KETAMINE INFUSIONS
For decades, Ketamine has been used “off-label” to treat chronic pain, depression and PTSD. Recent studies * have demonstrated Ketamine’s ability to rapidly and completely reverse suicidal depression in treatment-refractory patients. No other treatment modality has demonstrated such a rapid and profound response since electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In fact, Thomas Insel, former Director, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) stated that “Recent data suggest that ketamine, given intravenously, might be the most important breakthrough in antidepressant treatment in decades.” However, unlike ECT, treatment with Ketamine infusions do not require an inpatient hospital stay, and the side effect profile is more favorable then ECT which can cause memory loss. Many severely depressed patients improve significantly in a matter of hours post treatment, however, multiple rounds of infusions are usually required for a sustained response. Current research is focusing on the use of Ketamine as a treatment for those suffering with chronic pain, addiction, PTSD, and other psychiatric disorders. Our doctors remain on the front lines of the technological advancements and research regarding both the utilization of Ketamine and the effective interactions with other medications such as Botox and CGRP inhibitors for significantly improved responses. Ketamine is a good alternative to patients who are medically addicted to painkillers and want to get off of them but need effective treatment for their chronic pain condition.
Ketamine as a depression treatment blocks the NMDA receptor instead of inhibiting the uptake of serotonin/norepinephrine/dopamine, as most antidepressants currently on the market are designed to do. By blocking this receptor, ketamine allows the brain to begin repairing itself and regulate the chemicals in the brain that cause depression.
Ketamine is one of only two anesthetics listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an “essential drug”. In the last 15 years, Ketamine has gradually been used in non-traditional ways such as treating depression and other mood disorders, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS/RSD), and other pain conditions.
Ketamine infusion therapy has shown to be a fast acting treatment for psychiatric disorders, including, Major Depression, Bi-Polar Depression, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and certain addictive disorders.
Ketamine FAQ:
Yes, ketamine infusion for depression is an outpatient procedure requiring no hospital admission.
No, while referrals from any mental health care provider are welcome and encouraged, a free consultation with one of our doctors can determine if you are a good candidate for ketamine therapy.
The infusion itself takes about 45 minutes, recovery times average about 20-40 minutes.
Mild dissociation or inner reflective experience that is generally well tolerated. If you find it unpleasant we can treat it or stop the infusion. Within 15-20 minutes of ending the infusion your thinking will be back to normal.
Benzodiazepines, such as Klonopin, Xanax, and Ativan do interfere with ketamine if used daily and at higher doses. Lamictal (lamotrigine) in doses above 100mg/day also can block ketamine efficacy.
Yes. Uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart failure need to be corrected. Pregnant women should NOT receive ketamine. Patients with epilepsy should not receive treatment with ketamine. Patients with a history of abusing or being addicted to ketamine should avoid it.
Antidepressant medications do not interfere with ketamine’s mechanism of action.
Ketamine does have abuse potential. Ketamine has been proven safe in humans in and out of hospitals and battle fields for surgical anesthesia and trauma management. Those patients experience longer exposures and at much higher doses than those used to treat severe depression.
Ketamine: Treats Depression Rapidly: Regenerates Neurons in the Brain!
Depression is one of the most debilitating public health problems we currently face. Depression affects men, women, adults and adolescents and children and the estimated annual cost of depression is over $2 Billion per year!
People who suffer from depression endure persistent feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, lack of the ability to enjoy life, poor concentration and often times suicidal thoughts. Chronic depression causes major disruptions in many areas of life functioning including work, relationships and basic self-care. Many patients who seek treatment for depression either do not respond well to treatment, or experience side effects to the medications, and continue to suffer.
Until recently, the main approach to treating depression has been with conventional antidepressants. While antidepressants can be effective for many people, there are often a number of drawbacks including:
- Lack of response
- Side effects
- Needing to wait up to six weeks for the medication to start working.
Over the past decade, Ketamine has emerged as a highly-effective medication in the treatment of depression that works fast and is effective at treating both treatment-resistant depression, as well as suicidal depression – with little or no side effects.
Delivered via IV infusion, Ketamine has been shown in multiple studies to alleviate depression in as quickly as a few hours post-infusion in some patients. Many patients report cessation of suicidal thoughts after receiving just one infusion of Ketamine! Most people require 6-8 infusions for a full antidepressant effect.
Ketamine has been shown to alleviate depression via a different mechanism of action than conventional antidepressants. In fact, studies have shown that Ketamine “re-balances” certain neurotransmitters in the brain that have been found to be out of balance in patients who suffer with depression, obsessive thoughts, anxiety and suicidal thinking.
It has been known for years that people who suffer from long-standing depression show slowing in the frontal part of the brain that is associated with loss and atrophy of neurons. Ketamine has been shown to regenerate atrophied neurons and also starts a process called “Neurogenesis” or the re-growth of neurons in the brain. Ketamine also causes re-vascularization of neurons that have atrophied in the brain. These findings are believed to be how Ketamine treats depression so effectively.
Ketamine is a safe medication when administered by a physician as patients need to be monitored both during and following the infusion.
What Can I Expect During My Infusion?
- On the day of the Ketamine infusion, please do not eat or drink anything 4-5 hours prior to the infusion.
- Upon arrival to the surgicenter, you will be greeted by staff and given paperwork to fill out.
- An IV will be started and you will be given Oxygen throughout the procedure. Your vital signs will be monitored throughout the infusion.
- A typical infusion usually lasts about 45 – 60 minutes.
- A minority of patients feel slightly nauseous following the infusion, in which case you may receive anti-nausea medication. This usually resolves quickly. Wearing eyeshades during the infusion may prevent this.
- Following the infusion it is required that you have a ride home.
- You may resume a normal diet and continue to take any prescription medications.
- Our recommendation is to remain calm and relaxed for the rest of the day!