Ketamine is an anesthetic used to sedate both humans and pets, and it’s a favorite of partygoers seeking a psychedelic high. Now it’s also the subject of an enormous amount of interest as a fast-acting treatment for depression and other serious mental health conditions.
What Does Spravato Feel Like?
In recent years, ketamine has taken the stage as a powerful alternative to most mood and pain disorder treatments. With great success comes new innovations and derivatives.
Spravato is a prescription drug used to treat:
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Depression involves active suicidal behaviors.
Spravato is a nasal spray that can only be used under the strict guidance and instructions of a doctor at a medical facility. Spravato is made with an active ingredient called esketamine. Like other drugs, Spravato has side effects that could be mild or severe.
Side Effects Of Spravato
Spravato can cause some mild effects, most of which are transient and resolve before the end of the treatment. Side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue (low energy)
- Feeling anxious
- Feeling as if you’re drunk
- Headache
- Discomfort or irritation in your nose or throat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness, including in your nose or mouth
- Extreme sleepiness
- Vertigo
How Does Spravato Work?
Antidepressants help to offer relief from depression symptoms. However, oral antidepressants don’t work for everyone and about one-third of patients will not respond to antidepressants at all. Spravato is made to assist those with treatment-resistant depression and improves and helps them live a better life. Treatment-resistant depression is defined as not responding to two or more oral antidepressants.
When Spravato is administered, it begins its work immediately, increasing glutamate. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter in the brain. Traditional oral antidepressants do not work on glutamate. Glutamate helps stimulate other neurotransmitters in the brain, including the parts connected to depression symptoms. This process has been effective in reducing suicidal thoughts and creating new neuronal connections in the brain. This is very important for those struggling with depression because untreated depression has many negative, long term consequences.
What Does Spravato Feel Like:
Spravato can distort your perception within the first two hours of use, and it must be administered to you in a medical center and by a certified doctor. The doctor administers two or three doses with five-minute intervals in between, and you have to stay in the clinic under the close watch of the doctor. The doctor observes you until there’s no sign of any potential side effect.
Spravato is recommended for people with treatment-resistant depression. For people who haven’t experienced relief with other antidepressants, Spravato gives them a chance to experience what it feels like not to have depression. Spravato is an FDA approved treatment for treatment-resistant depression for several reasons:
1. People with Depression Get Rapid Relief
Conventional antidepressants are slow in taking effects. It takes several weeks before the patient notices any changes in their depression symptoms. However, Spravato immediately takes effect and offers instant relief from the depression symptoms within two hours of treatment.
2. Spravato Decreases Suicidal Thoughts
Conventional antidepressants can potentially increase suicidal thoughts, especially in children and young adults at the beginning of treatment. Spravato improves symptoms of depression and reduces suicidal thoughts. Spravato is indicated as a first line treatment in those with depression who are at imminent risk of attempting suicide.
3. It’s Effective for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Spravato is an approved treatment for depression, and it’s highly effective than other conventional antidepressant drugs. Spravato reduces depression symptoms and causes immediate relief.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spravato
1. Can Spravato be used to treat pregnant women with treatment-resistant depression?
Spravato is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If a person becomes pregnant while undergoing treatment with Spravato, they may need to speak with their doctor for alternative treatment options.
2. What happens when Spravato isn’t working as it should?
Spravato may be an effective treatment for treatment-resistant depression, but not all patients experience the immediate effects and improvement of their symptoms. Anyone sharing this should speak with their doctor to discuss other treatment options.
Conclusion
Spravato can function as an antidepressant. Though its means of administration differ from ketamine, both work effectively in stimulating new neural growth. Spravato can often be a more affordable treatment for those with commercial health insurance. Contact us today to learn more.
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TMS For Treatment-Resistant Depression
40% of males and 20% of females use talk therapy or antidepressants to deal with depression. However, there are five classes of antidepressants, and among those over seventy options, finding the right fit can take months, and each pill has the potential to both not work and come with unwanted side effects. Roughly one-third of all patients that seek treatment for depression find no relief with these more standard treatments.
Understanding the signs and symptoms of depression will help you know if you or a loved one should be considering treatment options. And among those treatment options, it is crucial to understand that there are other methods out there that have been highly effective.
What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression?
Treatment-resistant depression is exactly what it sounds like. “If you’ve been treated for depression but your symptoms haven’t improved, you may have treatment-resistant depression.” Those who have not responded to two oral antidepressants are considered to have treatment-resistant depression. Psychotherapy or particular medicine may reduce depression symptoms for most people. Still, when standard treatment fails, warning signs return, and your quality of life is affected, you may be suffering from a more severe form of depression. Ketamine and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may help ease symptoms.
