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Mental health care is evolving, and in this episode, Dr. John How, MD, Medical Director at Stella, joins us to explore cutting-edge treatments for PTSD, anxiety, and depression. From the powerful effects of stellate ganglion blocks—described as “vacation in a syringe”—to the life-changing impact of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, this conversation dives into the science, safety, and soul behind these transformative modalities. We unpack how trauma is stored in the body, why hope is the first step toward healing, and why we're finally ready as a culture to embrace radical solutions for mental well-being.
Follow Stella @stellamentalhealth
Follow Chase @chase_chewning
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In this episode we discuss...
00:00 – Intro: The State of Mental Health in America
01:22 – Dr. How’s “State of the Union” on mental health
02:56 – Legal, cultural, and insurance challenges
03:50 – Why SSRIs often fall short
04:59 – Blending old modalities with new therapies
06:54 – Hope as the foundation of mental health recovery
08:19 – Are we culturally ready for these treatments?
10:05 – Injuries vs. Disorders: Rethinking PTSD
11:17 – What is a Stellate Ganglion Block?
13:12 – Fight or flight, nerve resets, and emotional regulation
15:04 – Military use and resetting hypervigilance
17:11 – What types of trauma respond well to SGB?
18:36 – Cucumber to pickle: susceptibility after trauma
20:19 – Maintenance frequency and Dr. How’s personal use
21:43 – What the SGB experience feels like
23:29 – The science behind emotional release
25:59 – Do you need to do “the work” beforehand?
27:54 – Post-procedure sensitivity and integration tips
30:17 – Ideal recovery settings after the block
31:50 – Using SGB for physical pain
33:28 – How physical and emotional pain connect
35:46 – Treating mental health rooted in physical trauma
38:07 – Long-term effects and maintenance needs
40:36 – Can people become addicted to this treatment?
42:43 – How ketamine therapy fits in
44:56 – Response rates for SGB vs. ketamine
46:54 – Best practices for combining SGB and ketamine
49:10 – Chase’s personal journey with ketamine
51:38 – Making health decisions from a place of desperation
53:34 – Safety, risks, and first-line vs. third-line treatments
54:50 – Ketamine therapy: IV, IM, trochies, and Spravato
56:50 – What a ketamine session is really like
58:30 – Aftereffects and integration
59:34 – Darkness, ego death, and healing
01:01:39 – Is ketamine a proactive mental health tool?
01:04:20 – Environment and human connection in healing
01:07:46 – Access, insurance, and affordability
01:12:07 – Constructive suffering and advocating for yourself
01:14:00 – The system, self-responsibility, and asking better questions
01:16:28 – Is society ready for transformative treatments?
01:17:07 – Ever Forward
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- Watch and subscribe on YouTube
- Learn more at StellaMentalHealth.com
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