Tag Archives: PTSD

Floating Tanks: A Comprehensive Solution for PTSD Recovery Post-Bushfires

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Flotation tanks promising treatment for PTSD

Flotation tanks, often found in luxury spas, show potential for PTSD relief.

Dave Stamboulis / Alamy

A shipping container equipped with three mobile flotation tanks is headed to Maui, Hawaii, aiming to alleviate the mental health crisis following the devastating wildfires—the deadliest in U.S. history. While flotation tanks are typically associated with high-end spas, they offer significant promise in treating anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If the initial deployment proves beneficial, additional units could be dispatched to disaster areas worldwide.

In August 2023, a series of wildfires erupted in Maui, resulting in the tragic loss of 102 lives and the destruction of countless homes and businesses. Since then, there has been an alarming rise in the risk of depression and anxiety, with increased concerns regarding PTSD in the hardest-hit areas.

“Maui lacks the necessary infrastructure to tackle a mental health crisis of this scale,” says Justin Feinstein, a clinical neuropsychologist and founder of a nonprofit dedicated to mental health solutions. “Many individuals are resorting to self-medication. We are witnessing a sharp increase in alcohol consumption, suicidal tendencies, and PTSD cases.”

On May 2nd, Feinstein revealed at the Embodied Mind Summit in Los Angeles that the float unit would provide complimentary sessions for first responders and wildfire survivors, while also gathering long-term data on the efficacy of floatation therapy as a mental health intervention.

Float therapy, or Float-REST (Environmental Stimulus Reduction Therapy), involves lying in a serene pool infused with Epsom salts that allow for effortless floating. The water and air are maintained at body temperature, earplugs minimize noise, and lights are turned off to create an environment free from sensory distractions.

This innovative tank was conceived by neuroscientists in the 1950s to investigate whether the brain requires sensory input to maintain consciousness. The findings indicated that individuals remained aware but reported a profound sense of relaxation.

Feinstein has dedicated over a decade to researching the mental and physical impacts of flotation therapy. His studies suggest that it can significantly reduce anxiety in both volunteers without prior mental health conditions and those suffering from anxiety disorders, depression, and PTSD. Feinstein notes that its calming effects are comparable to those of benzodiazepines, a common class of sedative.

While the precise mechanisms are still being explored, buoyancy is believed to aid in diminishing sensory input and limiting movement, promoting a tranquil state for both body and mind. Studies indicate that within moments of floating, breathing patterns and heart rates decrease, blood pressure drops, and brain activity transitions away from self-referential thinking toward restorative, sleep-like states.

Having resided in Maui since 2020, Feinstein collaborated with Floataway, a UK-based company, to develop a cost-effective, modular float pod that can be easily assembled in a matter of days. The Maui Calm Project aims to deploy these tanks in the region this summer, with the hope of establishing a network of portable floatation units to combat PTSD in disaster-stricken areas.

Sarah Garfinkel, a professor at University College London who examines the physiological basis of PTSD, emphasizes the importance of a relaxing approach in treating this condition. “Hyperarousal is a fundamental aspect of PTSD, often leading to heightened physical responses,” she states. “Floating seems to cultivate a sense of internal safety, which could radically shift our understanding and treatment methods for PTSD. I am truly excited about this research.”

If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to the British Samaritans at 116123 (samaritans.org) or the US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 (988lifeline.org). For services in other countries, visit bit.ly/SuicideHelplines.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Floating Tanks Introduced to Combat PTSD Following Catastrophic Wildfires

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Floatation Tanks: A Promising Solution for PTSD Relief

Image Credit: Dave Stamboulis / Alamy

A mobile unit containing three floatation tanks is en route to Maui, Hawaii, in response to the mental health crisis ignited by the catastrophic wildfires, which were the deadliest in U.S. history. Floatation therapy, often found in upscale spas, is emerging as a viable treatment for anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If this initiative proves successful, similar units could be deployed in disaster-stricken areas worldwide.

In August 2023, devastating wildfires erupted in Maui, resulting in the tragic loss of 102 lives and destroying thousands of homes and businesses. Following these events, the risk of depression and anxiety has surged by over 50%, highlighting the urgent need for PTSD interventions.

“Maui lacks the infrastructure to manage a mental health crisis of this scale,” states Justin Feinstein, a clinical neuropsychologist and founder of a nonprofit organization, the Float Research Collective. “People are resorting to self-medication. Alcohol consumption is rising, and rates of suicide and PTSD are increasing.”