What Are The Symptoms?
Symptoms of treatment-resistant depression are the same as other kinds of depression, except they come back day after day, never responding to standard treatment like psychotherapy or antidepressant medications. Symptoms may include:
- You feel sad, tearful, empty, or hopeless
- You’re easily angered, irritated, or frustrated, even over trivial matters
- You’re not interested in something you used to enjoy doing
- You have trouble sleeping
- You’re fatigued and have low energy
- Significant changes in appetite and weight
What To Know About Treatment-Resistant Depression?
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, up to 30 percent of people diagnosed with major depression show little to no improvement following standard treatment. What else to know?
- A person’s age, gender, and health may boost the risk for treatment-resistant depression.
- The exact cause of depression isn’t fully understood, which may explain my certain antidepressants aren’t effective for everyone.
- There are recognized strategies for managing treatment-resistant depression.
- Research into treatment-resistant depression is ongoing.
What Causes Treatment-Resistant Depression?
- Studies show that people with depression appear to have physical changes in their brains, which could help find the source of the illness.
- Faulty neurotransmitters or chemical messengers in the brain affect mood stability and significantly affect depression and its treatment.
- Changes in hormone levels may cause or trigger depression, including during and after pregnancy. It may also be caused by thyroid problems, menopause, or several other conditions.
- Inherited traits.
TMS For Treatment-Resistant Depression
“Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when other depression treatments haven’t been effective.
“This treatment for depression involves delivering repetitive magnetic pulses, so it’s called repetitive TMS or rTMS.” It’s a kind of procedure that may be recommended if medicine or psychotherapy hasn’t lowered depression symptoms in some people.
Are there side effects?
TMS is considered safe, but there are potential side effects. Most are transient and occur during the treatment only:
- Headache
- Scalp irritation where the stimulation takes place
- Jerking of facial muscles
- Lightheadedness
TMS involves placing an electromagnetic coil against your head and repeatedly turning it off and on to create stimulating pulses. This generates a tapping or clicking noise that usually persists for several seconds and is followed by a pause. You may also perceive a tapping sensation on the forehead. This part of the procedure is known as mapping.
“Existing evidence to date suggests that less treatment-resistant patients respond better to rTMS than those who are highly treatment-resistant. However, there is much yet to be learned about particular variables that may impact response to rTMS. Researchers are presently conducting clinical studies to evaluate who will benefit most from rTMS therapy.” Research into whether rTMS with antidepressant medications is more effective than rTMS alone is ongoing.
In addition, in a comparison trial, deep TMS (Brainsway) was shown to be significantly more effective than superficial TMS.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosing treatment-resistant depression normally involves:
- A physical examination by your doctor. You’ll be expected to talk about personal and family medical history and may undergo tests to find a medical problem for your depression symptoms. If there isn’t a medical reason, you may be referred for a psychiatric assessment by a mental health professional.
- At a psychiatric assessment, you’ll talk about thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as possible triggers, as well as whether you have a personal or family history of mental illness.
- Comparing your depression symptoms to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria.
TMS or ketamine may be recommended for treatment.
Final Thoughts
Depression can wreak havoc on your sense of self, your daily life, and your relationships. But there are ways to stop it from getting to this point. Among those, ketamine and TMS have been highly successful treatments.
Researchers have found that ketamine, when given in an appropriate non-sedative dose, as well as TMS, can help patients that are not receiving benefits from traditional treatment. Our clinic is here to help. Contact us today.
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Why Don’t Men Talk About Their Mental Health?
Mental health is an integral part of overall wellness and well-being. It’s estimated that 1 in 5 American adults experiences a mental health disorder in any given year.
However, mental health disorders continue to be shrouded in stigma and secrecy despite this high prevalence.
When it comes to men and mental health, the statistics are sobering. According to a study done by NCBI, men are four times more likely than women to die by suicide.
In addition, men are much less likely than women to seek help for mental health concerns.
Why is there such a reluctance among men to talk about their mental health? This article from Dr. Sandhya Prashad explores some of those reasons.
Reasons Why Men Don’t Talk About Mental Health
There are several potential reasons why men may be reluctant to talk about their mental health, including:
- The belief that they should be able to handle their problems on their own
- The fear of being seen as weak or not in control
- The worry that talking about their feelings will make them seem less manly
- The stigma associated with mental illness
While some of these reasons are based on stereotypes and misconceptions, they can still have a real and negative impact on men’s mental health.
