Depression

Depression is more than just feeling blue or having a bad day — it is a long-lasting experience of low mood, , loss of interest, low energy, changes in sleep and/or appetite, loss of enjoyment in life, and a decrease in the ability to think clearly (cognition). As research progresses, it has become clear that there are multiple forms of depression. In some cases, parts of the brain are over-active. In other cases, parts of the brain are under-active. Functional brain scan research has shown these subtypes. Furthermore, any injury to the brain, such as TBI, infectious, or inflammatory, can lead to an increased risk for depression. The lingering effects of COVID in our society include higher rates of depression and anxiety. Receiving a TBI increases the risk of depression five-fold.

Many people with depression experience extreme anguish and hopelessness. They may struggle each day to get up and function. They may even struggle daily with suicidal thoughts and urges. Many feel trapped in their misery. Often friends and family cannot appreciate the depth of suffering. “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps” is a familiar, albeit unhelpful, phrase, as if depression was just a matter of willpower. Multi-Watt Infrared Light Therapy is a highly effective and non-pharmacological, treatment option for depression which activates Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a key molecule for activating neuroplasticity.

A well-recognized depression scale (the Quick Inventory of Depression Symptomatology-Self-Report or QIDS) is used to rate depression severity before (baseline) and after treatment with Multi-Watt Infrared Laser. A highly significant change is visible in as little as eight weeks.

When multi-Watt infrared light therapy is combined with Ketamine infusion therapy, a powerful synergistic interaction occurs. Ketamine powerfully activates neuroplasticity by increasing the production of not only BDNF, but also the receptors for BDNF, which drives this neuroplasticity.

The demonstrated results of Ketamine and Multi-Watt Laser Therapy underscore the importance of neuroplasticity in treating depression.

Case #1 – It does not happen overnight
LM is a 54 year old woman who has struggled with depression for over 20 years. She had tried 12 medications and never got relief from her depression. Her Zung Depression scale score was 43 and her MADRS score was 34 when she was first seen at Neuro-Luminance Ketamine Infusion Centers. She had symptoms of sadness, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in surroundings and feelings, pessimistic about future with persistent self-accusations and trouble sleeping. After her first infusion, she felt no better. This does not mean that ketamine will not work, because it takes time for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to begin to help the brain. After her fifth infusion, she had significantly less sadness, inner tension and pessimistic thoughts. LM had six infusions of ketamine and her life has changed. The average number of infusions for all our patients is 4.3 infusions total.

NuBRAIN HEALTH

Depression

NuBRAIN HEALTH