On May 2nd, Feinstein announced the Embodied Mind Summit in Los Angeles, where free floatation therapy sessions will be provided for first responders and wildfire survivors, while simultaneously gathering long-term data on float therapy’s efficacy for mental health treatment.

Float therapy, also referred to as environmental stimulus reduction therapy, entails lying in a shallow pool saturated with Epsom salt, allowing the body to float effortlessly. The pool’s water and the surrounding air are maintained at body temperature, with earplugs minimizing noise and the lights turned off to create an environment free of sensory distractions.

This innovative tank design originated with neuroscientists in the 1950s to explore whether the brain would deactivate without external stimulation. Surprisingly, participants remained conscious but reported heightened relaxation.

Feinstein has dedicated more than a decade to researching the treatments and the mental and physical effects of float therapy. His studies indicate significant reductions in anxiety for both healthy individuals and those with various mental health disorders, such as depression and PTSD. Feinstein notes that the effects can be almost as impactful as benzodiazepines, a common sedative.

While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, floatation therapy appears to alleviate external sensory input and reduce bodily movement, thereby inducing a state of tranquility in both the body and mind. Research indicates that shortly after floating, breathing and heart rates decrease, along with blood pressure, and brain activity shifts from self-referential thoughts and emotional processing to states resembling restorative sleep.

Residing in Maui since 2020, Feinstein collaborated with the UK-based company Floataway to develop a cost-effective, modular float pod that can be assembled rapidly in various locations, unlike traditional tanks. The Maui Calm Project aims to introduce these tanks in the region and begin data collection this summer. If successful, the initiative seeks to establish a fleet of portable tanks for deployment in disaster areas to combat PTSD.

According to Sarah Garfinkel, a professor at University College London studying the physical basis of PTSD, prioritizing body-calming techniques represents a crucial evolution in the treatment of this condition. “Hyperarousal is a core feature of PTSD, leading to heightened reactive physiological responses,” she explains. “It seems that floating could offer a sense of internal safety, which may transform our understanding and management of PTSD. I’m eager to see the results of this research.”

If you or someone you know needs support, please contact the British Samaritans at 116123 (samaritans.org); or the U.S. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 (988lifeline.org). For services in other countries, visit bit.ly/SuicideHelplines.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Ibogaine: A Psychedelic Drug That May Alleviate PTSD by Slowing Brain Waves

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Ibogain, a psychedelic substance, is derived from the roots of the Iboga plant

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The psychedelic substance ibogaine has been shown to slow brain wave activity in individuals with traumatic brain injuries, potentially accounting for its effectiveness in treating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A study conducted last year revealed that ibogaine, sourced from the African Iboga plant, significantly enhanced the overall mental and physical well-being of military veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries. Yet, the precise mechanisms behind these effects were previously unknown.

To investigate further, Jennifer Lismore from Stanford University and her team examined brain imaging of 30 individuals involved in the initial study. During a 5-day treatment session at a facility in Mexico, participants received a dosage of 12 milligrams of ibogaine per kilogram of body weight and participated in supportive activities like yoga, meditation, and therapy.

As part of the study, the researchers collected EEG data that recorded participants’ brain electrical activity. These scans were taken 2-3 days prior to and 3.5 days following the ibogaine treatment.

By comparing the EEG findings, Lismore and her team observed an overall deceleration in brain wave activity post-treatment, particularly in the gamma waves—the fastest brain waves—which exhibited nearly a 16% reduction in strength in the occipital region after ibogaine therapy. While gamma wave intensity saw a slight rebound after one month, levels remained significantly below those recorded prior to treatment.

Additionally, the intensity of slow theta waves rose by approximately 17% in the back of the brain and 13% at the front 3.5 days post-treatment. However, this increase lost its significance after one month.

Lismore suggests that the observed reduction in brain wave activity may clarify why ibogaine is effective for alleviating PTSD symptoms in many patients. “The deceleration of brain function has allowed patients, particularly those experiencing hyperawareness and sensitivity associated with PTSD, to find relief,” she noted. “One way to understand this slowing process is as a mitigation of the heightened distress often seen in PTSD cases.”

The temporary spike in slow theta waves could also indicate that ibogaine promotes neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire itself. Previous studies in animals have associated theta wave activity with brain adaptability, Lismore explains. By inducing a short-term increase in theta wave presence, ibogaine may create conditions conducive to improving mental health.

