‘Joy is a possibility’: Desert Sands Ketamine brings hope to Southern Utah residents living with depression

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CONTRIBUTED CONTENT Many people approach the holidays expecting to feel happy and cheerful, but that is not always realistic. You may be struggling to get into the spirit of the season if you suffer from anxiety or depression. You are not alone, and Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center is here to help.

At Desert Sands Ketamine, Dr. Eric Evans uses ketamine infusion therapy to provide rapid relief and lasting improvement for people living with clinical depression, clinical anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health disorders. Many patients have experienced remarkable results, even life changes.

Ketamine can help people feel more connected to others and more in the moment instead of worrying about the future or the past, he said. It works in some very interesting ways to help people feel calmer and more grounded.

Get rid of the “winter blues”

If you’re feeling particularly down this holiday season, it may be more than the so-called winter blues. Seasonal affective disorder affects millions of Americans each year and is characterized by mood swings, feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, and social withdrawal. Symptoms usually begin in the fall and continue through the winter.

Evans said it’s impossible to overstate the impact that cooler temperatures, reduced sunlight and fewer opportunities to participate in outdoor activities can have on mental well-being. If you’re experiencing worsening depression and things aren’t getting better, now may be the time to explore new treatment options.

“This time of year is particularly difficult for anyone who is already facing challenges with their mental health,” he added. “If your current treatment plan isn’t enough to keep your mood and motivation balanced, consider adding ketamine to your toolbox.”

Understanding the Science Behind Ketamine

Since the 1950s, doctors have been treating depressed patients with a specific solution in mind: increasing the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine to improve mood. For decades, scientists believed that depression was caused by a deficiency of these chemicals, but approximately 30% of patients do not respond to any type of treatment.

Ketamine targets the amygdala, the area of ​​the brain responsible for processing moods and emotions in the conscious mind, to raise levels of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Evans pointed to ongoing research at Yale University that suggests depression and other mental health disorders are caused by a lack of this protein. Ketamine has shown a 70% success rate in clinical trials, almost double that of antidepressants.

Finding hope and healing

Ketamine lays the groundwork for reshaping harmful thought patterns and behaviors with the help of additional resources, including counseling and antidepressants. Offering lasting results with virtually no side effects, Evans said he’s never been more excited about the prospect of a drug.

For many people in our clinic, it was nothing short of miraculous, he added. With ketamine, people can wake up in the morning and joy is a possibility for them again.

Experience the Desert Sands difference

However, patients should not trust any ketamine supplier with their treatment. Desert Sands Ketamine is a physician-led practice, and Evans personally meets with each patient for a consultation to discuss their concerns and determine if ketamine is right for them. Recognized by Southern Utah’s Top Voters as the leading Ketamine supplier in the community, the clinic recently won a silver medal in the behavioral/mental health treatment category for the third year in a row; they also earned gold for Alternative Therapies in 2021.

Evans created Desert Sands Ketamine to offer new hope to people living with depression and other mental health disorders. The clinic offers a comfortable spa-like treatment environment with a caring and compassionate staff dedicated to helping patients achieve the best possible results. Patients also have access to resources to improve all aspects of their well-being, including nutritional guidance, meditation, massage therapy, relationship counseling and talk therapy.

We try to use a complete approach to each person, Evans said. Our goal is to help you get back to a passionate, rewarding and productive life as soon as possible.

For more information or to schedule a free consultation, visit the Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center website or call 435-522-5190.

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

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