It’s no secret that mental health is a growing concern in the United States. In 2017, the National Institute of Mental Health reported that approximately 17.3 million adults in the U.S. suffer from depression. That’s a staggering 7% of the population! While there are many traditional treatments for depression available, such as therapy and medication, some people are looking for alternative options. Enter ketamine therapy.
Ketamine was originally developed as an anesthetic and has been used in medical settings for over 50 years. In recent years, however, it has been gaining traction as a possible treatment for depression. According to a study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, ketamine therapy may provide “a novel rapid-acting antidepressant treatment option.” So how does it work?
How Ketamine Mechanism takes place?
- Dr Zinia Thomas explains ketamine works by affecting the neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate is responsible for sending signals between brain cells, and it’s believed that ketamine may help to regulate glutamate levels in people with depression. This regulation may help to improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression.
Adding on the list, its effects on glutamate, ketamine also affects the neurotransmitter GABA. GABA is responsible for regulating anxiety, and it’s thought that ketamine’s effects on this neurotransmitter may also help to improve mood and reduce anxiety levels.
- Ketamine works by binding to the same receptors in the brain as serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood. By binding to these receptors, ketamine is able to increase levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters, which leads to relief from symptoms of depression.
Further moving ahead in the list, its antidepressant properties, ketamine is also been witnessed to help in treating other mental health issues such as bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress syndrome, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
- Ketamine therapy is usually administered through IV infusion or intranasal spray. The length of each infusion or spray depends on the individual’s needs, but most people need around six sessions before they start to see lasting results.
The first few sessions are typically spaced out over a period of two weeks, and then the interval between sessions is increased to once a month. Some people may need maintenance ketamine therapy indefinitely while others may only need it for a short period of time.
A word of caution
Although ketamine therapy shows promise as a treatment for depression, it’s important to note that it is not FDA approved for this purpose. In addition, ketamine is a Schedule III Controlled Substance, which means it has the potential for abuse and should be used with caution. If you’re considering ketamine therapy for your depression, be sure to talk to your doctor first to see if it’s right for you.
The final words
Mental health is a growing concern in the United States, and 17.3 million adults suffer from depression alone. While there are many traditional treatments available, some people are looking for alternative options because traditional treatments haven’t worked for them. Ketamine therapy is one such alternative option that is showing promise as a treatment for depression. Ketamine works by affecting the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA, which helps to regulate mood and reduce anxiety levels. If you’re considering ketamine therapy for your depression, be sure to talk to your doctor first.
