Research is still ongoing, but there is mounting evidence that ketamine – when taken in controlled circumstances – is a useful substance when it comes to treating depression. More and more women are turning to ketamine as a means of treating their depression, and are turning their lives around as a result.
Ketamine Use Has Shown Positive Results in the Treatment of People with Long Term Depression
The treatment of depression is usually done through the use of anti-depressants. These medications help block the release of certain chemicals in the brain that change a person’s mood. People with depression experience ‘sad’ emotions all the time, despite there being no obvious trigger.
It seems that ketamine works differently, as it encourages the brain to return to normal function rather than simply halting the release of mood-changing chemicals. As a result, people with depression who undertake controlled ketamine treatment felt better almost immediately, and even people with ‘treatment-resistant’ depression showed significant signs of improvement.
Ketamine is classified as a Schedule III drug in the United States, which means it is illegal to use the drug recreationally, but its use is fine in controlled environments when it is administered by a properly licensed professional. Ketamine is better known as an anesthetic.
Research into Ketamine as a Treatment for Depression has Been Ongoing for Nearly Forty Years
Ketamine and its effects on depression have been investigated for almost four decades. The conclusion seems to be that ketamine does have a powerful effect on people suffering from depression. In March 2019 the FDA approved the use of esketamine, which is a prescription-only nasal spray that’s derived from ketamine. This has been described as a ‘game changer’ in the search for effective treatments for depression.
Patients are only given a dose of ketamine in the range of 0.5 to 0.6mg, which is perfectly safe (recreational users typically take doses over 100mg). Many women suffering from depression who have undergone a ketamine infusion say that they experienced an immediate sensation of calm, followed by better moods, a renewed sense of hope and better quality sleep.
If you would like to learn more about the possible use of ketamine for the treatment of depression or chronic pain, then please contact us here at the Ketamine Institution of Michigan. You can contact us at (855) KETAMINE or by using the online contact form available on our website.