Ketamine’s Potential Benefits for Treatment Resistant Depression

Ketamine is a medication that has been used for decades as a general anesthetic. Over the past few years, it has also been studied as an off-label treatment for depression. While still considered experimental, some have found that ketamine infusions can have a rapid and powerful antidepressant effect. So how does ketamine work? Well, it works differently than traditional antidepressants, which primarily affect serotonin levels in the brain. Instead, ketamine works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain and increasing levels of glutamate, another neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood and cognition. This can lead to faster antidepressant effects than traditional medications, with some people reporting feeling better within hours or days instead of weeks or months. Of course, more research needs to be done on the long-term safety and effectiveness of ketamine for depression before it can become a widely available treatment option.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of intravenous (IV) ketamine for treatment-resistant depression. Clinical studies have found that IV ketamine can produce rapid and robust antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The effects can be seen within 12 hours after the infusion and last up to two weeks or more after the infusion. The mechanism of action of IV ketamine is not completely understood, but some research suggests that it works by stimulating a receptor known as NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate). This receptor is involved in the release of neurotransmitters like glutamate and GABA which are thought to play a role in regulating mood and emotion. By stimulating this receptor, ketamine may be able to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. However, clinical trials have shown encouraging results in treating major depressive disorder and other mood disorders with ketamine infusions.

Some potential side effects of IV ketamine include nausea, confusion, dizziness, increased heart rate and blood pressure, blurred vision, and short-term memory loss. It is important to note that these side effects are usually mild and transient in nature and do not usually require medical attention. It is also important to note that IV ketamine should only be administered under medical supervision (ideally with a physician who is board-certified in anesthesiology) as improper administration could lead to serious adverse effects such as cardiac arrest or respiratory failure. If you're interested in learning more about using ketamine for depression treatment, we recommend talking to your primary care doctor or doing further research online. It's important to weigh all potential risks and benefits carefully before making any decisions about your mental health care.

At StriveMD Wellness and Ketamine in Chicago, Frisco/Dallas, and Miami Beach, we offer intravenous (IV) ketamine infusions to help with depression, anxiety, and a variety of treatment resistant disoders. We also focus on vitamin and hydration therapy to help with immunity and wellness that have been compromised from poor mental health. With a team comprised of physicians board-certified in adult and pediatric anesthesiology, pain medicine, and functional medicine, we are the most comprehensive team from the nation’s best medical institutions to take care of patients of any age including adolescents and geriatric patients. We work with your mental health provider to ensure safety and effectiveness of our program. If you or someone has a mental health disease that is worsening, or fighting a chronic medical condition, please call your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to email us at info@strivemdwellness.com.

Take care and stay safe.

StrIVeMD Wellness & Ketamine, Chicago, Dallas, Miami Beach