An Alternative Safe Treatment
Low dose ketamine in a controlled setting works faster than SSRIs and is highly
effective even for treatment-resistant depression when past treatments have not worked.
KETAMINE TREATMENT: An Effective Alternative to Traditional SSRIs
Ketamine is typically used for patients with depression who have tried other forms of therapy and haven’t found anything that works. Where traditional anti-depressants can take weeks and have disruptive side effects, patients find relief within a few sessions, sometimes even after the first treatment. It is particularly useful in treating treatment resistant depression, PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain.
Our holistic approach is personalized, and may blend multiple therapies. Before we begin ketamine treatments, we conduct a thorough evaluation to see if the treatment is right for you. We will discuss what symptoms you’ve been experiencing lately, as well as your goals, to tailor the treatment to your body and mental health needs.
WHAT IS KETAMINE?
Originally used as a pediatric anesthetic, ketamine has shown to be an effective drug for fighting depression. Ketamine works differently in your brain than other antidepressant medications. Conventional antidepressants such as SSRIs have to build up in your system to change your brain chemistry. Ketamine almost immediately alters the neurotransmitter activity in your brain. In 2014, Thomas Insel, former director of the National Institute for Mental Health, said, “Ketamine, given intravenously, might be the most important breakthrough in antidepressant treatment in decades.”
Why Ketamine is Effective
Studies Show a High Success Rate: Though ketamine is still being actively studied, the current research is promising. Studies have shown more than half of patients experienced significant relief after even one treatment, and more after several infusions. The FDA has approved the ketamine nasal spray Spravato to treat depression, which we offer at our clinics.
Works Quickly: Patients report relief after just a few sessions, and often after a few hours. Unlike SSRIs, which take several weeks of daily dosage to determine if the medication will work, results from ketamine are evaluated immediately.
Longer Lasting Results: Relief from symptoms lasts much longer than the active period when a patient is actively taking treatments. Traditional anti-depressants are only effective while you are taking them daily. A typical ketamine treatment plan will require 6 infusions over several week period, and then long term monitoring and maintenance that may include booster infusions as needed. Ketamine stimulates brain changes that lead to extended relief.
How Will the Ketamine Be Administered?
TMS & Brain Health offers four methods of Ketamine treatments. We will consult with you as part of our treatment plan to determine the best route of administration.
- Ketamine infusions administered by an IV. We use sub-anesthetic doses based on your body weight and medical history.
- Nasal spray or Spravato™, an FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray.
- Rapid dissolve tablets
- Intramuscular Injection or shot.
The Science Behind Ketamine
Ketamine works differently than traditional SSRI’s, though researchers are still trying to pinpoint the exact mechanism behind the efficacy. In low-doses, ketamine produces a surge in glutamate, which encourages the growth of the brain’s synapses. With this increase in glutamate, the neural connections in the regions of the brain that are affected by depression are stimulated, strengthened, restored. The brain circuit function is improved from these strengthened neurons that have previously been stifled by depression.
Researchers have also identified molecular changes with ketamine treatments related to G Proteins. People with depression typically have a high amount of G proteins accumulating on lipid rafts on cellular membranes, where they are inactive. SSRIs push the G proteins off the lipid raft and back into useful activity. However ketamine forces them active much faster, in minutes instead of weeks, and keeps them in action for much longer.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING TREATMENT
During the treatment, a member of our team will be with you the entire time, so you’ll never be alone. While some patients might experience side-effects during treatment, including floating sensations and hallucinations, these are only mild and wear off once the treatment is finished. Feeling tired is also normal after a session, so patients are not allowed to drive themselves home after receiving ketamine treatments. You might begin to feel relief within an hour after a session. Typically, patients receive six infusions over the course of two to three weeks and may need an occasional infusion after these initial sessions.
Progressive Mental Health Treatments
TMS & Brain Health specializes in alternative mental health treatments, like TMS therapy and ketamine infusions and nasal spray. These can often be far more effective than traditional routes. With the help of our skilled and compassionate team, we can help our patients find relief from their symptoms and live happy and healthy lives!
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Ketamine Treatment Resources
TMS & Brain Health is not a healthcare provider and does not render any psychiatry or other medical services, including but not limited to TMS, Ketamine, or Neurofeedback. IOP services are rendered through a separate, affiliated entity. Rather, TMS & Brain Health performs administrative services for various psychiatrists and/or psychiatry and/or medical practices. Further, this website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. More information can be found at our disclaimer page.
