Keynote Presentation: Utilizing Psychedelics and Neuroplasticity as an Integrative Approach to Pain Management

Currently we have a chronic pain and mental health epidemic with excessive prescriptions for ssri benzos and opioids. People are unable to feel and process pain. Chronic stress can lead to chronic pain. Pain is a warning signal. patients should be assessed using a bio psycho social assessment and should become a participant in their own healthcare by understanding the brain and body and in communication. Ketamine and psychedelics are a catalyst to help one change perspective, shift out of old narratives, heal trauma and decrease emotional and physical pain by creating neuroplasticity. Ketamine When used in a supportive setting with a therapeutic alliance can correct the misalignment of signals in the body and brain. pain reprocessing therapy and group therapy such as MORE extends the effects of the medicine.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Discuss the impact of chronic stress and central sensitization on chronic pain and mental health.

2. Differentiate ketamine and classic psychedelics in terms of mechanism of action, glutamate v serotonin.

3. Discuss therapies to extend the effects of ketamine such as MORE and pain reprocessing therapy.