Month: November 2017

The Reemergence of Psychedelics

Posted on by VettersEnt

Recently, there has been renewed interest in psychedelics for treating depression and mental illness. While these were established treatments for mental illness in the mid-1950s, they’ve come a long way since then.

What Happened to Their Medical Use?

While psychedelic drugs were once hailed as the perfect solution for treating a wide range of otherwise-difficult-to-treat disorders, they have not been used to treat anything for quite some time. Research into psychedelic drugs stopped almost entirely in the 1970s due to the backlash against their recreational use. They were labeled as “drugs of abuse” by the federal government, and any medical value was dismissed.

Today’s Psychedelics

Today, research is finally restarting into the medical use of LSD, psilocybin (the compound in magic mushrooms), MDMA and ayahuasca. If these drugs can pass rigorous rounds of scientific testing, they may become the new standard in mental health treatment. So far, researchers have found that controlled administration of psychedelic drugs can foster an extreme flood of positive emotion and major behavioral changes.

The Potential Impact of Psychedelics

Studies of psychedelics have found that:

  • Psilocybin has relieved severe anxiety and treated substance abuse disorders
  • MDMA has assisted many people coping with PTSD
  • These drugs have been effective in patients with eating disorders, OCD, major depression and adults trying to stop smoking

While there is still a long way to go before psychedelics are readily available as common prescriptions for periods of depression and anxiety, if research continues as it has we may see them available in prescription bottles soon. 

Improve the Health and Safety of Your Patients with Vetters Enterprises

Vetters Enterprises specializes in practice management, private practice business support and revenue cycle optimization. We can perform in-depth assessments of your practice or facility and identify potential issues. Let us keep your business as healthy as you keep your patients! Give us a call at (443) 352-0088.

The Exciting Prospects of Pharmacogenomics

Posted on by VettersEnt

One of the newest and most promising developments in genetic testing could also help counteract the opioid epidemic. Pharmacogenomics is the practice of gene testing to determine how a patient’s body will react to specific medications. Pharmacogenomics is now covered by most insurances.

 

Genetics Affect More Than Previously Thought

Every person has thousands of genes that dictate their characteristics, from the color of their eyes to their blood type. As scientific research continues to advance, it is becoming apparent that genetics affect far more than was previously thought. Pharmacogenomics examines a patient’s genes for variations that may show whether or not a medication could be an effective treatment. Aside from helping to determine the efficacy of a drug treatment, this can also help to identify potential allergies before they occur.

The Basics of Pharmacogenomics Testing

The core purpose of pharmacogenomics testing is to determine whether or not a medication is appropriate for a patient. A patient will have a blood or saliva sample taken, and various tests will be performed to determine:

  • If a medication could be an effective treatment for the patient’s condition
  • What the ideal medication dosage should be
  • Whether or not an allergic reaction is likely to occur

Why Pharmacogenomics

Aside from the obvious benefits of the above, pharmacogenomics serves a variety of medical purposes. The study hopes to lead to drugs that are more customized to proteins, enzymes and RNA within each patient’s DNA. These high-powered medicines will do less damage and work more efficiently thanks to their customization.

The dosages for current medications will also become more accurate as height, weight and age will not be the only parameters. Instead, genetics will help customize the medication’s dosage, lower the chances of an overdose and help to reduce the likelihood of drug abuse.

Countless Patients Can Benefit

Depression is an incredibly common condition, and finding the right medication and dosage for patients is notoriously tricky. Pharmacogenomics could greatly assist with finding ideal psychiatric medications for struggling patients without the need for constant adjustments. With over 1 in 20 Americans suffering from depression, many people could stand to benefit.

Increase the Efficacy of Your Practice with Vetters Enterprises

Vetters Enterprises specializes in practice management, revenue cycle optimization, and private practice business support. We can perform detailed assessments of your practice or facility and identify potential issues. Let us keep your business as healthy as you keep your patients! Give us a call at (443) 352-0088.