Novamind (NM.C) shared the preliminary findings from two studies which involved using Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) to treat eating disorders. The studies were done in collaboration with Center for Change.
The two studies used different methods. The first used Emotion-Focused Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EF-KAP) and the second used Group-based Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (G-KAP).
The relationship between psychedelic therapy and various ailments were discussed by Dr. Robison, the Center for Change’s Medical Director, in a recent webinar. Speaking about EF-KAP, Robison laid out EF-KAP’s two guiding principles: supporting the emotional health of the patient and leveraging the healing power of supportive others. Speaking about G-KAP, he discussed a previous study they had conducted that saw a reduction in patients’ depression scores and positive benefits towards their eating disorders.
“Novamind is dedicated to researching, developing and delivering new therapeutic protocols to answer unmet needs in mental healthcare,” said Dr. Robison, who serves as Medical Director for Center for Change. “Our treatment protocols are designed to improve patient outcomes, and we’re proud that renowned facilities like Center for Change recognize that we can provide new options for individuals struggling with eating disorders.”
Novamind offers patients KAP through Cedar Psychiatry, their wholly-owned network of psychiatry clinics; Cedar Psychiatry currently has four clinics, all in Utah. Novamind owns the Cedar Research Clinic, provides clinical trial services for neuropsychiatry and psychedelic medicine, and conducts phase I to IV clinical trials.
The Center for Change operates in Utah and aims to provide holistic treatment for those with eating disorders. They claim they have greatly improved their patients’ attitudes towards eating and food, and following treatment, their patients decreased their unhealthy eating habits, such as skipping meals.
9% of the US population, or 28.8 million Americans, will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Eating disorders are the second deadliest mental illnesses, behind only opioid addiction.
Eating disorders are typically treated with psychological therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or interpersonal psychotherapy (ITP), nutrition education, or medication, like antidepressants. While the typical treatments are not worthless, they do leave something to be desired. Those with Anorexia treated with CBT had a 41% success rate and 64% of those treated IPT had what were classified as good outcomes.
Ketamine-assisted therapy provides a new and promising new method of treatment for eating disorders that can hopefully improve on the current methods.
“Novamind’s psychedelic protocols are informed by the expertise gained from our operating clinics, as well as collaborating with leading medical institutions. We’re pleased to work with Center for Change to advance innovation in mental healthcare,” said Yaron Conforti, CEO and Director of Novamind
Following the news, Novamind’s share price has not changed.
