Ketamine infusion therapy has emerged as a new treatment option for those suffering from a variety of mental health disorders.
Ketamine, once primarily used as an anesthetic, is now gaining popularity for its rapid-acting effects on depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain.
In this blog, we will explain everything you need to know about ketamine, its therapeutic applications, and what to expect from ketamine infusion therapy.
Understanding Ketamine
Ketamine is a powerful medicine with a complex history and numerous applications. Before delving into its therapeutic applications, it’s important to know what ketamine is and how it works.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a 60+ year-old anesthetic used medically for induction and maintenance of anesthesia, and has been FDA approved as an anesthetic since 1970. In the 1960s, scientists first created and manufactured ketamine to be used as an alternative to the commonly used surgical anesthetics of the time.
Due to its strong safety profile, sedative and pain-relieving effects, it is still commonly utilized in medical settings today. However, in recent years, ketamine has gained acceptance as a treatment for mental health disorders, particularly through ketamine infusion therapy.
Is Ketamine Legal?
Yes, ketamine is legal in the United States, however it is considered a Schedule III controlled substance. This means that it is prescribed and can be lawfully administered by healthcare experts.
While ketamine is FDA-approved for use as an anesthetic, it is not yet FDA-approved for treating depression and psychiatric mood disorders. However, its off-label usage for this purpose is lawful and increasingly common when supervised by a certified healthcare professional.
What Does Ketamine Do to Your Brain? Is it a Psychedelic?
Ketamine acts by interacting with NMDA receptors in the brain, which are responsible for mood modulation and pain perception. By inhibiting these receptors, ketamine can cause rapid changes in brain activity that reduce depression and anxiety.
Despite its dissociative effects that can alter perception, ketamine is not considered a classic psychedelic like LSD or psilocybin. However, there are some similarities, such as generating altered states of consciousness.
Ketamine Forms of Administration
There are numerous methods to administer ketamine, including:
- Intravenous (IV) infusion: This is the most frequent route of medicinal administration, delivering a regulated dose straight into the bloodstream.
- Intramuscular injection (IM): More acute diagnoses and situations commonly utilize intramuscular injection as an alternative to intravenous infusion.
- Orally: Due to their limited bioavailability and unpredictable absorption, oral tablets are used less commonly.
- Nasal spray: Spravato, a nasal spray containing esketamine, is FDA-approved for treating resistant depression. However, Spravato does not have the same physiological and neuroplastic effects as the traditional ketamine molecule.
Healthcare specialists must supervise the treatment, regardless of its administration method.
What is Ketamine Infusion Therapy?
Ketamine infusion therapy is a clinical procedure that involves giving a regulated dose of ketamine intravenously over a period of 40 minutes to an hour. This procedure ensures that the medicine is administered directly into the bloodstream, giving you precise control over dosage and timing.
Experienced healthcare professionals administer the treatment in a clinical setting, monitoring the patient’s response and adjusting the dosage as necessary. Ketamine infusion therapy is particularly useful in treating mental health illnesses that have failed to respond to previous treatments, such as treatment-resistant depression, severe anxiety disorders, and some chronic pain conditions.
How Does Ketamine Therapy Work?
Ketamine therapy works by modifying the brain’s chemical pathways in a way that differs from typical antidepressants and painkillers. Ketamine specifically interacts with the brain’s NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, which play a role in mood regulation and pain perception.
Ketamine works by inhibiting these receptors to help reset abnormal brain activity patterns, which can result in immediate and significant changes in mood and pain levels.
The patient typically relaxes in a comfortable chair during a ketamine infusion session, during which an IV drip administers the ketamine over a 40-minute to hour-long period. This controlled administration allows the healthcare provider to assess the patient’s experience and alter the dose as needed.
Most patients report experiencing the effects of the infusion within minutes, which can include dissociation or mild euphoria, followed by a considerable reduction in depressive or anxious symptoms, and an expansive discovery and awareness of new thinking.
