RESOURCES
Complementary and alternative strategies
Sleep hygeine
CBT-i coach, free mobile app developed by the VA which offers evidence based CBT for insomnia, available for android and iOS
Calm, a mobile app developed by private industry that some prefer to the above
a PDF describing the basics, developed by the Centre for Clinical Interventions in Australia
Sleep hygiene PDF, from the American Sleep Association
Bright light therapy via “SAD” lamps, typically at 10,000 lux brightness, and for half an hour each morning appear effective for all types of depression. A lamp like this one used in clinical trials can provide this benefit, and at least in Southern California, just going outside is likely to achieve the same light “dose”
Whole body hyperthermia; prospective randomized studies utilizing heat lamps showed efficacy, and is consistent with public health data from countries where sauna usage is common. One can achieve this effect via a number of ways: hot tub, hot spring, sauna, heat lamps, hot yoga
Meditation; a study shows it effective as monotherapy for anxiety, on par with SSRIs, and likely works even better in concert with other treatments
Waking Up, a meditation app developed by Sam Harris which includes a thirty day introductory course and much more
ref https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2798510
Creatine; has evidence for procognitive effects, and is likely to be helpful for mental health symptoms
Any salt is fine, but the monohydrate is most common and least expensive, such as this one
Magnesium; has evidence for anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects, along with muscle relaxation, and probable efficacy for HPPD, and is available over the counter
Ideally use the glycinate or threonate salts (i.e., Mg glycinate, Mg threonate), such as this one
MicrodosingPsychedelics has been advocated for by James Fadiman PhD, and is typically done with LSD or psilocybin at subperceptual doses every 2-3 days; it may have various benefits for mental health
Atlas of Emotions; a project commissioned by the Dalai Lama to foster awareness of our emotions
Books, podcasts, and more
How To Change Your Mind, the netflix mini-series based on the book by Michael Pollan, exploring LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and mescaline
Permission To Feel, by Marc Brackett PhD, on developing emotional awareness and the benefits of doing so
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
I Hate You, Don’t Leave Me, now in its third edition, by Jerold Kreisman MD and Hal Straus
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
The Healthy Compulsive project website by Gary Trosclair, with links to his podcast and book, going into detail on Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
Too Perfect: When Being In Control Gets Out Of Control, by Allan Mallinger MD and Jeannette DeWyze
Ketamine and KAP
Maintenance Intramuscular Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, a Retrospective Chart Review of Efficacy, Adverse Events, and Dropouts from a Community Practice, a peer reviewed article published by Dr. Ryan et al on the protocol utilized in this clinic detailing positive outcomes of IM ketamine along with psychotherapy for the treatment of depression
KRIYA, ketamine research institute and host of annual conference for providers
Wikipedia article on ketamine, lots of easy to access information on ketamine
Ketamine and depression: a review, scholarly work discussing the nuances of ketamine for this indication
The Ketamine Papers, 2016 book published by MAPS which discusses the science, phenomenology, use, and history behind ketamine, useful for both patients and clinicians. Contains an updated review of ketamine for depression, by Dr. Ryan and colleagues
Ketamine.games, online simple games designed to boost effectiveness of ketamine treatments for depression, based on peer reviewed research4
Online forums for clinicians, hosted by google groups
PsyKe, for clinicians and researchers, focussing upon the intersection of psychotherapy and use of ketamine for mental health indications
Ketamine for psychiatry, for clinicians and researchers, focused more broadly than above
Harm Reduction
Erowid, Bluelight, Shroomery, and PsychonautWiki, peer sourced information aimed at harm reduction (i.e. accepting that some individuals will choose to use substances despite their risks, and offering ways to use them safer)
Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia, informative television series exploring drugs and drug culture
DanceSafe, provides harm reduction and drug testing services within the electronic music community
Energy Control International, part of Energy Control, provides definitive quantiative testing of samples that can be submitted via mail, operating out of Spain
The Manual of Psychedelic Support, a collaborative and open source document that describes the implementation and methodology for psychedelic harm reduction services
Nest Harm Reduction, providing training, education, consulting, and psychotherapy
Diagnosis, support, medication, and insurance
Mayo clinic database on various diagnoses, information on treatment, medication, prognosis, and more
SAMHSA: Help Prevent Suicide, resources to help with suicidal thoughts in you or a friend
Reimbursify, a third party service that can help people get reimbursed for their out of network visits, though they do charge a small fee for each visit processed
GoodRx, provides no cost pharmacy discount coupons—often times dramatically lower—when purchasing medications outside of insurance
Fight Health Insurance, an artificial intelligence driven resource that helps write appeals to insurance companies for denied claims
Addiction
Support groups:
Alcoholics Anonymous, for individuals with alcohol use disorder, including links to the excellent android and iOS apps, and Narcotics Anonymous, for those who use other substances
Al-Anon, for family members of those with addiction
Psychedelics in Recovery, for people utilizing psychedelics for recovery from other substances
SMART Recovery, Self-Management and Recovery Training, a secular version of alcoholics anonymous integrating mindfulness
Clare | Matrix, a network of clinics in Los Angeles that provide intensive outpatient programs as well as methadone maintenance
Prescribe To Prevent, naloxone (Narcan) rescue kit prescribing information, targeted towards healthcare professionals
Learn About Treatment, website developed by the Univ. of Washington with resources for patients and providers regarding options for treating opioid use disorder, including medication assisted treatment (MAT)
StopOverdose.org, overdose education, naloxone reversal, and resources for getting help
Local / Community Organizations
Common Ground, provides needle exchange services, clean injection supplies, pipes, testing (HIV, STI, Hep C), medication assisted therapy for opioid use disorder (i.e. buprenorphine / Suboxone), in Venice, CA; accepts those with Medi-Cal insurance and also those without any insurance
Venice Family Clinic, community clinic with multiple locations across the westside of Los Angeles, including Venice, CA; accepts those with Medi-Cal insurance and also those without any insurance
Westside Urgent Care Center (UCC), a 24 hour psychiatric crisis center open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days per year, operated by Exodus Recovery, Inc and contracted by Los Angeles County Dept. of Mental Health
Research / Advocacy Organizations
Hefter Research Institute, funding research into clinical applications of psilocybin (active component of Psilocybe mushrooms) for addiction, depression, and more
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, funding research into clinical applications of psychedelic agents, such as MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, and ibogaine for opiate use disorder
The Beckley Foundation, a UK based think tank focusing on drug policy reform and research into psychoactive substances
Drug Policy Alliance, an organization aiming to reform domestic drug laws consistent with science, compassion, health, and human rights
Aware Project, a Southern California based organization that hosts bi-monthly lectures on psychedelics, as well as other events
Usona Institute, a WI based medical research organization, focusing on treatment resistant depression and anxiety, such as psilocybin
ProjectCBD, non-profit educational service discussing therapeutic applications of cannabis/cannabinoids, and particularly of CBD
Psychedelic.support, website featuring a directory of providers and discussion regarding psychedelic drugs and medications, including an article talking about clinical trials and the FDA approval process (linked here)
Perception Restoration Foundation, non-profit focusing on HPPD, hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, including a great information guide for those with this issue
Shine Collective, provides services and support to survivors of psychedelic harm
Professional Organizations
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), independent body that accredits Psychiatrists and Addiction Psychiatrists
California Medical Board license verification, state run body that licenses physicians, providing records of any disciplinary actions and more
Research / Writing
Sci-Hub, crowd-sourced access to scientific manuscripts
PubMed, federally run online searchable index of published biomedical literature (including much on ketamine and psychedelics)
MushroomReferences.com, a curated list of references for physicians, scientists, and the curious