Ketamine is a highly effective medicine that can help most people struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Ketamine has been used for decades as an anesthetic but over the last 20 years, researchers, scientists, and clinics like Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles have proved its efficacy for mental health, outside of its historical application as an anesthetic. For the hundreds of millions of people suffering from depression worldwide who have not responded well to traditional treatments like antidepressant medications and/or psychotherapy, ketamine for depression is the best treatment for most.
Before you decide if Ketamine Treatment is right for you, let's review a few important questions about ketamine for depression.
What is ketamine?
Ketamine has been the most widely used anesthetic in the world since the 1960s. It is also an analgesic, meaning it is used to relieve acute pain. Unlike other anesthetics, it does not suppress breathing or other vital functions. This has made it especially appealing to the military and third world countries without adequate monitoring equipment.
Ketamine is provided intravenously (IV) to treat depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation, and other mental health conditions.
What is ketamine used for and how does it work?
When it comes to ketamine, you may be wondering what the drug is being used for and how it works. Ketamine is among the most widely used anesthetics in the world to put people to sleep for sleep. It is also used in veterinary medicine, as many human medicines are, so some people know of it as a horse tranquilizer or cat tranquilizer. Ketamine has no known long term side effects, and short term side effects are minimal and well-tolerated. Ketamine is extremely safe when used in a clinical environment under the direct supervision of trained medical professionals like doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses.
Ketamine is a dissociative drug, meaning that it can cause feelings of detachment from reality. This can be helpful when treating mental health conditions, as it provides the patient with a new perspective on themself and the world around them. This can provide insight into past trauma and current challenges.
How long will it take to work?
The time it takes for ketamine therapy to work for treating mood disorders varies from person to person. In most cases, patients feel better within 4 hours to 4 days after starting treatment.
Is administration via IV safer than nasal spray?
The IV infusion of ketamine is the safest and most effective way to receive the medicine. Among all the clinical research on ketamine for depression, approximately 90% of it is done using the IV route of administration (ROA). Nasal spray delivery can be more convenient for some providers, it isn’t nearly as safe or effective.
IV delivery has a whole host of benefits, including 100% bioavailability and a controlled rate of infusion, how fast you receive the total dose of medicine. It enables the rate and dose to be increased or decreased as needed during an infusion and also allows for the infusion to be stopped altogether if necessary. Side effects are more minimal than other ROAs as well. The experience is also a smoother one, as the rate is gradual as opposed to all at once as a “bolus” which is what most other ROAs are, such as nasal spray.
Ketamine therapy is a powerful treatment for many mental health conditions and disorders. If you’re looking for a safe and effective way to treat your depression or anxiety disorder, this may be the solution for you.
If you want to see how other people have been helped by Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles click here. We have a list of testimonials from real people (like you!) who were struggling before and are doing great now that they have had ketamine therapy. Check out what they have to say. If you have any questions about ketamine treatment or would like more information, please contact us today.
