Dr. Johnathan Edwards: Ketamine Therapy for PTSD & Depression

February 08, 2024

Dr. Johnathan Edwards: Ketamine Therapy for PTSD & Depression

In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, host Dr. Scott Sherr is joined by guest Dr. Johnathan Edwards to give one-cent solutions to life’s $64,000 questions that include:

What is a stellate ganglion block, why should we be using it, and how has its usage in healthcare evolved over time?
What is ketamine, its history of use, and its mechanisms? How has ketamine therapy come to impact the mental health space? Is intravenous or oral treatment more effective?
What is percutaneous hydrotomy and how did Dr. Edwards become interested in it? How does percutaneous hydrotomy relate to mesotherapy and how does it relieve pain?

Who is Dr. Johnathan Edwards?

Dr. Johnathan Edwards is a board-certified anesthesiologist who treats chronic pain patients and is the author of several books and medical papers, including The Revolutionary Ketamine, Chasing Dakar, Suicide, COVID-19, and Ketamine, and The Science of the Marathon. He practices medicine in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Port Orange, Florida. A native of California, he studied at Victor Valley Community College, the University of California at Davis, and earned his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. He studied Internal Medicine in Las Vegas, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in Utah, and Neurology in Lyon, France. Finally, he completed his training in Anesthesiology at the University of South Florida.

Dr. Edwards was the first American physician to complete his training in percutaneous hydrotomy with Dr. Bernard Guez and bring the technique to the United States. Dr. Edwards has performed percutaneous hydrotomy on hundreds of patients and treated many professional athletes, including professional NFL players, UFC athletes, motocross racers, cyclists, and professional tennis players. These world-class athletes have been able to compete again after sidelining injuries and return to regular active lives. Dr. Edwards now teaches percutaneous hydrotomy in the United States, fulfilling a lifelong ambition for Dr. Guez.

What did Dr. Scott discuss with Dr. Johnathan Edwards?

0:00:41 - Who is Dr. Johnathan Edwards?

Meet Dr. Edwards, a board-certified anesthesiologist pushing boundaries in pain management and mental health with revolutionary treatments like ketamine and stellate ganglion block. Get to know his background and passion for helping patients find relief.

0:03:33 - What is Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)?

Discover this innovative nerve block technique offering hope for chronic pain sufferers. Dr. Edwards explains how SGB targets specific nerves to alleviate pain beyond traditional methods, particularly for war veterans struggling with complex pain conditions.

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0:11:25 - What is Ketamine and its History?

Delve into the fascinating story of ketamine, its initial use as an anesthetic, and its unexpected emergence as a game-changer in treating mental health conditions like depression and PTSD.

0:17:59 - GABA & Multimodal Therapy

Explore the role of GABA (a calming neurotransmitter) and how it interacts with multimodal therapy (combining different treatment approaches) for optimal results. Understand how this understanding enhances treatment planning.

0:22:23 - Ketamine Dosing and Psychedelic Experiences

Learn how ketamine dosage impacts the potential for psychedelic experiences during treatment. Dr. Edwards clarifies the distinctions and how dosage is tailored for therapeutic benefits.

0:27:59 - Deep vs. Light Ketamine Anesthesia

Demystify the differences between deep and light ketamine states used in anesthesia versus therapy. Gain insight into how varying levels produce distinct effects.

0:35:42 - Ketamine Dosing: IV vs. Oral & Treatment Effectiveness

Compare the effectiveness of IV and oral ketamine administration for treatment. Dr. Edwards also addresses the success rates of remote therapy and standard protocols for treatment-resistant cases.

044:26 - Percutaneous Hydrotomy Explained

Uncover this alternative pain management technique called percutaneous hydrotomy. Dr. Edwards details its approach and potential benefits for specific pain conditions.

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0:53:01 - Percutaneous Hydrotomy Effectiveness

Dive deeper into the evidence surrounding percutaneous hydrotomy's effectiveness. Learn about success rates and potential applications for various pain management needs.

0:55:08 - Live Smarter, Not Harder: 3 Key Takeaways

Conclude with Dr. Edwards' wisdom on living a healthier life. Discover three actionable tips to optimize your well-being and approach challenges with a smarter, not harder, mindset.