For example, the belief that men should be able to handle their problems on their own can lead to men bottling up their thoughts and emotions, which can have disastrous consequences for their mental health. The fear of being seen as weak or not in control can also lead men to avoid seeking help, even when they genuinely need it.
Of course, being seen as less manly is also a common barrier for men when discussing mental health. This concern is based on the false idea that only women are allowed to express their emotions. In reality, there is no such thing as a “manly” or “unmanly” way to feel or express emotions.
The stigma associated with mental illness is another major reason why men may be reluctant to talk about their mental health. Often, people, in general, diminish the magnitude and severity of mental health concerns — telling those who are suffering to “man up” or “get over it.”
This stigma can lead to men feeling ashamed, embarrassed, or even scared to seek help, believing their problems to be insignificant in the eyes of others. Then, in turn, the one suffering begins to think of themselves as worthless, perpetuating the debilitating nature of the mental illness.
It’s important to remember that mental health is nothing to be ashamed of. Mental illness is a real and serious medical condition that should be treated with the same care and compassion as any other illness.
How To Encourage Men To Talk About Mental Health
So what can be done to encourage men to talk about their mental health? Here are a few suggestions:
Listen Without Judgment: When someone opens up about their mental health, it’s important to listen without judgment or criticism. Let them know that you understand and that you’re there for them.
Break the Stigma: It’s important to break the stigma associated with mental illness. This can be done by talking openly and honestly about mental health and challenging the myths and stereotypes surrounding it.
Provide Resources and Information: Make sure to provide resources and information on mental health for men. This can include websites, articles, books, and other information.
Start a Conversation: One of the best ways to encourage men to talk about their mental health is to start the conversation yourself. Talk to your friends, family, and co-workers about mental health and ask them for their thoughts and opinions.
The bottom line is that it’s vital for men to feel comfortable talking about their mental health. By breaking the stigma and providing resources and information, we can make it easier for men to open up and seek help when they need it.
Introduce Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Into the Mental Health Conversation
Ketamine-assisted therapy is a new and promising treatment for mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more. This type of therapy can be helpful for those who have not responded well to traditional treatments.
Dr. Sandhya Prashad is a board-certified psychiatrist with long-running experience and expertise utilizing ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant disorders. She has assisted with and seen first-hand the profound and life-changing effects ketamine therapy can have for her patients.
It’s these leaps forward in discovering groundbreaking, proven methods of therapy that help to end the overall stigma surrounding mental health concerns. This progress leads to more people beginning to take mental health more seriously — placing greater attention and emphasis on the social and cultural impacts on society.
As more research is conducted and new treatment options are made available, it’s crucial that the conversation around mental health evolves along with it. This way, we can ensure that those with mental illness get the help and support they need and deserve.
Mental Health Treatment for Men From Dr. Sandhya Prashad
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, it’s important to seek help.
Dr. Sandhya Prashad specializes in treating various mental health issues and disorders. Her institution provides a range of services, including but not limited to:
- Ketamine infusion therapy
- Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy
All of these methods are proven to be safe and effective in improving and alleviating the effects of mental illness.
If you are a man who is reluctant to talk about mental health, Dr. Prashad can help. She understands the unique challenges that men face regarding mental health and has the experience, expertise, and compassion to provide the treatment you need.
Don’t suffer in silence! Click the link below to learn more about how Dr. Prashad can help.
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How Common Are Postpartum Mental Health Disorders?
One in 7 women will experience some form of postpartum mental health issue — also known as the “baby blues” — within the first year after giving birth. These issues that arise are known as postpartum mental health disorders (PMHD).
Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common type of PMHD. Still, several other disorders can occur, including postpartum anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
All of these disorders can be extremely debilitating and can seriously affect a woman’s ability to take care of herself or her child. In some cases, they can even lead to suicidal thoughts or actions.
Despite the seriousness of these conditions, however, they often go untreated.
This is mainly because postpartum mental health disorders are often seen as taboo topics. Due to the social stigma, many women keep these issues to themselves and may not know where to turn for help.
The good news is that there is an abundance of information available about postpartum mental health disorders, and there are many resources available for women who need guidance and support.
In this article, we will discuss the definition of PMHD, its prevalence in the modern world, the signs and symptoms of specific disorders, and some of the best ways to get help if you or someone you know is struggling.
What Is a Postpartum Mental Health Disorder?
Postpartum mental health disorder is a term used to describe various mental health conditions that can occur after childbirth.
The term “postpartum” refers to the period of time immediately after childbirth. The “mental health disorder” part of the term refers to a range of conditions that can affect a person’s mood, thoughts, or emotions. Some of the most common disorders include postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.
