Psychedelics Used For Therapeutic Benefit

Therapy is something that most people should invest in if they could. It is one of the best ways to take care of your mental health. While there are traditional ways—talking it out, for example—to go about it, there are alternatives methods that are proving to be even more effective. One method that is becoming more widely talked about is psychedelic medicine and therapy.

What Is Psychedelic Therapy?

Psychedelic therapy is a way of healing many mental health struggles by using psychedelic medicines in conjunction with integration/therapy to go deeper in the therapeutic process and often produce more rapid results. Therapists should have specific training in psychedelic integration, as this is not the same as traditional therapy.

4 Types of Psychedelic Therapy

There are plenty of psychedelic substances that can be used for healing and below are some that have been used in different settings currently or previously.

1. Ketamine

Ketamine is an anesthetic that has been used in medicine since the 1960s. It was discovered to have psychedelic properties at sub-anesthetic levels and to provide healing effects for depression, in addition to other diagnoses. This medicine is currently legal and being used to treat depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, eating disorders and more.

2. LSD

Lysergic acid diethylamide, otherwise known as LSD, is a psychedelic medicine that creates a non ordinary state of consciousness and was used in a therapeutic setting prior to it becoming illegal. This experience is a longer journey, about 8 hours, compared to ketamine which is about 45-60 minutes. In the medical setting it has shown benefit in treating many mental health struggles.

3. Psilocybin

Psilocybin is the chemical found in mushrooms that has psychedelic properties. Often know as “magic mushrooms”. This substance is naturally occurring and is currently being studied to treat depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, among others. This medicine has been used in cultures for many years to aid in healing and although currently illegal in the US there are some cities and states that have decriminalized psilocybin.

4. Ayahuasca

This medicine is actually a mixture of two different plants and the active psychedelic component is DMT. DMT actually is a naturally occurring chemical in humans, known to be released in high levels at birth and death. Ayahuasca originated in South America and has been used for many years in healing ceremonies. This medicine is a powerful psychedelic and often induces purging. Many people report significant positive changes in their lives and improvement in their mental health and/or addictions. Ayahuasca should be administered by someone who has significant experience with the medicine and ideally has apprenticed with tribes/peoples who have worked with it for many years.

5. MDMA

MDMA, also know as Molly or Ecstasy, has a reputation as a party drug. However, this medicine was originally used in therapeutic settings because of the healing potentials, even before it emerged on the party scene. It was originally know as ADAM. The MAPS organization has been researching MDMA for treating PTSD and has shown significant results compared to traditional treatment strategies.

Benefits of Psychedelic Therapy 

More and more studies are demonstrating its effectiveness as a therapy method every day, and many patients have shown great progress. Several sources have found that this type of therapy may work on anxiety, depression, abuse of alcohol or any other substance, and PTSD. 

Traditional talk therapy has benefited some over the years, however, it often involves lengthy courses of treatment that are quite expensive and often out of the reach of many people. The slow rate of progress can be frustrating for many and may stop people from continuing on with treatment. Psychedelic therapy may be the key for patients for whom traditional methods have been difficult.

Many client testimonials contain positive responses to psychedelic-assisted treatments. This treatment is not a quick fix and is not for everybody, but it is definitely helpful for many and is currently demonstrating results that rival traditional treatment of psychiatric medication +/- therapy.

Conclusion

The not-so-positive impressions of psychedelic therapy often come from a place of mis information, negative history, or lack of knowledge about the subject. Michael Pollan’s book, “How to Change Your Mind” has helped bring the subject into the general population. This combined with many new studies showing the benefits that these medicines can have for people struggling with mental health conditions is making psychedelic treatment a more popular option. After all, medication has always been an aspect of mental health treatment, but it often required being on medication forever, having side effects, and sometimes having suboptimal results.

Are you open to giving psychedelic therapy a try? Stephanie Lyn Coleman MD, a licensed physician trained in ketamine assisted therapy. We support patients working on their mental health through the use of ketamine and integration therapy. Schedule a free phone consultation today!

