Brain Repair: The Ketamine Combo Treatment for Depression and Chronic Pain | 75
Oct 24, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, board-certified psychiatrist Jon Berner delves into the transformative potential of ketamine and rapamycin in treating severe depression and chronic pain. He explains how these treatments impact microglia, facilitating a shift from inflammation to repair. Listeners will find intriguing insights on case studies, regulatory reforms, and the complexity of mast cell disorders. Jon also sheds light on the therapeutic possibilities for addiction and the importance of innovative, individualized approaches in mental health care.
Rapamycin and ketamine can shift microglial states in the brain, promoting repair and mitigating chronic inflammation linked to depression and pain.
Clinical case studies reveal the effectiveness of combining rapamycin and ketamine, leading to significant improvements for patients with severe symptoms.
The podcast highlights the urgent need for regulatory reform to facilitate the development and accessibility of innovative therapies in psychiatry.
Deep dives
Exploring Rapamycin and Ketamine
The discussion highlights the potential of rapamycin and ketamine in treating severe depression and chronic pain, emphasizing their combined effects on microglial activity in the brain. Dr. John Berner elaborates on how these drugs can influence tissue repair rather than nutrient switching, considering the brain's cellular dynamics. Specifically, the conversation touches upon the role of microglia in the brain's repair processes, which involve digesting damaged synapses and promoting tissue health. This intersection of neurobiology and pharmacology suggests that manipulating microglial states may provide critical therapeutic benefits.
Microglia and Inflammation
A pivotal concept discussed is the dual role of microglia, which can exist in either an inflammatory M1 state or a reparative M2 state. The podcast explains how chronic inflammation in the brain may lead to neuropsychiatric disorders, with an emphasis on treating these conditions by shifting microglial states. The speakers illustrate this through research indicating that ketamine administration can promote the transition from the damaging M1 state to the healing M2 state. This therapeutic approach may mitigate symptoms of chronic neuroinflammation, potentially lowering the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Case Studies and Clinical Applications
Dr. Berner recounts various patient case studies illustrating the efficacy of combining rapamycin and ketamine in clinical settings. One striking example involves a long-term patient who experienced explosive rage due to their condition; the introduction of this combination treatment successfully eliminated these severe symptoms over five years. The podcast stresses the importance of personalized treatment plans, as the combination has led to significant life improvements for many patients experiencing chronic pain or treatment-resistant depression. These clinical anecdotes point to the broader implications of these therapies in psychiatry and holistic health care.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Aging
The conversation delves into the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and aging, identifying how such dysfunction can exacerbate inflammatory responses in the brain. Dr. Berner highlights the relevance of the NDEF mouse model, which showcases that mitochondrial issues can establish a widespread inflammatory response tied to neurodegeneration. The exploration suggests that by targeting mitochondrial health through specific pharmacological interventions, it may be possible to improve brain function and longevity. This idea is particularly resonant in the context of age-related cognitive decline and associated disorders.
Regulatory Challenges and Future Directions
The podcast discusses the significant challenges posed by regulatory frameworks governing the medical field, particularly concerning innovative treatments. Dr. Berner expresses the need for reforms that allow for greater flexibility and testing of novel combinations of therapies like ketamine and rapamycin. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of navigating bureaucratic constraints to facilitate research and application of these treatments to patients in need. The speakers agree on the urgency of addressing these regulatory issues to promote access to potentially life-saving therapies for vulnerable populations suffering from chronic conditions.
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Related episodes:
Brain Disorder Expert: Tackling Alzheimer's & Other Brain Disorders with LITHIUM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebj-3MuAKRs
Check out Woodinville Psychiatric: https://www.woodinvillepsychiatric.com/
Matt and psychiatrist Jon Berner discussed the potential of rapamycin and ketamine for treating severe depression and chronic pain, focusing on their impact on microglia and brain inflammation. They touch on how microglia, a type of immune cell found in the central nervous system that help protect the brain against infections, clear debris, and respond to injuries, shifts from an inflammatory to a reparative state in response to rapamycin and ketamine treatment. They also dive into clinical case studies of ketamine and rapamycin combinations and the complicated topic of how regulatory reform and AI collaboration might advance medical innovation.
Jon has been in solo psychiatric practice at Woodinville Psychiatric in Washington since 1997. He spent several years working at the Monroe Correctional Complex, a Washington State Department of Corrections prison. His specialties include brain disorders, particularly bipolar and psychotic illnesses, complex pain, addiction, and "undiagnosed" neuropsychiatric syndromes, and other general psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. Jon has published multiple scientific papers about various topics in the realm of mood disorders and treatments for them. He holds an M.D and a PhD in neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles and a B.A. in psychology from Harvard University.
Producers: Tara Mei, Nicholas Arapis
Video Editor: Jacob Keliikoa
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Hi, I'm Matt Kaeberlein. I spent the first few decades of my career doing scientific research into the biology of aging, trying to understand the finer details of how humans age in order to facilitate translational interventions that promote healthspan and improve quality of life. Now I want to take some of that knowledge out of the lab and into the hands of people who can really use it.
On this podcast I talk about all things aging and healthspan, from supplements and nutrition to the latest discoveries in longevity research. My goal is to lift the veil on the geroscience and longevity world and help you apply what we know to your own personal health trajectory. I care about quality science and will always be honest about what I don't know. I hope you'll find these episodes helpful!
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