After undergoing the pain treatment at Enigma, my chronic pain has dropped from 9 to 3. For people like me who are very sick, this alternative approach to pain management can be life-changing.   My chronic pain, caused by an immune disorder, hovered around 8 or 9 (out of 10) despite my taking high doses of pain medications. I came across a study on the use of Ketamine for chronic pain patients, and I decided to undergo 5 successive pain infusions under the care of Dr. Mottaghi at Enigma, each consisting of around 5 hours. I'd like to stress that the treatments are by no means fun but are demanding and draining both physically and emotionally. My wife was with me throughout the infusions, and she drove me there and back. After every infusion, I went home, ate a little, and slept until the next day's treatment. My health insurance did not cover the cost of the infusions, so there was a financial investment as well.   It's been 3 weeks since my infusions ended, and the results have been life-changing. My overall pain has dropped to a 3 or 4, and I have cut my pain medications by 60%. My muscles are no longer spasming all over my body, and my overall inflammation is down. I am experiencing expected withdrawals from my pain meds, and I am working through this discomfort gradually. I am able to sleep for 6 to 8 hours every night, after years of no more than 2 hours interrupted sleep nightly. It's no surprise that I feel more hopeful and cheerful as well.    At this point, I intend to see how long the pain relief lasts. I was advised by Dr. Mottaghi that each patient is unique, and that I can do a booster infusion in the future if my pain begins to spike again. By so doing, I hope not to have to undergo a full 5-day treatment ever again.   I'll add that Dr. Mottaghi warned me that some patients may experience what's called a rebound pain--a temporary spike of pain around 5 days after the infusions end. This pain can last for a few days before it disappears. However, I did not experience any rebound pain.   I am very grateful to Dr. Mottaghi. For the first time in decades I feel hopeful about living in my broken body. read more

I was treated at Enigma Ketamine Therapy for migraine pains, which I have suffered from all my life. My infusion was 2 days ago, and tonight I was able to enjoy watching 4 hours of television without torturing pain. I have never been able to see a movie without having to take migraine medicine in the middle, and I always ended up with a strong migraine at the end of the movie, even with the medications. To watch more than 2 hours of television was impossible--until tonight. This, I think, is just the beginning of a change in my health. MY EXPERIENCE The compassion and understanding of Jamie and Dr. Mottaghi encouraged me to try this path of alternative medicine. I opted for a 1 hour Ketamine infusion, typically used for patients with depression or anxiety. I was aware that one strong trigger for my migraines is my strong empathy with the characters in the movie, which leads to crying. Since Ketamine can treat both emotional and pain conditions, I decided to give it a try. THE ROOM My private room was cozy and beautiful, with a very comfortable reclining chair for me, as well as a comfortable chair for my husband, who remained with me throughout the infusion. There was a large plant in the room, and the shades were down. An Aurora Beaurialis lamp created soothing patterns on the ceiling. Dr. Mottaghi was very careful in finding a vein, which is very difficult with me. He was incredibly patient and reassuring. He explained what I should expect at every step, and before starting the infusion he reassured me that "You will be safe. I am here the whole time. We can stop the treatment if you wish at any time." THE EXPERIENCE After starting the infusion, Dr. Mottaghi left the room, and I was in my chair with my husband in his chair beside me, holding my hand. I was quickly drawn into a world that I felt my mind was creating. It looked like a velvety landscape of colorful lava. The rational part of my brain remained aware of my existence somewhere in a chair with my husband holding my hand. I knew that this (normal) reality existed, but I felt myself living now in a reality created by my mind. I felt anxious at the very beginning, and I said to my husband, "Fear," and then he started talking to me. After that his voice guided me through a surreal and fascinating experience that I didn't want to end. It was beautiful and fascinating, and I just let go and waited to see what incredible textures, colors, and motion will unfold before my mind's eye. And the whole time I heard my husband sharing beautiful thoughts with me. AFTERWARDS After the infusion was stopped, Dr. Mottaghi removed my IV. I took my time coming to myself. Dr. Mottaghi explained that my motor functions will be impaired for a while. With the help of my husband I sat in a wheelchair, and we visited the bathroom together, then he wheeled me to the car and we drove home. I was able to eat in the car without any problem, to speak and be almost normal, except that I felt very tired and my head felt like it was spinning slightly, a feeling that abated after half an hour. I was able to walk on my own when we arrived at home. I ate some soup, and my husband helped me to bed. THE OUTCOME The experience unfolded in my feelings and thought long after it was over. Dr. Mottaghi recommend that I journal my insights, and I did so. I was amazed by the amount of penetrating self-awareness I could suddenly see. I made interesting links across many memories and events in my life, finding patterns. PAIN RELIEF Despite the interesting element of self-discovery, I do not feel that I encountered a Eureka moment that would explain why I've had migraines since I was four years old. I know that some of it is due to a head injury at that age. And yet, strong emotions always play a part in brining on my migraines. Tonight I watched 4 episodes of Bleak House, an adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel, and this was a FIRST FOR ME. I felt a slow migraine beginning, but it remained at a pain level of 2 and only intensified after 3 hours to around a 4. In the past, I could never watch even 1 episode or movie without ending with a 8 or 9 migraine. Often, I would not be able to see a movie to the end even with migraine medication. Tonight, for the first time in my life, I felt the migraine subsiding on its own. Eventually I took 1/4 pill (instead of a full pill) of migraine medicine to kill the pain completely. My infusion was just 2 days ago, and I expect to see further improvements. I am very glade I tried this approach to pain relief. I believe it will be life-changing. read more