SEMAGLUTIDE

At New Path Mental Health & Wellness, we like to tackle mental health problems from every angle, including treating the mind, body, and soul. We believe a well-rounded approach, such as this, is the best way to achieve a healthy balance in life. For this reason, being physically well (including getting good sleep, nutrition, and exercise) is just as important as taking care of your mental health through mindfulness, meditation, psychotherapy and medication management, so that you can be the best “you” that you can be.

Part of this process includes managing your physical health through maintaining an appropriate weight. Achieving a healthy weight can be extremely challenging, particularly when it comes to dealing with persistent hunger. Fortunately, there are modern solutions available to help individuals control their appetite and effectively lose weight. At New Path, we offer personalized weight loss programs that utilize the benefits of Semaglutide. This innovative treatment promotes a quicker feeling of fullness, effectively reducing hunger levels and empowering individuals to navigate their daily routines without constant cravings. With our specialized approach, we aim to support clients in their weight loss endeavors and provide them with a satisfying and successful experience, which helps to promote an overall state of physical and mental wellness.

“You’re a mental health clinic. Why would you even offer medically assisted weight management?"

We’ve heard this question before, but there are MULTIPLE reasons why offering Semaglutide in a mental health clinic makes complete sense! Obesity is a large risk factor in all mental health disorders and is very commonly a comorbid issue that clients deal with when suffering from mental health issues. Studies have shown that people with depression, for example, are at a 58% higher risk of becoming obese, while obesity itself increases the chances of developing depression by 55% over people who are not obese. Semaglutide can also be an invaluable tool when used alongside other mental health medications, many of which have been shown to cause weight gain in clients who take them.

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide, originally developed for type 2 Diabetes patients, is a potent glycemic stabilizer that enhances insulin levels while reducing the secretion of glucagon, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. In addition to these essential functions, Semaglutide also exhibits a significant appetite-reducing effect, leading to decreased food intake. While Semaglutide is highly effective as a standalone treatment for weight loss, patients often achieve the best results when combining it with a balanced diet and regular exercise. By incorporating Semaglutide into a comprehensive approach, clients can maximize their weight loss journey and improve their overall health.

How does Semaglutide work?

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Semaglutide is an FDA-approved peptidic GLP-1 receptor agonist that interacts with the hormone GLP-1 to regulate hunger levels. By engaging with GLP-1, Semaglutide induces a feeling of fullness, even with reduced calorie intake, effectively controlling appetite. Beyond its hunger-regulating effects, Semaglutide also stimulates insulin secretion to address high blood sugar levels. It slows down digestion by delaying gastric emptying, resulting in reduced appetite and accelerated weight loss. Our Semaglutide injections are administered weekly. When carried out in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, patients can achieve a significant body weight reduction of up to 15% with Semaglutide treatments.

What are the benefits of Semaglutide?

Numerous lab studies have demonstrated that Semaglutide can achieve a greater amount of weight loss than other treatments. 

Some of its most notable advantages include: 

·       Non-addictive medication with minimal side effects

·       Decreased appetite and reduced cravings

·       Rapid onset of satiety

·       Non-stimulant formulation

·       Well-tolerated by the majority of patients

·       Safe and effective treatment option

·       Prolonged feelings of fullness

·       Significant weight loss

·       Slowed digestion

·       Reduced BMI (Body Mass Index)

What is the treatment process like?

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When beginning at New Path, you will be seen by one of our medication providers to evaluate whether you are a good candidate for treatment. This appointment usually takes around 30 minutes and can be scheduled either in person or via telehealth. The initial visit can be billed through your insurance or completed at a cash rate of $150. Once we have determined your candidacy (based on medical history, treatment goals, lab results, and current medication list), we can begin treatment! Treatment consists of weekly shots that can be performed either in person in one of our two office locations or can be shipped to you at home where you can self-administer the injections. The cost for these injections is anywhere from $200 - $360 per month, depending on dosage.  Once every 4 to 6 weeks you will need to be seen for a “check in” appointment where your provider will assess your response to the medication, including benefits, side effects, and will determine if a dosage change is appropriate. These visits may be billed to insurance as well or can be completed at a cash rate of $99 each. Once you have reached your desired weight, you and your provider can discuss next steps and either decide to continue maintenance dosing or titrate the doses down to eventually discontinue treatment.

What are some potential side effects to watch for?

Common side effects include, but are not limited to:

·       Gastrointestinal: Nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, Diarrhea/constipation, dyspepsia, abdominal distension, eructation, flatulence, gastroenteritis, GERD, gastritis, lipase increase, amylase increase

·       Neurological: Headache, dizziness

·       Cardiac: Heart rate increase, Hypotension

·       Endocrine: Fatigue, hypoglycemia (diabetic patients), alopecia

·       Ophthalmic: Retinal disorder (diabetic patients)

·       Skin: redness or pain at injection site

Serious Reactions include, but are not limited to:

·       Thyroid C-cell tumor (animal studies)

·       Medullary thyroid cancer

·       Hypersensitivity reaction

·       Anaphylaxis

·       Angioedema

·       Acute kidney injury

·       Chronic renal failure exacerbation

·       Pancreatitis

·       Cholelithiasis

·       Cholecystitis

·       Syncope