November Innerbloom Newsletter
Nov 20, 2023 1:01 pm
Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy
November 2023
Honoring Our Veterans
With war in Ukraine and Israel, it's especially important to pause and reflect on the sacrifices that our veterans have made, as well as the ongoing commitments that our active duty and reservists make to keep our nation safe.
At Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy, we are grateful to our armed forces. As a small token of appreciation, we offer a discount on our ketamine therapy pricing to those who serve—or have served—our country and communities.
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Science Update
A study called “Ketamine evoked disruption of entorhinal and hippocampal spatial maps” by Francis Kei Masuda and others used mice to try and locate which parts of the brain are responsible for ketamine’s cognitive changes. They asked these questions:
- At higher doses, why does ketamine cause unconsciousness, making it useful in emergency medicine as an anesthetic?
- At lower doses, why does ketamine cause dissociation and impaired spatial memory while correlating with clinically-significant improvements in mood disorders? (This is why ketamine is beneficial in therapeutic settings as a treatment for mental health and pain.)
The authors suggest that additional research may find ways to treat depression with ketamine therapy without its psychoactive side effects, which may lead to ketamine becoming a more appealing option to a broader audience.
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📣 New Media
ABC News recently aired an interview featuring Jessa Common, a bystander and survivor of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Subsequently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, she underwent ketamine therapy. After her treatment, she stated, "Everything is so temporary, my suffering is temporary. Once you know that, it's easy to transcend your fear." This interview beautifully illustrates the healing and life changing capabilities of this medicine. I love seeing news like this!
What you need to know about ketamine-assisted therapy From Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers, a podcast from Numinus, Dr Steve Thayer and Dr Reid Robison discuss some of the most asked questions relating to ketamine therapy. I recently revisited this episode from January 2023, and wanted to mention it now, because it is perfect for those commonly asking questions like: What does ketamine feel like? What's the limitation of ketamine therapy? What are the advantages of combining ketamine and psychotherapy?
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📍Event
I am excited to attend the upcoming annual American Society of Ketamine (ASKP3) conference in Austin, Texas, scheduled in early December. ASKP3 represents an interdisciplinary community of practitioners guided by experts who provide education and ethical standards for patient care involving ketamine and emerging treatments. Similar to my experience last year, I am confident that I will gain insights into the latest scientific and clinical developments, specifically regarding ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapy. This knowledge will empower us at Innerbloom to maintain the highest quality of care for our community, staying at the forefront of this developing field. The conference schedule is quite impressive! Check it out and stay tuned for a synopsis, as I plan to share updates upon my return.
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📝 Read
- Ketamine for Depression: Breaking Barriers and Exploring Possibilities - Ketamine holds immense promise in revolutionizing the treatment of depression, offering rapid relief and bridging the gap between other therapies.
- A Scientific Look at Dissociation & Out-of-Body Experiences with Ketamine Therapy - Dissociation is an intriguing mental process that often raises questions from patients considering ketamine therapy.
- Ketamine’s Role for Discontinuing Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use for Treatment-Resistant Depression - A recent study explores the use of low-dose ketamine to help patients break free from long-term benzodiazepine use, such as Xanax.
- OUTLIVE: The Science & Art of Longevity - Dr. Peter Attia, a former general surgeon, explores the latest science on health and longevity in this #1 New York Times Bestseller. The book offers practical advice, emphasizing the four pillars of good health: exercise, nutrition, sleep, and emotional well-being. It is a must-read for anyone aspiring to sustain vitality and live to 100!
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📖 New Testimonial
A Year After Ketamine Therapy: A Patient's Journey to Sobriety from Alcohol - In our patient's remarkable journey, you can see the profound potential of ketamine therapy for alcohol use disorder. We are so thrilled for their success!
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🦃 As Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season, I extend my warm wishes for happy and safe celebrations. I suggest trying out a family-favorite game called Skyjo—a game suitable for kids or and adults like me who aren't typically fans of regular card games :)
➡️ 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
