280 million people in the world have depression.  700,000 people commit suicide each year.  Depression is a leading cause of disability, world-wide, and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.  30%-60% of patientswith major depressive disorder don’t respond to typical antidepressants. New treatments for depression are necessary to bring them hope.

An anesthetic known as ketamine recently stepped in as the next possible solution. It does more than keep patients asleep during surgery. It also keeps them calm during their everyday lives.

Ketamine therapy is an infusion method that involves administering a small amount of the medicine through an IV. To learn how it works to treat depression and related conditions, we have created this guide for you.

What is Ketamine Therapy?

NMDA receptors in your brain interact with neurotransmitters like glutamate. Your neurons need them to “wake up” and do their jobs. The issue is that they can become overactive and cause depression and anxiety.

Ketamine blocks NMDA receptors. It’s primarily used as an anesthetic, but it can also help the brain create new synapses, speed up healing, and keep you calm.

Ketamine therapy is a form of infusion therapy because the medication goes directly into the body through an IV. You must first receive counseling and get an assessment to see if this is the right path for you.

The procedure involves administering a small amount of the medication, usually less than you’d receive for anesthesia during surgery or a similar procedure. You’ll lay down in a secluded room and wear an eye mask or listen to soothing music to optimize the experience.

Ketamine therapy creates a sense of dissociation that causes you to temporarily feel disconnected from your body. It’s a strange sensation, but provides powerful results, such as a greater sense of peace and lower irritability.

What Are the Benefits of Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine therapy provides quick results, with symptoms reducing in a few hours. These results are also long-lasting, with most patients only needing a few booster infusions to experience permanent relief.  Ketamine makes the brain more receptive to therapy.

Ketamine therapy is useful for treating a range of conditions other than depression, such as:

• Anxiety
• PTSD
• OCD
• Chronic pain
• Postpartum depression
• Migraines

Many of these conditions are comorbid with depression, meaning that they tend to occur together. Approximately 60% of patients experience anxiety and depression at the same time, and ketamine therapy can help with the symptoms of both.

Ketamine is safe to use because it doesn’t decrease your breathing or blood pressure. You can also rest easy knowing that a doctor will be on hand the entire time.

Over 191 million opioid prescriptions are filled each year in the US alone. Ketamine therapy leads to a decreased need for narcotic painkillers, preventing addiction and dangerous side effects.

Where Can I Get Ketamine Therapy?

Depression is one of the most common mental health problems in the world. Many patients are resistant to traditional medications used to treat it, and the addition of ketamine can make the therapy more effective.

Ketamine therapy infuses a small amount of the anesthetic into the body. It blocks NMDA receptors in the brain that cause your neurons to become overactive. Within a few hours, you’ll notice a reduction in the symptoms of depression and several comorbid conditions such as anxiety, PTSD, OCD, or pain to name a few. It’s safe, powerful, and reduces the need for narcotic painkillers.

Victory Medical has several medical offices in Texas that specialize in a range of treatments, including primary and preventive care. Schedule an appointment for ketamine therapy today.