The cannabis plant may be able to do amazing things for patients, but every coin has two sides. Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is a psychiatric condition in which someone cannot quit weed even if it negatively impacts their lives. Data shows that about three in 10 people who use the plant have CUD. Psychotherapy is the first step to treating the syndrome. One doctor believes that ketamine could play a vital role, too.
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Dr. Erin Boyd founded Lumina Mind Health, a Tallahassee clinic that works with intravenous ketamine infusions. The center works with patients trying to overcome treatment-resistant disorders like CUD. Dr. Boyd recently told the Florida Courier how ketamine treatment might help people hoping to treat their addiction.
“If someone’s coming in here to receive treatment for cannabis use disorder or maybe another type of addiction, we can use typical modalities like motivational type enhancement therapies or cognitive behavioral therapies, which do work,” Dr. Boyd said.
Ketamine may rewire the brain
The Lumina clinic treats patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar II, anxiety, and depression. Those granted access to this therapeutic ketamine have tried multiple medications and treatments without improvement.
Dr. Boyd described that ketamine could inspire nerve growth in the brain and increase communication. She added that this therapy method may also alter how someone views various aspects of their lives, including experiences or perceptions that might trigger their addiction.
“It kind of opens their mind to a different way of thinking,” the doctor said.
Lumina recommends six infusions over two to three weeks ($450 each + pre-treatment consultation for $125). Dr. Boyd says that this allows the drug metabolites to build up. Some patients may require a booster over time.
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An infusion lasts about 40 minutes, and then a patient is instructed to rest while the ketamine wears off. Once a patient returns to their body, they are met by a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner for a one-hour consultation where they can work through lessons learned in the experience or report adverse effects.
Some report nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diplopia, drowsiness, dysphoria, and confusion after taking ketamine. Seeking a board-certified professional treatment team for this type of therapy is crucial. These are not fun side effects, but on a positive note, ketamine has shown lower addiction potential compared to other pharmaceuticals.
The world is opening its mind to many compounds that were once considered taboo, and ketamine is one of them. As more speak out on the value of ketamine therapy, even more stigma could wear off. At the very least, some people could be helped along the way.