PMHD can occur any time within the first year after childbirth, but it is most common in the first few months post-birth.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Mental Health Disorders?
Each type of PMHD has its own unique set of signs and symptoms, but some common symptoms apply to all of them.
The most common symptoms of PPD, for example, are:
- Feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Loss of interest in activities that you previously enjoyed
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
PTSD can cause flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and exaggerated responses to stimuli that remind you of the traumatic event. OCD may cause excessive worrying, intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, and a feeling that you are not in control of your thoughts or actions.
In addition, anxiety can cause a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, and excessive worry about everyday tasks.
It is important to note that these symptoms can vary in severity. Some women may only experience a few of them, while others may experience all of them.
What Causes Postpartum Mental Health Disorders?
There is no one cause of PMHD. Instead, several factors can contribute to the development of these disorders.
Some of the most common risk factors include:
- A history of mental health disorders
- Lack of social support
- Financial stress
- Relationship problems
- Stressful life events
- A history of abuse or trauma
Please remember that not all women who experience these risk factors will develop PMHD. Conversely, some women who do not have any known risk factors still harbor the potential to develop these disorders.
How Common Are Postpartum Mental Health Disorders?
Unfortunately, postpartum mental health disorders are quite common. A recent study found that almost 50% of women experience some form of PMHD within the first year after childbirth.
This number is likely to be an underestimate, as many cases of PMHD go unreported. This is likely due to the fact that these disorders are still seen as taboo, and many women feel ashamed or embarrassed to admit that they are struggling.
What Are the Best Ways To Get Help?
If you think you may be struggling with a postpartum mental health disorder, it is crucial to seek help from a mental health professional.
Many resources are available for women who need help, including support groups, counseling, and therapy. You can also find helpful information and resources on websites like Postpartum Progress and the PPD Support Page.
It is absolutely essential to have a strong, close-knit support system during this difficult time. Friends and family can be excellent sources of support, but it is also sometimes necessary to find a therapist or a doctor who understands what you are going through.
Never hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Just keep in mind that you are not alone!
Ketamine Therapy for Postpartum Mental Health Disorders
While many women struggle with postpartum mental health disorders, revolutionary treatments are available that can help. One such treatment is the relatively new and groundbreaking ketamine infusion therapy.
Ketamine is a medication used to treat various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It works by blocking the nervous system’s NMDA receptors, which are responsible for sending pain and fear signals to the brain.
When used in tandem with therapeutic methods like psychotherapy, ketamine infusion allows the patient to process these signals in a clear, healthy, and safe way.
If you are struggling with a postpartum mental health disorder, Dr. Sandhya Prashad offers a range of services that can help you. She is a board-certified psychiatrist who has extensive experience in treating mental health disorders — offering ketamine therapy and other treatments that may be helpful for postpartum mental health disorders.
If you are interested in exploring more about Dr. Sandhya Prashad and her services, click the link below to learn more about how she and her team can help!
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What Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is a relatively new treatment that is gaining in popularity. This type of therapy involves ketamine, a drug that has been used for decades but only recently have we started to unlock its secrets to treat depression and other mental health conditions.
Today, we will look at what ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is and how it can be a benefit to the patient.
What Is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a fast-acting anesthetic drug that can treat many physical and mental problems. It is a dissociative anesthetic that can produce feelings of detachment or out-of-body experiences. Ketamine is also a powerful pain reliever.
Ketamine is usually administered using an IV, but it can also be taken orally or nasally. It also doesn’t have the side effects other anesthetics have, such as slow breathing and a slower heart rate.
Before medical breakthroughs, ketamine was mostly known as a party drug and would be placed in a drink or snorted. This would cause dangerous effects, also called a “trip,” that would give the user visual distortions and a sense of detachment from their body.
People who abuse ketamine put themselves at risk of developing an addiction, bladder problems, and even psychotic symptoms. We know today that it is important to only use ketamine under the care of a medical professional.
While ketamine has been known to produce dissociative effects, it has also been effective in the treatment of depression. A study published in The American Journal of
Psychiatry found that ketamine was more effective than a placebo in treating patients with severe depression.
How Does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Work?
Psychotherapy works like any other type of therapy: helping the patient talk about their problems and find solutions. However, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy takes it further by including routine ketamine treatments.
Ketamine can help reduce stress and anxiety, which are two common symptoms of depression. It can also help to improve mood and increase energy levels.
You can choose multiple different ways to ingest the ketamine into your body, making sure whatever you choose is the most comfortable for you. Through a session, you and your medical advisor will be able to map out a plan that is catered just for you so that you can see how well ketamine can work firsthand.
