Psychotherapy

Psychedelics plus psychotherapy can trigger rapid changes in the brain − new research at the level of neurons is untangling how

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 2, 2023
People, Psilocybin, Psychology, Pancreatic cancer, Learning, Neuron, Communication, DMT, Depression, Cell membrane, Friends, Fluoxetine, Anxiety, Stroke, Perception, Tree, Penile spines, Cancer, Spine, PTSD, Psychotherapy, Brain, Emotion, LSD, Brain cell, Animal, Patient, Nature, Serotonin, Synapse, Yale University, Ketamine, Mouse, Research, Relaxation, Death, Family, MDMA, Regulation of food and dietary supplements by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Food, Consciousness, Medical imaging, Nursing, Nightclub, Aroma compound

Learning new skills correlates with changes in the brain, as evidenced by neuroscience research with animals and functional brain scans in people.

Key Points: 
  • Learning new skills correlates with changes in the brain, as evidenced by neuroscience research with animals and functional brain scans in people.
  • Presumably, if you master Calculus 1, something is now different in your brain.
  • Clinicians and scientists know there are times the brain can make rapid, enduring changes.
  • And here’s where it gets really interesting: Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy appears to tap into this natural neural mechanism.

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy

    • However, it can be conceptualized as an altered state of consciousness with distortions of perception, modified sense of self and rapidly changing emotions.
    • Presumably there is a relaxation of the higher brain control, which allows deeper brain thoughts and feelings to emerge into conscious awareness.
    • Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy combines the psychology of talk therapy with the power of a psychedelic experience.
    • Researchers have described cases in which subjects report profound, personally transformative experiences after one six-hour session with the psychedelic substance psilocybin, taken in conjunction with psychotherapy.

A mechanism for psychedelic-induced change

    • Psychedelics such as DMT, the active chemical in the plant-based psychedelic ayahuasca, stimulate a receptor cell type, called 5-HT2A.
    • It’s only the 5-HT2A receptor inside the cell that facilitates rapid change in neuronal structure.
    • And it’s possible psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy uses this naturally occurring neural mechanism to facilitate healing.

A word of caution

    • The friend had a mystical experience and came away feeling deeper connections to her family and friends.
    • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2019 did approve ketamine, in conjunction with an antidepressant, to treat depression in adults.
    • Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy with MDMA (often called ecstasy or molly) for PTSD and psilocybin for depression are in Phase 3 trials.

gammaCore Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (nVNS) Improves Attention and Working Memory in Patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Emory University, Acute stress disorder, Spectrum, Obesity, Journal of Affective Disorders, Prevalence, Tuskegee Veterans Administration Medical Center, Intussusception (medical disorder), Nerve conduction study, Woman, Psychotherapy, Veteran, Research, Georgia Institute of Technology College of Computing, Attention, Appetite, ECOR, Biomarker, Plasma, Journal, Ghrelin, Publication, Kanimozhi NVN Somu, Atlanta, MD, Patient, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, ElectroCore, Disease, Behavioural sciences, Psychiatry, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Memory, PTSD, Medical device, Meat

The first paper entitled “Effect of transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation on declarative and working memory in patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A pilot study” was authored by Tilendra Choudhary and the second, “Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation modulates stress-induced plasma ghrelin levels: A double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial” was written by Kasra Moazzami.

Key Points: 
  • The first paper entitled “Effect of transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation on declarative and working memory in patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A pilot study” was authored by Tilendra Choudhary and the second, “Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation modulates stress-induced plasma ghrelin levels: A double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial” was written by Kasra Moazzami.
  • Both studies were conducted at Emory University and were published in the peer reviewed Journal of Affective Disorders.
  • PTSD is the third most common service-connected disorder in veterans and is associated with considerable morbidity and impairment in function.
  • The study of 15 symptomatic subjects with a clinical diagnosis of PTSD suggested that transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tcVNS) improves attention, and declarative and working memory, in patients with PTSD as measured by multiple endpoints.

