Five Things to Know About Ketamine Therapy for Depression

Ketamine therapy is increasingly being used as a treatment for depression because it works rapidly, but there is a lot more left to be learned about the drug. The anesthetic ketamine was used mainly for two things a few decades ago: partying at raves and pet surgery. Ketamine is now used as an alternative treatment for depression for patients who have not responded positively to antidepressants or psychotherapy. The increasing popularity of ketamine as a treatment for depression is mainly due to its rapid alleviation of depression symptoms.

Five important things everyone should know about ketamine therapy for depression

Let us go over a handful of important facts anyone seeking ketamine therapy for themselves or loved ones should know:

1. Ketamine therapy should be a last-resort option

Ketamine treatment should not be the first treatment tried for anyone with depression. The procedure is usually reserved for people with treatment-resistance or refractory depression that has not responded to conventional treatments like antidepressants or psychotherapy. Only about a third of people with depression fall under this category. 

2. Ketamine treatments are not a simple fix for depression

Ketamine therapy has generated lots of attention in recent years as it can relieve symptoms of severe depression in as little as two hours. The relief it provides can last up to two weeks. A 2021 study released by the American Journal of Psychiatry showed ketamine infusions can also be an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Participants in the study showed significant improvements after ketamine treatments that lasted up to 28 days.

Ketamine treatments are more complicated than taking a pill. Patients must visit a clinic for intravenous delivery of ketamine, a procedure that takes time and requires medical monitoring. Nasal sprays that deliver ketamine have been developed, but their effectiveness is controversial at best.

Ketamine therapy can take up to an hour to complete and it leaves many patients disoriented afterward. Patients usually are not allowed to drive themselves back home afterward. Ketamine infusions typically are not used as a standalone treatment. Other psychiatric medications are typically added.

3. Ketamine treatments are not always the best option

Ketamine is an excellent option for some patients, but those who have not yet tried alternatives are typically not eligible for the procedure. Antidepressants and alternative treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation or electroshock therapy are typically explored before ketamine infusions are an option. These alternative treatments for depression have more clinical evidence backing their effectiveness.

4. Ketamine is considerably addictive

Ketamine is a habit-forming substance that can lead to abuse and chemical dependency. Some patients can responsibly undergo the therapy, while others eventually abuse it. 

While ketamine is an effective way to alleviate the symptoms of depression, it does not address the root cause of the disorder. Issues like ruined relationships and isolation do not improve on their own, regardless of what medication a patient takes to get past their symptoms. Other treatments like psychotherapy are needed to teach patients better ways to cope with negative emotions and address problems in their lives that contribute to their depression.

5. Most insurance providers do not cover ketamine treatments

Ketamine treatments have not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for depression, so most insurance providers do not cover the procedure. Healthcare providers often perform ‘off-label’ treatments that have not been approved by the FDA. Ketamine is approved by the FDA as an anesthetic but not as a treatment for depression.

Ketamine infusions require monitoring in a healthcare facility, and patients typically need about six infusions in the first two weeks of their treatment. Infusions can be spread apart by as much as six weeks between treatments after the first two weeks.

What to expect during ketamine infusion

Ketamine infusion typically starts with a consultation with a doctor or other healthcare provider. The doctor goes over the patient’s mental and physical health history and interviews them to determine if ketamine therapy is right for them.

The procedure itself is typically over in an hour. It involves patients relaxing in a comfortable reclining chair while the IV is attached to their arm. Most patients describe the experience as warm and comfortable. 

Ketamine treatment might be what you need to get past depression

Ketamine therapy is for people who have tried conventional and alternative treatments for depression with no results. Call or stop by our Fresno clinic to learn more about the procedure.

Request an appointment here: https://omgwellnessmd.com or call Optimal Medical Group at (559) 425-1118 for an appointment in our Fresno office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Ketamine Therapy in Fresno, CA.