Infusions of ketamine are frequently an excellent treatment for more severe symptoms of depression and other mood disorders. When other psychiatric therapies fail, they frequently succeed.
But before starting therapy, it’s critical to fully understand what ketamine infusion therapy is and how it functions.
The Power of Ketamine Infusion Therapy
The power of ketamine infusion therapy lies in its ability to offer rapid relief for patients suffering from severe depression and other treatment-resistant mental health conditions.
While traditional therapies may take weeks to show results, ketamine provides quick and often long-lasting benefits. Despite some minor side effects, its effectiveness in cases where other treatments fail makes it a promising option for those in need of fast and reliable care.
What is Ketamine Infusion Therapy?
Since the 1970s, ketamine has been a common general anesthetic used in operating rooms. The first evidence of the quick and significant antidepressant benefits of a low-dose intravenous ketamine infusion came from Yale researchers in the late 1990s.
In the subsequent 20 years, further studies have been provided to prove that ketamine infusion treatment is indeed helpful to ease off patients’ depression and other mental disorders.
Other Psychiatric Treatments
There are many subtypes of antidepressants, some of which include Celexa, Paxil, Prozac, and
Luvox. The majority of today’s antidepressants act on two chemicals in the brain, serotonin and norepinephrine. Most of the depressed patients experience improvement through conventional pharmacotherapy.
But, alas, all too many of them do not receive what hope for.
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): Prescribed for endogenic depression and often misunderstood because of people’s prejudice and bias.
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): Non-invasive procedure that stimulates nerve cells in the brain, commonly used for treatment-resistant depression.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors, often combined with medication.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Explores unresolved conflicts and past experiences influencing current behavior and emotions.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Combines elements of CBT with mindfulness techniques to manage intense emotions and improve interpersonal relationships.
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): A surgical treatment implanted under the skin to send electrical pulses to the vagus nerve, influencing mood.
- Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT): Includes mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and anxiolytics to address specific symptoms.
- Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Uses psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA in a controlled therapeutic setting to treat PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
How can You Choose the Finest Option?
Ketamine infusion treatment for depression is new to the mental health profession, and many psychiatrists recommend other forms of treatment. If symptoms are not serious and can be improved through antidepressants, ketamine may be the best option.
However, many patients prefer ketamine infusions due to their safety and quick effect.
Ketamine Infusion Therapy Benefits
Here are some ketamine infusion therapy benefits:
- Fast results and easy treatment.
- Effective in treating severe depression.
- Safe and painless process.
- Short- and long-term results.
- Often effective for severe depression cases where other treatments have failed.
Side Effects of Ketamine Infusion Therapy
Here are some ketamine infusion therapy side effects including:
- Disassociation
- Feeling strange or loopy
- Dream-like state
- Double vision
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble speaking
- Elevated heart rate
- Slight injection site pain
- Nausea
- Elevated blood pressure
Supportive Measures
- Patients are supervised for 90 minutes to two hours during sessions.
Conclusion
Ketamine infusion therapy offers a promising alternative for severe depression and mood disorders, particularly in treatment-resistant cases. Its rapid onset and effectiveness make it valuable, but potential side effects necessitate careful consideration. The decision to pursue ketamine therapy should involve consultation with a healthcare provider, considering individual medical history and previous treatment responses.
As research progresses, ketamine’s role in mental health treatment may expand, offering hope to those who haven’t found relief through conventional methods. It represents an important option in the evolving landscape of mental health treatments.