What is Ketamine Infusion Therapy Prescribed For?
Ketamine infusion therapy is usually recommended for those who have not responded to traditional treatments, making it an excellent choice for those who believe they have exhausted all other options.
Ketamine infusion therapy is most commonly used to treat the following conditions:
- Treatment-Resistant Depression: This is one of the most common reasons for seeking ketamine therapy. Traditional antidepressants can take weeks to work and may be useless in some cases. Ketamine has been proven to provide relief in hours or days, even for patients who have not responded well to other drugs.
- Anxiety Disorders: Ketamine also treats a variety of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, and panic disorder. Its rapid onset of action makes it very beneficial for people who require immediate relief from acute anxiety symptoms.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Ketamine can aid those suffering from PTSD by reducing the severity and frequency of intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and nightmares. It is especially useful for people who haven’t responded well to other types of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or standard antidepressants.
- Chronic Pain Conditions: Ketamine is also useful for treating chronic pain syndromes like fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and neuropathic pain. Experts believe that Ketamine’s pain-relieving properties originate from its capacity to modify pain signaling pathways in the brain and spinal cord.
Ketamine infusion therapy can also be used to treat illnesses like bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and certain substance use disorders, although these are uncommon and often require specialized care.
Who is a good candidate for ketamine therapy? Who is not?
Typically, good candidates for ketamine therapy include individuals who:
- Traditional treatments for depression or anxiety have not yielded any response—or are not providing the desired healing and growth outcomes.
- PTSD has been diagnosed, and/or are suffering from severe trauma events.
- Are experiencing severe, chronic pain.
However, those who are not able to benefit from ketamine therapy include:
- People who have certain cardiovascular conditions.
- Pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding.
- People experiencing psychosis or other mania-related conditions
- Those with untreated hyperthyroidism, or certain blood and kidney related conditions
Before beginning ketamine infusion therapy, patients have a thorough medical and psychological evaluation to determine whether the treatment is safe and likely to be beneficial for their unique problem. This tailored approach guarantees that each patient receives the care that best meets their needs.
Ketamine Infusion Therapy Side Effects and What to Expect After a Treatment
Common adverse effects of ketamine infusion therapy may include dizziness, nausea, and moderate disorientation. These effects are mostly minor and typically fade immediately after the session.
Most patients can return to normal activities within a few hours; however, some may experience residual weariness or moderate confusion.
Looking to Get Ketamine Infusion Therapy in Florida?
If you’re considering ketamine infusion therapy and live in or near Delray Beach, FL, it’s essential to find a clinic that not only provides expert care but also aligns with your overall wellness goals.
At NeuPath Mind Wellness, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a life of optimal mental, physical, and spiritual wellness—and provide a unique, elevated ketamine therapy experience for our clients.
Visit NeuPath Mind Wellness: A Delray Beach, FL Ketamine Clinic
At NeuPath Mind Wellness, our mission is to make sustainable, evidence-based wellness treatments accessible to everyone. We believe that true wellness includes more than just physical health. That is why we incorporate emotional and spiritual well-being into our treatment regimens, ensuring that each patient receives customized treatment that meets their unique requirements.
At NeuPath Mind Wellness, we don’t just treat symptoms; we aim to transform lives. By combining cutting-edge treatments like ketamine infusion therapy with a holistic, patient-centered approach, we empower you to achieve lasting wellness. Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve optimal health and well-being.
FAQ
Is ketamine a horse tranquilizer?
Yes, ketamine is used as a tranquilizer in veterinary medicine, including for horses. However, it is also an FDA-approved medication for humans, particularly for anesthesia and certain mental health treatments.
How long does ketamine stay in your system?
Ketamine can stay in your body for about 2 to 4 days, depending on factors such as dosage, metabolism, and individual health. However, its effects typically wear off within a few hours.
Who can administer ketamine in Florida?
In Florida, ketamine can be administered by licensed healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurse practitioners, and anesthesiologists, in a clinical setting.