How Can Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Benefit the Patient?
There are many potential benefits to ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. Some of the most notable include:
- Improved mood
- Reduced anxiety
- Relief from pain
- Decreased suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Increased ability to function in daily life
Ketamine is an effective treatment for depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia.
In some cases, it has been shown to be more effective than traditional therapies.
Sandhya Prashad’s Years of Experience Created One of the Best Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Clinics
A founder and current president of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners, Sandhya Prashad, MD, has administered and helped over 5,000 patients with ketamine treatments.
Completing both medical school and psychiatry residency at Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Prashad wanted the international medical world to take note of the vast benefits that ketamine could have on many patients suffering from conditions that did not have very many answers.
Since 2016, she has been building a comprehensive, cutting-edge ketamine program at her private practice in Houston that offers innovative treatments for various mental health conditions.
She also presents to other medical professionals on a national level to mentor others on the benefits of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.
What Can You Expect When Experience Sandhya Prashad’s Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
Our Houston ketamine clinic offers a compassionate and safe environment for you to explore the potential benefits of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.
Sandhya Prashad, MD, has years of experience administering ketamine treatments and will work with you to find the best possible solution for your mental health condition.
Each session is your choice between 1 hour or 3 hours in length, during which you will set goals that work alongside the ketamine treatment.
We offer individualized care in a private setting, with multiple ways to administer ketamine so that you can find what works best for you:
- Sublingual (oral)
- Intranasal (through the nose)
- Intramuscular (injection)
- Intravenous (IV)
It’s recommended that all patients commit to at least four sessions to see maximum results of your ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.
Whether you are suffering from depression, anxiety, suicidality, or other conditions, ketamine can offer you a ray of hope.
It has been shown to be an effective treatment for various mental health conditions. With the help of Sandhya Prashad, MD, you can receive ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in a private and compassionate setting.
Schedule a free consultation today to see if ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can benefit you.
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IV Vitamin Therapy and Mental Health
Mental health is a huge issue in the United States, and more and more people are struggling with mental health conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t done anything to improve the situation either: With the extra stress, uncertainty, and instability millions of people are facing due to the pandemic, mental health issues are at an all-time high.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. has a mental illness, which amounts to approximately 52.9 million people in 2020. These conditions can range in severity and symptom expression and include everything from depression and anxiety to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
With so many individuals suffering from mental health issues, often in silence or without the proper support, it’s no wonder that people are searching for ways to improve their mental health. If medication and psychotherapy haven’t been helpful for you, or if you are looking for something to use in conjunction with these methods, IV vitamin therapy has proven effective against mental illness symptoms.
What Is IV Vitamin Therapy?
IV vitamin therapy is a form of treatment that injects vitamins and minerals into the body intravenously. This method of administration bypasses the digestive system, meaning that 100% of the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream and can be used by the body immediately.
IV vitamin therapy is used in various contexts, including treating dehydration, boosting the immune system, and strengthening and rejuvenating the skin. It is also generally used to support health and wellness and to revitalize the body. However, it is increasingly being used to treat mental health conditions.
How Does IV Vitamin Therapy Work?
While you can get many vitamins and minerals through oral supplementation or a healthy diet, many of these nutrients are poorly absorbed by the body. They are absorbed much better through IV administration.
For example, vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin rapidly excreted by the body, meaning that it isn’t stored for long and needs to be constantly replenished. When taken orally in modest doses (30-180 mg daily), only about 70%-90% of vitamin C is actually absorbed by the body. In doses of 1,000 mg or higher, the common dosage for vitamin C supplements, the absorption drops to 50%. However, when administered intravenously, the body absorbs almost all of the vitamin C (common rates hover around 99.9%). You get a much higher dose instantly, and it stays in your system for longer.
The same is true for other nutrients such as B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc, and for many of these vitamins and nutrients, the difference in absorption rates is even more extreme. When taken orally, these nutrients are not always well-absorbed by the body and are rapidly excreted, but they are immediately available for use when administered intravenously. Calcium, for instance, has an oral absorption rate of 28%-36% when taken as a supplement but has a 100% absorption rate through IV administration.
What Are the Benefits of IV Vitamin Therapy?
The benefits of IV vitamin therapy are very similar to taking vitamins orally, with the significant difference that the absorption rate is much higher, so the vitamins are more effective. The results will depend on what vitamins and nutrients are used in your IV therapy. This, in turn, will be dependent on what you’re trying to treat and what kind of IV treatments your provider offers.
