Ketamine Infusions by Dr. Vivek Loomba
Ketamine Infusion is a drug that offers a promising approach to patients suffering from depression. It was discovered as early as 1975, as an antidepressant medicinal drug. It has also been used as a sedative in the operating room as an alternative to painkillers providing a replacement for all the addictive morphine drugs.
Over 30% of the population every year gets affected by depression-related suicides. Ketamine is mostly prescribed by doctors in such patients where other antidepressants fail, as it works more effectively than other antidepressants. Alos, based on the research Ketamine has been found to be effective in reducing suicidal rates among patients dealing with depression and anxiety.
Types of Ketamine Infusion Therapy
Ketamine Infusion Therapy is prescribed in patients that have no response to other antidepressant medications. There are commonly two types of Ketamine Infusion Therapy used in patients facing life-threatening diseases such as –
- Ketamine IV Infusion – It is administered via the patient’s bloodstream. It is a mixture of molecules called ‘R’ and ‘S’ Ketamine. It is not a first line of treatment. It is prescribed by doctors when other antidepressants fail to show major effects. As soon as ketamine is injected into the patient’s arm it shows effects right away. In the induction phase, the patient receives multiple shots of ketamine infusion in the interval period of two to three weeks. A total of six infusions are given to patients for better efficacy.
- Eskatamine Nasal Therapy – It is administered via nasal spray. It uses only ‘S’ molecules. The efficacy of this therapy is less researched. However, it acts as a brain receptor for providing relief in long-term pain.
How does Ketamine Infusion Therapy work?
When Ketamine enters into your system you’ll likely experience dissociative effects. The effects will last for two to three weeks until the next dosage. It basically causes a reaction in the brain to reduce depression and anxiety levels. Research and studies say that when a person is facing depression for a very long-time they lose connections in the brain (synapses). Ketamine works by helping in rebuilding the connection by growing it again almost within 24 hours of the first drug intake. As the synapses grow the patient’s depression level begins disappearing slowly. These helps in the emergence of synaptic connections causing a reduction in suicide rates in a majority of the population.
Benefits of Ketamine Infusion therapy
Ketamine Infusion Therapy is an advanced antidepressant drug that helps in managing various life-threatening diseases such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, mood disorders, and chronic pain. The major benefits one can receive from Ketamine infusion Therapy are –
- Adaptability – It helps in increasing neuroplasticity that gets affected during disorders. It causes an increase in neurons to communicate along new pathways. The patients experience improvement in their mood through a generation of positive thoughts.
- Mental Healing – It improves the synaptic connection in the brain causing an increase in memory, learning, and emotional control.
- Pain signals blocking – It is used to treat complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and chronic pain. It suppresses the pain signals to the brain helping in the reduction of depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders.
- Mental breakthroughs – It leads to dissociative effects that help with mental breakthroughs in patients dealing with depression, anxiety, and mental disorders.
- Pain relief- Patients experience long-lasting relief with effective treatments and aftercare plans.
- Psychological Improvement – It provides relief for mood disorders and depression-related symptoms. It starts showing a significant effect from the first infusion itself among patients. Doctors recommend to acquire six infusions at the interval period of two to three weeks.
Ketamine Therapy is not the first line of treatment option considered by the doctor. If the other antidepressant medications fail then your doctor may consider Ketamine for patients with long-lasting symptoms. Ketamine is reasonably safe and effective for treating depression when administered in the proper dosage.
Along with the above mental health conditions we also provide information on pain management conditions, symptoms, and treatments for effective long-term recovery and support.
Our goal is to provide you details on all the possible treatment options for your pain relief and comfort.