EFR 889: Why SSRIs Are Failing Us, How to Reset the Nervous System and What Actually Works for Mental Health with Dr. John How

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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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