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"Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out."
Learn how ketamine acts as a reset button for the brain, promoting synaptogenesis to build new neural pathways and providing significant symptom relief in hours, not weeks.
Discover the clinical evidence behind the 70% response rate for depression and how this opioid-sparing tool can reduce chronic pain scores and the need for heavy narcotics.
A practical guide to exploring this therapy safely, from finding physician-led clinics to maximizing the crucial 48-hour neuroplastic window for lasting emotional healing.
Hey Crew!
I am so incredibly grateful to be connecting with you all today.
If you’ve been with us since the very beginning of this journey, you might remember that one of the first newsletters we ever sent out was deeply personal. It was about my transformative experience with ketamine.
It was a moment of such profound shifting for both of us, and to be candid, it is a huge part of why Cancer Crew exists today.
We wanted to revisit this topic because while we understand stories are super powerful we also need the science and data behind them. I want to make sure you have the real, evidence-backed education you need to decide if this tool is right for your own healing path.
I hear your stories every day, the beautiful wins and the heavy, heavy lows. So many of us have faced that rock bottom where the body is just screaming for help and the despair feels too loud to ignore.
We believe in honoring the body’s internal healing system, but we also respect medical tools that can help us clear the crap and find our way back to the light.
In case you missed it
The Science
The science here is seriously so cool. For a long time, people thought ketamine just made you feel high, but research has completely debunked that theory.
In reality, it acts as a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, which essentially means it blocks the gatekeepers that amplify nerve signals in chronic pain.
Unlike traditional antidepressants that often take four to eight weeks to show any benefit, time that many of us in the thick of treatment simply do not have, ketamine is uniquely rapid-acting.
Clinical research found that ketamine produced significant symptom reduction within hours, not weeks. It works by triggering a surge of glutamate in the brain, which stimulates the growth of new synapses, a process called synaptogenesis. This is literally like building new hardware in your brain to help you break free from stuck thinking patterns.
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Data Points That Matter
I know we love the stories, but the data from our most reputable institutions is just as powerful. Clinical trials involving regular infusions have observed response rates for depression as high as 70%, even for those who didn't find relief with other medications.
In a palliative care setting, a study of 70 patients showed that mean pain scores improved from 7.0 to 4.0 on the numerical rating scale after ketamine administration.
Even more incredible is ketamine's "opioid-sparing" ability. That same study showed that patients saw a median decrease in their regular opioid dose of 25.5%. This is huge because it allows us to reduce the need for heavy narcotics that can cloud our lives with side effects like crushing fatigue.
Healing the Soul
For those dealing with advanced diseases like cancer, the existential distress, that weight of fear about the unknown, can be the hardest part. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is being explored specifically for this.
It works by temporarily quieting the Default Mode Network (DMN), the part of the brain that governs our perceptions of self. By quieting this network, ketamine loosens the mind's grip on fear, allowing it to dissolve into a state of serenity and soulful connection.
Your Toolkit for Ketamine Therapy
If you are ready to explore this, here is your helpful guide to doing it safely and effectively.
1. Find Reputable Oversight: Please do not just go anywhere! Look for a physician-led clinic. The gold standard is a multidisciplinary team approach that combines psychiatric expertise with anesthetic safety. You want board-certified professionals who provide continuous vital sign monitoring throughout your entire treatment.
2. Request Medical Clearance Labs: Before you start, your clinic should need a comprehensive blood panel and a physical screening. Because ketamine is metabolized in the liver and processed by the kidneys, you want to ensure your detox systems are healthy enough to handle it, especially if you have been through heavy chemo.
3. Prepare Your Body: Arrive with an empty stomach, usually NPO (nothing by mouth) for 4 hours for solids and 2 hours for clear liquids to prevent nausea. Hydrate well the day before to assist your metabolism.
4. The Set and Setting: Optimize your mindset. Avoid distressing news or social media for 24 hours before your session. Clarify a gentle intention, such as be open or trust the process. Bringing comfort items like a favorite blanket or a picture of your family can help you feel safe.
5. Maximize the Neuroplastic Window: This is one of the most important pieces of advice I can give you! Ketamine creates a window of enhanced neuroplasticity that can persist for days. You must schedule a therapy session within 24 to 48 hours of your infusion to anchor the insights you gained into lasting changes.
6. Support Your Biology: Evidence suggests that taking Magnesium and Zinc the day before may increase the effectiveness of the therapy. Afterward, prioritize low-stimulus environments to let the experience settle into your soul.
We are in charge of taking care of these bodies of ours, my friends. When we remove the toxins, both physical and emotional, and nourish our souls with the right tools, it is incredible what can happen.
I love you guys. Keep going, stay brave, and remember there is always hope.
With heart,
Carli
Founder of The Cancer Crew
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