MeRT

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MeRT (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy)

Solstice offers a newer brain technology called MeRT℠ (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) to address the brain waves at the source, to ultimately help with both mood and cognition.  MeRT is based upon the technology of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), but offers a more customized approach to its mechanism, which not only optimizes your results but leads to reduced side effects and higher client satisfaction. Solstice takes this technology to a new level by combining it with integrative psychiatry.

What is MeRT℠?

MeRT℠ is a brain therapy that provides magnetic stimulation to retrain your brain waves to function optimally. It is a newer version of the classically understood TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) which has been established since 1985.

MeRT℠ is a patented, evidence-based, FDA-approved, non invasive procedure that includes a combination of magnetic transcranial stimulation and electroencephalogram (EEG) to provide individualized relief. The location and intensity of stimulation varies and is customized for each individual. Most sessions last 30 - 35 minutes. Relief can begin to be felt within the first week  for some, but within 3 months, cognitive and behavioral changes can be truly felt and noticed.  MeRT℠ has a low side effect profile and is a painless procedure, including in children.

This treatment is considered an alternative therapy that can help some patients decrease or even get off their medication. In the case of children, it can help prevent the need to start medication.

Who can receive MeRT?

MeRT℠ can be used to treat a variety of conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder, ADHD, TBI, and has even shown efficacy in Autism Spectrum Disorder. The brain wave support helps with the brain’s ability to process stimuli, complex information, and regulate stress better. All of these things allow for improved mood stability, focus, attention, memory, and the body’s general stress response.

MeRT may be used for ages 2 years old and up and is studied to be safe to administer while pregnant or breastfeeding.

We are the preferred provider of TMS using MeRT℠ to reduce stress, improve focus, relieve trauma or injury, and treat an array of presenting problems through this prong of our integrated care. We understand sources of inflammation and seek to analyze individual brain patterns in order to stop the cycle and help you find relief once and for all. Our providers pair MeRT℠ with psychotherapy, circadian rhythm rebalancing and holistic medicine to provide the best results.  It's our objective to help you be as informed about your brain as we are. Your goals are as valuable as the things that make you unique and a true phenomenon.  Using the best technology and sharing enhanced coping and neurological care is the path we choose for the families we serve.

TMS is Medicare and Tricare approved, and we are in network with a variety of providers to help make this option more affordable for you or your loved one.

We welcome your questions about this technology. Contact our team to see what options are available to you!

Understanding Brain Waves

When it comes to brain wave patterns, we see various deficits or imbalances that are associated with specific mood symptoms. There are 4 especially key patterns that are measured. Delta Waves, typically present in deep sleep; Theta waves, expected to be present when one is drowsy or beginning to fall asleep; Alpha waves, typically present when awake but relaxed and/or eyes closed; Beta waves, typically present during focus, learning, and high level cognition. Symptoms arise when certain waves are deficient, or when other waves are present when they should not be.

We measure your brain wave patterns via EEG (electroencephalogram) to determine how your brain is functioning. During the EEG, we simulate an awake, relaxed state by having you close your eyes during the recording.

In an ideal sense, a healthy EEG should demonstrate clear awake, relaxed brain waves. However, in mood disorder, TBI, ADHD, Autism, and substance abuse, we see much different results. We tend to see an abundance of light or deep sleep waves (slow wave activity), or very fast hypervigilant waves instead of relaxed alpha waves. It’s considered abnormal if either of these extremes are prevalent when the brain is trying to be calm and relaxed. What is the significance of this? This means that individuals are attempting to function at high levels when their brains are in a sleep-like state. Or, the brain is moving too quickly when you need to remain calm, focus, or process information. 

Additionally, alpha waves serve to help the brain regulate stress through heat energy. So when this is not being achieved, the brain begins to function like an overheated engine - it becomes more sluggish, has less power, and may malfunction. This translates into symptoms of fatigue, brain fog, irritability, emotional dysregulation, poor focus, difficulty reaching milestones, impulsivity, or frequently also includes suicidal ideation.

Furthermore, the brain, in a dysregulated wave state, will rapidly burn through nutrients attempting to catch up to the demands of the day. This depletion further impacts the brain’s ability to process information and regulate mood. Until these brain wave patterns are restored, it is extremely difficult for the brain to truly heal.

What to Expect

What to Expect in the MeRT Process

Once you have been approved to begin MeRT℠, you will be scheduled to have an EEG to measure your brain wave patterns. This will take approximately 40-60 minutes. You will be seated in a chair and have an EEG cap placed on your head. A certified technician will gently insert gel via a plastic tip into each electrode on the cap. A computer will read your brain wave activity based on this connection.

Once all electrodes are connected, the technician will record your EEG. You will be asked to sit very still and close your eyes while the EEG is recording. We will assist you to help you stay still for approximately 10 minutes. If your child is receiving this EEG, we collect increments of data. According to your child’s ability to stay still and calm.

