Episode 48 - Depressed? Psychedelic Psychiatry Is Here

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Today's Audiocast is depressed? No worries. Psychedelic psychiatry is here. Depression is a serious mental health issue that can take many forms. Feeling depressed can be difficult and overwhelming experience. Clinical depression, also known as major depression, is not just feeling down for a few days.

It's persistent sadness and lack of interest that affects how one thinks, feels and functions on an everyday basis. Depression is an ongoing condition that affects many people potentially leading to powerful and difficult symptoms. The physical symptoms of depression include sleep problems, chest pain, fatigue and exhaustion, chronic body pain and headaches, digestive problems, and even sexual problems.

Many experienced depression have a decreased libido. Unfortunately, some prescription drugs that treat depression can also affect a libido. Emotional symptoms include feelings of sadness, tearfulness or emptiness. For me, I could be talking to a patient one moment and then having overwhelming sadness and feeling tearful the very next moment, and it was not something I could control and to be honest, it was really embarrassing at times. I want to inject here that I have been on positive proton inhibitors for over 25 years. These are medications like Prilosec and Nexium. They are not meant for long-term use as they negatively impact magnesium blood levels.

And for those that have been on these, those meds long-term, get your magnesium levels checked. Mine were borderline low. Now Medicare won't pay for an injection of magnesium to boost your levels. I had to go to a functional medicine doctor and privately pay for that injection. A few days after that injection, I realized I was no longer feeling emotionally labile.

I now take magnesium supplements to keep my magnesium levels up, and it has made a difference. I recommend that you listen to my audiocast on natural treatments to overcome depression as well. I'm a firm believer in the East meets Western medicine approach to healthcare, and I incorporate as many different approaches into my physical and mental health conditions as I can, especially to improve depression symptoms I so often feel. Other symptoms of depression may include angry outbursts or irritability. Reduced interest in activities normally enjoyed, such as sex, hobby, and sports. Difficulties with sleeping, including difficulty sleeping at all, or sleeping too much. Low energy levels, even when carrying out small tasks, changes in appetite, increased eight cravings for food might lead to weight gain, while lack of appetite may cause you to lose weight instead. Restlessness and slow thinking are also common signs.

I want to make my listeners aware that restlessness is a sign of anxiety and depression and an anxiety or disorder often go hand in hand. Guilt over past failures alongside worthlessness often accompany depression symptoms as well. For those feeling depressed, they can often feel overwhelmed by life's everyday routines.

From workplace to social events and even relationship, it takes a heavy toll on their wellbeing and leaves them feeling unmotivated or feeling sad or blue for no clear reason. I worked in senior behavioral health. I saw many elderly patients that had a vast array of mental health disorders. So I want to take time to address the mental health crisis we are facing in our elderly. Depression is a serious issue in the elderly that should not be overlooked. It's important to remember that symptoms of depression may vary among older adults and can include changes in memory capacity, chronic physical pain, low energy levels or loss of appetite. These issues are often not caused by medical illnesses alone.

Many suffer from a mental health condition and develop depression as a result of life events, or have a family history of depression or childhood trauma. Additionally, socially withdrawing from others as well as suicide symptoms and thoughts, especially among elderly men are also potential signs of depression in this age group. Depression is a serious medical condition that can affect anyone regardless of age. Unfortunately, seniors are particularly vulnerable to developing depression due to its association with other physical health conditions and common life events such as the loss of loved ones.

Surprisingly, research suggests that almost over 600,000 out of 2 million people who experience a stroke every year will also suffer from clinical depression. Symptoms of clinical depression can be triggered by a chronic illness that commonly occurs in later life.

These medical diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, cancer, and arthritis, can have depressive symptoms during the course of a disease process. Moreover, 19 million Americans battled this disorder yearly, including one in eight individuals aged 65 or older presenting symptoms on any given day. It's clear that senior citizens should be advised not to accept feelings related to this illness as normal responses, but instead seek professional help for proper diagnosis and treatment if signs appear. Depression and lethargy are often the first signs and symptoms of dementia. Research suggests that many older adults are unaware of or misinformed about depression as only 68% know little to nothing on the subject. Even more concerning is their belief that depression isn't a health problem, that's 38% and tendency to handle it themselves rather than seeking professional help is occurring in 42% of seniors are older adults.

