Ketamine or TMS: Which Mental Health Treatment is Right for You?

Have you been battling depression or anxiety for what feels like forever? You have tried the usual medications, therapy sessions, lifestyle changes, and everything- but nothing seems to work out. If this is the scene, you are not alone because many people face this exact situation. However, fortunately, now there are new-age treatments like Ketamine and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to help you reclaim your mental well-being. But, before you consult a therapist, how do you know which is the best treatment for you? Here’s a guide to help you get started!

Originally developed as an anesthetic, Ketamine has become a proven treatment for mental conditions. Unlike typical antidepressants, which take weeks to work, Ketamine has fast-acting effects, and it can provide relief within hours or days for some patients. How? Ketamine targets glutamate, a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood. By increasing glutamate production, ketamine can encourage the brain to form new neural pathways, which helps to rewire the brain’s response to stress and depression. However, you need to consider the administration of this drug as it is typically given intravenously or as a nasal spray under supervision, so it requires regular visits to a clinic.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) offers a non-invasive alternative. Unlike medications or Ketamine, TMS doesn’t rely on chemicals but uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. This therapy targets specific brain regions with low-frequency magnetic pulses so normal brain activity can be restored, and it can improve mood over time. The sessions are short, and they usually last for about 30-40 minutes without requiring any anesthesia. Also, TMS is an FDA-approved treatment, and it has shown significant improvement in patients with treatment-resistant depression.

However, TMS usually requires several sessions a week over 4-6 weeks for optimal results, and people with certain types of brain implants or metal in the head are not ideal candidates for TMS.

Deciding between Ketamine and TMS depends on your specific needs, medical history, and lifestyle. You can consider the following factors before selecting a treatment option:

Selecting between Ketamine and TMS ultimately comes down to what aligns best with your personal preferences and treatment goals. Before you choose a treatment or think about the side effects, consult professionals for integrative holistic psychiatry and find out what suits your needs best. Both treatments offer hope to those struggling with mental health conditions and may pave the way to better mental wellness, and the best part is these treatments can also be used together. So, what do you want?