Yale School of Nursing Honors Lavender Co-Founders

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Yale School of Nursing, Community nursing, DRS, Psychotherapy, Yale school, Entrepreneurship, Mental, Health, Mental health, Nursing, Lavandula, Yale University

Pritma Dhillon-Chattha and Brighid Gannon, shared the stage to accept the 2023 Decade Award for their outstanding efforts and effective, value-driven outcomes achieved post their doctorate of nursing from Yale.

Key Points: 
  • Pritma Dhillon-Chattha and Brighid Gannon, shared the stage to accept the 2023 Decade Award for their outstanding efforts and effective, value-driven outcomes achieved post their doctorate of nursing from Yale.
  • The award recognizes a promising future in nursing excellence demonstrated through innovative and unprecedented approaches.
  • The Yale School of Nursing congratulates Pritma and Brighid on their well-deserved awards and commends their pioneering work with Lavender.
  • said Dr. Azita Emami, Dean of Yale School of Nursing, Yale University.

Innerwell expands at-home ketamine treatment to 14 states, announces partnership with Enthea to offer psychedelic teletherapy as a workplace benefit

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Partnership, Depression, Anxiety, Psychotherapy, Health equity, Brain, Research, Ketamine, Patient, Protocol, EMDR, FDA, Psychiatry, PTSD, Pharmaceutical industry, Nursing, Araragi enthea

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Innerwell, a first-of-its-kind psychedelic teletherapy platform, is now offering care to patients in 14 states with at-home, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy alongside traditional psychiatry, therapy, and specialized modalities like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Moreover, a new partnership with Enthea, a benefits plan administrator focused on ketamine-assisted therapy, allows employers to offer Innerwell ketamine therapy as a benefit to their employees.

Key Points: 
  • Moreover, a new partnership with Enthea , a benefits plan administrator focused on ketamine-assisted therapy, allows employers to offer Innerwell ketamine therapy as a benefit to their employees.
  • "We couldn't be more excited to expand access to our world-class clinical team for patients who are seeking safe and affordable treatment," said Lisa Kennedy, Innerwell founder and CEO.
  • "We are thrilled to partner with Enthea to help future-thinking employers offer innovative treatments that can have transformative outcomes.
  • "Innerwell has one of the most extensive clinical protocols for at-home-ketamine treatment that we've seen," said Sherry Rais, Enthea CEO and co-founder.

Rosewood Scottsdale Now Open to Treat Adolescents with Eating Disorders

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
LCSW, Acute stress disorder, Doctor of Psychology, DSM-IV codes, Eating disorder, CPT, Adolescence, Research, Psychotherapy, Gold, Patient, Eating, Outline of counseling, MPH, Trauma, PTSD, Nursing, Dentistry, MD, Rosewood, Phoenix

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Monte Nido & Affiliates, one of the leading eating disorder treatment providers in the country, today announces the opening of a new residential eating disorder center in Scottsdale, Ariz. Rosewood Scottsdale provides care for adolescents of all genders with an eating disorder. This location is the second Rosewood residential treatment program to treat adolescents in the Phoenix area.

Key Points: 
  • SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Monte Nido & Affiliates , one of the leading eating disorder treatment providers in the country, today announces the opening of a new residential eating disorder center in Scottsdale, Ariz. Rosewood Scottsdale provides care for adolescents of all genders with an eating disorder.
  • This location is the second Rosewood residential treatment program to treat adolescents in the Phoenix area.
  • "Because PTSD is a common co-occurring condition in eating disorder patients, we are proud that Rosewood Scottsdale will offer evidence-based trauma treatment concurrently with eating disorder treatment for those who need it."
  • Rosewood Scottsdale complements its nearby programs Rosewood Ranch for Adolescents and Rosewood Ranch for Adults in Wickenburg, Ariz., along with Rosewood Tempe , a day treatment program for both adults and adolescents in Tempe, Ariz. For more information, or to inquire about treatment at Rosewood Scottsdale, please visit www.rosewoodranch.com or call 800-845-2211.

