By Alexander Germanis
As soon as one steps foot on any watercraft, one’s body instantly tries to accommodate for the ever-shifting surface of the water. One is meant to instinctively find an ongoing equilibrium within that new, aquatic world and stand with stability regardless of the roiling waves.
Unfortunately, life itself and our own bodies can sometimes be as unpredictable and mercurial as the fluctuating water. Finding an equilibrium can be extremely difficult when something within us is seemingly the source of our own instabilities.
When our bodies are unable to find the equilibrium necessary for a stable sojourn through life, there is a place where that stability can be found once again: Quad Cities Ketamine Clinic.
As Varied as the Sands
Tara Kinney, CRNA, APRN, is the launching captain of Quad Cities Ketamine Clinic. Bringing onboard her partner, Jaci Brandmeyer, APRN, the two have sought to fill a serious need for wellness in their community—specifically for chronic pain and mood disorders.
A combination of life and professional experiences have led both women to where they are now. “Tara is a certified registered nurse anesthetist,” Jaci shares. “She has lost friends to suicide, so she started the clinic as a ketamine clinic to offer another form of treatment for bipolar, PTSD, depression, and mood disorders. She then added the vitamin therapies.”
While Tara is well versed in ketamine therapies, the vitamin therapies are where Jaci shines. “I love them,” she declares. “As a nurse practitioner, I see that oftentimes patients can be helped without the use of pharmaceuticals. There is also the ability to tailor infusions to each patient individually and give them better outcomes.”
Tailoring their work for the individual is a cornerstone of the Ketamine Clinic. Tara and Jaci understand that as each person is unique, so too are the problems each person can have. There is no “one size fits all” approach to wellness.
Ketamine Infusion
Ketamine hydrochloride, or simply ketamine, has been in use since the 1960s and is classified as a dissociative anesthetic. While this attribute has made it dangerously popular in illegal circles, when properly regulated and utilized it produces positive results.
“The exact mechanism of action for Ketamine for mood disorders is now known,” Jaci says. “Researchers believe that ketamine works by causing the release of molecules in your brain that create new communication pathways between your neurons. This process is called synaptogenesis, which can improve how you’re able to regulate your moods.”
Ketamine therapy starts with a series of six infusions that should be completed in two to three weeks. After the first six infusions, boosters are needed generally about every four weeks afterward.
With an 80–85 percent success rate in helping patients manage depressive symptoms, Jaci and Tara have helped many of their patients regain control of their lives. “Patients were able to return to work again, live their lives again,” Jaci happily reports. “It is very rewarding to watch patients grow and succeed.”
With fewer side effects than traditional medications, ketamine can cause a loss of appetite, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, double or blurred vision, and insomnia. But the chance of complications is very low, particularly in a controlled environment under the watchful eye of clinicians. “Each patient is monitored during infusion with continuous vital sign monitoring and visual monitoring,” Jaci assures. “If any issues arise, we have staff trained in ALCS (advanced cardiac life support) to step in. Staff are highly trained to handle anything that may come their way.”
NAD+ Therapy
While ketamine can help bring about an equilibrium for disorders such as PTSD, depression, neuropathic pain, and rheumatoid arthritis, NAD therapy can bring about stability in different ways.
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a critical metabolic co-enzyme found naturally within every cell in our bodies. Involved in repairing and structuring each cell, NAD+ is also involved in a staggering number of metabolic processes, including the transfer of energy from the food we eat to the rest of the body. For these reasons, NAD+ is also known as a “helper molecule.”
Of course, being so useful also means the body is in constant need of the NAD+ molecule. Insufficient levels can result in metabolism problems, which can in turn lead to disorders like insulin resistance and obesity.
Infusions of NAD+, therefore can have endless benefits. “NAD+ is such an amazing infusion,” Jaci says. “We have treated a variety of patients with NAD+ including those with COVID, dementia, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. We also treat athletes and just about anyone that wants to feel good.”
“One patient that sticks out in my mind is an elderly man with dementia,” she shares. “When he first started in our clinic, he was very quiet, reserved, and hard to have a conversation with. He did high-dose NAD+ infusions weekly for several weeks and it was like he was an entirely different person. To see the animation on his face and his ability to smile and converse so freely was truly fascinating to see.”
Forward to Stability
The path to personal stability can take many forms. Each person’s history can be complex, taking previous viruses, current medications, and even environmental exposures into account. Those at the Ketamine Clinic therefore do a detailed history of every patient in order not to miss anything before making their recommendations.
Regardless of the person, however, Jaci insists, “We have something for all adults!” Beside NAD+ therapy and ketamine infusions, the Ketamine Clinic also offers vitamin infusions, offering not only several standard infusions but also tailoring them to address the specific needs and concerns of each patient. They also offer ozone therapy via ear insufflation, major auto hemotherapy, and joint injections utilizing platelet-rich plasma combined with ozone.
“I think our clinic is very forward thinking,” Jaci says. “One issue I have with healthcare today is that so much of it focuses on sickness and not wellness. We have the largest healthcare industry in the world, but we also have the largest rates of sick people. Wellness comes in many forms and, unfortunately, they are not generally covered by insurance.”
Positive Changes
“Personally, I think if we treat our bodies well and put good things into them, our bodies will treat us well,” Jaci says. “If we focused on wellness aspects of health, we, as a society, would be healthier. Small, positive changes can impact our lives so much.”
These small changes must first be made on a personal level. But sometimes, in order to implement them, we may need a little help. That’s what Tara, Jaci, and the staff at the Ketamine Clinic are willing to provide.
We may not have control over the weather surrounding us. The waters of the world may be choppy, and unpredictable. But at Quad Cities Ketamine Clinic, they can help re-establish the equilibrium within you so you can stand up once again—strong and stable.
Quad Cities Ketamine Clinic is located at 4626 Progress Drive, Suite A, in Davenport, Iowa. If you or someone you love could benefit from a vitamin or ketamine infusion, or from any of the variety of services we offer, please contact us at (563) 214-1594. Visit us on the web at www.quadcitiesketamine.com to get started.