Aug 16 2023
Ketamine and Psychedelic Therapy
Chances are that psychedelic therapy has made its way into your newsfeed over the past few months. From states voting to legalize psychedelics for medical treatment to the FDA’s pending approval of hallucinogenic mushrooms, what was once known as “party drugs” are getting a serious and well-deserved second look. What’s interesting is that many psychedelic drugs have always been a lot more useful than we were led to believe. The narrative of “tripping” and all-night raves mixed with buzzy brand names like “Ecstasy” had us thinking that MDMA, magic mushrooms, and Molly were more suited to the dance floor than the doctor’s office. But that’s changing with new research that exposes the efficacy of psychedelic drugs when used in conjunction with therapy to treat depression, mental illness, and trauma. Let me give you an example. In a study published by the American Journal of Psychiatry, 10 out of 15 patients with PTSD experienced a significant reduction of symptoms the day after being given ketamine, a well-known anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties. Those who were responsive reported lasting effects a month after their treatment.So that’s what we are going to talk about today. With us is Dr. Brad Brooks, an Osteopathic Family Medicine Physician who is known for supporting his patients with personalized treatment plans that empower and enhance physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Dr. Brooks’ collaborative care includes lifestyle medicine, conventional medicine, and regenerative medicine such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), osteopathic manual manipulation (OMM), bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP).Also with us today is Bethany Sauline, a Connecticut-based psychotherapist who works with clients in mental health modalities including Mindfulness, Feminist Therapy, Existential Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Healing, and Wellness Coaching, as well as ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.Here on Your Health Toolkit, we often talk about how conventional and naturopathic medicine can play complementary roles in our overall health. We call this “collaborative medicine” and through the work that we do at Collaborative Natural Health Partners, we are able to give people the knowledge and the tools they need to feel great every single day. If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health.Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show.