Ketamine therapy involves the use of a dissociative drug to help relieve symptoms of depression when other methods do not work. Though how ketamine works to improve depression is still being studied, this therapy is showing promise in the struggle against treatment-resistant depression. Here is a look at how ketamine therapy helps to alleviate depression symptoms when antidepressants and therapy are not enough.
Ketamine has a long history in both human and veterinary medicine as both a painkiller and a sedative. The drug is a dissociative with hallucinogenic properties that can put a patient in a trancelike state where they feel detached from reality. Due to how strong this medication is, patients must only use it under strict medical supervision. However, after years of use as an anesthetic, doctors are beginning to discover its potential in the mental health field to treat conditions such as depression.
At this time, the recommended uses of ketamine therapy for depression are limited. Ketamine therapy is not a first-line treatment for depression. Still, it may be a viable option when a patient has a treatment-resistant condition, meaning they have tried at least two antidepressant medications and have not experienced sufficient relief. In some cases, ketamine can work as an emergency treatment to reduce suicidal ideation.
The mechanisms by which ketamine works to relieve depression symptoms are still a subject of investigation. It is likely ketamine works in a few different ways to combat depression. For example, it is thought to help reduce inflammation signals linked to mood disorders.
According to Harvard Health, a major way in which ketamine operates is by helping the brain form new connections. Ketamine likely binds to NMDA receptors in the brain, increasing the production of a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger), glutamate. These neurotransmitters activate AMPA receptors that help neurons communicate along new pathways in a process known as synaptogenesis. This process is believed to impact mood, thought patterns, and cognition in a way that relieves depression symptoms.
Ketamine is delivered by either a nasal spray or IV infusion. The only current FDA-approved use of ketamine is through esketamine, a nasal spray derived from ketamine. This is currently only being used for treatment-resistant depression and typically in addition to a patient's antidepressant medication. Other uses of ketamine for depression are considered off-label.
Ketamine therapy is tailored to the individual patient but is typically given as a series of treatments over several weeks. For example, according to WebMD, patients with treatment-resistant depression who receive the nasal spray are treated twice a week for one to four weeks. After that, they are treated once a week for five to nine weeks and then once every two weeks after that.
If used correctly by a trained mental health care professional, ketamine has promising therapeutic potential. In addition to finally providing relief for those with treatment-resistant depression, ketamine is fast-acting. While antidepressant medication can take weeks to start working, ketamine can start to work immediately, making it an important treatment for patients suffering from suicidal ideation.
The most common side effect of ketamine therapy is the trancelike out-of-body experience, which is most prominent with the first treatment. However, other potential side effects include:
The timing and intensity of these side effects can be different depending on the administration method and dose.
Those who have tried two or more antidepressants and have not gotten relief should consider talking to a healthcare provider about ketamine therapy. This therapy is not for everyone, however. For example, patients with certain psychiatric conditions, such as bipolar disorder and dementia, are not eligible for it. In addition, ketamine therapy is not recommended for those who are pregnant or have uncontrolled high blood pressure. Because ketamine carries some risk of addiction, those with a substance use disorder should consider other therapies.
Depression can be debilitating and even more frustrating when it feels like you have tried everything to relieve your symptoms and have had little to no success. If you are struggling with depression, do not give up. Optimal Medical Group helps those with treatment-resistant depression finally get back to feeling like themselves. Call us today to learn more about treating depression and if ketamine therapy might be right for you.
Request an appointment here: https://omgwellnessmd.com or call Optimal Medical Group at (559) 425-1118 for an appointment in our Fresno office.
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