The Subtle Signs Of Depression

Depression is a very serious condition that affects more than 264 million people worldwide. While it has been known to cause sudden shifts in mood and anxiety, there is a lot more to learn about its other effects and symptoms. In fact, you may have come across someone with the very same kind of affliction without even knowing that they have it, and that can be attributed to the fact that not all signs of depression are noticeable.

Most of them are subtle and indirect; that is why everyone needs to know all about them! Having an appropriate knowledge of the signs and symptoms would not only help you—in case you would ever have a first-hand experience of it—but it would also enable you to reach out and help those who are suffering from it.

1. Weight Loss and a Change in Appetite

A person with depression would often have little to no appetite at all. Of course, you should not assume that everyone you know who underwent weight loss is suffering from it. Also some people may eat more or gain weight because of depression.  

Not every person who has a change in their weight and diet has depression and there may be a perfectly plausible reason for this change. Someone with depression would also experience other underlying symptoms besides just change in weight. If they happen to be exhibiting more than one of the indicators of depression, then you might want to ask if they need support.

1. Irritable Mood and Restlessness  

It is normal for people to experience stress and pressure at work, so there are times when you may notice someone getting irritable due to the consistent amount of tasks in the office. There is nothing wrong with that, as the situation calls for a natural reaction. However, if the person’s irritability and restlessness seem out of place, manifesting even within an average non-stressful day, then it may be one of the signs of depression.

This can be attributed to anxiety as well, often coexisting with depression.

1. Hopelessness and Guilt

We all have our gloomy days; that’s just a fact of life. Not everything would go our way, and we can’t win it all.  People will always experience failures and sadness and life. With that being said, how would you pick out a legitimately depressed person from a crowd of people who are just going through a bad day? 

There is actually no definite answer to this. Out of all the signs and symptoms of depression, this one would have to be one of the most subtle! The most reliable indicator would have to come from a family or a close friend. If you experience that a person feels this way more often than not or increasing feels hopeless, that may be a cause for concern. A sudden shift in mood, self-blaming habits, or a change in personality would usually accompany this symptom, so if you feel that something’s not right about a certain person, ask if they need support or if appropriate reach out to their closest friends or family.

Conclusion

These signs and symptoms are just three common indicators of depression. There are actually a lot more than these and there are certain criteria that distinguish an actual diagnosis of depression, which can be explored by your physician or mental health provider. If you were to encounter someone showing these warning signs and more, do not hesitate to reach out and lend a listening ear. Better yet, let them know that there will always be someone to help them. Point them towards professional help and brighten up their day with a smile and a conversation.

Are you looking for mental health treatments for depression in Los Angeles? Dr. Stephanie Lyn Coleman can support. She is a licensed physician with years of experience in the traditional western medicine culture and in holistic treatments. Contact us for more information about ketamine therapy for mental health treatment.

When Stress Isn't Normal

Life wouldn’t be “normal” without stress. Stress is normal and inevitable—it is an unavoidable part of our reality that we simply have to manage and live with. Stress is in no way fun—but it isn’t a hindrance to living well, either. In fact, stress can increase your awareness in a difficult or dangerous situation so that you can act quickly at the moment!

Living with stress is something that everyone has to do, but this doesn’t mean you have to welcome it with open arms. However, for others, there’s nothing else they can do but embrace it and let it control every part of their lives.

When Stress Stops You from Living

Stress is often considered a normal response of the body, but it can prove to be detrimental in some cases. When you can’t seem to adjust to a stressful change that has affected your daily routine for a long time, then you may have developed an adjustment disorder. 

Adjustment disorder is a condition that causes difficulty with managing or adjusting to a stressful life event. People suffering from adjustment disorder continue to have behavioral and emotional reactions months, even years, after the major change occurred. When untreated for too long, the stressful event can become a part of their everyday life.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Stressors are usually temporary; they’re not meant to stay with you and cause you to struggle with living your life. However, no one is safe from adjustment disorders, as anyone can develop this condition. To overcome this disorder, the first step is recognizing that you have it!

