What is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine therapy is a treatment approach that uses low doses of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic medication, to manage various mental health conditions, such as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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Ketamine is approved for use at high doses as an anesthetic in the operating room. Although not FDA-approved, lower dose “sub-anesthetic” ketamine injections are used “off-label” to treat depression, pain, and other mental health/substance use disorders.
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In recent times, there have been many factors contributing to increased depression across wide populations. There are several medications available for depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders which involve daily administration of a medication aimed at correction of neurochemical imbalances via action at specific brain receptors (e.g. serotonin, dopamine, mu opioid).
Mental health benefits
As a treatment for depression, ketamine therapy can:
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Create new neuronal connection
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Reduce self-harming thoughts
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Reduce symptoms of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder
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Reduce suicidal thoughts
What Conditions Can Be Treated With Ketamine
Ketamine is commonly used as an anesthetic and analgesic, but has recently shown promising research in treating certain mental health conditions such as depression, mood disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, substance use disorder (SUD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal ideation.
