October Innerbloom Newsletter
Oct 08, 2024 12:01 pm
Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy
October 2024
October is a special month for us at Innerbloom—Libby and I are getting married! If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting her as our clinic manager, you know how amazing she is and how lucky I am to have her by my side. Be sure to look out for a wedding photo in next month’s newsletter!
We’re also excited to share some great news: we’ve launched new initiatives to make IV ketamine therapy more accessible, including updated pricing, flexible payment plans and financing through CareCredit. Visit our pricing page for more details.
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🗞️ NEWS
Psilocybin and SSRIs show similar outcomes six months post-treatment
A recent follow-up study examined the long-term effects of psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) for major depressive disorder compared to the SSRI escitalopram (Lexapro). The original 2021 study, conducted by Imperial College London, found that while both psilocybin and escitalopram reduced depression symptoms immediately after treatment, there was no significant difference between the two on primary outcome measures. The six-month follow-up study revealed that both groups continued to improve, but again, no major differences in depression scores were noted. However, PAT participants reported greater improvements in social functioning, sense of purpose, and feelings of connection—key indicators of recovery that go beyond symptom reduction. This suggests that while PAT may not outperform SSRIs in symptom relief alone, it could provide more overall improvements in quality of life.
The DEA Threatens to Crackdown on the Overprescribing of Ketamine
In the wake of Matthew Perry’s death, the DEA has raised concerns about the increased use of ketamine, drawing comparisons to the early days of the opioid epidemic. However, it’s crucial to distinguish between unsafe practices and the legitimate, clinically supervised use of ketamine. When used appropriately, ketamine is a groundbreaking treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and suicidality—offering rapid relief when other therapies fail. Clinics adhering to strict medical protocols screen patients thoroughly and ensure treatments are monitored by licensed professionals, providing a safe environment for this life-changing therapy. When asked to commit, Sandhya Prashad, MD, president of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, emphasized that “Further regulation and guardrails are certainly required. However, it is important to understand that ketamine is the only anti-suicidal / immediately lifesaving treatment within psychiatry currently that is also backed by well-conducted, rigorous trials from major academic institutions, and is a major advancement in a field where other treatments have a very low rate of response.”
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⚗️ RESOURCES
Spirit Pharmacist: After listening to an intriguing podcast featuring pharmacist Dr. Ben Malcolm, discussing potential interactions between antidepressants and psychedelic substances, I felt compelled to reach out and learn more. We had an insightful conversation where he elaborated on his services. Dr. Malcolm is an expert who helps patients navigate the complexities of pharmaceutical use—such as tapering off antidepressants—while undergoing psychedelic therapy. His knowledge of medication management, safety, and drug interactions makes him an invaluable resource in this field. Make sure to check out his blog, it's excellent!
Pathways To Health: I recently started seeing Dr. Marquis who is highly trained in functional medicine and specializes in supporting patients with metabolic conditions, including thyroid disorders, diabetes, and sex hormone imbalances. After a thorough review of my blood work and various tests—one of which revealed that my gut microbiome was way out of whack—he provided tailored recommendations to get me back on track. I appreciate his approach of using food and targeted supplementation as alternatives to medication. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, I highly recommend checking him out!
Dr. David Marquis is located in Pismo Beach, CA
Examine.com: Speaking of supplements, anyone who knows me well is aware of my passion for health and wellness, which includes taking high-quality products like Omega-3s, vitamin D, magnesium, creatine, and more. However, the supplement industry can be quite complicated, making it difficult to know if what you’re taking is actually effective, backed by evidence-based scientific studies, or if you're even using a therapeutic dose. That’s where Examine comes in—it’s like the Google of diets and supplements, providing reliable, research-based information to help you make informed decisions.
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🏄🏻♂️ EVENT
Catch Team Innerbloom at the Cancer Resource Health Fair hosted by Surf for Hope on Saturday, November 16th, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Pismo Pier. The fair will showcase businesses and organizations dedicated to supporting, educating, and helping those impacted by cancer. Bring your friends and family to this incredible event, and while you're there, enjoy the Surfing for Hope Longboard Classic—a World Surf League professional surf contest!
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📖 ON THE BLOG
The History of Ketamine: From Anesthetic to Breakthrough Mental Health Treatment: Ketamine’s journey began in the 1960s as an anesthetic and was approved by the FDA in 1970. During the Vietnam War, ketamine was widely used as a life-saving anesthetic on the battlefield, offering rapid pain relief and sedation for wounded soldiers. In 2018, medics credit the medicine with playing a crucial role in the high-risk rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a cave in Thailand.
Who is the Right Candidate for Ketamine Therapy?: As with any medical treatment, ketamine therapy isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. So, who is an ideal candidate for this treatment? Find out who is right for ketamine infusion therapy for treating mood disorders like depression and anxiety, as well as chronic pain.
How Ketamine Could Help Women with Depression, PMS, and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Explore the relationship between female hormones, such as estrogen, and depression symptoms linked to PMS and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Discover how ketamine offers hope by reducing neuroinflammation and providing potential relief.
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🎧 MEDIA & FUN STUFF
Researchers Gave Dogs LSD to Better Understand Its Impact on Autism 🐶
While I’m not sure PETA would endorse the idea of Fido dropping acid, this study is undeniably fascinating and holds promise for advancing our understanding of Autism.
Cercle 🎵
Cercle is a French media company and music platform known for producing high-quality music videos and live performances in unique and iconic locations around the world. Here are some of my favorite performances:
- Sofiane Pamart live under the Northern Lights, in Lapland, Finland
- RY X live from Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, in Brazil
- FKJ live at Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia
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.
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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. Thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
Ray Rivas, MD
Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy, PC
San Luis Obispo, CA
(805) 321-8471