Culver City Shakti Therapy & Healing Services Announces Ketamine Therapy for TRD

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Narrative, McGarr, Depression, Post, Anxiety, Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, Post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, KAP, Psychotherapy, Research, Pain, Dizziness, Patient, Systematic, Derealization, Journal of Pain Research, Shakti, Ketamine, TDR, Literature, Somnolence, Mental health, Consciousness, Nursing, Pharmaceutical industry

Following the announcement, individuals suffering from mental health conditions who do not respond to traditional treatments can now access Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), launched by the Shakti Therapy & Healing Services clinic in Los Angeles.

Key Points: 
  • Following the announcement, individuals suffering from mental health conditions who do not respond to traditional treatments can now access Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), launched by the Shakti Therapy & Healing Services clinic in Los Angeles.
  • More information about Shakti Therapy & Healing Services, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, and how this treatment helps with treatment-resistant depression can be found at https://www.shaktitherapyhealing.com/post/finding-hope-how-ketamine-ther... .
  • To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
    Shakti Therapy & Healing Services' recently added treatment option uses a unique approach, combining pre-treatment preparation, ketamine treatment, and integrated therapy, into each visit.
  • An anxiety treatment case study from Shakti Therapy & Healing Services can be read here: https://ketaminesuccessstories.com/best-ketamine-assisted-therapy-anxiet... .

Proprietary AI Algorithm Alerts Therapists to Suicide Risk in Patients Utilizing the Talkspace Platform

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Women, Seniors, Other Science, Technology, Research, Men, General Health, Family, Public Policy, Government, Consumer, Teens, Mental Health, Health Insurance, Artificial Intelligence, Software, University, Health, White House, Federal Government, Education, State, Local, Science, Natural language processing, Self-harm, Partnership, Psychotherapy Research, Suicide, NYU, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Language, NLP, MD, Patient, Risk, Machine learning, AI, Suicidal ideation, Nursing, Psychotherapy, Talkspace, Estelita Bantilan

In light of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Talkspace announced the results of its unique AI algorithm over the last three years of identifying individuals at risk of self-harm or suicide.

Key Points: 
  • In light of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Talkspace announced the results of its unique AI algorithm over the last three years of identifying individuals at risk of self-harm or suicide.
  • Using machine learning capabilities, the Talkspace platform can detect language patterns consistent with high-risk behaviors that place individuals at risk for self-harm.
  • (2020)), presents evidence that the suicide and risk detection algorithm identified risk from non-risk content with 83% accuracy when compared to a human expert evaluating that same material.
  • Talkspace will continue to develop AI technology with the goal of supporting mental health providers, enhancing quality of care, and improving outcomes for patients.

In June 2023, the Percentage of Asynchronous Telehealth Claim Lines for Mental Health Conditions More than Doubled in the Midwest

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Infection, DSM-IV codes, Hypertension, Medicare, Diagnosis, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, Psychotherapy, Utilization management, Mental, Rare-earth element

NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In June 2023, the percentage of asynchronous telehealth claim lines for mental health conditions more than doubled in the Midwest, according to FAIR Health's Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker.1,2 In that region, mental health conditions rose from 15.9 percent of asynchronous telehealth claim lines in May to 36.0 percent in June and replaced hypertension as the number one diagnosis. Nationally, mental health conditions also rose, moving from number five to number four among the top five diagnoses via asynchronous telehealth. The data represent the privately insured population, including Medicare Advantage and excluding Medicare Fee-for-Service and Medicaid.

Key Points: 
  • Nationally, mental health conditions also rose, moving from number five to number four among the top five diagnoses via asynchronous telehealth.
  • National telehealth utilization remained stable at 5.4 percent of claim lines in both May and June 2023.
  • In the Midwest, however, telehealth utilization decreased by 2.4 percent, while in the three other census regions it remained unchanged (0.0 percent).
  • In June, the percentage of telehealth claim lines for acute respiratory diseases and infections continued to decrease nationally and in all regions.

Zuranolone for postpartum depression: Hope, hype or both?

