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Post by Admin on Dec 17, 2019 17:43:20 GMT -4
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Post by KH on Dec 17, 2019 23:08:14 GMT -4
Both of these articles bring up interesting topics about unconventional ways to treat depression, addiction, and other psychiatric conditions I had no idea were even out there. After spending a few weeks seeing patients in the hospital who were admitted for suicidal ideations and severe depression, I am happy to see other options being researched that aren’t just another pill or a shot that the patient would be stuck with for the rest of their life. These could potentially be options with much better compliance than conventional methods given their unique nature. One downfall I see are long term consequences that really cannot be known because these are such new methods. I think it is best the Psilocybin treatment is a while from being used regularly because I don’t think these patients have had enough time with this treatment to really evaluate long term efficacy. I also wonder how many people could afford multiple $500 IV Ketamine treatments. The article said around 6 treatments was required, but if a patient only has 2 treatments and then abruptly stops could that cause more harm than good for the patient who is a known addict? We are a long way from being able to see these types of treatments used regularly, but I am excited to see new developments in the pursuit of better qualities of life for those suffering from mental health disease.
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kp
New Member
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Post by kp on Dec 18, 2019 0:10:31 GMT -4
It seems some people with and without clinical diagnoses of depression use/abuse substances (both legal and illegal) in order to self medicate their mental condition.I have heard of people "micro-dosing" psychedelics into capsules for similar reasons, which supports the idea of the "psychedelic renaissance" mentioned in the Ketamine article. With that being said, it makes sense that Ketamine and "Magic Mushrooms" would be explored for the clinical treatment of depression. I definitely think it is worth researching, especially regarding the treatment of refractory cases of depression, PTSD and other conditions.If there truly are " no serious adverse events" or "negative effects" as stated in the article pertaining to Psilocybin, then that's more reason to consider clinical use. However, I do feel that it is important to take special care not to invoke or encourage addiction/dependence in future recipients of these treatments as these substances obviously have a tendency for abuse, which is touch upon the the Ketamine article.
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Post by JR on Dec 18, 2019 9:17:14 GMT -4
It is very interesting how nowadays we are searching different approaches to treat diseases like depression with Ketamine and Psilocybin. I kind of find it very fascinating how Psilocybin is described that it can somewhat change the part of our brains that control this behavior, such as depression, and seemingly fast at showing results. Same with Ketamine infusion, it is impressive how with little as 4 sessions can start to change a persons life. Finally, it is sad that many substances are marked as a stigma, because they are abused in other ways, and It kind of delays the ability to use this substances medically.
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Post by Maria V Casaine on Dec 18, 2019 9:18:49 GMT -4
After all this time, the FDA and DEA have been approving clinical studies with psychedelic drugs with promising results regarding future treatment for depression, addiction and anxiety, which I find fascinating. Not only is going to impact the pharmaceutical and psychiatric department, but also different areas of medicine as it helps different types of patients, like postpartum depression and anxiety in patients diagnosed with cancer. The psychedelic renaissance is happening and, in my opinion, it is going to revolutionized the health care system. It is truly innovating, as well as a challenge, to turn an illegal substance with already a stigma in our society, into a possible future treatment of common health problems.
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Post by ST on Dec 18, 2019 10:32:20 GMT -4
I share other poster's interest along with many in the medical community's excitement about the potential to treat a litany of mental illnesses with psychedelics (mushrooms and ketamine). There are many things to say about the topic but two that I don't see being talked about in the message board: 1) the process for using both of these substances in treatment is coupled with therapy +/- meditation as well. Something we're taught about for the treatment of depression is that while SSRIs is first line tx, meds + pyschotherapy (in particular CBT) is the best tx. This isn't to say that ketamine/mushrooms + therapy doesn't seem to have clear benefits (the far shorter timeline ie ~6 sessions for ketamine tx being chief among them) but rather in seeking new tx we tend to buff them up with means tested methods (therapy) improving efficacy while older methods SSRIs are compared singularly. It also could be beneficial if we pushed for more SSRI + therpay tx (although of course insurances may understandably balk at this).
The second point and this is one I've read about and I don't think was mentioned in either article but is mentioned in the fantastic Michael Pollan book ("How to Change Your Mind), is the therapeutic potential for mushrooms in use with late stage cancer patients so that they can come to terms with their diagnosis/prognosis. There is a beautiful anecdote relayed in the Pollan book about how a terminally ill cancer patient was given a one-time guide-led dose of psilocybin and through his emotional/psychedelic trip came out the other end not only with an acceptance of his fate but such a deep gratitude for his life that his room became a locus point for many staff members due to the peacefulness and bliss he radiated.
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Post by TC Moyo on Dec 18, 2019 12:06:01 GMT -4
There are some patients who struggle daily with pharmacotherapy resistant depression, PTSD, personality disorders and the list goes on. It will be perhaps a great alternative to have such patients be given a substance such as psilocybin as a treatment alternative. Although there is a long way to go before the FDA can approve such treatment at list there maybe hope for some of these patients in due time to obtain such an alternative for their treatment regime. As with Ketamine, of course there is still the stigma that associates ketamine with other “street drugs”, when used other supervision and not abused seems like such a great alternative as well for treating depression and PTSD especially if the patient is resistant to our current treatment protocol.
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