If you are experiencing these symptoms below, you should immediately reach out to a doctor to get the necessary mental health treatment:

• Rebelliousness

• Nervousness

• Sadness or hopelessness

• Withdrawn attitude

• Lack of concentration

• Suicidal thoughts

How to Treat Adjustment Disorder

Having an adjustment disorder can be detrimental to your life, but it doesn’t have to be this way forever! You still have a chance to overcome your mental condition and bounce back so that you can properly live your life. There are many kinds of therapies to treat adjustment disorders. 

Some of the most helpful types of therapy include:

• Psychotherapy;

• Group therapy;

• Crisis intervention; and

• Psychedelic therapy.

Psychedelic Therapy, a Tried-and-Tested Path to Wellness 

Among the many available therapy and medications to treat adjustment disorders, psychedelic therapy remains one of the most reliable ways to help you with your condition.

Unlike the therapy you’re familiar with, this mental health treatment involves using psychedelic substances, such as ketamine, to help with the therapeutic process. Experts have discovered that psychedelic therapy can help treat anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

There are no standards for administration and practice, so each practitioner will have their own methods. However, some elements will be more or less the same—you will be administered a low to moderate dose of a psychedelic drug, supervised by a professional during each session, and repeat the dose with a few weeks in between.

Conclusion

Not everyone can respond well when exposed to stressful situations, especially when it comes to major life changes. If your anxiety and depression continue to significantly affect your life, don’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted professional. As long as you get the mental health treatment you need, you can overcome your difficulties and live your life without anything holding you back!

Let Dr. Coleman help you overcome your adjustment disorder so that you can take back control of your life! Dr. Stephanie Lyn Coleman and the team will work together to create a personalized mental health treatment plan for patients in the California area. Book a free consultation today!

Another Side of Anxiety

People have been experiencing mental health disorders for the longest time. Still, it is only in recent times when it stopped being taboo to talk about it, as awareness of it is only beginning to grow and be accepted by the vast population! 

Unfortunately, high-functioning anxiety isn’t considered a mental health problem per se, despite its evident symptoms. Instead, it’s more recognized as a term that talks about certain people who deal with anxiety, but are known for functioning normally in various parts of their daily life.

For those experiencing the same situation, there’s a high chance that the anxiety you’re feeling drives you to continue doing things rather than keep you from attaining your goals. Although you may seem fine and well-put together on the outside, how you feel inside is a different story! 

Keep reading below to learn more about your situation as someone with high-functioning anxiety.

Understanding High-Functioning Anxiety from Afar

Like all people dealing with mental health problems and trying to compose themselves every time they deal with the public, those with high-functioning anxiety usually seem fine at first glance. In fact, they excel in most of the things they do concerning their work and responsibilities!

You appear determined, disciplined, and driven to do well in all your endeavors, especially your professional career, social life, and personal life. However, beneath all that, you can’t deny that you’re still experiencing anxiety despite the success in your life.

High-functioning anxiety comes in the form of constant nervousness and worry, the fear of failing, and being scared about disappointing not only the people around you, but also yourself. Since you want to appear normal to others, you hold yourself back from sharing what’s really going through your head most of the time with others!

Characteristics of Someone with High-Functioning Anxiety

Positive Traits

Despite your case, you continue to pursue the plans you lay out before you to have a successful and comfortable life. Thus, you reap what you sow and feel glad every time people recognize your achievements, so you keep going even though you aren’t exactly okay deep inside.

When you focus on your accomplishments, you maintain a positive outlook and come off as outgoing, punctual, and proactive. You control the organization in your life, become better than the challenges you face, and learn to focus on details.

You want to make sure that the things you manage remain clean, tidy, and in perfect order. A person with high-functioning anxiety is often active, ready to help others, passionate about what they do, and remains calm and composed. 

Negative Traits

Unfortunately, if you’re experiencing anxiety, then you know that it can’t always be a good day. Although people admire you for your positive characteristics, sometimes, you can’t help but let your negative emotions get the best of you!You often experience a significant amount of stress that you keep to yourself without wanting to bother the people around you. Due to your desire to keep things in perfect condition, you end up pleasing others too much, have a habit of talking a lot, and develop nervous habits and ticks.

