Millions of Americans struggle with moderate to severe depression at some point in their lives and many turn to antidepressant medication and therapy for help. While drugs can help some people manage the symptoms of depression, they are not without many unwanted side effects. In some cases, the drugs don’t work and it can take several months of trial and error, combined with lifestyle changes and the help of a therapist, to experience any benefits. Now, studies are showing that ketamine therapy could be an option for those who are depressed.
IV Ketamine Infusion Therapy is quickly gaining popularity in the United States as a treatment for depression and other mental health conditions. Originally approved by the FDA in the 1970s as an analgesic and sedative, ketamine is being tested for many off-label uses. An estimated 250 clinics across the United States now offer treatment for depression with ketamine therapy and many people are finding intravenous ketamine infusions to be a convenient and effective alternative to antidepressant medications.
Ketamine’s Effects on the Brain
In a report about ketamine infusion therapy for psychiatric disorders and chronic pain management published by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, researchers describe ketamine as a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. These receptors play an important role in sensitization and also interacts with the NMDA receptor, causing the sedative and tranquilizing effects. The same report reveals that IV Ketamine Infusion Therapy administered at very low doses can induce temporary antidepressant effects, even among those who have been diagnosed as treatment-resistant.
How Ketamine Alleviates Depression
Medical researchers have been paying close attention to the chemical imbalances in the brain associated with depression and learning how different drugs, including ketamine, affect the brain. One of the most exciting discoveries in recent years is the discovery of the rapid response with ketamine therapy, especially among those with treatment-resistant depression. Several studies show that ketamine has helped reduce suicidal thoughts and improved mood.
Low-dose ketamine may be most effective for patients with major depression because it is capable of producing rapid antidepressant effects. Another benefit of IV Ketamine Infusion Therapy is that the drug works for longer periods of time than standard prescription medications. Many patients report feeling a difference within days of their first treatment, instead of waiting weeks or even months for a prescription drug to fully take effect. Ketamine therapy is now used to manage symptoms for those suffering from PTSD, chronic pain, and other health conditions.
Treatment options for depression and other mental health conditions continue to evolve and many people suffering from depression are turning to Ketamine Therapy as an alternative to prescription medication. Research studies for all of ketamine’s off label uses are still underway but intravenous ketamine infusion treatments for the treatment of moderate and major depression are now readily available at clinics across the United States.
For more information about Ketamine Infusion Therapy treatments for depression, bipolar, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), fibromyalgia, pain syndromes and other conditions contact us at Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles in Southern California (Orange County) by clicking here or calling 310-270-0625.