This lack of understanding might be why signs such as changes in eating habits, sleeping patterns, and sadness go unnoticed by people age 65 and older at higher rates compared to those under 64. Sadly, 58% of the older population even regard feeling sad or down from time to time as normal.

Mental health issues can arise as we age, yet only 3% of those age 65 and over are receiving treatment from mental health professionals where still primary care physicians fail to accurately recognize depression in almost half of their patients, leading to costly extended hospital stays for the elderly.

It's crucial that we prioritize better recognition measures within our healthcare systems, especially in the mental health area, so seniors can enjoy healthy lives both mentally and physically. Nevertheless, it's essential we continue educating all ages on the seriousness of mental health conditions like clinical depression, so everyone can receive proper treatment when needed. Addressing mental health concerns early on will help ensure seniors have an active lifestyle with meaningful connections for years to come.

I suffer from treatment resistant depression. I also suffer from chronic pain, and this contributes to my symptoms of depression. There are many things I do when I feel depressed to overcome those feelings. Sadly, the general population does not understand that there are many different types of depression.

Many do not know what it is like to experience depression. They do not understand the feelings of a depressed mood and how individuals feel sad all the time. Before I address the psychedelic and other treatments to alleviate symptoms of depression, I want to address the types of common mental health disorders that include depressive disorders and anxiety disorders.

So let's talk about mental disorders or a mood disorder that causes symptoms of depression. Remember, depression affects different people in different ways, so it's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms and take steps towards getting help. One of the most common types of depression is major depressive disorder, also known as M D D. People with major depressive disorder experience persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and emptiness that interfere with their daily lives.

Other symptoms include changes in appetite or sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and thoughts of death or suicide. Additionally, individuals struggling with a condition called major depressive disorder may find it difficult to participate in activities they once enjoyed.

This is called anhedonia. Anhedonia is a condition that can come with varying levels of difficulty, leaving those who experience it, feeling disconnected from things that they most enjoy. It's been linked to various mental and physical health issues, so talk with your doctor or counselor about how you're feeling, because it may be an important first step towards restoring some pleasure in life again. Persistent depressive disorder. Known as P D is another type of depression that sometimes often goes underrecognized due to its long duration and milder symptoms. Persistent depressive disorder involves depressed moods that can last for up to two years and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as low motivation, poor self-esteem, and decreased interest in activities.

In some cases, P D can lead to long-term physical health problems as well. I have seen several elderly patients that were treated by their family members badly. Many family members accused their loved ones of being lazy or uninterested in life. A person suffering from persistent depressive disorder is often left alone as family members take the lack of interest in them and their lives as hurtful and uncaring.

Of course, the symptoms of depression were subtle and happened over time, and they went untreated. I want to take time here to tell my listeners that many of the symptoms of P D may actually have the beginnings of dementia. I recommend that you encourage your family member or friend to seek help from their primary care physician to get an accurate diagnosis.

Your P C P may recommend further evaluation by a mental health professional. Seasonal Effective Disorder is another common mental disorder that causes depressive episodes. Seasonal effective disorder is caused by reduced exposure to sunlight and could lead to depression in the elderly. And it's important for family members and caregivers and healthcare professionals to be aware of the symptoms of S E D seasoned effective disorder.

Symptoms such as lethargy, hopelessness and decrease concentration levels. L e d light therapy is often used as an effective treatment for S E D by stimulating natural sunlight with a light box device. Regular exercise has also been known to help reduce depression, so encouraging physical activity can be beneficial. Bipolar disorder is also called manic depression. And it is a serious mental health disorder that can cause extreme shifts in mood and behavior. While many are familiar with the highs associated with mania, they may be less aware of the lows, bipolar depression, which affects those living with the this illness on an everyday basis.

Symptoms such as feelings of sadness or hopelessness, lack of interest in activities once enjoyed and several symptoms lasting for months can profoundly impact their quality of life. Bipolar depression symptoms can be the most severe depression a person can experience. Many that suffer from bipolar depression have multiple suicide attempts throughout their lives. As it's always I important to know your options when dealing with any mental health disorder, like bipolar disorder. Recognizing its unique symptoms and seeking treatment could make all the difference in the world from managing life's complexities or feeling helplessly overwhelmed by them. Now let's discuss the traditional effective treatments and growing new psychedelic depression medicines entering the market.