Once the EEG is completed, the results are sent to a specialty lab (Wave Neuroscience), and reports are processed within 1-2 business days. Our medical provider will interpret your EEG in an individual session and discuss potential outcomes based on your results.

Our team will schedule you for the actual treatment to be received 5 days per week. Each treatment session is approximately 30-35 minutes depending on your treatment protocol. Your protocol is customized according to the lab’s interpretation of your EEG along with your individual motor threshold. This means that you will have a customized location of stimulation and a customized stimulation intensity to fit your brain’s needs. This allows for more efficacy in your treatment and less side effects (especially when compared to the traditional TMS).

The stimulation itself trains your brain to learn these awake, relaxed brain waves (also known as alpha waves). To solidify your brain’s “learning” of these waves, you will be asked to close your eyes during each stimulation burst (5 second increments). (If you have a child receiving treatment, we provide gentle assistance in this process if needed.) You will have around 30 seconds in between each stimulation burst. So it looks something like this: 5 Second Stimulation (eyes closed), 30 seconds rest (eyes open), 5 second stimulation (eyes closed), 30 seconds rest (eyes open), and repeat until session is completed after 30-35 minutes.

A technician will be accompanying you to assist in any way in this process.

Consistency will be important for your treatment since it is a retraining of your brain waves, similar to a physical work-out. Just like we see with endurance training or muscle building, there must be consistent days on and days off to truly see results. In the case of MeRT℠, treatment Monday through Friday with weekends off helps provide results faster.

Every two weeks, we will collect a repeat EEG to monitor your progress. You will discuss these results with your provider once they are resulted. We will also measure your progress via psychological assessments each week.

We recommend at least 7-8 weeks of MeRT℠, depending on your condition. Some patients receive up to 12-15 weeks. This treatment is designed to be a one-time treatment. Longevity of results vary depending on lifestyle, medications, sobriety, and other environmental factors. We tend to see lasting results when patients are consistent with their individual therapy, medication routine, healthy sleep routine, and have a general healthy lifestyle. You may discuss this with your provider in further detail for your own best results.

Understanding Your Results

What is expected of me if I receive MeRT℠?

First, keep showing up, even when it’s hard or tiring. Staying consistent will truly pay off!

Second, we require a sober lifestyle to receive this treatment, as alcohol, substances (including marijuana/THC) will only interfere with your results. We can even see the effects of these substances in your EEG!

Third, we recommend participating in therapy and/or medication management to optimize your results. While MeRT℠ is very helpful with improving your mood and cognition, it has limited impact on your mindset and behavior. Those are up to you to execute change. And can be addressed in your individual work with your provider.

How can I guarantee the best or fastest results?

Results may vary with MeRT℠ depending on your condition severity, compliance, and lifestyle factors. However, we recommend a few things to optimize your results while receiving treatment.

First, have a healthy and consistent sleep routine. Try to be asleep no later than 10PM to allow your brain time to rest and recover. This is important for emotional rest, in addition to the physical rest needed from the “training” it receives during the stimulation. It is much like a workout for your brain!

Second, get at least 30 minutes of morning sunlight between the hours of 7-11AM. The sunlight provides special stimulation to support both the new waves and hormones in your brain.

Third, limit screen time. Screens provide a lot of stimulation for your brain which can distract your waves from healing.

We have more recommendations and education tips, contact us to set up your appointment and find out more!

Example Baseline Results

What Healthy Looks Like
An ideal picture of our brain waves show clean, aligned, and pointed peaks at approximately 10-11 Hertz frequency. These waves are the alpha waves. We like to see minimal wave activity or peaks in the 0-7 hertz range, and in the 12-24 hertz range.

MeRT 1

Now let’s look at some abnormal baseline EEGs that we’ve seen at our own clinic:
Bipolar 2 disorder, Opioid Abuse

MeRT 1

ADHD

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Bipolar 1 Disorder, PTSD

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Alcohol abuse, PTSD, Depression and Anxiety

MeRT 1

OCD, Dissociative Depression

MeRT 1

PTSD, TBI, DepressionMeRT 1

Severe TBI

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EEG Results Over Time

Now let’s look at some progress reports of EEGs from various patients who have received care at our clinic.

Chronic Depression with suicidal ideation

MeRT 1

Reported relief: More calm, present, and complete reduction in suicidal ideation

Anxiety, Depression, PTSD

MeRT 1

Reported relief: More calm, centered, less impulsive, improved suicidal thoughts

ASD, ADHD

MeRT 1

Reported relief: Less anxious, angry, or reactive

Depression, Methamphetamine Abuse

MeRT 1

Reported relief: Reduction in suicidal thoughts, improved cognition

PTSD, Depression with suicidal ideation, Fibromyalgia

MeRT 1

Reported relief: Complete reduction in suicidal thoughts, decreased physical pain, able to enjoy things

Depression with multiple suicide attempts

MeRT 1

Reported relief: Happiness, improved energy, able to enjoy things, complete reduction in suicidal thoughts

