Well, folks, mental health is a very pressing topic and the way depression and anxiety are handled plays a very important role in curing it. In the US, it has affected over 16 million people and this has led to a cause of disability in the country. Ketamine therapy is a very important part of treating mental health issues, and especially for cases that are treatment Resistant (TRD), a low of ketamine therapy is beneficial. In this article, we will briefly discuss the Ketamine Therapy. So, keep reading the article to know more.
Ketamine Therapy:
Ketamine therapy is nothing but a form of treatment that has off-label use, and this includes intramuscular injections and ketamine infusions, along with nasal spray for treating severe kinds of chronic pain, substance use, depression, and other mental health disorders. However, this is a great therapy for treating mental health disorders.
Now that we have significantly discussed the meaning of Ketamine therapy, it is now time to look at the historical backdrop of Ketamine Therapy. So, keep reading to know more.
The History:
Every great innovation has a history, and so does Ketamine therapy. Ketamine came to light in the 1950s when the researchers studied it. They were basically looking for an anesthetic with analgesic (pain-relieving) effects. Fun fact- Ketamine was the first drug that was used on the battlefields as well as the operation rooms. Its additional uses were soon discovered.
The drug Ketamine has a significant effect on the brain’s N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. It significantly helps the brain in producing glutamate. It is a neurotransmitter that has been linked to depression. The function of Glumate is to help the brain repair the damaged neurons and neural connections and form new ones. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, and it helps reverse brain damage by cortisol and other stress hormones. It is a very helpful drug for relieving pain, as sometimes it is combined with another drug called morphine. This combination relieves pain instantly. It also proves to be an effective alternative to other opioid medications. The reason is that Ketamine offers less severe side effects.
We looked at the history of the wonder drug Ketamine and its use in Ketamine Therapy. It is now time we look closely at the uses of the Ketamine therapy. Keep reading to know more about the uses of Ketamine therapy.
Ketamine Therapy- Uses:
In this section of the article, we will briefly discuss the uses of ketamine therapy. So, keep reading!
As mentioned already, Ketamine is a very good anti-inflammatory drug and helps in treating many nervous and mental health conditions. It helps in treating the following conditions:
- Various anxiety disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Migraines
- Fibromyalgia
- Suicidal thoughts
- CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome)
These are some of the conditions that the Ketamine therapy helps to treat. Every drug has its own side effects apart from working wonders in curing. So. In the next section of the article, we will be discussing some of the side effects of Ketamine therapy.
Side Effects:
Please read this section of the article carefully as we delineate some of the side effects of Ketamine therapy. The side effects of Ketamine therapy are:
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Involuntary muscle movements
- Trouble sleeping
- Nausea or vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Disturbance in the perception of time, color, texture, or sound
- Dissociation, or feeling outside of one’s body
- Confusion
- Double vision or blurry vision
Folks, it is important to keep in mind that these side effects will have either prolonged exposure or short-term effects as it depends on prolonged exposure to ketamine. It is also seen that some individuals have experienced dream-like or psychedelic states in the course of their treatment. In this state, they felt drowsy yet awake. However, the ones who have severe symptoms or suicidal thoughts. Some of the benefits of the ketamine treatment may be outweighing the risks.
These are folks, some of the side effects of ketamine therapy. In the next section of the article, we will discuss how you can prepare for ketamine therapy. So, keep reading to know more!
How to Prepare for Ketamine Therapy?
In this section of the article, we will be discussing the way you can prepare for ketamine therapy. If you are experiencing anxiety around medical needles or in medical settings. So keep reading as we list down some of the tips for appointment.
- You need to have a calm mind for arriving at an appointment. You must avoid stress and engage in calm activities as it is good for your mental health.
- You need to get an eye mask. It is seen that many patients find that using an eye mask has significantly helped them to stay calm
- Consider preparing calming music. One of the benefits of preparing calming music is that it will help you in ensuring to get a calming and peaceful experience. Also, folks, do not forget your headphones
- Make sure to arrange for transportation. Once your treatment is done, you might feel drowsy and have a recovery time of about 30 minutes. So, planning and keeping a ride handy will be beneficial.
Now that you all have a good understanding of some of the tips to book your appointment. It is now time we reflect on some of the information as to what will happen after the treatment is done. Head to the next section of the article to know more.
After Effects of the Treatment:
In this section of the article, we will briefly explain the after-effects of the treatment of Ketamine therapy. Once the treatment is done, the patients will have different experiences. The results vary from person to person. Some people will have positive results just after the first session, while others will need at least 3 or more sessions to see significant results. However, folks, it is important to note that if any patient cannot see any result after 6 sessions, it will be highly unlikely that they will be responding to any further sessions. So, at this point, all they can do is consider other options for treatment after consulting with their doctor. There are many clinics that will be scheduling 6 infusions over a few weeks just for the initial treatment.
When we talk about the lasting of ketamine therapy. Then, let me tell you that the therapy will successfully last for about three months once the full round of treatment is done. However, the results will significantly vary from individual to individual. So, there is no fixed timing for anybody to show results. The effects of the session will last longer after each session.
Cost of the Treatment:
It is important to make a note here that the IM ketamine and the racemic ketamine are not approved by the FDA. Health insurance will not be covering the cost. Also, depending on the dosage and the provider, the cost of a single infusion or an IM will range between $400 and $1200. This simply means that the full treatment cost will be thousands of dollars in total.
As we briefly discussed the cost of the treatment, there might be other doubts in your mind, such as its addictive nature, so to mitigate those doubts, head to the next section of the article.
What You Must Keep in Mind?
Folks, as we know, Ketamine is a drug, and its addictivity is less than opioid medications like morphine. It also makes ketamine even more appealing as compared to other morphine alternatives. However, it is important to keep in mind that Ketamine is a drug and might be addictive when used for a long. Hence, ketamine therapy has to be handled with care and with significant caution.
There are many discussions as to which is the best to consider, whether SSRIs or Ketamine. Let me tell you that SSRIs help in increasing Serotonin in the brain. However, ketamine has a different effect on the brain when compared to SSRI medications, which include Zoloft and other prescription antidepressants. The reason is that ketamine helps promote glutamate, which may help reduce stress-induced damage to brain tissue. So, ketamine is widely used in Ketamine therapy.
Conclusion:
This is all about the Ketamine therapy and everything you need to know. That’s all, folks. I hope the article will help you in getting all the information you need.
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