First, I would like to address the traditional depression medications that are consistently ordered by physicians. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors known as S R I and TRICYLIC antidepressants are the initial medications prescribed to address symptoms of depression. These medications can take as long as six weeks to improve depression symptoms, and as I said before, I suffer from treatment resistant depression. That means I've tried every antidepressant medication on the planet.

Maybe not every antidepressant, but a lot of them. For me, they could be working for a time, then they would stop working. My mental health professional would increase the dose until my body adjusted. Then they would stop working again. Then there were always the introduction of another medication that works for your antidepressant to enhance its ability to treat depression. Over time, I just gave up, in fact, I had a prescription problem a few years ago over one Christmas holiday that left me without medications for a few days.

I had hit my donut hole in my prescription plan, and the cost for my medications was going to be over $500 for a one month supply. I had terrible and unexpected withdrawal symptoms and the pharmacy and even the doctor's office was unable to assist me. So a word of warning for those trying to quit S R I antidepressant medications, it can be difficult and potentially dangerous process. According to the findings of an international research team, they found that the withdrawal symptoms from quitting these drugs are comparable in many ways to those encountered when trying to stop taking addictive benzodiazepine sedatives or barbiturates, and could last for weeks, months or even years. In addition, entirely new psychiatric disorders were also observed among individuals who discontinue their usage of SSRIs. Although there is significant variability regarding how pervasive such syndromes may be among patients attempting this transition period of medication, they seem quite common overall.

I decided I would deal with my depression symptoms in alternative ways. So when I learned about Ketamine, the results it was having on severe depression with suicide ideation, I was excited. My oldest son was a disabled veteran with a terrible pain condition. It is called the suicide disease for a reason, the unrelenting pain and dealing with our military medical delivery system left my son with P T S D. I was working in Philadelphia at the time and there was a doctor there, Dr. Robert Schwartzman at Hahnemann Hospital. Dr. Schwartzman was treating my son's pain condition or others who had my son's pain condition with ketamine comas at the time. Of course, ketamine was not approved by the F D A for anything but anesthesia in the 1990s.

The treatments were being studied in Germany and other countries. Sadly, the military denied my son that treatment. Jeff succumbed to his feelings of hopelessness and pain. He committed suicide September 15th, 2011. My youngest son, also an army veteran, became a certified nurse anesthetist. He opened a Ketamine clinic three years ago, and I went to help him for immune few months as he started this new business venture.

Ketamine is a new breakthrough medication for treating depression. It is the first time in 50 years that there has been a new medication. It is changing the way mental health disorders with symptoms of depression, even depression in its most severe form, suicide ideation is making a difference, and the results can be felt in as little as two hours.

So I hope you'll take time to listen to my series on the benefits of ketamine. I have been a nurse almost 50 years. I have cared for patients that have received electroconvulsive therapy for their severe depressive symptoms. E C T is often associated with short-term memory loss and difficulty learning, which has caused memorable moments to fade away until they are recalled by a few months down the line.

The professionals will tell you it's only temporary for some patients. But I have seen many experienced longer lasting memory gaps. In fact, it affects a person's ability to learn and many have lost their procedural memory. I know you're going to ask what is procedural memory?

So our past makes us who we are, especially when it comes to the tasks we do on a daily basis, through procedural memory and unconscious long-term recall, which resides underneath our conscious awareness, each experience is subconsciously stored and contributes to how well or perhaps more efficiently you'll be able to complete the same task again in the future.

E C T is a procedure that is done under general anesthesia and can cause electrical pulses to cause a person to have a seizure. Psychedelic psychiatry is taking a gentler and more humane approach to mental disorders. The National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the National Institute on Alcoholism teamed up to present an enlightening N I H workshop focusing on exploring possible therapeutics derived from psychedelics.

