Doctors are impressed by the rapid Ketamine effects on depression symptoms. Learn how this popular new treatment works and whether it might be right for you.
Would it surprise you to learn that one in five Americans suffers from depression? Probably not. Having depression is as common as getting the flu these days.
Millions of Americans suffer every day from crippling depression. You probably know someone who has had this problem at some point.
This condition can affect your personal, social, and professional life. Over time, it wreaks havoc on your mind and body. Its side effects can be debilitating.
What if there was an alternative treatment for depression where you don’t have to take a pill every day? Ketamine therapy is becoming a popular alternative form of mental health treatment.
There are surprising ketamine effects on depression symptoms. It works immediately, provides positive mood changes, and it’s effective when other methods have failed.
What Is Ketamine?
Ketamine was first introduced in the 1960’s and used on soldiers during the Vietnam War. It also served as an animal tranquilizer in veterinary clinics. Known for its pain-relieving and dissociative effects, it soon became popular in the underground drug scene.
Recreational ketamine use can be dangerous and addictive. There has been an increasing amount of ketamine-related hospital visits since 2006, and that number continues to grow each year.
In the early 2000’s, research trials began for using small doses of ketamine to treat depression. People who attempted suicide or trouble with other treatments had the best results.
Studies have found that clinical use of anesthetic ketamine has low risks. Now, over 3,000 patients have been treated for depression with ketamine therapy.
There is a lot to learn about this treatment. We need to know the effects of its long-term use, the standards of dosage, and infusion frequency. But researchers make leaps and bounds every day.
The FDA marked two ketamine-based drugs as breakthrough therapy and fast-tracked them to the market.
How Can Ketamine Help with Depression?
Our studies indicate that 70 percent of patients find relief within hours. Researchers don’t know exactly how this drug cures depression, but there are a few theories.
Scientists believe that ketamine effects change the way brain cells communicate with each other.
Instead of targeting serotonin like antidepressants do, ketamine attaches to the neurotransmitter glutamate. Researchers are now looking into old programs that react to the glutamate receptor as well.
Other studies indicate that ketamine blocks NMDA, a receptor in the brain. This compound triggers depression symptoms. By inhibiting it, the drug can lift your mood and keep depression at bay.
Although ketamine stays in your system for a short time, its effects are long-lasting. Basically, this drug helps rewire people’s brains to find a new perspective. It also improves their mood and promotes a positive mindset.
Plus, it links to other receptors in the brain (like the opioid receptor), which is why it helps with chronic pain.
What Other Illnesses Can Ketamine Treat?
Ketamine therapy isn’t used just for depression. It can also help with PTSD, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and chronic pain.
Therapists have found huge success in giving it to patients with treatment-resistant depression. Their depression doesn’t respond to normal treatments and needs extra help.
It also helps patients who are suicidal and may be planning to hurt themselves or others.
Ketamine effects can help relieve emotional pressure immediately. Other medications may take hours or days to work.
How Does It Work?
Ketamine therapy is an alternative treatment for mental health issues, and can ease chronic pain. It is administered via an IV infusion given at a clinic or research lab.
Since clinical research is new for ketamine therapy, it is only available at clinics that specialize in ketamine therapy. As of now, there are 12 states that operate ketamine therapy clinics. Go online and do some research to find one near you.
Unlike antidepressants that can take weeks to work, ketamine therapy shows effects in hours. Some patients only need to have a few treatments, while others require more consistent infusions.
The short-term effects of the treatment will usually last around one to three days. After the treatment, patients shouldn’t drive or make any big decisions until the next day.
For patients wanting to achieve long-term results, health experts recommend several treatments over a few months. Each infusion is different, but we’ve found that around six treatments will produce lasting effects.
Ketamine therapy does not affect antidepressant use. If you’re already taking antidepressants, you can still get ketamine therapy.
Once you consult a doctor about your health concern, he will create a ketamine therapy administration plan. This will be personalized and adjusted as needed.
The goal is to find long-term relief for your depression so you can lead a more-fulfilled and vibrant life.
Ketamine Effects
There are several positive ketamine effects for depression symptoms. Ketamine effects take place a few hours after the IV infusion.
This drug is classified as “dissociative”, which means it can give an out of body feeling. Patients also see bright colors or feel like they are seeing the scene from above.
The dissociative ketamine effects wear off between 30 minutes to an hour, after which you will feel normal.
It’s not recommended to drive or make important decisions the day of the treatment. But you will be able to have conversations and go about your day as you normally would.
The most common effect reported by patients is a relieved feeling of dread or anxiety, which occurs immediately.
This therapy helps hardwire the brain to find a new perspective from a more relaxed and rational state of mind. The disassociative properties may also help break down societal norms or negative paradigms we have in place.
The euphoria associated with ketamine therapy can help change your outlook on life. This can lead to long-term positive effects and better social connections.
Depression is a combination of factors, and usually, depending on severity, can be cured within a few months. For those suffering from mild or seasonal depression, one or two treatments are enough.
Side Effects of Ketamine
Just like everything else, ketamine its drawbacks.
Although clinical anesthetic ketamine at low doses has a relatively low risk, there are still a few side effects.
Most commonly, people will feel the dissociative effects the strongest. Patients report a dreamlike feeling or have blurry or double vision. These side effects wear off quickly and can be pleasant if the patient knows what to expect.
Nausea is a common side effect of ketamine therapy. It is recommended that patients do not eat up to four hours before treatment, and only drink liquids two hours before treatment.
Sometimes there are also short anxiety feelings immediately after the dose has been administered. Once the effects of the treatment begin, these symptoms will wear off.
The risks associated with ketamine are very low. It is the safest anesthetic out there.
Unlike other anesthetics that can drop blood pressure or affect breathing, this drug can be administered easily and without the need for electricity or oxygen supply. It’s not only safe but convenient too.
Is Ketamine Therapy Right for You?
Are you tired of living with depression, PTSD, suicidal thoughts, or anxiety?
If you have tried other treatments that haven’t worked, ketamine therapy may be right for you. Consult your doctor to learn more about how it works and what to expect.
Also, you should be aware of ketamine’s effects and risks before beginning treatment.
While there are currently no set rules in place for ketamine therapy, there are a few standards treatment experts have agreed on:
Make sure your doctor is fully aware of your medical history, especially about mental health.
Your doctor should be aware of any history of substance abuse or addictive behavior.
Your clinic should have a clear plan for how they measure physical and psychological ketamine effects.
Doctors should track your vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels) before, during, and after the infusion.
Book Your Consultation Today
Ketamine therapy could be the solution you’re looking for. Find out if ketamine effects are a safe alternative for you.
Although this is a new treatment, the results are promising. There is new research happening every day to promote the effective, long-term results of ketamine therapy.
Don’t live with your depression or other mental health concerns any longer. Ketamine therapy has low risks and yields effective results.
For patients with treatment-resistant depression or severe chronic pain, this could be the best alternative.
Although it is new on the market, there have been surprising ketamine effects. It helps relieve depression symptoms and can also reduce pain. Its efficiency in treating mood disorders is backed up by science.
Book your consultation today and find out if this is the treatment that can change your life! We look forward to hearing from you!
