Do you suffer from severe depression? Are you looking for a real treatment plan that works? Ketamine therapy is an alternative treatment for mental health issues like anxiety, depression and PTSD. It can also be used to treat suicidal ideation.
What does Ketamine do to relieve depression? Let’s explore together, but let’s first look at Ketamine.
Ketamine: A Brief History
In 1960s Belgium, Ketamine was first discovered as an anesthetic for animal use. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, approved the use of ketamine on humans in 1970 for treatment of soldiers wounded on the battlefields of Vietnam War.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has declared that Ketamine is a Schedule 3 drug. This means it can be used medically. It does not slow down the heart rate or cause breathing difficulties, so patients do not need to be on a ventilator in order to get it.
Ketamine and Treatment-Resistant Depression
research shows that around 30% of people suffering from severe depression have symptoms that resist treatment. TRD is defined as anyone whose depression does not improve after receiving adequate doses of at least two medications.
TRD can be difficult to identify. Research shows that TRD is most common in the elderly and females. These individuals have seen promising results with Ketamine.
Ketamine helps to grow new synapses
In the 70s, Ketamine was initially used to sedate soldiers wounded. Researchers discovered that Ketamine can be used as an antidepressant in a low dose. In 2019, FDA approved Spravato, a Ketamine-based medication, as a treatment for depression and TRD.
This nasal spray contains esketamine. It is one of two minor image molecules in Ketamine. The main reason for depression’s chemistry is that there are not enough serotonin levels within the brain. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter or hormone that affects your emotions and motor skills, is one example. SSRIs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibiters (SSRIs). This is a traditional way to treat depression.
Ketamine is made from glutamate, which is a common chemical that regulates a lot of your nervous system. It is also crucial in the way your brain reacts to different experiences.
According to several neuroimaging studies, Ketamine can increase glutamate production in the brain’s prefrontal cortex. This surge is strongly associated with creating an antidepressant and dissociative effect.
Lace M. Riggs is a doctoral candidate at the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine’s Neuroscience department. She states in her study, that Ketamine infusions cause rapid surges of glutamate to activate downstream receptors. This triggers the formation of new synapses within the brain.
She also stated that significant progress had been made in understanding how Ketamine can be used to treat depression. We have only scratched the surface on the whole mechanism and the benefits Ketamine therapy could offer for treating depression.
Brain Connectivity in Minutes
Ketamine, which is similar to oral antidepressants promotes neuroplasticity. This means that your brain can create new connections and pathways.
Eero castren, a professor from Neuroscience Center at University of Helsinki, Finland, said that they believe traditional antidepressants are slow at neuroplasticity. However, Ketamine is a much faster way to achieve desired results.
The new research of the professor and his colleagues explains how Ketamine binds directly with the receptors for BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic factor). BDNF can be used to promote the growth and differentiation of nerve cells.
Ketamine can bind the BDNF receptor in a matter minutes, compared to traditional oral antidepressants. This is one reason patients feel instant relief from Ketamine therapy.
Therapy with Ketamine
Ketamine may increase neuroplasticity and cause a temporary altered state in consciousness. Therefore, it is recommended that Ketamine be administered in supportive and safe environments.
Experts also believe that the breakthrough in treatment for depression could be a quick relief. If Ketamine is combined with therapy, it may also be possible to manifest this relief. Ketamine can be used to assist therapists in integrating any valuable insights gained from Ketamine therapy into their daily lives.
This will make it easier to react positively to depression in the future.
Remission of Symptoms for Life
The treatment of depression with ketamine infusion is not an all-in-one solution. It is much more effective than traditional oral antidepressant therapy, which can take years to cure.
Infusions of Ketamine stimulate the brain and provide lasting relief. A series of six infusions is required for patients suffering from depression. This phase can last between 2 and 3 weeks.
After a Ketamine treatment, a long-term maintenance stage will be followed. This may include a booster Ketamine injection (as needed).
Ketamine infusing is promising
The treatment of depression and other mental disorders with ketamine infusions is promising. Individuals with suicidal fixations and treatment-resistant depression have seen positive results from the treatment.
FDA-approved Ketamine Therapy is an alternative medication that can be used to treat long-term depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental disorders. Ketamine infusion allows for other interventions such as psychotherapy.
Counselling and psychotherapy are essential parts of the treatment of depression. If someone is experiencing a depressive episode they may not be able to fully engage in a session of psychotherapy. An infusion of Ketamine can provide immediate relief for those suffering from depression. A psychotherapy session can follow, since the patient is less stressed and more relaxed.
The bottom line
According to the above research, Ketamine infusion therapy can be used to relieve depression quickly and long-term. is a website that offers information about alternative antidepressants to oral medications.