May Innerbloom Newsletter
May 14, 2024 12:00 pm
Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy
May 2024
This month is special as we join the nation in celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise understanding, eliminate stigma, and promote the importance of mental health care. We also honor the mothers and maternal figures in our lives with Mother's Day, acknowledging their immense impact and recognizing the unique mental health challenges they may face. We also want to take a moment to acknowledge the pain of those who have lost, or who are unable to have, children, as Mother’s Day can be an especially difficult time. Let’s make this month one of compassion, self-care, and connection!
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💕 EVENTS
1st Responder Conference
At the end of last month, Cindy, Libby, Eli, and I had the pleasure of participating in a two-day conference held at the Madonna Expo Center, hosted by 1st Responder Conferences. This organization is primarily composed of volunteers and individuals who have profound personal experience and losses stemming from the high-risk, high-stress professions of first responders. The conference featured educational presentations and facilitated connections with resource partners like Innerbloom, who all provide culturally competent mental healthcare. It also promoted discussions on reducing the stigma surrounding mental health treatment. This stigma is a significant barrier, as evidenced by a survey of over eight thousand officers, where more than 90% cited shame as a deterrent to seeking help. With alarming statistics (such as that firefighters and EMTs being nearly twice as likely to die by suicide as in the line of duty) the conference addressed critical issues including PTSD, substance abuse, and suicide risk. Join me as I recap the conference in this article.
Community Art Show
Transitions - Mental Health Association's (TMHA) "Opening Minds," is a community art show in celebration of May's Mental Health Month. This exhibition is not just a display of artistic talents but also a powerful movement towards expanding awareness and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. The art on display champions the belief that individuals are defined by their strengths, gifts, and contributions to society, not by their illnesses.
We are proud that a painting by Libby, our clinic manager, has been selected for inclusion in this show. Her piece vividly captures the moment a depressive episode begins to lift, offering a glimpse of hope. This, and many other inspiring artworks, will be on display until May 31st at The Bunker SLO.
Follow us on Instagram @innerbloomkt to stay up to date on upcoming events!
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🗞️ NEWS
Rescheduling of Cannabis
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced a groundbreaking shift in drug policy by rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance. This reclassification acknowledges the medical benefits of cannabis and recognizes its lower potential for abuse compared to more dangerous drugs. This significant move paves the way for enhanced medical research on cannabis and could represent a step toward rectifying the historical injustices of the war on drugs, which have disproportionately impacted marginalized communities under existing cannabis laws.
FDA to Review MDMA as a Potential Treatment for PTSD Amid Controversy
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is poised to decide whether MDMA can be approved as a treatment for PTSD. This decision follows promising results from clinical trials where MDMA-assisted therapy showed considerable benefits, with about 71% of participants in the MDMA arm no longer meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD by the end of the trial. However, as NPR reports, recent concerns have emerged about the integrity of the research data, including criticisms regarding the study's blinding process and potential bias in reporting adverse events. The FDA has scheduled a public advisory committee meeting for June 4th to further discuss these concerns, reflecting the complexity and controversy surrounding the approval of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD.
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⚗️ SCIENCE
Ketamine's Antidepressant Effects Through the Increase of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): BDNF is vital for nervous system health, playing key roles in learning, memory, and mood regulation, as low BDNF levels are frequently linked to depression. Boosting BDNF levels can be achieved through exercise, a nutritious diet, and certain medications, including ketamine. Ketamine, in particular, rapidly increases BDNF levels, promoting neural plasticity and providing relief from depressive symptoms within hours.
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📺 WATCH
Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut
This Netflix documentary highlights the critical role the gut plays in overall health and well-being. The film delves into the latest scientific findings about the gut microbiome, demonstrating how this complex ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, and fungi influences everything from digestion and immune function to mood and energy levels. As explored in a previous blog post, there is a strong link between the gut and the brain. What a fascinating concept: the ability to improve our mental health simply by making mindful choices in what we eat.
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📖 READ
Supporting A Partner Through Mental Health Challenges and Ketamine Therapy: Living with a partner who is navigating mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, or PTSD can be challenging. While you may be in a stable mental state, understanding and supporting your partner through treatments like ketamine therapy can strengthen your relationship and aid their healing process all while enhancing your own wellness. Read Clinic Manager Libby’s ten tips on being an empathetic and effective ally.
First Responders, Veterans Hail Benefits of Psychedelic Drugs as California Debates Legalization: The article discusses the increasing interest in therapeutic psychedelics among first responders and veterans in California. Retired firefighter Wade Trammell shares how psilocybin mushrooms and other psychedelics helped him overcome PTSD after a retreat organized by The S.I.R.E.N. Project. California is considering SB 1012, a bill that would legalize the supervised use of psychedelics like psilocybin, mescaline, and MDMA in licensed settings. Experts and advocates highlight their potential benefits for mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety, but also warn of risks like unsupervised use and health equity issues. Despite challenges, the movement toward legalization reflects growing recognition of psychedelics as valuable tools for mental health treatment.
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Thank you
...for your continued support and for taking the time to read! If you have any questions, or topics you'd like to see explored or introduced in future discussions, please feel free to reply to this email.
🌟 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. Thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
Ray Rivas, MD
Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy, PC
San Luis Obispo, CA
(805) 321-8471
