Mental health is often the last thing that people think about. If you are suffering from depression or anxiety, you may not know where to turn – even if you have access to health care. And some people don’t have access to health care, while others may be unaware of the available resources. Ketamine offers many mental health benefits; a mental health assessment is the way to determine if it is right for you.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine treatment is an increasingly popular option for patients with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, or general anxiety disorder. Ketamine, an anesthetic developed in 1962, has been used to induce and maintain general anesthesia. Since the mid-1990s, it has gained recognition as one of the most important research compounds in anesthesia and analgesia.
Ketamine is currently an FDA-approved, fast-acting general anesthetic. It provides relief from depression to many people previously unaware there is a legal way to get this beneficial drug, administered professionally, for treatment-resistant depression and other medical conditions.
What is Ketamine Infusion Therapy
Ketamine infusion therapy (KIT) is a new and rapidly growing treatment for chronic pain. It involves using IV infusions of ketamine to treat various conditions. Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic since the 1960s, but it has recently been studied as a potential treatment for depression and other mood disorders.
Ketamine therapy is administered in a clinic or hospital by a qualified doctor and nurse team who will evaluate your conditions from your mental health assessment. They will then check whether the medication is suitable for you, considering any existing medical conditions and possible side effects of treatment. It is through an intravenous drip, though it can also be managed through intramuscular injections or nasal sprays.
The effects of ketamine therapy usually last between 30 minutes and three hours before wearing off. Compared to other treatments, such as opioids or antidepressants, ketamine has much less potential for abuse and addiction. However, it does have side effects that may interfere with daily life. Patients should discuss these issues with their doctor before beginning treatment.
What is Ketamine Nasal and Inhalant Therapy
Unlike Intravenous Ketamine, there are two new no-needle IV options available. Spravato® (esketamine) is a nasal prescription spray taken at home and used in conjunction with an oral antidepressant.
Ketamist™ is an in-office treatment delivered by a pre-measured dose with sessions twice a week for three weeks, with maintenance sessions added when appropriate.
Ketamist™ treatments require a two-hour stay in the office for monitoring and the need to refrain from driving until the next day. Not only is your treatment medically supervised, but you also have a dedicated private room, internet access, and a personal medical staff member to meet your needs throughout the treatment process. Most patients are able to reduce or slowly discontinue their current antidepressant and anxiety medication.
Mental health benefits of Ketamine
The use of ketamine is increasing in modern psychiatry. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic used for decades in the medical field. It’s also one of the most effective treatments for depression and other mood disorders, according to recent research.
There are several benefits to using ketamine, including the following:
- Relieve depression
- Reduce suicidal thoughts
- Reduce self-harming thoughts
- Minimize symptoms of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder
- Great help with various other mental health issues, including moodiness, hopelessness, decreased concentration, low self-esteem, impaired sleep, decreased sexual desire, and poor appetite.
Is Ketamine Therapy Right for You?
If you have depression or PTSD that’s not responsive to other treatments, you may be a great fit for ketamine therapy. Get a psychiatric evaluation before starting the treatment. A mental health professional can determine if you’re a good candidate for ketamine therapy based on your diagnosis and other factors such as other medical conditions, current medications, age and weight.
Ketamine is an anesthetic used in hospitals and can also be used for short-term pain relief and has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression. Ketamine can help with treatment-resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It may also be helpful for those with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
During treatment, Ketamine may cause sleepiness (sedation), fainting, dizziness, spinning sensation, anxiety, or feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings, space, and time (dissociation).
Conclusion
Ketamine is being used as a remedy for depression and other mental health issues and has been found to be rather effective thus far. It seems to work on the glutamate receptors in the brain, and its antidepressant qualities are beneficial for those suffering from anhedonia, one of the main symptoms of depression. Since traditional drugs used to treat depression can take weeks or months to be fully effective, ketamine could be a quick solution for sufferers in need.
FAQs
You’ll be advised not to eat for 4 hours before your appointment. Clear liquids are permitted up to 2 hours before Ketamine Infusions.
Yes, you need to bring someone with you for ketamine treatment. The person who accompanies you should be able to stay with you through the entire experience. This is especially important if there are side effects or complications during treatment. Also, it would be best if you had someone to drive you home after the treatment.
Ask your physician if they offer car services such as Uber, Lyft, or EVT (Electric Vehicle Transportation).
No. Ketamine is a drug that has been used in medicine for decades. It is very safe when used as a medicine and has been approved by the FDA for human use.
Yes, it will. Ketamine is an FDA-approved medication to treat depression and other mental health conditions. It is effective in patients who have not responded to other treatments.
The number of ketamine treatments you need depends on the severity of your condition. Most people generally see improvement after three treatments, but some may need more. The frequency of treatment varies from one patient to another. Depending on your progress, you may have a treatment once a week or less frequently. It’s important to ensure that you are comfortable with your doctor before receiving any treatment plan.
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