Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy
January 2024
Happy New Year!
2024 is off to a quick start, but I don't want to miss out on a popular trend—New Year's resolutions! I believe it's important to be realistic in your goals, but also recognize that something seemingly small can have significant impact. This year, I want to pick up three pieces of trash every time I go to the beach. Additionally, I want to set aside one hour each day to be without my phone, computer, or any other tech device. It's never too late to start making changes. What are your resolutions for 2024?
Our Top 5 Articles In 2023
One of the reasons that I love Innerbloom is that it pushes me to learn new things. I learn from my patients' stories. I learn from other practitioners of ketamine therapy and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. I learn from scientists who are discovering new therapeutic uses for ketamine and pushing this burgeoning field forward.
Most of what I learn makes its way into my clinical practice. But before it does, I typically process and integrate these lessons by writing. Last year, I published over sixty articles covering a wide range of topics.
Here are the top five most viewed articles from last year:
- The Ketamine Experience: What Does Ketamine Feel Like?
- How Long Do the Positive Effects of Ketamine Therapy Last?
- 6 Reasons Why Ketamine Therapy May Not Be Working For You
- Our Top 4 Supplements to Support Mental Health and Complement Ketamine Therapy
- Exploring the Frontiers of Ketamine Therapy: Insights from the 2023 ASKP3 Conference in Austin
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📍 Upcoming Events
Zoom Webinar - "The Ketamine Story: Transforming Treatment for Mood Disorders and Pain"
Monday, February 5th from 6-7pm Pacific.
Hosted by Dr. Sam Ko and Dr. Kim Ko of Reset Ketamine in Palm Springs, and joined by myself, Dr. Glareh Imani (who owns Nameen Infusion & Wellness in Goodyear, AZ) we will be offering a presentation on the fundamentals of ketamine therapy, covering ketamine's history, mechanisms of action, therapeutic applications, and future developments in the field. We will also respond to live audience questions. If you have been considering ketamine therapy or know someone who has and want learn more, I encourage you attend!
Please RSVP to this free event here.
In-Person Event - "Are You Interested In Living Better, Healthier And Longer?"
March 11th from 5:30-6:30pm at Innerbloom
We are excited to host nutritionist, Jobie Brigham, for an in-person, educational seminar. After receiving her training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Jobie has extensively researched dietary theories and practical lifestyle coaching methods. She specializes in assisting individuals with autoimmune issues, such as Celiac disease, food allergies, and other challenging health conditions
I had the opportunity to have my blood work done through Jobie's services, and I was surprised to see that I should make some changes in my diet to enhance my health. I am immensely grateful that she is offering this FREE educational event, as I am sure we can all learn a thing or two about how to eat better and live healthier.
Please RSVP to this free event here
Zoom Webinar - "Ketamine Therapy as a Catalyst for Healing and Transformation"
Friday, February 23, at 10-1130am Pacific
At Innerbloom, we depend on local licensed therapists who are experienced with ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, commonly called KAP. Psychotherapy is a crucial ingredient for achieving lasting positive results from ketamine therapy.
I am very excited that The Central Coast Chapter of the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (CAMFT) asked me to present an educational seminar open to their members and to the public.
During this 1.5-hour virtual Zoom meeting (register here) I will describe why researchers believe ketamine may make psychotherapy more effective, discuss different routes of administration, and explain why preparation and integration are important phases for healing. I also plan to touch on popular misconceptions about ketamine therapy and offer three ways in which therapists can get involved.
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📝 Science Updates
- Controlled Ascent: How Therapy Can Help You Avoid the 'Therapeutic Bends' From Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy - Our very own ketamine-assisted psychotherapist, Cindy Nelson, shares her thoughts on a phenomenon known as 'the therapeutic bends.' Similar to “the bends,” which refers to the undesirable blood bubbling effects experienced by scuba divers when ascending too quickly from the depths, dysregulation may sometimes accompany the rapid recovery via ketamine and other psychedelics. Cindy suggests ways to manage the often rapid benefits of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP). Instead of viewing these as "setbacks," she encourages embracing them for what they are – one step back, two steps forward."
- A Preventive Approach to Mental Health with Psychedelics and Ketamine Therapy - The healthcare model today emphasizes the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses following the onset of diseases. But there is hope on the horizon that the argument for preventative care is beginning to gain traction. In what Dr. Peter Attia terms, Medicine 3.0, we are seeing a shift towards proactive strategies to prevent injuries and illness from occurring in the first place. A shift this fundamental may take a long time to take root, but psychedelics, such as ketamine, are already proving how they may serve as effective mental health prophylactics.
- The Gut-Brain Connection: Investigating A Mechanism for Ketamine's Anti-inflammatory and Antidepressant Effects - We all know the saying you are what you eat. But what if it's actually you are your gut microbiota? The human gut hosts trillions of bacteria that enable us to digest nutrients. These bacteria also exert significant influence on the brain and, therefore, our mental health. In a symbiotic relationship known as the Gut-Brain Axis (GBA), different kinds of gut microbiota are increasingly correlated with disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, major depressive disorder and other challenging conditions. While ketamine can be a safe and effective way to alleviate mood disorders, better nutrition may be the real key to improved mental health in the long run.
- Why Racemic IV Ketamine May Be Superior to Nasal Esketamine: Understanding the Importance of Both R and S Enantiomers - Intravenous (IV) ketamine, which comprises both the R and S forms, seems to outperform nasal ketamine (i.e., Spravato), which solely contains the S molecule. It is crucial to understand the significance of both ketamine molecules (enantiomers), including the potential of R-ketamine in preventing suicidal thoughts.
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📖 New Patient Review
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➡️ To stay up-to-date on news, research, and blog posts related to ketamine and Innerbloom, be sure to check the Blog tab on our Website and follow us on Instagram to get a glimpse into our daily practice of safe and effective practice of ketamine therapy.
Sincerely,
Ray Rivas, MD
Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy, PC
San Luis Obispo, CA
(805) 321-8471