Ketamine is often thought of as a recreational or anesthetic but has recently gained popularity for the therapeutic benefits it can offer. Under controlled circumstances, guided ketamine therapy has been shown to help with various mental health conditions. Specifically, helping individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety or mood disorders.
What is ketamine assisted therapy?
Ketamine is an anesthetic that is relatively safe when administered by professionals. Ketamine is a cost-effective and fast acting treatment that can give patients relief from symptoms following the first course of treatment.
Ketamine works in two ways to help treat these illnesses. First, ketamine acts as a neurotransmitter that affects glutamate, a stimulant. Ketamine blocks the glutamate, which lowers overactivity that can happen to patients experiencing PTSD. Ketamine can also increase neuronal plasticity by triggering the brain to restructure. This creates new thought pathways called synapses.
Treating Treatment-Resistant Depression
Ketamine therapy has recently come to the forefront as a breakthrough treatment for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, a condition where traditional antidepressant medication is ineffective. Ketamine therapy can provide quick relief, often within hours or days after treatment. Ketamine therapy can provide relief to individuals who experience chronic suffering and helps lower the chance of suicide.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a condition that results from a traumatic experience. PTSD can be challenging to treat and Ketamine therapy for trauma has shown promise in managing symptoms. Without fully knowing the reason why, ketamine therapy for PTSD seems to alleviate symptoms of PTSD faster than traditional routes of treatments. Ketamine disrupts the consolidation of traumatic memories and creates new neural pathways in the brain. This can aid in the processing and reintegration of traumatic experiences.
Some patients have described the after affects of ketamine treatment as “stepping back from your life and being able to look at your problems from a bird’s eye view”.
Managing Anxiety and Other Mood Disorders
Ketamine therapy has shown potential in managing anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Ketamine targets the glutamate receptors that can help regulate mood, alleviate symptoms and promote a sense of calm. In addition to anxiety disorders, ketamine therapy has shown potential to address bipolar depression, borderline personality disorder (BPD), and other mood disorders. This provides hope and relief to those struggling with complex mental health conditions.
Conclusion
Ketamine therapy has made its way to the forefront as a groundbreaking treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions. Ketamine therapy challenges traditional routes of treatment and has a unique ability to rapidly alleviate symptoms from PTSD, depression and anxiety. It is important to note that ketamine therapy should be administered and monitored by trained professionals in a controlled environment. Further research and clinical trials are still necessary to fully understand the long-term effects, most effective dosing and best practices of ketamine therapy. With that being said, it has shown profound success that highlights the incredible impact this innovative therapy can have on people struggling with debilitating mental health conditions.
If you have questions about ketamine and want to learn about ketamine therapy sessions, reach out to the professionals at Regenerative and Sports Medicine to set up a consultation today.