Ketamine infusion therapy is quickly becoming a popular treatment in the field of mental health. So, many people are starting to research whether or not this treatment is right to address the symptoms they experience as the result of a developed mental health condition. One of the things that ketamine infusion therapy can help with is the relief of symptoms associated with treatment-resistant depression. But, is ketamine infusion for depression something that you should consider?
It’s believed that ketamine infusions for mental health issues work as ketamine affects the chemical composition of the brain. Essentially, it connects to receptors that are responsible for the release of mood-stabilizing neurotransmitters like serotonin. Individuals living with depression may experience symptoms as the result of a brain that doesn’t naturally release these chemicals. So, stimulating this release of mood-stabilizing chemicals with ketamine infusions can help individuals living with these mental health issues establish symptom relief and better mood management.
Some people are wary of ketamine infusion therapy for depression as a result of its history. But, these individuals have to understand that ketamine has many different uses and affects individuals differently at various doses, used in different applications, and with different outcomes in mind. Initially, ketamine was developed for use in the veterinary field and was used as a tranquilizer for horses and larger animals in the 1960s. This is due to its anesthetic properties when used in higher doses. Then, it was used as an anesthetic and numbing agent in the military for when soldiers were injured during combat. Finally, even today, ketamine is commonly seen on the street as it’s used recreationally for its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects. However, recreational use of ketamine is pretty rare because it doesn’t provide stimulation or euphoric effects like the use of other recreational drugs.
Currently, ketamine is still used occasionally as an anesthetic in surgical settings and as a method of pain reduction. However, now, it’s also used in mental health settings as a method of readjusting brain activity in order to reduce symptoms of depression.
Ketamine infusions therapy used in a mental health setting differs from the historical use of ketamine in medical and veterinary settings. This is because it’s administered at low doses over a prolonged period of time. This allows for the relief of depressive symptoms even after the first administration. Ketamine infusion therapy is typically administered by the use of IV, but there is also a nasal spray available as well. Patients can expect to receive a number of administrations of ketamine over the period of a few months, depending on their individual needs and treatment plan. And, start to experience symptom relief after their first session.
Delray Brain Science offers ketamine infusion therapy at our Delray Center outpatient mental health facility. So, if you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of depression and other, traditional treatments (medication/behavioral therapy) don’t seem to be working, this is a treatment you may wish to consider. Find out more about how this treatment may help you or a loved one better manage the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression today by learning more about our facility on our website.