Some common vitamins in IV treatments are vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, antioxidants such as glutathione, and amino acids. These all help support your health and wellness in a variety of ways. Here is a breakdown of the main benefits of some of these common vitamins:
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is used to treat everything from the common cold to cancer and is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect the body against damage from free radicals.
B Vitamins
B Vitamins are often used to treat fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depression. They are essential for energy production, metabolism, and nerve function.
Calcium
An important mineral for bone health, calcium is also involved in muscle contraction, blood clotting, and nerve function.
Magnesium
A mineral involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, magnesium is essential for energy production, metabolism, and DNA synthesis. It is also crucial for muscle and nerve function.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are important for protecting the body against damage from free radicals and can also help to reduce inflammation.
How Can IV Vitamin Therapy Help Mental Health?
There are a few ways in which IV vitamin therapy can help improve mental health. First of all, many mental health conditions are caused or aggravated by vitamin deficiencies. For example, anxiety and depression are common in people who are deficient in vitamins B12 and folate. Vitamin B12 is involved in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood regulation. Folate is involved in the production of dopamine, another neurotransmitter that is important for mood and motivation.
Another way IV vitamin therapy can help mental health is by reducing inflammation. Inflammation has been linked to various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and even schizophrenia. Some of the vitamins and nutrients in IV vitamin therapy, such as vitamin C and antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory effects.
Lastly, IV vitamin therapy can help improve mental health by boosting energy levels and improving mood. Many vitamins and minerals used in IV therapy, such as B vitamins and magnesium, are involved in energy production and metabolism. This means that IV vitamin therapy can help to increase energy levels and combat fatigue. Additionally, some of the vitamins and nutrients used in IV therapy, such as vitamin C and antioxidants, can help improve mood.
Consider Getting Help With IV Vitamins
IV vitamin therapy has many benefits for general health and can be especially helpful for mental health. If you’re interested in trying IV vitamin therapy, be sure to talk to your provider about what treatments they offer. There are a variety of vitamins and nutrients that can be used in IV therapy, so it’s important to find a provider who can tailor the treatment to your specific needs.
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BrainsWay Announces Publication of Results Demonstrating Efficacy of Deep TMS™ in Treating Anxiety Symptoms Comorbid to Depression
Results Distinguish Deep TMS as More Effective in Subjects with Higher Anxiety Symptoms, Long Considered Less Responsive to Alternative Treatments
BURLINGTON, Mass. and JERUSALEM, Feb. 23, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – BrainsWay Ltd. (NASDAQ & TASE: BWAY) (“BrainsWay” or the “Company”), a global leader in advanced noninvasive neurostimulation treatments for mental health disorders, today announced the publication of results in the Journal of Clinical Medicine further defining the efficacy of the Company’s proprietary Deep TMS™ treatment in addressing anxiety symptoms comorbid to depression, also known as anxious depression.
In this analysis, the authors reviewed anxiety scores from multiple randomized controlled trials utilizing Deep TMS with the H1 Coil for major depressive disorder (MDD), including the Company’s pivotal multicenter depression study and the only independent, head-to-head study comparing Deep TMS to traditional transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Using commonly accepted anxiety thresholds, researchers were able to identify subjects with anxiety comorbid to their depression, stratify them into “high” and “low” anxiety subsets, and assess the efficacy of Deep TMS in reducing those anxiety symptoms. They found that Deep TMS had a statistically significant and meaningful effect in reducing anxiety symptoms among depression patients.
“With the publication of this data, BrainsWay continues to build on its leadership position in delivering superior science and evidence to the field of psychiatry and noninvasive brain stimulation research,” said Christopher von Jako, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of BrainsWay. “With an overwhelming majority of depression patients suffering concurrently from anxiety, we are excited to offer an alternative approach that provides hope in treating this complex condition. The findings of this publication support the concept that the uniquely broad and deep nature of stimulation induced by BrainsWay Deep TMS allows for simultaneous targeting of areas in the brain associated with both anxiety and depression.”
The Company previously reported on the results of the efficacy of Deep TMS in addressing both depression and comorbid anxiety symptoms within the same treatment, which led to its expanded FDA depression clearance in August 2021. The results of this publication further refine the understanding of the utility of Deep TMS in this regard. In direct contrast to evidence showing that subjects with high anxiety scores prior to treatment have historically been considered less likely to succeed with traditional TMS and anxiety medications, these new results show that Deep TMS is actually more effective with such patients.