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Exercise, PPD, Human, Pregnancy, Depression, Awareness, Sertraline, Interpersonal psychotherapy, COVID-19, Mental health, Woman, Psychotherapy, Medicine, Research, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Heart rate, Allopregnanolone, USD, Hormone, Mother, Dutch Association of Mental Health and Addiction Care, Blame, Zuranolone, Lactation, Sleep hygiene, Progesterone, FDA, Addiction, Safety, Pharmaceutical industry, Medical device, Nursing, Birth control, Health insurance

While mothers with postpartum depression have always faced barriers accessing the care they need, things have been particularly bad since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Points: 
  • While mothers with postpartum depression have always faced barriers accessing the care they need, things have been particularly bad since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • However, the pandemic also coincided with a period of significant innovation in treatment that may increase access to and effectiveness of care.

Medications specifically for PPD

    • It represented the first of an entirely new class of medicines for postpardum depression (PPD), which target the steep decrease in hormones after delivery.
    • Brexanolone is a synthetic version of allopregnanolone, a naturally occurring substance made from progesterone, that helps the brain regulate stress.
    • Its approval in the U.S. was especially notable for two reasons: it was the first medicine approved specifically for the treatment of PPD, and it takes effect especially quickly — within 60 hours.
    • Early studies of zuranolone suggest PPD symptom improvement can be observed as early as three days after starting the treatment.

Behind the hype

    • If approved in Canada, it would also add to the array of effective treatments that already exist.
    • These include evidence-based talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy, which are first-line treatments for mild to moderate PPD.
    • Antidepressant medications like the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIS, such as sertraline and escitalopram) are also widely available and usually recommended as second-line therapies for most individuals with PPD.
    • Only individuals with more severe depression that emerged between the third trimester of pregnancy and four weeks post-delivery could be enrolled.

PPD is still underdiagnosed

    • However, it is important in this case that we not lose sight of the fact that PPD is a vastly underdetected and undertreated problem for which safe and effective treatments already exist.
    • Research into treatments for PPD and the federal government’s actions in appointing a Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and prioritizing perinatal parents are also cause for genuine optimism.
    • While zuranolone is raising awareness about PPD, it’s important to highlight the need to develop national quality standards and Canadian-specific stepped-care models and care pathways.

Medication can help you make the most of therapy − a psychologist and neuroscientist explains how

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 28, 2023
Psilocybin, Exercise, Learning, Neuron, Field line, Depression, Anxiety, Habit, Psychotherapy, Research, Brain, Thought, Neuroscience, Anxiety disorder, Mevalonate pathway, Patient, Tuberculosis, Panic disorder, Synapse, Transcranial magnetic stimulation, Ketamine, Mental health, MDMA, Nursing, Pharmaceutical industry, Sewage treatment, Vaccine

As a clinical psychologist and neuroscience researcher, I have been working to integrate insights from both fields to expand treatment options for those suffering from depression, anxiety and related conditions.

Key Points: 
  • As a clinical psychologist and neuroscience researcher, I have been working to integrate insights from both fields to expand treatment options for those suffering from depression, anxiety and related conditions.
  • Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental health conditions around the world.
  • Doctors and therapists recommend many patients seeking mental health care try more than one approach simultaneously, such as medication and therapy.

Neuroplasticity and treatment

    • Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s capacity to flexibly adjust in response to an ever-changing environment – it’s a critical component of learning.
    • Research has shown that many effective biological treatments, including medications and neurostimulation, can enhance or alter neuroplasticity.
    • For both older and newer antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications, relapse rates begin climbing shortly after patients stop treatment.
    • But such learning depends on neuroplasticity to forge and retain these new, helpful pathways in the brain.

Synergies in combined treatment

    • Designing combined treatments to explicitly promote synergy is relatively new, and there is increasing evidence supporting it.
    • D-cycloserine may also enhance the antidepressant effects of a type of neurostimulation called transcranial magnetic stimulation, which stimulates nerve cells using magnetic fields.
    • Researchers think these short-term effects foster new insights and perspectives that psychotherapists can help patients integrate into their permanent worldview.
    • However, it’s important to note that different treatment approaches can occasionally work against each other, lessening the long-term benefits of psychotherapy alone.