About

What is ketamine? 


Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that can allow for a non-ordinary state of consciousness or a psychedelic experience. It’s an uncompetitive N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist, that can produce a reduction in depressive symptoms following a single subanesthetic dose (Berman et al., 2000).


Glutamate production can elevate levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (Rosenbaum, Gupta, & Palacios, 2022), and prompts the brain to form new neural connections and an increase in structural synaptic connectivity (Sleigh 2014). This makes the brain more adaptable and able to create new pathways and gives patients the opportunity to develop more positive thoughts and behaviors (www.yalemedicine.org). Ketamine also blocks activity of the Default Mode Network (DMN). The DMN is a portion of the brain which can become overactive with negative thoughts, and some believe the DMN is where the ego resides. When ketamine is given, this area becomes less active, and gives the individual a chance to take a break from these thoughts which can aid in healing.


Ketamine offers a high success rate when treating anxiety, depression, and ptsd.   Ketamine allows you to access your subconscious mind to explore memories and emotions that may contain unprocessed and/or repressed feelings. Exploring the subconscious mind can help you process trauma, emotions, gain new perspectives, and integrate these insights which leads to healing.

A Little History on Ketamine

Ketamine was first synthesized in 1962 by Calvin Stevens at the Parke Davis Lab. Following approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1970 as an anesthetic, ketamine was used as a battlefield anesthetic in the Vietnam War due to its fast onset and recovery period, ability to maintain or elevate blood pressure in trauma situations and its minimal effects on respiratory drive (Jelen & Stone, 2021)

Why work with us?

At Inner Healing Ketamine Therapy, we provide individualized and focused ketamine sessions to one patient at a time. You will not be left alone during your session, as your provider will remain at your side for the entirety of your session which is 2 hours in length.  We also provide the time and space to prep for the session beforehand, and to discuss and integrate the ketamine experience when the session comes to an end. Your provider continues to do additional training to be able to safely provide ketamine assisted therapy. Please click below for information on services.



Services

Your Ketamine Provider

Qualifications

  1. Two and a half years of experience in treating patients with Ketamine Assisted Therapy.
  2. Trained in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy through Polaris Insight Center.
  3. Certificate in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy and Research through California Institute of Integral Studies.

    4. Certificate of Completion of MDMA-Assisted Therapy, 100 hours               of training through MAPS.

    5. Board Certified and licensed as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse             Practitioner.

    6. BLS and ACLS certified.


Monique Chen and her family experienced firsthand the shortage of mental health providers when she was seeking help for a family member who was suffering with anxiety. She decided to go back to school to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner to better understand mental health and be able to help others in need. She received her Master’s in the Science of Nursing from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and continues to expand her knowledge in psychedelics. Monique is no stranger to trials and tribulations and understands that each person is their own work in progress. Monique believes in helping individuals improve their wellbeing because she understands that without good mental health, the individual and their family suffers.

The Space

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