“Patients with anxious depression typically have worse clinical outcomes, greater depression severity, lower remission rates, and an increased risk of suicide,” said Aron Tendler, MD, Chief Medical Officer of BrainsWay. “Patients with anxiety comorbid to their depression are prescribed higher doses of medication, increasing the likelihood of side effects while waiting up to three months for a clinical benefit. As a practicing physician and longstanding provider of TMS, these results are very exciting because they reflect a new positive predictor of high anxiety at baseline, which can help Deep TMS practitioners achieve better outcomes for their patients.”
The authors of this new publication also reviewed the existing body of evidence on comorbid anxiety symptom reduction with medications and traditional TMS. While differences between the various studies analyzed make it difficult to make direct comparisons, the authors noted a weighted, pooled effect size for Deep TMS which compared favorably to those seen with either drug-based data or traditional TMS.
About Anxious Depression
Comorbid anxiety symptoms are common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Between 60-90% of patients with depression also exhibit moderate to severe anxiety. As the most common DSM-V specifier to MDD, anxious distress is reported in 75% of patients suffering from depression. In the United States, 21 million adults experience at least one major depressive episode per year. Considering the rate of comorbidity, 13 to 19 million adults experience moderate to severe anxiety in addition to their primary diagnosis of depression. Common anxiety symptoms include nervousness, worry, restlessness, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance. The economic burden in the United States for major depressive disorder totaled $326 billion prior to the pandemic.
About BrainsWay
BrainsWay is a global leader in advanced noninvasive neurostimulation treatments for mental health disorders. The Company is boldly advancing neuroscience with its proprietary Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS™) platform technology to improve health and transform lives. BrainsWay is the first and only TMS company to obtain three FDA-cleared indications backed by pivotal studies demonstrating clinically proven efficacy. Current indications include major depressive disorder (including reduction of anxiety symptoms, commonly referred to as anxious depression), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and smoking addiction. The Company is dedicated to leading through superior science and building on its unparalleled body of clinical evidence. Additional clinical trials of Deep TMS in various psychiatric, neurological, and addiction disorders are underway. Founded in 2003, with offices in Burlington, MA and Jerusalem, Israel, BrainsWay is committed to increasing global awareness of and broad access to Deep TMS. For the latest news and information about BrainsWay, please visit www.brainsway.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be preceded by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential” or similar words, and include, but are not limited to, statements about the expected proceeds, use of proceeds and closing of the underwritten offering. These forward-looking statements and their implications are based on the current expectations of the management of the Company only and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The publication referenced herein was based on research funded by the Company and utilized multiple comparison correction as a form of statistical penalty to account for the use of secondary endpoints. However, certain scientific data and results expressed herein may be subject to further analysis, modification and/or statistical penalties. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: inadequacy of financial resources to meet future capital requirements; changes in technology and market requirements; delays or obstacles in launching and/or successfully completing planned studies and clinical trials; failure to obtain approvals by regulatory agencies on the Company’s anticipated timeframe, or at all; inability to retain or attract key employees whose knowledge is essential to the development of Deep TMS products; unforeseen difficulties with Deep TMS products and processes, and/or inability to develop necessary enhancements; unexpected costs related to Deep TMS products; failure to obtain and maintain adequate protection of the Company’s intellectual property, including intellectual property licensed to the Company; the potential for product liability; changes in legislation and applicable rules and regulations; unfavorable market perception and acceptance of Deep TMS technology; inadequate or delays in reimbursement from third-party payers, including insurance companies and Medicare; inability to commercialize Deep TMS, including internationally, by the Company or through third-party distributors; product development by competitors; inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications; continuation and/or exacerbation of the global supply chain crisis and its impact on the Company’s ability to source components, meet customer demand, fill orders, maintain pricing levels, and support the Company’s service needs; and the effect of the global COVID-19 health pandemic on our business and continued uncertainty and market impact relating thereto.
Any forward-looking statement in this press release speaks only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward- looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws. More detailed information about the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company is contained under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.
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The COVID-19 Pandemic: Helping Those Who Suffer in Silence
Sandhya Prashad, MD is the medical director at Houston Ketamine Therapeutics and Houston Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy.
There is no question that the pandemic has shaped myriad aspects of life as we know it, including significantly impacting the mental health care industry. While the unprecedented events have resulted in mental health challenges, it has also delivered growth in the area as well.
“The pandemic has helped break down barriers such as the stigma around treatment, access to care in terms of proximity and available time, and even common misconceptions of what it means to receive treatment for depression.”
In fact, the appetite for treatment has increased so much that providers are finding it challenging to accommodate the surge of requested appointments.1 This newfound openness among patients to explore therapy has served as a means to deliver more care to those who have lived in silence for years due to either apprehension around going into an office or limited understanding around just how far treatment options have come.