Expert opinion discussed how different psychedelic compounds may act upon mental or physical conditions, and along with clinical trials, they've demonstrating their efficacy and potential utility in treating those suffering from conditions such as major depression, bipolar disorder with bipolar depression, anxiety disorders, and other mood disorders. It is clear that there are positive effects associated with appropriate use of these agents, and steps are being taken to bring them into the mainstream. Of course, with all mental health treatment talk therapy should be part of any treatment plan.

Problem solving treatment, P S T and psychedelic assisted therapy are two possible approaches to treating depression in seniors. P S T has been shown to reduce depressive symptoms by teaching individuals to develop and implement problem solving strategies.

Psychedelic assisted therapy utilizes psychedelics such as L S D, psilocybin mushrooms, or ayahuasca, I'm sure I pronounced that wrong, to help individuals explore their emotions and feelings in order to better manage depression.

Studies suggests that both P S T and psychedelic assisted therapy can be effective treatments for depression in the elderly. Although more CERT research is needed to determine the most effective approach. P S T can help seniors develop strategies to cope with life challenges and recognize their own strengths.

While psychedelic assisted therapy can provide an opportunity for deep exploration of emotions and feelings in order to gain insight into their depression. Working with a qualified therapist is an important part of both P S T and psychedelic assisted therapy as it can help assure the best possible income for an individual.

The F D A approval for ketamine to treat depression and other mental disorders has opened the door to the emergence of psychedelic psychiatry. Recent findings have shed light on the powerful therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs and what has been dubbed a psychedelic renaissance, clinical trials are being done to establish these compounds as safe with promising sides for treating various mental health conditions.

As such, scientists and clinicians around the world are now eagerly uncovering more information about their great promise, heralding in a new exciting era that could see psychedelics revolutionized modern medicine. The American Psychiatric Association supports the role of psychedelics in psychiatry.

In fact, as of 2023, M D M A assisted therapy is on track to receive F D A approval. There are psychiatrists all over the country on a waiting list to start implementing this process. A lot of them own Ketamine clinics. I know because I know a few of them. Psychedelics have been around since the 1950s, and their name literally means mind manifesting.

These drug create changes in perception, thought and mood without disorientation or confusion differed from other substances like alcohol and benzodiazepines that slow cognitive processes or speed them up like stimulants do. With promising clinical proof of substantial improvement over current treatments, the US Food and Drug Administration, F D A is committed to catalyzing access to psychedelic drugs as a potential source for relief from major depressive disorder M D, treatment resistant disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, P T S D.

Psilocybin-assisted therapy has been granted breakthrough therapy designation by F D A in order to expedite its process of approval. Researchers at Imperial College in London recently made a groundbreaking leap to repurpose illegal drugs into therapies for mental health treatments through the use of Psilocybin found in magic mushrooms alongside psychotherapy or talk therapy, their phase two trial concluded that it is as effective as current pharmaceuticals use for major depression.

This follows an ongoing push to safely explore psychoactive substances and utilize them within controlled conditions on our pursuit towards better mental health treatment Psilocybin is an alkaloid that can be consumed to induce a temporary state of altered consciousness.

This unique experience results in vivid mental imagery, increased creativity and insight, and even spiritual enlightenment for some. Research studies have provided evidence that these compounds may hold the key to understanding our minds better than ever before. With potential therapeutic benefits ranging from alleviating anxiety and major depression all the way through accessing new perceptual states.

Ultimately, it promises a newfound awareness into our deepest thoughts and feelings. Mental health conditions may soon have a revolutionary new treatment option, psychedelic medicine. Studies are showing promising results with clients finding significant improvements and few side effects following their use of psychedelics in tandem with psychotherapy. These treatments would be game changers for future psychiatric research, as well as the lives of those who suffer from mental illness. They offer unprecedented possibilities to find relief and create healing pathways that weren't previously available.

So if you have a family member or a friend that suffers from a severe form of depression and experiences suicidal thoughts, please make them aware of the new National Suicide Prevention line. That new number is 9 8 8. 9 8 8 is here for you anytime day or night. Reaching out to the suicide and crisis lifeline put you in contact with a knowledgeable team of counselors dedicated to helping people find emotional relief and access supportive resources.

So don't be afraid to pick up the phone. Help is just a call away.

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