Ketamine, Neuroplasticity, and Why Real Healing Isn’t a Quick Fix (The Velvet)

Ketamine has quickly become one of the most talked-about — and misunderstood — tools in mental health. Some see it as a miracle cure. Others are skeptical or uneasy about the hype. But what if the real story isn’t about a breakthrough drug at all — and instead about how the brain actually heals? In this episode, Kelly sits down with Sharon Niv, cognitive psychologist and co-founder of Joyous PBC, to unpack what’s really happening beneath the headlines. Sharon shares how psycholytic, daily low-dose ketamine works differently than the high-dose, clinic-based experiences most people hear about — and why a gentler, habit-focused approach may lead to more sustainable change. Together, they explore why so many of us are anxious, burned out, and searching for relief right now; how neuroplasticity allows the brain to genuinely rewrite old emotional patterns; and why symptom relief alone often isn’t enough. Sharon explains what people tend to uncover when the nervous system softens — from long-held shame and grief to survival strategies we didn’t even realize were running the show. This conversation goes beyond medication to talk about integration, daily practices, safety, skepticism, and accessibility — and what healing actually requires from us as participants, not just patients. If you’ve ever wondered whether treatments like ketamine are a shortcut… or an invitation into deeper self-understanding, this episode offers a grounded, thoughtful perspective.   Learn more about Sharon and her work: • Joyous: https://www.joyous.team • Joyous for Therapists: https://www.joyous.team/therapists   Watch The Velvet's Edge on YouTube! Email us: [email protected] TikTok: @velvetsedge Follow the podcast on Instagram: @VelvetsEdgePodcast HOST: Kelly Henderson // @velvetsedge // velvetsedge.comFollow Velvet's Edge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedge/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.