Ketamine Insights

From Ayahuasca retreats for CEOs to ketamine coaches for corporate leaders, we explore the world of corporate psychedelic use.   In this episode, Lynn and Molly explore the differences between using psychedelics to optimize work performance and using them for healing. We share their worries about using psychedelics to reinforce existing capitalist hierarchies. We discuss how the intertwining of pr...

Molly interviews Adena, the mother of a severely depressed young man. Trigger Warning: Suicide, Severe Depression Depression, like most serious illnesses, is best treated within a community of care including friends, therapists, artists, physicians and loved ones. Together Adena and I discuss what that community of care could look like, and the difficulties she faced finding support for herself an...

Dive into an inspiring conversation with Rob as he describes his transformative experience with ketamine therapy, the cognitive improvements it can offer, and how it restores brain health. We discuss Rob's comprehensive online resource, KetamineTherapyForMentalHealth.com , which provides guidance and support for those seeking ketamine treatment.  This episode is packed with personal anecdotes...

Lynn and Molly explore the challenges and importance of asking for help with ketamine treatments. They discuss the role of shame in mental illness, the benefits of community support, and practical steps for seeking assistance. With personal stories and specific tips, this episode sheds light on the emotional and logistical aspects of getting the help we need. Please subscribe, follow, rate, and re...

Explore various ways to access ketamine care in the US. Hosted by a long-term ketamine patient, this episode covers the gold standard (talk therapy and ketamine treatment combined in one practice), the services offered by ketamine clinics, and the evolving option of at-home ketamine administration. Learn about the costs, benefits, and potential pitfalls of each approach, and gain valuable insights...

We hear a powerful story about the power of MDMA to help heal PTSD. An FDA advisory committee recently voted against approval of MDMA as a treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), despite extremely promising results from clinical trials. So, in this episode, Molly speaks with Cristina Pearse, founder and CEO of the Protea Foundation , who received MDMA treatment as part of the recent t...

Lynn and Molly discuss Somatic Therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS), two therapeutic modalities often used alongside ketamine treatments. Molly shares a story of Somatic Experiencing, describing how different body sensations revealed helpful emotional insights. We discuss the interweaving relationships between trauma, the body, talk therapy, and therapeutic ketamine. The conversation then shi...

Host Molly welcomes midwife and activist Betsy Merbitz to discuss the importance of patient-centered care in childbirth and in psychedelic therapies. Our conversation delves into the distinctions between holistic and medical models, focusing on the role of the individual as the primary healer. Betsy describes her work as a Certified Professional Midwife, the importance of holding space, and the hi...

Lynn is back(!) for a fun conversation about holistic ways to improve mental health. From exercise and energy healing to sobriety and sleep hygiene, we discuss practices that can complement ketamine therapy, A companion episode to S1 Ep3 ("Comparing Depression Treatment Options"), this episode can help you feel empowered to choose which of your many treatment options you want engage in,...

Angel takes us with her on several profound psychedelic journeys, including one in which she finally realizes: "My God, I'm beautiful." Ketamine therapy brings new levels of peace in this episode - the second half of our conversation from last week. Angel and I discuss grief and forgiveness in the context of complicated loss. She describes how she knows when she needs another treatm...

(TW: Suicide) Listener Angel describes working with ketamine after many devastating personal tragedies. For her, ketamine is a lifeline.  After a lifetime of traumas, she describes feeling like "one of those people who couldn't be helped." Thankfully, ketamine - together with therapy, writing, and solid family support - has led her to feel lighter. Now, she says, she can coexist wit...

Amber, a trained autopsy technician and Ketamine Insights listener, generously shares her story of doing research, finding a therapist, and finding beauty in the mundane. She and Molly discuss how ketamine journeys feel, the experience of "coming back" from trips, and the work of doing SO much introspection in a short period of time. They also share practical tips about music, weighted b...

Molly and her partner Demond discuss his experience supporting someone with serious mental illness. Who can you look to for guidance? How should you treat someone who's coming down from a psychedelic  journey? We talk about the benefits of instructions, the dangers of advice, and what to do when your loved one is spiraling out. Help us by subscribing at https://www.patreon.com/ketamineinsight...

Molly interviews a listener about his experiences with depression, bipolar, and therapeutic ketamine. We learn how George convinced his hesitant psychiatrist, found a therapist trained in psychedelics, and joined a ketamine support group. We discuss the spiritual element to psychedelic experiences, what a ketamine journey can actually feel like, and the wonderful insights he's gained along th...

None of the many psychedelic conferences in 2023 have slots for patients to speak. The disability rights movement declares, "Nothing about us without us!" but instead of valuing patients' lived experiences or practicing trauma-informed medicine, the field of psychedelic medicine is excluding us from the rooms (and zooms) where policies are debated and best practices established. In...

Molly is the guest storyteller for Tell Me What Happened 's 50th episode. Host Jay Rehak listens as Molly remembers her Grandma making a shocking admission (proudly!) at a big family dinner. Jay and Molly discuss how we often think that we already understand the people closest to us, when there is actually great wisdom and insight to be gained from asking them to... Tell Me What Happened. Tha...

An exploration of "All or Nothing Thinking" and other mental habits that hold us back. Google "cognitive distortions," and you're sure to recognize a few patterns from your own internal monologue. Maybe you catastrophize or you tend to disqualify the positive things in your life. Another common cognitive distortion is "all or nothing thinking," which can wreak ha...

Many people report feeling more creative and open during smaller doses of ketamine, making it an ideal time for a therapy session, journaling, or for bonding with a loved one. In this episode, Lynn and Molly discuss several ways to use ketamine lozenges (aka troches) to improve mental health. Within your prescriber's instructions, we encourage you to explore how lower-dose ketamine can be mos...

Ketamine makes our brains more elastic, so how do we make the most of that flexibility? From ice cream to journaling to roller skating, Lynn & Molly discuss visceral pleasures to help people form new, more joyful neural pathways. Of course, you don't need ketamine to plan a Day of Joy. Send this episode to a friend and make a date! If you're enjoying this podcast, please help us keep...

*No Medical Advice*   What is a ketamine infusion like? How do I dress? What do I bring? Should I be scared? Lynn and Molly explore common concerns and give some concrete tips (like how to pick and prune a ketamine playlist). Then Molly reads her poem "A Room in Chicago," which is a very personal description of the therapeutic ketamine experience.  We also touch on why patient voices are...

Thoughts on setting intentions for psychedelic experiences and in our everyday lives. **No Medical Advice** Most experts in psychedelic medicine recommend setting an intention before each session. In this episode, Lynn and Molly discuss what makes a good intention and give some examples. We talk about questions that can point one toward a good intention, such as: "What inspires me right now?&...

*No Medical Advice* Hear about many treatment options, including medications (so many types!), talk therapy (it's all about the vibe!), transcranial magnetic stimulation (brain magnets!), and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). It can be surprisingly difficult to find a list of treatments. Figuring out which ones to try can be even more daunting, especially if you're already depressed. This...

*We do not give medical advice* Explore the two major models of ketamine treatment for mental illness: 1) The strictly medical model, which treats ketamine as a chemical that can fix a patient's biological illness; and 2) the more holistic model, which emphasizes psychological growth and sees value in the altered mind-states that ketamine can cause. We discuss how best to think about a patien...

From lozenges and spravato(R) to intravenous infusions and intramuscular injections, we discuss the currently available ways to take ketamine. **No medical advice** In our very first(!) episode, we introduce Ketamine Insights as a podcast by and for people with mental illness and the people who love us. Co-hosts Molly (patient) and Lynn (ally) are old friends who usually live on opposite sides of...