The Future of Mental Health: Ketamine, Consciousness, and Resilience | Ben "Doc" Askins

What does the future of mental health care look like? In this episode of Resilience Redefined, Michael Ostrolenk sits down with Ben "Doc" Askins to explore emerging approaches to healing, including ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, psychedelic therapy, and integrative mental health care. Ben brings a background that spans military medicine, psychiatry, philosophy, and performance-oriented coaching. In this conversation, he shares insights on how mental health treatment is evolving and why resilience requires more than symptom management alone. Topics include: • The role of ketamine and psychedelic therapy in mental health care • Why integration matters in psychedelic treatment • Philosophical perspectives on consciousness and reality • Practical approaches to healing, trauma recovery, and resilience • The role of lifestyle factors like sleep, diet, and relationships in mental health This episode also explores how belief systems, meaning, and personal responsibility shape the healing process. Connect with Ben "Doc" Askins: Advanced Practice Providers https://advancedpracticeproviders.com/about LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-%E2%80%9Cdoc%E2%80%9D-askins-8b80bb27a/ Anti-Hero's Journey https://antiheroesjourney.com Resources Mentioned: The Antihero's Journey https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7F4X9XK Ken Wilber's Integral Theory https://www.amazon.com/dp/1590301474 Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl https://www.amazon.com/dp/080701429X Paradox in Christian Theology by James Anderson https://www.amazon.com/dp/1621642324 Godel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter https://www.amazon.com/dp/0465026567 Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Ben Askins and his work 01:12 Ben's journey from curiosity to integrated mental health care 03:14 Influential books and philosophical influences 05:41 Evolution of Ben's views on consciousness and reality 10:52 Post-college life and military service 18:34 Transition from PA to integrative mental health care 22:44 History and science of ketamine in therapy 25:18 Training and safety in ketamine clinics 33:14 Ben's vision for an integrated mental health approach 36:51 Philosophical inquiries and the nature of consciousness 42:26 How to connect with Ben and his work    Connect with Michael O: Website: https://www.michaeldostrolenk.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mostrolenk Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelostrolenkresiliencemastery