contemporary studies continue to explore its properties.
What made Betterbrand different wasn't just the ingredients—it was the approach. Every product undergoes third-party testing by Eurofins Scientific, one of the world's leading independent testing laboratories. Manufacturing happens in a GMP certified facility in the USA. And the company stands behind everything with a 365-day money-back guarantee.
The Science Behind the Mission
My pharmacist training shows in how Betterbrand approaches product development.
Take the Mullein + Chlorophyll Tincture, for example. This mullein tincture delivers ingredients in a form the body can absorb rapidly. The formulation underwent a 60-day clinical trial through Citruslabs, producing impressive results:
- 81% of participants reported less frequent coughing
- 77% reported clearer airways
- 73% reported easier mucus clearance
- 68% reported improved sleep quality
These clinically studied outcomes represent the kind of rigorous approach that separates doctor-formulated products from typical supplements.
The product line has expanded to address various needs. People who prefer a chewable option can choose BetterLungs Mullein Gummies, delivering 2000mg of mullein leaf extract in a pleasant pear flavor. Those who enjoy ritual-based wellness might prefer the BetterLungs Detox Tea, a caffeine-free blend supporting respiratory and immune function.
For seasonal challenges, the Seasonal Wellness Box provides comprehensive support with natural alternatives to conventional cold and flu products—everything from daytime and nighttime symptom support to nasal inhalers and chest rubs.
Why Veterans Often Lead Healthcare Innovation
My story fits a broader pattern. Veterans frequently become healthcare innovators, and research helps explain why.
According to the US Small Business Administration, veterans are 45% more likely to be self-employed than non-veterans. Military service develops problem-solving skills, risk tolerance, and the ability to execute complex plans under pressure—all qualities that translate well to entrepreneurship.
Healthcare innovation specifically attracts veterans because:
Mission-Driven Mindset: Military service instills a focus on serving others. Building a company that supports lung health for ex-smokers, people seeking vaping recovery, or anyone wanting respiratory wellness feels like a continuation of service.
Systems Thinking: Military training emphasizes understanding how complex systems work together. This translates directly to understanding human physiology and creating products that support the body's natural functions.
High Standards: The military demands excellence. Veterans often maintain those standards in their business practices, leading to higher quality products and better customer service.
My commitment to third-party testing, GMP manufacturing, and transparent labeling reflects military-level standards applied to wellness products.
What Sets Doctor-Formulated Products Apart
The term "doctor-formulated" gets thrown around loosely in the supplement industry. With Betterbrand, it means something specific.
My PharmD training provides deep understanding of:
Pharmacokinetics: How substances move through the body, affecting decisions about dosing and delivery methods
Drug-Nutrient Interactions: Important considerations for people taking medications alongside supplements
Evidence-Based Practice: The discipline of selecting ingredients based on research rather than trends
Formulation Science: How to combine ingredients for optimal effect and stability
This expertise shows in product details that consumers might not notice but definitely benefit from. The selection of a 10:1 mullein leaf extract in the tincture, for instance, reflects understanding of how concentration affects efficacy. The choice to create an alcohol-free glycerite base addresses both absorption and accessibility for a broader population.
When people trust products from CVS, Walgreens, and GNC for their smoker's lung detox efforts or natural smoking alternatives, they're trusting both the retailers' standards and the formulator's expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications does I have?
I hold a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and served as a US Army Combat Medic. This combination of advanced pharmaceutical education and real-world medical experience under pressure provides a unique foundation for formulating wellness products. My training covers pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, therapeutics, and patient care—all directly applicable to creating effective supplement formulations.
How are Betterbrand products different from other supplements?
Several factors distinguish Betterbrand products. They're formulated by a Doctor of Pharmacy rather than a marketing team. Every product undergoes third-party testing by Eurofins Scientific, a globally recognized laboratory. Manufacturing occurs in GMP certified facilities in the USA. The company provides a 365-day money-back guarantee. And clinical studies, like the 60-day Citruslabs trial on the Mullein + Chlorophyll Tincture, provide evidence supporting product claims.
Can BetterLungs products help people who have quit smoking?
BetterLungs capsules and other products are designed to support respiratory wellness, which can be particularly meaningful for former smokers seeking post-smoking wellness support. While no supplement can undo damage or treat disease, ingredients like NAC, mullein, and vitamin D have been studied for their roles in supporting respiratory function. Many ex-smokers incorporate these products into their broader wellness routines.
Where can I buy Betterbrand products?
Betterbrand products are available through the company's website and at major retailers including CVS, Walgreens, and GNC. This retail presence reflects the products' quality and safety standards—major pharmacy chains have strict requirements for the supplements they stock.
Conclusion
My journey from combat medic to PharmD to Betterbrand founder demonstrates how diverse experiences can combine to create meaningful innovation. My military service developed practical medical skills and a mission-driven mindset. My pharmacy education provided the scientific foundation. And my observation of gaps in the respiratory wellness market provided the opportunity.
Today, that journey benefits more than 836,000 customers who trust Betterbrand for their lung health needs. Whether someone is seeking support during vaping recovery, looking for natural smoking alternatives, or simply wanting to maintain respiratory wellness, products like BetterLungs capsules and mullein tincture offer doctor-formulated, third-party tested options.
The tagline "better living through science" captures the philosophy perfectly. Real science, formulated by a real doctor, backed by real testing, helping real people breathe easier.
Ready to experience the difference that doctor-formulated respiratory support can make? Explore the full Betterbrand product line and discover why hundreds of thousands of customers have made these products part of their daily wellness routines.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Sources
- US Army Medical Department - Combat Medic Training - Information on combat medic training requirements
- Bureau of Labor Statistics - Veterans Employment Data - Career transition statistics for military veterans
- CDC National Center for Health Statistics - Smoking Data - Current and former smoker population statistics
- American Lung Association - Lung Health Statistics - Respiratory health data for American adults
- Journal of General Internal Medicine - Complementary Medicine Use - Research on supplement and alternative medicine usage
- US Small Business Administration - Veteran Entrepreneurs - Statistics on veteran business ownership