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: theedge@velvetsedge.com

TikTok: @velvetsedge

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @VelvetsEdgePodcast

HOST: Kelly Henderson // @velvetsedge // velvetsedge.com

Ketamine has quickly become one of the most talked-about &mdash; and misunderstood &mdash; 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&rsquo;t about a breakthrough drug at all &mdash; and instead about how the brain actually heals?
In this episode, Kelly sits down with Sharon Niv, cognitive psychologist and co-founder of <a>Joyous PBC</a>, to unpack what&rsquo;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 &mdash; 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&rsquo;t enough. Sharon explains what people tend to uncover when the nervous system softens &mdash; from long-held shame and grief to survival strategies we didn&rsquo;t even realize were running the show.
This conversation goes beyond medication to talk about integration, daily practices, safety, skepticism, and accessibility &mdash; and what healing actually requires from us as participants, not just patients. If you&rsquo;ve ever wondered whether treatments like ketamine are a shortcut&hellip; or an invitation into deeper self-understanding, this episode offers a grounded, thoughtful perspective.
&nbsp;
Learn more about Sharon and her work:
&bull; Joyous: <a href="https://www.joyous.team/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.joyous.team&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1768955568424000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0jHrj3uv-EmBNho7p-QoJq">https://www.joyous.team</a>
&bull; Joyous for Therapists: <a href="https://www.joyous.team/therapists">https://www.joyous.team/therapists</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://m.youtube.com/velvetsedge">Watch The Velvet's Edge on YouTube!</a>
Email us:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:theedge@velvetsedge.com">theedge@velvetsedge.com</a>
TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@velvetsedge">@velvetsedge</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedgepodcast/">@VelvetsEdgePodcast</a>
HOST: Kelly Henderson // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedge/">@velvetsedge</a> // velvetsedge.com

The Velvet's Edge Podcast is an invitation to explore the beautiful, messy truth that real growth is an inside job. Hosted by Kelly Henderson—a celebrity stylist and men's groomer who has learned firsthand that "looking good" on the outside only gets you so far—this podcast is a space for the conversations you don't always hear out loud.

Life has a way of knocking us flat, and Kelly believes there is purpose in that pain. She uses her own journey of plot twists to show that true beauty is found by going inward. On some days, you'll hear deep dives with therapists, healers, and other people who have turned their pain into something beautiful. On other days, Kelly and Chip Dorsch laugh their way through the weird, messy "WTF is this life?" moments, because growth is easier when you and your bestie can laugh through it together.

This podcast is for you if you've ever felt empty despite doing everything you were "supposed to" do. It's for you if you're stuck in a toxic relationship cycle and don't know how to get out. It's for you if you're in the middle of a total life plot twist and have no idea where to start. You aren't broken beyond repair. You are simply a human on a soul's journey, and even though we each have our own path, it's a lot easier when we have a little help from our friends.

The Velvet's Edge Podcast&nbsp;is an invitation to explore the beautiful, messy truth that real growth is an inside job. Hosted by&nbsp;Kelly Henderson&mdash;a celebrity stylist and men's groomer who has learned firsthand that "looking good" on the outside only gets you so far&mdash;this podcast is a space for the conversations you don't always hear out loud.
Life has a way of knocking us flat, and Kelly believes there is purpose in that pain. She uses her own journey of plot twists to show that true beauty is found by going inward. On some days, you'll hear deep dives with therapists, healers, and other people who have turned their pain into something beautiful. On other days, Kelly and Chip Dorsch&nbsp;laugh their way through the weird, messy "WTF is this life?" moments, because growth is easier when you and your bestie can laugh through it together.
This podcast is for you if you've ever felt empty despite doing everything you were "supposed to" do. It's for you if you're stuck in a toxic relationship cycle and don't know how to get out. It's for you if you're in the middle of a total life plot twist and have no idea where to start. You aren't broken beyond repair. You are simply a human on a soul's journey, and even though we each have our own path, it's a lot easier when we have a little help from our friends.

Velvet's Edge with Kelly Henderson

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

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8a7cbd6f-d803-49fd-b4ed-b3d900c350e6/transcript