Ketamine Therapy: All You Need to Know - feat. Eric Stoneberg and Anisa Stechert - Duologue with Leslie Heaney

Transcript

Leslie Heaney (0:00)

Foreign. It's Leslie. And you're listening to the interview with Leslie Heaney. Today. I'm taking a little break from our summer travel series. We'll be back next week with more. But to talk about a subject that's interested me for some time, which is ketamine and ketamine therapy. I have some friends who have been treated with ketamine in New York, and they have struggled with mental health issues like anxiety and depression and in one case, alcohol use disorder. And ketamine treatment has really benefited them greatly. When they told me that they had done this, my first reaction was, is that legal? Where would you go for something like that? How does it work? I had all these questions and I did some research and discovered Nushama, which is a licensed ketamine therapy clinic in midtown Manhattan. And I was fortunate enough to get to sit down with two seasoned psychedelic psychotherapists, Eric Stoneberg and Anissa Steckert. Between the two of them, they have treated thousands of patients with conditions ranging from post traumatic stress disorder like 911 first responders. They've worked with veterans to individuals suffering from anxiety or depression or alcohol use disorder. So in the episode, we talk about everything from what is ketamine? What conditions does it treat? How does it work? How does it actually rewire trauma in the brain? Who would be a good candidate for this type of therapy? And what a typical experience looks like when you go to a ketamine treatment center. So whether you're curious about this, like me, or you're skeptical about it, or anywhere in between, this conversation really sheds some light on a promising new tool in the mental health treatment toolbox. It sort of transforms, at least for me, the way I've thought about mental health treatment and healing. Eric and Anissa are so informed and compassionate and also hilarious. It was a great conversation. I learned a ton and it's really worth a listen. I'm so excited about this week's sponsor, the 10 Mile Distillery. 10 Mile is an American single malt distillery based in the Hudson Valley, about 90 miles north of New York. And it is the maker of the award winning Little Rest Whiskey, made through a slow distillation process with all New York State grains by master distiller Shane Fraser from Scotland. And when I say award winning, I mean it's earned a 95 out at the whiskey competition in San Francisco and a 96 at the New York International Spirits Competition. This is delicious. If you do not believe me about how delicious this is, the good news for you is that if you're in the New York area, you can go visit this incredible and beautiful distillery yourself. It's set among the most beautiful apple orchard with beautiful views of the mountains behind. Stop by for a leisurely tour or tasting or even enjoy an expertly crafted cocktail. They also have gin and vodka available. They also have this incredibly delicious Thai restaurant that is in residence there from Thursday through Sunday. To learn more about the distillery, you can Visit them at 10mile distillery.com theinterview. All orders will receive 10% off if you put a promo code the interview at checkout. So go to www.tenmile distillery.com the interview to get that discount that 10% off. I promise you you will not be disappointed. And with that, here's my conversation with Eric Stoneberg and Anissa Ste. So thrilled Eric and Misa to have you both here today. I have had several friends who have done ketamine therapy to great benefits. I'm very curious about it. I know a lot of my listeners will be curious about it too or want to learn more about it. So I thought maybe we'd start like 30,000ft for those that don't know anything about it, kind of what is psychedelic therapy? And ketamine is part of that.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Interview with Leslie Heaney – "Ketamine Therapy: All You Need to Know" feat. Eric Stoneberg and Anisa Stechert

Episode Details:

Title: Ketamine Therapy: All You Need to Know
Host: Leslie Heaney
Guests: Eric Stoneberg and Anisa Stechert
Release Date: July 24, 2025

Introduction to Ketamine Therapy

In this enlightening episode, Leslie Heaney delves into the transformative world of ketamine therapy with seasoned psychedelic psychotherapists Eric Stoneberg and Anisa Stechert from Neushama, a licensed ketamine therapy clinic in Midtown Manhattan. Drawing from personal anecdotes and extensive research, Leslie sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of ketamine's role in modern mental health treatment.

Understanding Psychedelic Therapy and Ketamine

Eric Stoneberg introduces the concept of psychedelic therapy, emphasizing its ability to induce non-ordinary states of consciousness that tap into our "inner healing intelligence." He explains, “Psychedelic experiences bring us into non-ordinary states of consciousness and deep within ourselves... We're tapping into this part of us that knows what you need to move forward” (04:10).

Anisa Stechert builds on this by discussing the role of the ego in traditional psychotherapy. She notes, “When you quiet the ego through psychedelics, you get to tap into that inner healing intelligence...” (05:05). This process allows individuals to gain new perspectives on themselves and their experiences, facilitating profound healing and personal growth.

Ketamine vs. Other Psychedelics

Leslie inquires about the landscape of psychedelic therapies, prompting Anisa to outline various substances:

Psilocybin and LSD: Known for expanding perception but require extended periods for their effects.
MDMA: Emerging research highlights its efficacy in treating severe trauma, though it's not yet legal for therapeutic use.
Ayahuasca: A traditional brew used in indigenous healing practices.

However, Eric highlights ketamine's unique position: “Ketamine really is the only legal psychedelic” (11:06). Its established use in anesthesia and ability to be prescribed off-label make it more accessible compared to other psychedelics.

Mechanism of Action and Therapeutic Benefits

Leslie touches on the scientific aspects, mentioning ketamine's ability to "rewire trauma in the brain." Eric elaborates, explaining that ketamine is a safe anesthetic that facilitates neuroplasticity, allowing for behavioral and mental changes: “...your inner healing intelligence... allows you to create new pathways” (06:02).

Anisa adds that ketamine disrupts the default mode network, which is responsible for self-referential thinking. This disruption helps in accessing deeper parts of the psyche, essential for trauma healing: “It disrupts your default mode network... allowing you to go inside” (23:22).

Conditions Treated with Ketamine Therapy

Neushama's expertise spans a wide range of mental health conditions, including:

Anxiety and Depression: Effective in alleviating symptoms where traditional therapies may have plateaued.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (CPTSD): Particularly beneficial for veterans and first responders, facilitating trauma reprocessing.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): Helping women manage severe premenstrual symptoms by boosting estrogen levels.
Alcohol Use Disorder: Offering higher relapse prevention rates compared to traditional methods, with Eric stating, “86% of those with alcohol use disorder don't relapse after six months with ketamine versus 25% with traditional methods” (27:59).

Therapeutic Protocol and Patient Experience

The typical ketamine therapy involves a series of six sessions over three weeks. Anisa describes the initial "pilot episode" as a practice in presence, where patients immerse themselves in their inner experiences without the pressure to understand or remember everything: “...it's like VR. Just be immersed” (25:13).

Eric compares the process to rebooting a computer, where ketamine serves as a "reset" for the brain's default modes, allowing access to deeper healing: “You need to do that to ourselves every once in a while” (24:32).

Candidate Suitability and Safety Considerations

Determining who is a good candidate for ketamine therapy is crucial. Anisa emphasizes the importance of having "inner resourcing and external support," meaning patients should possess or develop emotional regulation skills and have a support system in place: “You have the ability to emotionally regulate... you can lean on” (30:28).

Eric highlights the safety profile of ketamine, noting its minimal contraindications compared to other psychedelics. Patients with certain medical conditions, such as hypertension or heart issues, may need to avoid ketamine: “Ketamine is so safe... very few things can exclude you” (12:09).

Impact and Long-Term Benefits

The transformative effects of ketamine therapy extend beyond the treatment sessions. Eric shares stories of patients experiencing a significant shift in their daily lives, such as responding rather than reacting to stressors: “I'm not reacting automatically the way I used to” (28:59).

Anisa adds that these experiences foster neuroplasticity, enabling lasting changes in behavior and mental patterns: “You're gaining this incredible neuroplasticity” (47:56).

Administration and Procedure

Ketamine is administered primarily via IV at Neushama, allowing precise control over dosage and rapid cessation if needed. The sessions typically last an hour, providing a controlled and safe environment for patients to explore their consciousness: “...it's an hour” (42:54).

Future of Ketamine Therapy

As Eric anticipates, ketamine therapy is poised to become a staple in mental health treatment due to its efficacy and safety. However, challenges such as cost and lack of insurance coverage remain barriers: “The cost is definitely a major barrier” (51:00). Both Eric and Anisa express a desire for broader access, particularly for veterans and first responders who can greatly benefit from this therapy: “We wish more people could do this” (50:14).

Conclusion: A Transformative Tool in Mental Health

Leslie Heaney wraps up the conversation by acknowledging the profound insights gained from Eric and Anisa, highlighting ketamine therapy's potential to revolutionize mental health treatment. The episode underscores ketamine's role as a powerful tool for healing, offering hope and tangible benefits to those struggling with various mental health challenges.

Notable Quotes:

Eric Stoneberg [04:10]: “Psychedelic experiences bring us into non-ordinary states of consciousness and deep within ourselves... We're tapping into this part of us that knows what you need to move forward.”
Anisa Stechert [05:05]: “When you quiet the ego through psychedelics, you get to tap into that inner healing intelligence.”
Eric Stoneberg [27:59]: “86% of those with alcohol use disorder don't relapse after six months with ketamine versus 25% with traditional methods.”
Anisa Stechert [30:28]: “You have the ability to emotionally regulate... you can lean on.”
Eric Stoneberg [47:56]: “You're gaining this incredible neuroplasticity.”

Final Thoughts:

For listeners intrigued by the potential of ketamine therapy, this episode provides a comprehensive overview, blending scientific insights with real-world applications. By featuring experts like Eric Stoneberg and Anisa Stechert, Leslie Heaney ensures that complex topics are accessible and engaging, offering valuable knowledge for those seeking alternative mental health treatments.