“Ibogaine essentially addresses the chaotic, restless nature of the brain, facilitating a sort of normalization,” remarked Conor Murray from the University of California, Los Angeles. “Ultimately, it instills a sense of security for participants, reassuring the brain.”

However, he cautions that these findings don’t fully reveal the mechanisms through which ibogaine effects these brain changes.

Another challenge is the absence of control measures, complicating the assessment of the influence from other treatment components, points out Lismore. Nonetheless, she asserts that these insights represent “a significant first step toward understanding why this treatment is so impactful.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Over 140 Facebook moderators in Kenya diagnosed with severe PTSD from digital media duties

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Over 140 Facebook content moderators have been diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of being exposed to distressing social media content, including violent acts, suicides, child abuse, and terrorism.

Dr. Ian Kananya revealed that these moderators, based at a facility in Kenya contracted by social media companies, worked long hours and were diagnosed with PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and major depressive disorder (MDD) by the Head of Mental Health Services at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi.

A lawsuit filed against Meta, Facebook’s parent company, and the outsourcing company Samasource Kenya, which employed moderators from across Africa, brought to light the distressing experiences faced by these employees.

Images and videos depicting disturbing content caused some moderators to have physical and emotional reactions such as fainting, vomiting, screaming, and leaving their workstations.

The lawsuit sheds light on the toll that moderating such content takes on individuals in regions where social media usage is on the rise, often in impoverished areas.

Many of the moderators in question turned to substance abuse, experienced relationship breakdowns, and felt disconnected from their families, due to the nature of their work.

Facebook and other tech giants use content moderators to enforce community standards and train AI systems to do the same, outsourcing this work to countries like Kenya.

A medical report submitted to the court depicted a bleak working environment where moderators were constantly exposed to distressing images in a cold, brightly lit setting.

The majority of the affected moderators suffered from PTSD, GAD, or MDD, with severe symptoms affecting a significant portion of them, even after leaving their roles.

MetaSource and Samasource declined to comment on the allegations due to the ongoing litigation.

Foxglove, a nonprofit supporting the lawsuit, highlighted the lifelong impact that this work has had on the mental health of the moderators.

The lawsuit aims to hold the companies accountable for the traumatic experiences endured by the moderators in the course of their duties.

Content moderation tasks, though often overlooked, can have significant long-term effects on the mental health of those involved, as seen in this case.

Meta stresses the importance of supporting its content moderators through counseling, training, on-site support, and access to healthcare, while implementing measures to reduce exposure to graphic material.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Psychedelic drugs show promise in treating PTSD and traumatic brain injury

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Veterans saw improvement in combat-related brain injury after taking psychedelic drugs

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The psychedelic substance ibogaine has the potential to treat chronic disorders caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI). A single dose of this drug resulted in sustained improvements in physical and social function, cognition and mood in veterans with combat-related traumatic brain injury.

“This is the first time someone has actually been able to show that there is a neurorehabilitation effect with psychedelic drugs and that there are fairly deep signs of improvement,” he says. nolan williams at Stanford University in California.

He and his colleagues recruited 30 male veterans with traumatic brain injuries to attend a treatment facility in Mexico for five days. They were each given ibogaine, a hallucinogenic substance extracted from the iboga plant, which is native to Africa. Everyone met with a therapist before and after taking ibogaine to discuss preparation for the psychedelic experience. Participants can also participate in activities such as yoga, massage, and meditation on-site.

Participants took 12 milligrams of ibogaine per kilogram of body weight and received an intravenous infusion of magnesium to prevent heart problems associated with the drug. The researchers measured participants' disability before and after treatment on a scale of 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater disability. At the beginning of the study, participants' average score was 30, meaning mild to moderate disability. After 4-5 days of treatment, this score dropped below 20, and after 1 month it was around 5, indicating no disability.

At least 83 percent of participants no longer met criteria for depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) one month after treatment. They also saw significant improvements in processing speed, problem solving, and working memory.

However, it is unclear whether this effect is solely due to hallucinogens. “The big problem is [that] Without a control group, it will be nearly impossible to say for sure what's going on here. ” Albert Garcia Lomu at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. He says talking to a therapist, participating in wellness activities, and even traveling may have contributed to these improvements.

But many of these variables have previously been studied as treatments for neurological diseases with little success, Williams said. He believes a series of mechanisms could explain how ibogaine can treat traumatic brain injury. For example, he says, the drug is known to increase neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to rewire.

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Source: www.newscientist.com