What is Ketamine Therapy for Depression?
Ketamine therapy is an innovative treatment for various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and chronic pain conditions. It has shown efficacy in providing rapid relief from depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation, which traditional antidepressant medications may take weeks to achieve.
Another factor that makes ketamine therapy for depression appealing is the fact that it is often effective for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). A person may be diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression after they have tried at least two antidepressants under a doctor’s care for an appropriate length of time and did not find adequate relief from their depression symptoms.
Ketamine therapy for depression is becoming a popular option because:
- Ketamine therapy provides much more rapid depression relief than conventional antidepressants like Prozac (fluoxetine), Wellbutrin (bupropion), and other SSRIs and SSNRIs.
- Treatment-resistant depression often responds well to ketamine therapy. When two or more conventional antidepressants haven’t worked — ketamine often will.
- Ketamine therapy does not have many of the side effects of SSRI and SSNRI antidepressants, such as sexual dysfunction or weight gain.
Is Ketamine Therapy Effective for Treatment-Resistant Depression?
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) refers to a major depressive disorder that does not improve after appropriate courses of at least two antidepressants. When depression medications are taken at the right dose over an adequate period — but symptoms do not improve sufficiently or they return, TRD may be diagnosed.
While conventional antidepressants do provide symptom relief for millions of people, they generally take at least two weeks to begin to work. As much as 35% of patients taking antidepressants do not get sufficient, if any, relief from their depression.
Research has shown that as much as 73% of patients with treatment-resistant depression find symptom relief with ketamine therapy. This has brought new hope to people suffering from TRD after many years of being left with few options for pharmacological solutions. At Quest Ketamine Therapies, we have seen an 84% success rate in treating depression patients with ketamine.
What Is Full-Service Ketamine Therapy Like?
Ketamine therapy is administered on an outpatient basis at Quest Ketamine Therapies. Clients are given eye covers and headphones, which play music created specifically for ketamine therapy. You are welcome to bring your music as well, but we recommend choosing music created specifically for ketamine and psychedelic therapy. We also provide blankets, pillows, and heating pads for your comfort. You will have a licensed psychedelic therapy specialist in the room with you for the entirety of your session.
Ketamine is typically administered intravenously, with dosages carefully adjusted based on the patient’s body weight and response to treatment. We also use sublingual lozenges in some cases for Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. The frequency of treatment varies depending on individual needs but typically starts with a series of infusions over two to three weeks, followed by maintenance treatments. There are multiple modes of ketamine treatment available, which allows for personalized care that is tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
Other conditions that can benefit from ketamine therapy include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Autoimmune disorders
- Migraine headaches
- Fibromyalgia
You can learn more about the different types of ketamine therapy offered here at Quest Ketamine Therapies on our Treatment Process Page.
How Does Ketamine Therapy Work for Treatment-Resistant Depression?
Unlike traditional antidepressants which target the brain’s serotonin and noradrenaline systems, ketamine acts on the glutamate system, particularly at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. This creates several changes to brain activity and function, including increased synthesis of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which plays a crucial role in neural plasticity and resilience.
Ketamine therapy stimulates the growth of new synapses in the brain and enhances connectivity between brain regions. This rapid neuroplastic effect is believed to be responsible for the equally rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine, often seen within hours of treatment Because ketamine therapy operates so differently from conventional antidepressants, it offers hope for people with treatment-resistant depression.
Are There Any Potential Side Effects to Ketamine Therapy?
Like most medications, ketamine therapy can produce side effects – though the side effects of ketamine therapy tend to be transient (they pass quickly). The most commonly seen side effects are nausea, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and disassociation (feeling ‘spacy’ or disconnected).
These side effects are generally manageable under the supervision of healthcare professionals and pass quickly. At Quest Ketamine Therapies, patients’ safety and comfort are our top priority, and we have protocols in place to manage these potential side effects effectively. Ketamine is FDA-approved and considered a safe and effective treatment for depression.
Is Ketamine Therapy Right For Me?
The easiest way to find out if ketamine therapy could be a good choice for you is to schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation with Quest Ketamine Clinics. We can conduct the consultation over the phone at your convenience. We look forward to speaking with you and helping you find out if psychedelic medicine is the solution for you!
If you want to contact us directly, please email us at info@questketamineclinics.com, call us at (425) 654-5433, or send a text message to (206) 589-5958. Please leave your name, contact information, and the best time(s) to reach you
