medical ketamine treatment

Who can benefit from ketamine medical treatment?

 

Ketamine may be helpful for various mental health issues. The most studied and clearest potential benefit in a medical setting is for depression that is not responding well to antidepressants and therapy and for depression that is accompanied by suicidal thoughts.

 

Patients are screened carefully using a number of tests and procedures to determine if they are eligible for treatment.


HOW LONG DOES A KETAMINE TREATMENT LAST?

Ketamine can have dramatic positive effects on clinical depression, especially towards suicidal feelings and in cases that don’t respond to standard treatment. The results show a fairly immediate resolution of depression, immediately or in a few hours.

The relief from a single treatment can last for as little as a few hours to as much as a few weeks. In general most patients typically experience one to two weeks of relief.

However, with only one treatment, most patients have a return of their depressive symptoms after this interval. Studies have shown improved, longer-term benefit from a series of treatments.

 

Ketamine treatments are typically given in a series of six treatments, spread out over 2-3 weeks. This may vary depending on individual needs and response. For some patients this is all that is needed. For others, it may be helpful to receive “booster” treatments occasionally after the original treatment series. 


What to Expect the Day of Ketamine Treatment

No food can be eaten for eight hours prior to treatment. Water is okay up to four hours before treatment. Once checked in, a low dose of Ketamine is injected in the arm. During this time, the patient will be continually monitored by a nurse and a doctor. The immediate effects start in a few minutes and last 30-60 minutes. This is followed by a recovery period. The patient is monitored with regular vitals and oxygen levels throughout the treatment and recovery period. Once the early effects are resolved the patient may leave. Total time for the procedure is around 2 hours.

It is required that the patient arrange a driver to drive them home and preferably someone to stay with them that day.


SIDE EFFECTS FROM KETAMINE

During the infusion the patient may experience an altered mental status, although they will be alert and able to talk. Patients have also reported blurred vision, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, slurred speech, mental confusion, nausea, and vomiting. The patient will return to a clearer mental and physical state within 30- 60 minutes after the injection.

Do not drive or operate machinery, care for others, or sign important papers on the day of treatment. 


These common symptoms are normal and generally dissipate within a couple of hours after treatment:

  • Elevated heart rate
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Disorientation
  • Changes to vision
  • Imbalance

Details regarding a particular patient’s potential benefits and risks are evaluated and discussed at the initial screening.


MORE DETAILS ON KETAMINE TREATMENT

Living with depression can feel isolating and overwhelming, and sometimes those feelings take a long time to pass. Antidepressants can help alleviate the pain for some, yet others with treatment-resistant depression struggle to see the light at the end of the tunnel and they can also experience suicidal thoughts. Untreated or uncontrolled depression can also take a big toll on physical health, leading to a host of ailments that could further diminish quality of life.

WHAT IS KETAMINE?

Ketamine was developed in the 1960s as an anesthetic for surgical procedures. Interested in the drug’s mind-altering effects, researchers explored the possibility of its impact on mental health disorders. Ketamine—known as “Special K”—gained popularity as a street drug in the 1980s. In later years, the drug’s reputation took a turn for the better when it became widely used as a treatment for mental health disorders.


HOW DOES KETAMINE IMPACT THE BRAIN?

Ketamine can produce a wide range of changes to conscious experience, including sensory changes and emotional changes. Used in low doses, ketamine alters levels of glutamate (a chemical messenger) in the brain, which can result in new neural connections. The brain becomes more adaptable and creates new pathways, giving patients the opportunity to develop more positive thoughts and feelings.


AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR KETAMINE?

Ketamine is an option for people with depression and depression with suicidal thoughts who are unable to get relief from other treatments. (Studies have also shown promising results about the drug’s impact on various mental health conditions, including anxiety, OCD, and substance-use disorders).

It’s important to note that ketamine can elevate the heart rate and blood pressure, so patients with pre-existing health conditions should speak with their doctors before seeking treatment. Ketamine is also not advisable for patients with certain psychiatric conditions. 


for more information or to schedule a consultation for ketamine

call our admissions team at 801.613.9843

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