Ketamine has the profound ability to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. It has been used as an anesthetic and is now gaining popularity as a treatment for mental health conditions. Are you a person living with depression or anxiety and looking for Atlanta ketamine therapy to help you manage your symptoms? Read on to get more insights on this drug.
What is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine has been used since 1966 for anesthesia. However, now there is an increasing interest in using the drug for mental health therapy.
Many doctors are turning to ketamine as a treatment alternative for mental conditions. This innovative approach has shown promising results for those who have struggled with depression for long.
These treatments consist of ketamine administered in low doses via an intravenous infusion. At these dosage levels, encouraging results have been noted, prompting more mental health professionals to recommend ketamine therapy to their patients. And one of the responses that has drawn a lot of attention is its fast-acting capabilities.
How Does Ketamine Therapy Work?
Source: everydayhealth.com
Ketamine therapy works by changing how the brain reacts to certain situations. It does this by targeting a specific receptor in the brain called the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. On which the brain’s processing of pain, mood, and cognition depends. Blocking these receptors with ketamine leads to an antidepressant effect.
What Are the Effects of Ketamine?
Ketamine’s dissociative effect is what doctors rely on to help patients with psychological issues. Unfortunately, this effect is also known as “trip” among recreational users due to the drug’s capacity to cause sensory distortions and feelings of unreality.
The trip effect can last for up to two hours. However, extreme outcomes of this drug include unconsciousness, high blood pressure levels, and ulcers.
How Is Ketamine Administered?
Source: medicalnewstoday.com
There are several forms of ketamine. However, the only FDA (Food and Drug Administration) -approved form of ketamine is Esketamine (Spravato). This is a nasal spray designed to help adults struggling with major depressive disorders or those who are yet to find success with traditional antidepressant medication.
Ketamine can be administered in other forms, including shots in the arm, IV infusion, and as lozenges. For instance, some doctors may prescribe lozenges to be taken at home, especially for managing depression between infusions. However, the FDA has not yet approved the above administration forms for treating mental health conditions.
How Long Should You Administer Ketamine?
Research suggests that initial treatment usually lasts 6 weeks, allowing sufficient time for positive results. However, if symptoms persist or return after the completion of a course of ketamine, you may opt for a booster.
Many people begin with two infusions per week and then reduce them to one per week as they progress. Eventually, if their symptoms improve enough, they may only need an infusion every two to four weeks.
Ketamine Improves Brain Connections
Source: neurosciencenews.com
Did you know that suffering depression over a long period increases your chances of dementia later in life? However, new research indicates that ketamine may help reverse this harm by improving connections in the brain. Studies show that ketamine’s growth-promoting effect on brain connections has the potential to reverse this damage and restore healthy brain function.
Does Ketamine Have Side Effects?
Side effects are more common in the initial treatment sessions. These adverse events include
– Nausea
– Headache
– Feeling drunk
– Drowsiness
– Hallucinations
Fortunately, these side effects usually disappear as the body becomes accustomed to the drug.
Why Is Talk Therapy Necessary After the Treatment?
Source: talkspace.com
The integration process after a ketamine experience is essential to the healing journey. During this time, a health provider will talk with you to help you process your profound experience. This is to help you vent and release any underlying pain, emotions, or baggage that may have been stirred up during the ketamine experience.
This talk therapy is an integral part of the treatment process and encourages change in those who have had ketamine treatment. So, it is highly encouraged as a crucial step in healing from your depressive or anxiety-related symptoms.
You should consider ketamine therapy if you are looking for a fast-acting solution to manage your mental health condition. With its impressive results, many mental health professionals advocate for its use. However, after treatment, talk therapy is necessary to help process the experience of ketamine and encourage change in the patient. So talk to your doctor to see if ketamine therapy can complement your current treatment plan.