Moreover, you do things repeatedly as a distraction from the overwhelming emotions you’re feeling. You overthink, lose track of time, and are always on the lookout for reassurance. Before you know it, you’ve begun to procrastinate, have a difficult time sleeping at night, worry about the future, and start to feel mentally and physically tired! 

Conclusion

When dealing with mental health, trauma, and bad experiences, you really can’t judge a person from the outside because you don’t know about the battles they’re facing on their own. While they may seem perfectly fine outside, there’s a huge possibility that it can be a different story when they’re alone and not surrounded by people! 

High-functioning anxiety is real and should not be taken lightly just because it isn’t recognized as a mental health issue. People experiencing it may seem like they don’t have a problem, but it’s too soon to come to conclusions. It’s essential to be kind to everyone you meet and learn to seek professional help, such as therapy, when everything becomes too much for you to handle things on your own.  

Are you looking for mental health treatments that help deal with high-functioning anxiety? Dr. Stephanie Lyn Coleman offers Ketamine treatment and holistic health solutions in Los Angeles, California. Get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation!

Ketamine and Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the scariest feelings one can experience. It is your brain’s response to a lot of different conditions and perceived threats from your environment. The good news is your condition is entirely manageable and curable. In this article, we will discuss what general anxiety disorder is and how to manage it.

What Is General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Everyone experiences a small amount of stress or a normal amount of anxiety every day. In fact, 6.1 million Americans experience stress due to diet, genetics, behaviors, and other factors. 

General Anxiety Disorder is a condition characterized by persistent and excessive worry about a number of things. It manifests as unwelcome thoughts and feelings stemming from many stressful circumstances. Thankfully, GAD is treatable. You can undergo different treatment options, seek help from professionals, and make big life changes. It’s not an easy process, and progress doesn’t happen overnight, but you can take control of your life back with perseverance. 

What Is the Treatment for GAD?

A 2017 study showed that patients who have a social anxiety disorder or GAD showed significant improvements after undergoing weekly treatment with ketamine infusion. Ketamine is a treatment that helps patients with depression. It is also beneficial for patients with GAD. 

When it is administered each week, patients experience reduced symptoms of depression or GAD. While it still needs more research to find out exactly how it works, ketamine is proving to be a safe and effective way to treat depression, GAD, and social anxiety.

How Does Ketamine Work?

Honestly, researchers are unsure of how it works. Based on the theories proposed, they do know that it blocks the NMDA receptors in the brain, which allows your brain to produce an increased amount of glutamate. This is a vital chemical that controls depression and anxiety.

Ketamine is different from other drugs used to treat anxiety. The other drugs work by blocking the GABA receptors in the brain. Ketamine works different and is believed to potentially be more effective than many anxiety drugs on the market. 

Why Do You Need Ketamine?

Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand. When a patient experiences anxiety, they have increased chances of developing other conditions, such as depression. Anxiety can also aggravate the depression the patient is already dealing with. 

Patients who deal with anxiety often struggle with their daily lives. They face hardships in their anxiety. Due to this, they may fear going out, and keep to themselves and avoid social gatherings. This may even affect their ability to work and make a living. That’s why it's completely understandable to feel frustrated, sad, angry, or depressed when dealing with GAD. 

Ketamine may be the best treatment for curing GAD, as it can treat both anxiety and depression. Generally, the more infusions you receive, the longer-lasting the effects will be. In a few days, you might feel an alleviation of your depression and anxiety symptoms. However, ask for your doctor’s advice first. 

Conclusion

Dealing with anxiety is a struggle. Hopefully, ketamine can treat your condition. However, you must conduct thorough research before buying one. You also need to talk to your doctor to make sure you are allowed to take it. It’s always best to consult the experts before making decisions related to your health, mental or otherwise. 
Help treat your anxiety and depression by talking to an expert. Stephanie Lyn Coleman MD is a licensed physician who is experienced in psychedelic medicine and treats anxiety and depression using ketamine therapy. Contact us to book an appointment.