Chronic Depression with suicidal ideation

MeRT 1

Reported relief: Complete reduction of suicidal ideation, improved sleep, energy, happiness, motivation, ability to manage stress

Depression, Anxiety, TBI

MeRT 1

Reported relief: Complete reduction in depression, anxiety, irritability, with improved energy

Depression, PTSD, Complex Grief Disorder

MeRT 1

Reported relief: Improved physical pain, motivation, ability to enjoy things, sleep

Reported relief: Improved physical pain, motivation, ability to enjoy things, sleep

As you can see with these examples, your baseline EEG and progress will vary based on your own unique condition and wellness journey. Some patients have subtle EEG changes but have drastic symptom improvement. Regardless of the results, the goal isn't perfection, but progress. We want the brain to learn resilience. Our lives will never be perfect; we can expect lots of mess. But if our brains are resilient, we will be able to regulate our response to the mess much more easily. That's where MeRT can help - to help bring your mind more clarity, calm, and help you self-regulate when hardship comes your way.

Getting care can  go beyond your daily medication, therapy, and case management. While those are essential and should first be implemented, we can always make room for more innovative approaches. These interventions do not replace the need for lifestyle changes or therapeutic coping mechanisms but rather help to amplify and support your treatment process.

MeRT

MeRT℠ works to deliver magnetic stimulation to certain areas of your brain to help reset and retrain your brain waves.

Practically speaking, patients will typically report overall improvement in sadness, hopelessness, mental clarity, memory, ability to focus, and ability to utilize coping skills. Additionally, we see marked improvement in suicidal ideation and anxiety within the first 7-10 days of treatment.

Why do we see such improvements?

MeRT℠ helps to restore the underlying brain wave patterns that drive thoughts, behaviors, energy, sleep, and cognition. When someone’s brain has been exposed to drugs, emotional or physical trauma, or when one’s lifestyle does not well support the mind, we see dramatic shifts in the brain waves. In other words, we see a shift in how the brain tries to protect its energy. The brain regulates energy, thus hormones, through wave-like activity. When the brain is not well rested or cared for (any 21st Century lifestyle qualifies), it preserves its energy by sustaining very slow-wave, sleep-like activity throughout the day. This correlates with symptoms such as feeling on-edge, fatigued, reactive to stressors, irritable, sad, unmotivated, poor concentration, etc. MeRT℠ re-trains the brain to restore awake, relaxed brain waves to help the mind feel more calm, collected, focused, resilient to stressors, and have better energy regulation. It does not change personality, rather helps to bring out your best self, the part that many feel that they have lost in their mood disorder. It is recommended to be pursued with psychotherapy and/or medication management to bring holistic and effective relief.

Spravato

Spravato (esketamine) treatment is an FDA-approved treatment for those with suicidal ideation or chronic depression. Spravato is administered via nasal spray and requires close monitoring in specially approved clinics. Solstice is an approved administrator and healthcare facility for Spravato, which means you get to experience all of our treatments under one roof!

Spravato is structurally similar to ketamine but has been studied to be more effective in penetrating the blood brain barrier (through passage of the nasal cavity to the brain) as opposed to receiving IV (intravenous) ketamine which takes longer to be processed through the body until it reaches the brain. Spravato has also been shown to have lower abuse potential compared to ketamine while still helping the mood and mind recover from the depressed and suicidal fog.

Spravato is a helpful adjunct in your medication management and therapy process because of its rapid mechanism. Indicators of relief are often felt in the first week of administration.

To find out more about your eligibility and coverage for Spravato, we will have you initially obtain a psychiatric consult and see how to customize your medical treatment plan to optimize your results.

Supplements, Herbs, and Micronutrients

Natural interventions are useful tools when pharmaceuticals don’t sit well. Supplements specifically can be such a helpful tool to help support someone’s body and mind. We definitely have some favorites that we use that are quite effective! Starting with supplements is not a bad thing, and is often something we’ll do when someone is very medication hesitant. Supplements can also help some individuals with the transition of getting off medications. Our providers utilize micronutrient therapies (which also includes focusing on certain dietary needs), amino acid therapies to naturally support your neurotransmitters, and herbal therapies that help with hormone balance and thus mood. 

Alongside these supplement therapies, we also highly emphasize lifestyle medicine, which means that your lifestyle heavily influences your medical and biological state. Thus, focusing on sleep, nutrition, movement, screen, and daylight habits are critical in targeting mood and perspective.

However, if your mood is still struggling or progress is very slow with the natural or lifestyle route, you may be a candidate for pharmaceutical options.

Getting help is a humbling and difficult process. Whether it’s seeing a therapist or deciding to start medications, we can feel lots of shame or embarrassment for “getting to this point”. But remember to be kind to yourself. Life and relationships are challenging and can take a toll on our emotional state. We’re only human after all. And it’s not an issue about society’s pressures, it’s about your own pressures on yourself. We are our worst enemies with our thoughts toward ourselves. Don’t let that stop you from getting the help that may bring you the relief you’ve been waiting for!