In a groundbreaking shift from conventional medicine, emerging mind-expanding therapies are quietly ushering in a new class of healing practices that offer those grappling with treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain, PTSD and many other difficult diagnoses renewed hope – opening the door to deep healing, renewed perspective and a better quality of life.
One local clinic aims to help patients explore these new modalities and support them in achieving a more balanced state of mind, as well as overall health and wellness. Soul Psychedelic Systems first opened their doors in November 2023. Founded by Dr. Laura Meaney, DNAP, PMHNP, this clinic focuses on Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and Ketamine Infusion Therapy, combining these pioneering therapy options with “compassionate care to support profound healing and transformation.”
Dr. Meaney practiced as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) for 21 years before obtaining her doctorate in nursing anesthesia practice (DNAP). Her focused research was in ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression. In May 2022, Dr. Meaney became a psychiatric nurse practitioner of mental health, with an emphasis on ketamine-assisted therapy (KAP).
With close to 30 years’ experience as a nurse anesthesiologist, Dr. Meaney decided during the COVID-19 pandemic to expand her area of expertise. “During that time, it was easy to see how we all became disconnected, stressed and fearful and I think many of us realized it was going to cause great psychological problems, social anxiety, depression, a bit more abusive drinking, things like that… And, I thought, ‘you know, when we’re through this, we are going to need a lot of providers.’ And, I felt compelled to go into psychiatry.”
For the past few years, she has witnessed firsthand the impact of ketamine on clients afflicted with depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, pain, migraine and other diagnoses. “It’s my passion to share the benefits of ketamine with those suffering from pain, whether it be mental, emotional or physical,” states Dr. Meaney.
Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled non-narcotic substance in the U.S. under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). First developed in 1962, it was approved for human use in the 1970’s and widely used since then as an anesthetic to induce loss of consciousness. According to the Ketamine Research Foundation, ketamine has been granted breakthrough therapy designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression. Ketamine can be legally prescribed and administered nationwide by licensed practitioners for use in psychiatry, for treatment of chronic pain, alcohol use disorders and much more.
“This therapy, ketamine assisted therapy… it’s just revolutionary. A lot of times people seek out this therapy as a last resort. ‘I’ve tried everything else, my doctor wants me to try this.’ I hear this often.” But, Dr. Meaney would like to suggest something different. “Before you’ve tried everything else and all these medications are in your system, maybe they are making you sick and you have wasted time… why not give ketamine assisted therapy a try. It can be absolutely life altering.”
Recent talks with a mental health colleague in Phoenix, Arizona is opening doors for this innovative local clinic, and Soul Psychedelic Systems is excited to announce their acquisition by and merger with Daytryp Health. For Dr. Meaney, this means that she can focus on what she does best, which is handle the day-to-day patient care and interactions at the clinic.
Daytryp Health was founded several years ago by Chris Cohn in Phoenix, Arizona. Now co-owners of Daytryp Health in Bend, Cohn also serves as CEO of the company while Dr. Meaney serves as the medical director for the Bend clinic.
Cohn has been a mental health care entrepreneur for many years, a graduate of the University of Arizona, later attaining his master’s degree in addiction counseling from Grand Canyon University. In 2008, Cohn founded Scottsdale Recovery Center and Arizona Addiction Recover Center, two of the best-known drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in the state. In 2023, Cohn founded Daytryp Health after his own deep dive to learn more about mind-expanding therapies and how they might help people heal, recover and thrive.
“I’ve known Chris since he first founded Daytryp several years ago,” explains Dr. Meaney. “We kept in touch, and I watched him grow that business. He’s done a fabulous job. He knows how to run and build a business, he’s great at marketing. I am a practitioner, and it’s hard for me to run the business side of things. I want to concentrate on what I do best, have him do what he does best. We really complement each other.”
Cohn agrees, “Dr. Meaney is an owner and medical director for the local Daytryp Health clinic. Every ketamine clinic needs a medical director with an appropriate DEA license to operate. Dr. Meaney is a pioneer in the ketamine field and one of the most experienced ketamine practitioners in this country. It was important to me to team up with the best. So, I reached out to her and let her know I wanted to open a Daytryp clinic in Bend and we started talking. Daytryp acquiring Soul Psychedelic Systems made the most sense.”
When it comes to those she serves, Dr. Meaney explains that she often has patients referred to her with dual diagnoses from primary care physicians or other therapists. For instance, chronic pain along with depression. Someone with addiction issues might also be dealing with anxiety. She has had great success in treating chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) with KAP. “Ketamine is a wonderful pain management tool, and something I know a lot about with my anesthesia background,” notes Dr. Meaney. “Most patients walk away with at least a reduction in pain, if not a total cessation.”
When it comes to questions about ketamine being addictive, Dr. Meaney notes that this belief is actually a misnomer. “It’s actually anti-addictive and can help patients get off of addictive substances,” she states. “We also use it to successfully treat PTSD even in veterans, trauma and have had success using it to treat long COVID symptoms.”
“With ketamine, we are creating new neuropathways. We are, at the cellular level, changing your body, actually teaching it to do something different than what it’s doing right now,” Dr. Meaney states. “So, it’s healing you in a way that is not just medicating you or covering up symptoms like a band-aid as most pharmaceuticals do, it’s teaching your body to do it right and better. With ketamine infusions we work to elicit a response at a cellular level, and with support and continued therapy, you are learning a new way to be. It helps facilitate changes and healing very quickly. For someone who has not had success in any other way, this therapy option just gives them new hope.”
The new Daytryp clinic will continue to offer KAP therapy, ketamine infusions and therapy in-person. Daytryp RX online offers telehealth options for KAP, weight loss medications, longevity medicines and much more.
As for the future of Daytryp Health in Bend, Cohn notes that they would love to expand across Oregon, maybe even across the country. Dr. Meaney says that one of the first things they plan to do is hire a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, along with additional therapists to be able to serve a larger volume of patients. For now, look for the grand opening of Daytryp Health to take place in July at 547 SW 13th Street, Suite 3 in Bend.
Daytryp.com
DaytrypRx.com
"Dr. Meaney is a pioneer in the ketamine field and one of the most experienced ketamine practitioners in this country."
— Chris Cohn, Founder and CEO of Daytryp Health
“This therapy, ketamine-assisted therapy… it’s just revolutionary."
— Dr. Laura Meaney, DNAP, PMHNP