Ketamine is an increasingly effective treatment for hard-to-treat depression. It can manage severe depression that does not get better even with conventional modalities. WellMind Behavioral Health & Wellness helps patients with mental health problems find relief using Cordova ketamine therapy. Here is what you need to know about Ketamine.
Ketamine history
Ketamine is an anesthetic used in medical and surgical procedures for decades. Researchers from Yale School of Medicine started assessing its viability for treating mental health conditions like depression.
Today, Ketamine has been approved by the FDA as an effective alternative to traditional anti-depressant medication. It can also manage a variety of other mental health conditions.
Other conditions ketamine treats include:
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
- Eating disorders and anxiety
- Bipolar depression
Why use Ketamine to treat depression?
Research has shown ketamine produces better results for treatment-resistant depression (TRT) than antidepressants. TRT (Treatment-Resistant Depression) is depression that does not respond to conventional antidepressant medication. Statistics suggest a third of the people with major depression also have TRT.
Besides antidepressants, people with major depression are also treated with other evidence-based modalities like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
In one study, ketamine was prescribed to patients with TRT taking regular antidepressants to manage TRT. Patients received conventional medication to address concerns over not treating TRT.
The study shows patients taking ketamine reduced symptoms during the treatment period. Additionally, the remissions lasted longer for TRT patients than for conventional antidepressant medication.
Administering ketamine through IV ensures rapid action to provide fast relief for TRT patients. The oral medication goes through the digestive system, impacting its efficacy and speed at relieving symptoms.
Ketamine IV treatments can alleviate symptoms in a few hours or days. Traditional medication may take a fortnight to induce positive effects. Ketamine also lasts longer than conventional antidepressants, with treatments administered once every one or two weeks.
How does ketamine work?
Ketamine employs a different mechanism than antidepressants to alleviate symptoms of depression. Conventional depression medication works on the norepinephrine and serotonin pathways.
But ketamine is multifaceted in its action. It activates NMDA receptors, which stimulate the glutamate pathways. Through the glutamate pathways, it detaches dead synapses in the brain and re-attaches new ones.
Ketamine’s effect can reverse after several weeks. That is why patients need additional IV infusions every few weeks or months. The duration depends on the patient’s mental health condition and symptoms.
Does ketamine have side effects?
Like other depression medications, misuse of ketamine can produce side effects. The side effects emerge in minutes and can last for hours or days, depending on the amount consumed.
Ketamine side effects may include dizziness, nausea, confused thinking, lack of coordination, and loss of movement. In some cases, it can cause detachment from reality, changes in sensory perceptions, and hallucinations. Mixing ketamine with alcohol can cause severe respiratory problems and even death.
However, research shows ketamine has virtually no side effects when administered in low doses. If you have depression, it is wise to undergo an evaluation before taking the drug.
To find out more about ketamine therapies, call WellMind Behavioral Health & Wellness or schedule an online appointment.
