The FDA approved form of Ketamine (Spravato or Esketamine) hitting the market has sparked many consumers' curiosity. What is it? Is it covered by my insurance? Keep reading for answers to a few questions you may have about Spravato™.

For years, when many physicians or patients hear about or experience treatment resistant depression, they have been conditioned to think about resorting to Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).

Read on to discover the differences and benefits of ECT and Ketamine infusions as they pertain to improving or curing treatment resistant depression.

With the clocks "falling back" this past weekend, many people may notice feeling more "blue" with the days ending earlier than normal. Luckily, there are several ways to help avoid or decrease these symptoms so that you can adapt to the time change in a healthy way.

With the new millennium emerged a new party drug, K, previously known as Ketamine. K’s popularity exploded.  And, spread like wildfire. 

Since setting goals for the new year, you've looked forward to taking steps to implement change and make this year the best yet. Now, midway through the summer, those goals have fallen by the wayside and you're no further on the progression track of life than you were six months to a year ago. This realization can be overwhelming.

How did you fall so far off course when you were so determined such a short period ago?

Below is the story of Michael, a NeuroMend patient, whose life was changed drastically after he began ketamine infusions to treat his treatment-resistant depression. Below is his powerful testimonial; a story worth retelling for depression sufferers everywhere−to let you know that there is hope. 

“Last week I completed my sixth ketamine infusion at Neuromend Infusion Therapy in Lafayette, La.  I have been struggling with depression off and on my entire life.  The 7th grade was the first time I remember feeling uncomfortable, on the outside and not a "part of".  I also experienced horrible stomach aches almost daily.  The doctors never found anything wrong with me physically so they chalked it up as stress. I was athletic, had plenty friends, and lacked nothing as a child.  There was no cause that I could see. It would get better for a couple years then I would relapse into another depression.  This happened in 7th grade, 10th grade, then again as a freshman in college and would continue for my entire life. In high school I started self-medicating with alcohol and other drugs.  Until that in itself became problematic.

Table of Contents:

What is your habenula?

Why is it so important?

How do they know it is important?

How does this affect us in our daily life?

How can ketamine help?

What is your habenula?

Your habenula, sometimes referred to as the “Anti-reward System”, is a tiny area in the middle of your brain positioned between the thalamus and the stalk of the pineal gland.

The habenula regulates nearby reward areas and helps us to learn from actions made throughout our lives.

New year. New me.

Every January, motivation hits and we become determined that this is the year we will make major improvements in our lives. We sit down with a pen and paper and list all the things that we plan to change in the upcoming year. For those struggling with depression, finding the motivation to make improvements for the new year can seem daunting. When each day is a struggle to get out of bed, how can one even begin to contemplate gathering the motivation to make life-altering changes.

The research suggests otherwise.