Medicines
At Vie Santé , we utilize a range of treatments, including, but not limited to, psychedelics like Ketamine, other legal plant medicines, and conventional medications.
Ketamine
Traditionally known as an anesthetic and analgesic medication, ketamine has been investigated for its potential therapeutic effects on addiction and mental health conditions, particularly depression. Although research is ongoing and the mechanisms are not fully understood, some studies suggest that ketamine may offer benefits in these areas. Here are some ways in which ketamine may be helpful:
Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt, form new connections, and change its patterns. As neuroscientist Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris describes, this flexibility can lead to healing—or, when the brain becomes rigid, to emotional suffering. Over time, chronic stress and trauma can create deeply ingrained pathways that keep us locked in cycles of anxiety, hypervigilance, or emotional numbness. This rigidity, called canalization, reflects a brain that has learned to survive but struggles to let go and move forward.
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Psychedelic medicines such as ketamine temporarily soften these rigid patterns through a process Carhart-Harris calls Temperature/Entropy-Mediated Plasticity (TEMP)—a state of heightened flexibility and openness. In this state, the brain becomes more “malleable,” allowing old, stuck circuits to loosen and new, healthier ones to take shape.
This is sometimes described as a “window of plasticity,”a short but powerful opportunity for change. With skilled guidance and proper integration, individuals can use this window to release outdated coping mechanisms, reprocess painful memories, and reconnect with a deeper sense of calm, purpose, and hope.
For first responders who have spent years in survival mode, this process offers a way to retrain the nervous system—not to erase the past, but to heal and begin again.
Glutamate Modulation
Ketamine is believed to influence mood regulation and cognitive processes via the glutamate neurotransmitter. Glutamate binds the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor allowing increased glutamate release which allows brain neuroplasticity. Dysregulation of glutamate is associated with various psychiatric disorders and can impact both mood and cognition. It is believed that ketamine's impact on glutamate may contribute to its antidepressant effects.
Increased Synaptic Connectivity
Ketamine has been shown to rapidly enhance the formation of new synapses in specific brain regions. This may contribute to improved communication between neurons, potentially leading to positive effects on mood and cognition.
Reduction of Depressive Symptoms
Ketamine has garnered attention for its rapid and potent antidepressant effects, especially in cases of treatment-resistant depression. This interest has prompted ongoing research into its potential applications for other mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Some studies suggest that ketamine may possess anti-inflammatory properties, as inflammation is associated with various mental health disorders. By modulating inflammatory processes, ketamine may indirectly enhance mood, cognitive function and pain perception.
Reduction Of Addictive Behaviors
There is evidence suggesting that ketamine may help reduce cravings and addictive behaviors. It is believed to affect brain circuits involved in reward and motivation, potentially disrupting patterns associated with addiction. It is important to note that while Ketamine demonstrates promise, its application in mental health and addiction treatment is still under investigation, and it may not be suitable for everyone.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a neurohormone and neuropeptide with numerous functions. Often referred to as the "love hormone," it is released during sexual activity, moments of connection, childbirth, breastfeeding, and bonding. Beyond its well-known roles, Oxytocin has been used off-label to treat conditions such as anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug addiction, pain, and autism. Additionally, it may be prescribed off-label to enhance sociability, foster connection, promote openness in therapy, and boost sexual drive and function.
Mood, Depression, Anxiety
Oxytocin has anti-anxiety and anti-stress properties, promoting prosocial behaviors, bonding, trust, and social cues. It acts on the amygdala, where it helps extinguish fear, enabling individuals to confront their trauma from a place of security, thus facilitating healing.
Neuropeptides, such as oxytocin, influence the central nervous system (CNS) and can affect processes related to opiate, alcohol, and cocaine addiction. Oxytocin in the CNS has been demonstrated to prevent the development of tolerance to morphine and alcohol. Additionally, a study involving mice revealed that oxytocin reduces symptoms associated with morphine withdrawal.
Addiction / Recovery
Oxytocin is a neuropeptide produced in part by the hypothalamus. Some of these neurons extend into the posterior pituitary, where Oxytocin is stored until it is released peripherally into the bloodstream as a hormone. Peripherally, Oxytocin may increase the intensity of an orgasm. Centrally, it affects mood, well-being, connection, and trust.
Intimacy and Sexual Dysfunction
“Reflect on the mysterious truth that, if you turn your attention inward, you can become aware that you are aware. When you do so, an indisputable and profound inner knowing arises that is at the core of our humanity: We recognize that we are all in this together, and an impulse for mutual caretaking arises. I believe that exploration of this inner knowing through contemplative and other spiritual practices can result in a profound, uplifting shift in worldview; a waking up to a sense of freedom, peace, joy, and gratitude that many people simply find unimaginable.”