The Benefits of Ketamine Therapy for Depression

August 10, 2024

Imagine waking up every day feeling like you are trapped in a fog that never lifts. You have tried different treatments- antidepressants, therapy, and maybe even lifestyle changes, but nothing made a difference. With time depression can feel like an unrelenting weight that’s nearly difficult to shake, and if you think you are alone, you are not! According to Forbes Health, about 21 million adults in the US have had a major depression episode at least once in their lives (Source: https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/depression-statistics/).

Although there are many conventional treatments like antidepressants and therapy that work effectively for many, they don’t always work for everyone. This is where ketamine for depression comes into the big picture. It is a revolutionary approach that offers hope to those who haven’t found relief through conventional ways. However, what exactly is ketamine therapy, and how can it support people battling depression? Read on to discover!

Ketamine Therapy: A New Hope for Depression

In the 1960S, Ketamine was used as an anesthesia medicine for animals, and the FDA approved Ketamine as an anesthetic for people in the 1970s for treating injured soldiers on the battlefield in the Vietnam War. Unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks to start working, ketamine can produce immediate improvements in mood, and it is administered in a controlled clinical setting and delivered via IV infusion or other methods like nasal sprays or oral troches.

Ketamine works differently than other antidepressants by working on the glutamate receptor, which is upstream of all the other neurotransmitters that typical antidepressants work on (e.g. serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine). It is has an 80% efficacy in treatment resistant depression, while typical antidepressants are no better than placebo at 30% in treatment naïve people and studies have shown if you fail one of those meds, your chances of ever responding to that type of antidepressant drops to 20%. Typical antidepressants were also never meant to be used long-term and data shows people would have been better off just getting talk therapy. The pharmacological part of ketamine works very well, but the psychedelic effect when used at low doses with ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP), can bring about profound spiritual healing from attachment or severe traumas. Depression stems from being stuck one’s story and meaning making and ketamine helps rewire our brains out of depressions hold on our thoughts and behavior. Ketamine is very safe and is very unlikely to lead to addiction in people without a history of addiction. The key here in these treatments is they act fast, are safe and the response to short-term treatment is durable, which is specifically beneficial for people dealing with chronic depression and/or severe PTSD.

Effective for Treatment-Resistant Depression

For those who have tried multiple antidepressants without success, the term “treatment-resistant depression” can feel like a life sentence. However, ketamine therapy has been shown to be effective where other treatments have failed. Research indicates that ketamine can offer relief even when other medications and therapies have not worked, which is quite a hopeful option for people who have exhausted their traditional options.

Improved Neuroplasticity: Rewiring the Brain

Ketamine doesn’t just mask the symptoms of depression; it may actually help heal the brain. Studies suggest that ketamine promotes neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new connections and pathways.

It also works on the habenula, the neural network upstream of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which lines the 3rd ventricle and pineal gland, also considered to be our “3rd eye or portal to spiritual awakening.” Depression can shrink certain parts of the brain, like the hippocampus, which is involved in mood regulation. By encouraging the growth of new synapses, ketamine helps to repair and strengthen the brain’s neural networks, potentially leading to lasting improvements in mental health.

Minimal Side Effects

While all treatments come with potential side effects, ketamine therapy is generally well-tolerated when administered in a clinical setting. The most common side effects, such as dizziness or mild hallucinations, are usually short-lived and subside soon after the use of ketamine. Moreover, because ketamine is administered under professional supervision, any adverse effects can be managed immediately.

Conclusion

Do you want to get started with Ketamine therapy in Iowa or St Thomas, USVI? At Holistic Wellness & Psychiatry, we offer ketamine treatment in a wide range of options, from at-home use of compound ketamine for oral or intranasal torches in low-dose to Spravato and higher-dose options like IV and IM ketamine treatment options.

Still, scouring the web for ketamine depression treatment near me? Call or text us at 319-800-2125 for more details.

Holistic Wellness & Psychiatry

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