Ketamine therapy is gaining lots of traction as a form of depression treatment. Most people who have heard of ketamine know it as a recreational drug that has been abused by some for decades. How can an addictive club drug have so much potential when it comes to treating depression? It comes down to how it affects a person's brain chemistry.
Ketamine is a powerful drug that overruns a person's chemical receptors in the brain. When it is administered with professional medical care, it can be a great thing as far as depression treatment is concerned. Doctors typically do not prescribe ketamine as an antidepressant. There are still studies being conducted to evaluate its effectiveness, but some are already speculating it can bring people out of depression.
Ketamine was first introduced in the 1960s as an anesthetic. It was regularly used on battlefields during the Vietnam War. It can also be used as a pain reliever. Ketamine makes sedatives more effective, and it reduces the need for highly addictive pain killers like morphine that are typically used for people with severe injuries that come with unbearable pain.
When used improperly, ketamine can alter a person's perception of sound and light. It can lead to the person feeling out of touch with themselves and their environment. It can also lead to hallucinations and an inability to move and speak.
When a person is depressed, it might feel like they need a miracle to get out of their funk. Ketamine is currently being tested by researchers to find out how effective it can be for people who have already unsuccessfully tried other treatments for depression, have been hospitalized for depression or who have suicidal thoughts. Some psychiatrists are already using ketamine with their patients who are dealing with severe depression.
The drug is typically administered via a nasal mist or an IV under strict supervision. It some cases, it eases the symptoms of depression in as little as a few hours. While these tests have had varied results, most people who have tried this type of depression therapy report feeling better after their treatment. Some patients have also experienced altered sound and sight perception, which is one of the effects of ketamine. During ketamine therapy, the aim is to find a dose that is strong enough to limit the symptoms of depression but small enough to prevent such side effects.
People often have to take antidepressants for at least a few weeks before the medication becomes effective. Things are different with ketamine. There is no need to build up levels of the drug for it to be effective. The effects of ketamine on the symptoms of depression can be noticed as soon as the drug starts leaving the person's system.
Depression is not something you can simply pull yourself out of. It requires treatments performed by a qualified mental health provider. Stop by our clinic and explore the different ways we can help to treat your depression.
Request an appointment here: https://futurepsychsolutions.com or call Future Psych Solutions at (803) 335-5232 for an appointment in our Columbia office.
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