Mental health is part of the care and development of overall well-being that addresses the whole person. Our energetic, physiological, emotional and mental wellbeing together build up our sense of self and relationship with the world and others. Everything from what you eat, to how you play and relax becomes important in understanding your overall needs, to then meet them and establish wellness.
We are experiencing a convergence in the field of consciousness studies where a deeper understanding and applicability of research and technology are dovetailing to provide more targeted and effective mental health treatment. Expanded research in brain mapping and increased understanding of brain states and corresponding neuronal patterns is expanding our knowledge of mental wellness. We are also learning more about how the methods that we advocate for in mindfulness and general wellness practices play into the mental health spectrum.
Rewiring the neural network in conjunction with psychotherapy is one of the most effective tools today in helping clients who experience depression, anxiety, PTSD and other forms of trauma. Brain mapping and studies helping us understand the various activities that we engage in through electromagnetic modeling has helped create the clinical application of TMS, transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy. It targets and manipulates the brain’s rhythmic wave patterns and allows for specific changes in the electromagnetic structure leading to changes in one’s state of mind. The implications of neurofeedback therapy for mental health will continue to expand as we develop more sophisticated knowledge about the intricate and complex relationships that make up our (extended) bodies and our minds.
There is great interest in the electrochemical make-up of our brains with the psychedelic therapeutic landscape changing so quickly. There is a mental health revolution underway, but we must remain cautious in maintaining research standards that do not blur the line with medicine’s primary oath, to do no harm. There will be research, which is thankfully beginning again. Possibly applying these breakthroughs within a clinical setting is soon underway with the technology to better understand our electrochemical pathways, such as more sophisticated knowledge of the serotonin neurotransmitter. Still we must approach the benefits of psychedelic psychotherapy carefully.
Ketamine acts upon the brain’s neural network through a different way pathway. Ketamine infusion therapy targets the glutamate neurotransmitter, which is an overarching neuronal network system. This electrochemical pathway in the brain is more encompassing and thus helps more globally in rewiring entrenched neural networks, while also producing a “downstream” effect on the serotonin neurotransmitter. Ketamine is not a psychotropic substance, it has dissociative properties that engage the default mode network (the DMN is an aspect of the mind-brain landscape that helps us map out our cognitive, meditative and subconscious activities). As opposed to psychotropic therapy, Ketamine infusion therapy is short-acting, making it more appropriate for outpatient clinical settings to incorporate more easily into a treatment plan. But the effects are longer-lasting due to the overarching reach that the glutamate pathway has in creating that change in perspective necessary to move out of an entrenched behavioral pattern.
Any alternative treatment, whether it is TMS or Ketamine infusion therapy, is more efficacious when combined with other therapeutic modalities and lifestyle changes. Mental health falls on a spectrum that requires a multifaceted approach, just as mental wellness is a process that includes the whole person in all relational aspects. Using a variety of modalities to adjust your relational stance with the world and with others can lead to sustainable changes allowing you to live to your potential.
Our dedicated staff at Ketamine Health Centers can help create a targeted treatment plan that addresses your unique challenges or that of a loved one. Contact us today to learn more about the cutting-edge treatments Ketamine Health Centers offers alongside traditional psychotherapy at 1-833-542-3040. We support your telehealth needs upon request and are happy to answer questions about insurance coverage. We look forward to working beside you.