Teletherapy has helped shepherd more patients through the door
Leveraging teletherapy has helped providers and patients troubleshoot the common concerns around social distancing and, ultimately, could be credited with getting many first-time patients in the “virtual” door. In fact, the use of teletherapy saw a 154% increase in March 2020 when compared to the same period in 2019.2 The ability to connect with patients in the comfort and privacy of their own homes allowed providers to build rapport over time and helped spark many overdue conversations around tailored options for treatment. While the convenience of teletherapy is likely to foster continued use long after the pandemic subsides, it is important for providers to remind patients that it is not a direct substitute for an in-person visit nor is it the only form of treatment available.
Taking the next step in treatment with the latest technology
Marrying the increased desire to speak with providers and the ability to ease into sessions via virtual visits, providers like myself have a unique opportunity to begin educating patients that mental health treatment is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Studies have shown that depression symptom prevalence is more than 3-fold higher3 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and because more than 40% of people with major depressive disorder (MDD), 4 find they are treatment-resistant, there is a growing need to foster education among patients regarding other available options when there is an unresponsiveness to traditional methods.5 These options include deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (Deep TMS), a non-invasive treatment process that is FDA-cleared for treating depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While well-known within the mental health community, many patients are unaware of this successful treatment option which only takes 20-minutes per session.
In a study published by the Journal of Psychiatric Research, Deep TMS therapy combined with standard medication for MDD was found to be significantly more effective than standard pharmacotherapy alone, reducing the symptoms of close to two-thirds of participants battling depression.6 Deep TMS is a great example of how far we have come in treatment offerings, showing patients that there are treatments that do not require downtime, are noninvasive, and offer virtually no discomfort.
Moving forward in the new normal
While we as a society are working hard to leave the pandemic behind as a footnote in history, we as mental health professionals have been given a catalyst for a mental health movement. The pandemic has helped break down barriers such as the stigma around treatment, access to care in terms of proximity and available time, and even common misconceptions of what it means to receive treatment for depression. It is our responsibility as those committed to improving mental health to look for every opportunity we can to serve and educate, and the pandemic has certainly provided us with a platform.
Sandhya Prashad, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in interventional modalities for treatment-resistant disorders with a particular interest and expertise in ketamine therapy. She is the founder and medical director of Sandhya J. Prashad, MD, Houston Ketamine Therapeutics, and Houston TMS Therapeutics. Dr. Prashad currently serves as president of The American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners.
References
1. Caron C. ‘Nobody Has Openings’: Mental Health Providers Struggle to Meet Demand. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/17/well/mind/therapy-appointments-shortages-pandemic.html. Published online February 17, 2021. Accessed February 17, 2021
2. Koonin LM, Hoots B, Tsang CA, et al. Trends in the use of telehealth during the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic — United States, January–March 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020;69:1595–1599. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6943a3
3. Ettman CK, Abdalla SM, Cohen GH, Sampson L, Vivier PM, Galea S. Prevalence of depression symptoms in US adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(9):e2019686. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.19686
4. Major Depressive Disorder and TMS Treatment. Brainsway. https://www.brainsway.com/knowledge-center/major-depressive-disorder-tms-treatment/. Accessed February 9, 2019
5. Jaffe DH, Rive B, Denee TR. The humanistic and economic burden of treatment-resistant depression in Europe: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry. 19, 247 (2019). doi:10.1186/s12888-019-2222-4
6. Filipčić I, Šimunović Filipčić I, Milovaca Z, et al. Efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation using a figure-8-coil or an H1-Coil in treatment of major depressive disorder; A randomized clinical trial. J. Psychiatr. Res. 2019;114:113-119. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.04.020
Original Article: https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/home/topics/general-psychiatry/teletherapy-helps-shepherd-more-patients-through-the-door/
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American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists and Practitioners Announces Standards of Practice in the Therapeutic Use of Subanesthetic Ketamine
BELLAIRE, Texas, Aug. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Ketamine, which was originally developed as an anesthetic, has emerged over the last two decades as the biggest breakthrough in 50 years for treatment-resistant depression and suicidality. Despite a growing body of research surrounding its use, guidelines establishing recommendations for best practices have been limited. The American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists and Practitioners (ASKP3) is a group of professionals dedicated to the safe and clinical use of ketamine for mental health disorders and pain conditions that was developed in 2016 and has over 400 members of various specialties. ASKP3 recognizes the lack of formal guidance and seeks to protect and foster the use of subanesthetic ketamine by providing recommendations for standards of practice. (more…)
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