As the healthcare community continues to seek effective solutions for the growing mental health and addiction crisis, emerging therapies are drawing increased clinical attention. Ketamine infusion therapy, when combined with practitioner-guided therapies, is demonstrating significant and growing evidence in addressing a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma, substance use disorders, eating disorders, and more. Sanctuary Healthcare in Boca Raton, co-founded by Dr. Evan Peskin, is helping lead the way in South Florida by offering this integrated approach.
Dr. Evan Peskin, Anesthesiologist, Sanctuary Healthcare
With traditional treatment options often proving insufficient for complex cases or treatment-resistant conditions, ketamine-assisted therapy is becoming a promising option in the broader continuum of care for mental health and recovery. This is particularly relevant in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a serious and often debilitating condition that can arise after a person experiences a traumatic event.
Unfortunately, getting help for PTSD can be frustrating. Many individuals with PTSD struggle to engage in traditional therapies, such as talk therapy, due to avoidance behaviors or difficulty processing and expressing their thoughts and feelings that are the very hallmarks of the underlying condition. This barrier can slow or stall treatment progress and often leads to feelings of hopelessness and frustration. One of the key ways in which ketamine may support those with PTSD is by allowing them to engage more fully in therapy. By reducing avoidance behaviors and increasing a person’s ability to process and express their experiences, ketamine can support more meaningful participation in therapy sessions, leading to better clinical outcomes.
Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic that has been found to have rapid and sustained antidepressant effects. Several studies have demonstrated that even a single intravenous infusion of ketamine can result in significant improvements in PTSD symptoms within hours, with effects that can last for an extended period in many cases. These scientific findings have made ketamine an important option to consider for individuals who have not responded to other forms of treatment.
The theory that seems to resonate with Ketamine's mechanism of action is the Snowy Hill theory. It suggests that when you sled down a snowy hill, the sled leaves a divot or a path in the snow. When one goes back to the top of the hill to sled again, the divot becomes deeper, so the sled is likely to follow that same path. By the time you have gone down the hill a hundred times, that path is so reinforced, ingrained, and worn into the hill that it becomes nearly impossible to deviate right, left, or anywhere but the path. Similarly, repeated thoughts cause literal reinforcement and physiologic strengthening of neural patterns and connected pathways in the brain. Research suggests Ketamine essentially allows for a fresh snowfall, or an ability to take a path that was near impossible to go down previously.
Dr. Peskin recommends that, as with any emerging therapy, it is important to approach ketamine treatment with caution and care. There are substantial variations in the quality of services offered, with some providers reducing costs in ways that may compromise treatment quality or safety. To ensure both optimal outcomes and patient safety, ketamine therapy should always be conducted under the supervision of qualified medical professionals. Clinical oversight is critical to managing dosing, monitoring patient response, and integrating therapy effectively.
While PTSD remains a challenging condition to treat, particularly for those who struggle to engage in conventional approaches, ketamine offers a promising adjuvant. Individuals considering this treatment should consult with a licensed healthcare provider experienced in ketamine therapy to determine whether or not it is an appropriate option for them.
To learn more about Dr. Evan Peskin and Sanctuary Healthcare, visit www.sanctuaryhealthcare.org.
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