Can a Ketamine Infusion Help with Depression?

Ketamine infusion can manage psychiatric disorders, especially depression. Doctors start this treatment in patients who have severe depression. These patients tend to develop a resistance to standard depression treatments. To help them recover right away, doctors start them on ketamine infusion therapy. If you want to find out if this treatment can help patients with depression, here are the facts.

The reason for using ketamine infusion therapy

Doctors prescribe SNRIs or SSRIs to patients who suffer from depression. These reuptake inhibitors prevent the body from reabsorbing norepinephrine and serotonin. The neurotransmitters help to carry signals between neurons in the patient’s brain. Oral reuptake inhibitors increase the levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Then, there will be stronger communication between nerve cells. This will then improve the patient’s mood.

Some patients do not improve with antidepressants. It usually takes four to eight weeks for oral antidepressants to work. For patients who have severe depression, the wait is too long. The symptoms must improve right away to prevent complications. This is when doctors start ketamine infusion therapy.

What to expect

Ketamine infusion therapy can treat a lot of psychiatric disorders. Doctors find it effective in treating severe depression as well. Each session will be custom-fit for each patient. This is important because every patient has a different set of needs. The consultation makes sure that the patient’s treatment is proper and enough.

The patient will go through a series of physical exams. The results will tell the psychiatrist why the patient is resistant to antidepressants. Then, the psychiatrist will discuss the treatment plan with the patient. This is an important aspect because the patient should understand and agree to the steps. The patient can ask questions during this time.

When it is time to start the infusion, the patient will go to a private room to relax. Staff can provide music or turn on the television for the patient. If the patient loves music, earphones and the right playlist are available. A television, movie options, and reading material are also ready for the patient. The psychiatrist will then connect the patient to monitors. As the patient becomes comfortable, the ketamine infusion will start.

A ketamine infusion session usually takes 45-60 minutes to complete. The psychiatrist will connect the IV line to the patient’s arm. Feeling the cool fluid as it passes through the veins is natural. The ketamine infusion induces various sensations. Some patients feel intoxicated but in a euphoric kind of way, while others feel nauseated. That is why patients must have a driver after the session.

The side effects

Ketamine also has several side effects. Even so, they do not linger at all. The possible side effects include elevated blood pressure and dissociation. These may be noticeable during the early parts of the therapy. Then, they disappear right away. Ketamine infusion does not have lasting side effects that oral antidepressants usually have.

Ketamine infusion therapy is effective if you have severe depression

Oral antidepressants are the primary treatment for depression. These usually take weeks to take effect. If you have severe depression, your psychiatrist will change your treatment plan. You must go through ketamine infusion therapy. This therapy will give you quick relief in a matter of hours or days. Working with your psychiatrist makes monitoring your progress easier.

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