Introduction
Ketamine infusion therapy is emerging as an effective and safe psychiatric medication. It can provide miraculous results for the treatment of severe and chronic cases of debilitating mental health conditions like major depressive disorder, postpartum depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and other anxiety disorders. It appears to be particularly effective for individuals having trouble tolerating the traditional antidepressant side effects as well as for individuals suffering from side effects as a result of electroconvulsive therapy.
How does ketamine therapy work?
Traditional antidepressants increase the volume of serotonin in the synaptic cleft by inhibiting its reuptake mechanism, improving neuronal firing and cognitive function. Ketamine, unlike traditional antidepressants, targets an entirely distinct system called the glutamate system. The neurotransmitter glutamate plays a significant role in the regulation of several regions of the central nervous system. It has now been discovered that long-term depression may result from excessive glutamate receptor activation. Ketamine infusion therapy works by inhibiting these overactive glutamine receptors. Ketamine has also been emerging as an anti-inflammatory drug due to its antidepressant effect.
As ketamine targets a completely different brain area, it acts much faster than traditional antidepressants, which is also why it also works in failed ECT and medication cases. Different brain CT scan results show that in cases of PTSD and severe depression, where emotional trauma limits brain neural development, ketamine is linked with the development of new nerve cell branches as well as stronger connections between the neurons. Ketamine infusion therapy may be effective for the amygdala, the area of the brain responsible for emotion and fear.
What do ketamine infusions feel like?
A member of the staff will assist you in locating your personal relaxing space. After that, your provider will give you ketamine, typically through an intravenous line. You may feel the effects of ketamine within minutes, depending on how much you are given and how sensitive you are to the drug. The results will emerge gradually and intensify over time.
The effects of ketamine might vary from relaxed to ecstatic to dreamy, but they are all distinctive for each individual. Some people might experience an instantaneous sensation of calm, tranquility, and relaxation after receiving a ketamine infusion, while others experience temporary changes or heightened sensitivity in their perception of time, sound, or color, fatigue, and nausea. Although nausea or disorientation are infrequent, they can happen in patients who frequently react to similar drugs in this way. It’s critical to keep in mind that specialists continuously monitor and regulate your ketamine dosage. This means that you won’t feel “out of control” during your infusion and that you will be fully awake. Speak out if you experience anything unpleasant during your infusion. There are always medical professionals on hand to make sure you have a good experience. Following therapy, any negative effects gradually go away. Usually, after 20 to 30 minutes, patients feel perfectly normal.
Despite the fact that ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic, the use of the substance as a street drug has caused a misunderstanding about its negative effects. When ketamine is administered in a medical setting, such as an intravenous (IV) ketamine infusion, the correct dosage is ensured. Most individuals who get ketamine treatment in a therapeutic environment report minimal to no side effects as it is administered in monitored doses. Due to its therapeutic efficacy and broad margin of safety, ketamine is regarded as one of the safest drugs. The majority of patients say their symptoms improve shortly after therapy, and the therapeutic effects can persist for several weeks.
Final word
Ketamine has been demonstrated in clinical experiments to be able to treat depression far more quickly than the majority of currently available antidepressants, which frequently take weeks to work. Patients don’t have to wait weeks or more to start seeing improvements, as ketamine affects the glutamate system. Patients with treatment-resistant PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, severe postpartum depression, and unipolar major depressive disorder can benefit from ketamine therapy. Treatments using ketamine may hold the key to bridging the divide between your current state and a better, more promising future for your body, mind, and spirit.
