How Ketamine Treatment Works: Insights From a Psychiatrist

Ketamine treatment provides hope for people struggling with treatment-resistant depression and other mental health conditions. Psychiatrists are turning to this newer form of therapy when conventional treatments prove ineffective or intolerable to the patient. Patients considering this treatment should consult with a psychiatrist and gain a general understanding of how ketamine treatment works.

About ketamine

Ketamine is a dissociative drug primarily used in anesthesia in the past. However, over the past several decades, doctors have been uncovering its potential as a fast-acting treatment for depression and other mental health disorders. Unline traditional antidepressant treatments, which can take several weeks to work, ketamine therapy can provide more immediate relief and is proving to be effective in treating certain treatment-resistant mental health conditions.

Benefits of ketamine treatment

In addition to providing a solution to treatment-resistant mental health issues, ketamine can work quickly and provide lasting improvements. Ketamine therapy has been known to work within hours or days, making it especially helpful for those with suicidal ideation or acute mental distress. Additionally, ketamine is free of many of the unpleasant side effects that can come with traditional antidepressants. Finally, ketamine can provide longer-lasting improvements, reducing the need for frequent treatments over time.

The science behind how ketamine works in the brain

Most traditional depression treatments, such as antidepressants, work on the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. However, ketamine treatment targets the glutamate system.

Glutamate modulation

Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Ketamine blocks N-methyl-D-aspartate or NMDA, a neuroplasticity and memory formation receptor. By blocking NMDA, ketamine increases glutamate release, improving communication between brain cells and promoting new connections. This glutamate modulation is believed to be responsible for ketamine's fast-acting antidepressant effects.

Restoring neural connections

Depression, chronic stress, and trauma can lead to loss of neural connections that harm the brain's ability to regulate mood. By promoting new neural connections, ketamine treatment can reverse this damage and restore the brain's ability to regulate mood.

Influencing brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, is a protein that supports the growth of neurons. Ketamine has been shown to increase the production of BDNF, which is linked to better mental health outcomes. This increase in BDNF may be responsible for ketamine's ability to foster long-term improvements in mental health and function.

Who is a candidate for ketamine treatment

The primary uses of this treatment include the following.

• Treatment-resistant depression (TRD). For the approximately 30% of patients who do not find relief through traditional depression treatment.
• Suicidal ideation. Can provide fast relief in emergency psychiatric situations.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Can disrupt patterns of negative thought and behavior.
• Anxiety and bipolar disorder. In some cases, ketamine may help when standard treatments have failed.

Additionally, ketamine may be considered for those who cannot tolerate the side effects of traditional antidepressants.

There are other factors to consider when determining if someone is a candidate for this treatment. Because ketamine has been a drug of abuse in the past, it may not be appropriate for those with substance use disorder (SUD). Those with a history of mania or psychosis are not candidates, as ketamine may exacerbate these conditions. Additionally, those who are pregnant or have certain health conditions such as hypertension or liver disease may not be candidates for ketamine treatment.

What to expect during ketamine treatment

A psychiatrist or other qualified mental health professionals must determine whether ketamine is safe and likely to be effective for the patients. Ketamine treatment is typically delivered in the following ways.

Intravenous infusion

During an IV infusion, the drug is administered directly into the bloodstream under the close observation of a healthcare provider. This form of treatment takes place over several weeks in a series of treatments that last about 40 minutes to an hour.

Esketamine

Esketamine is a derivative of ketamine delivered in an FDA-approved intranasal spray. This form of ketamine treatment is often effective for treatment-resistant depression, along with a more traditional oral antidepressant.

During a ketamine treatment session, patients may experience a sense of detachment from their body, time distortions, and hallucinations. Usually, these sensations subside after the treatment session ends. We closely monitor the patient during treatment for any potentially adverse effects.

Understanding ketamine treatment

At Future Psych Ketamine Clinics, we understand that depression and other mental health disorders can be complicated, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Therefore, we work with each patient individually, carefully designing a treatment that works for them. To learn more about ketamine treatment and our other services, call us today.

Request an appointment here: https://mb.futurepsychsolutions.com or call Future Psych Ketamine Clinics at (843) 788-9718 for an appointment in our Myrtle Beach office.

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