Depression affects millions of people a year, and many of those have untreatable symptoms. For those that have had no relief with traditional antidepressants, there is a new option. Ketamine therapy is one of the biggest breakthroughs in the way that doctors can treat severe depression.
Ketamine infusions can start to bring relief to patients with severe depression in 4-72 hours. Ketamine works in many different ways, Harvard Health Publishing shares part of its process:
“One likely target for ketamine is NMDA receptors in the brain. By binding to these receptors, ketamine appears to increase the amount of a neurotransmitter called glutamate in the spaces between neurons. Glutamate then activates connections in another receptor, called the AMPA receptor. Together, the initial blockade of NMDA receptors and activation of AMPA receptors lead to the release of other molecules that help neurons communicate with each other along new pathways. Known as synaptogenesis, this process likely affects mood, thought patterns, and cognition.”
As stated in this paper, about 80% of Ketamine patients find it effective in helping with depression. This is a significant improvement in comparison to traditional antidepressants. According to this study, 60% of patients respond to antidepressants with a reduction of 50% of symptoms, over the course of two months. Also, about 80% of people stop taking antidepressants within a month.
There are two primary types of Ketamine used for treatment-resistant depression.
IV Ketamine Infusion- A single or a series of infusions that are given intravenously in a clinic. (here is a comprehensive checklist on Ketamine treatment considerations)
Compounded Ketamine for Nasal Spray- this is a less expensive and more convenient treatment, but also not as robust as the iv treatment.
Ketamine is only available to those who have tried other anti-depressants without any success. Both types of Ketamine must be administered in a certified medical office, where the health care provider can monitor the patient because of safety concerns. Patients should not drive or use heavy machinery for the rest of the day on which they received the drug.
Side effects can include feelings of dissociation, increased blood pressure, respiratory depression, nausea, and vomiting.
There is a clear need for new ways to treat depression effectively. Contact the Kilauea Ketamine Clinic for a free consultation!