How Does Ketamine Therapy for Depression Work?

Ketamine therapy has gained lots of traction in recent years as an alternative treatment for depression. Ketamine is a drug that has been mostly used as an anesthetic in operating rooms and combat zones, but it has been increasingly used as a treatment for major depression that has not responded to other treatments like antidepressants, psychotherapy, or transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Depression is the leading cause of disability globally, and according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, an estimated 16 million adults in the U.S. battle with depression yearly. Ketamine therapy has gained popularity as a depression treatment due to how quickly it addresses symptoms of depression and its ability to work when other types of psychiatric drugs have failed. Ketamine’s fast-acting nature makes it a common symptom for suicidal patients who pose a danger to themselves. Ketamine can help them to get past such emotions in as little as two hours.

Most depression and suicide treatments, like antidepressants, therapy, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, take weeks or, even, months to address a patient’s symptoms. For some patients, these treatments do not have any effect on their depression. That is when alternative treatments like ketamine therapy are typically recommended.

Putting depression behind you with ketamine therapy

Ketamine infusions are not a standard treatment for depression. They are a last resort option that is explored when all other conventional treatments have failed. The only exceptions are typically suicidal patients who need fast relief from their symptoms.

The two types of ketamine used to address depression symptoms are racemic ketamine and esketamine. Racemic ketamine is commonly used for ketamine therapy, which is delivered intravenously. This type of ketamine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an anesthetic. It is often used as an off-label depression treatment that has shown promising results so far. Esketamine is commonly delivered as a nasal spray, but studies done on its effectiveness are limited. The most effective ketamine treatments for depression involve racemic ketamine combined with other psychiatric drugs that are delivered via IV.

How ketamine works on the brain is not entirely clear yet, but it is known to exert a similar effect as antidepressants through a different mechanism in the brain. Ketamine may help to manage the symptoms of depression when other treatments have failed.

One popular theory suggests that ketamine targets N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brain and binds with them. This increases the production of the neurotransmitter glutamate, which activates the AMPA receptor. The activation of the AMPA receptors leads to the liberation of other molecules that move along new pathways. The process affects cognition, thought patterns, and mood.

Ketamine also likely influences depression symptoms in other ways. For example, it might reduce inflammation signals, which are linked to depression.

Treatment procedure

Ketamine treatments typically involve lower doses of ketamine than are required when it is used as an anesthetic. Ketamine has addictive properties, like opioids, so patients who have had substance abuse issues in the past should talk to a doctor to determine if it is right for them.

Most people respond to ketamine infusions after one to three procedures. The effects of the treatment can be felt in as little as two hours. Factors like a patient’s age, weight, and the severity of their depression determine their dosage.

Ketamine infusions are performed at clinics or hospitals, and sessions take anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour. Some patients might have to get up to six injections during the first two weeks of their treatments before additional treatments can be spaced out as far as six weeks apart.

Sessions

Getting ketamine treatments usually starts with a consultation with a doctor who goes over the patient’s medical and mental health history to determine the right course of treatment for them. An interview is conducted and patients are walked through the process if it is determined ketamine infusion is right for them.

The infusion process is a straightforward procedure that involves patients sitting on a reclined chair while an IV is inserted into one of their arms. Many people find the experience comforting and relaxing. Patients should arrange for transportation back home since they might be disoriented afterward.

A fast-acting drug for depression symptoms

Ketamine might be the right treatment for you or your loved one if you have tried other depression treatments with no luck. Call or stop by our Fresno clinic to learn more about the procedure and how it helps with depression.

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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