In recent years, ketamine therapy has become a treatment option for those who can’t find the right treatment to help them with depression, most importantly, where traditional methods have failed.
But despite its growing popularity and success, ketamine therapy isn’t for everyone. Knowing who’s not a good candidate is key to safety and effectiveness.
Here, we’ll get into the nitty gritty of ketamine therapy, who can get the most out of this treatment, and who should avoid it. If you’re struggling with depression, PTSD, OCD, and anxiety, keep reading to see if ketamine therapy is for you.
- Ketamine therapy works for many, but you need to assess your individual health conditions and circumstances as it’s not for everyone.
- Those with treatment-resistant depression are the prime candidates for this therapy, especially those who haven’t responded to traditional antidepressants.
- If you have a history of substance abuse or certain medical conditions or are on specific medications, you may need to avoid ketamine therapy due to risks and interactions.
- Consult a health professional to see if ketamine therapy is an option for you based on your current health and treatment goals.
Ketamine therapy is the administration of ketamine, an anesthetic that’s been used in medical settings for decades. It was developed in the 1960s for pain management and during surgeries.
But more recently, it’s been used as an alternative treatment to help with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Ketamine therapy involves intravenous (IV) infusions administered by a qualified medical professional.
So how does it work?
Ketamine works on the brain by targeting the NMDA receptors which are linked to mood and pain. By modulating these receptors, ketamine can produce rapid antidepressant effects.
It also promotes neural plasticity, which helps the brain form new neural connections that support mental health.
Unlike traditional antidepressants that can take weeks to kick in, ketamine can provide relief in days or even hours. It’s a great option for those who need immediate symptom relief.
Ketamine therapy has worked for people with treatment-resistant depression. For those who haven’t responded to traditional antidepressants or therapy, ketamine is a glimmer of hope.
Patients report a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, improved mood, and overall quality of life. Its rapid response time makes it great for those in the midst of a severe depressive episode.
While ketamine therapy works for many, it’s important to assess each patient. Good candidates are adults with a diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression.
Patients should have also tried and failed at least two different antidepressant treatments and not have any contraindications to ketamine. They should also be in overall good health with no significant medical conditions that would complicate the treatment.
While ketamine therapy has its benefits, it’s not for everyone. There are several groups of people who may need to consider alternative treatments due to the risks associated with ketamine therapy.
- Older adults: Some older adults may be more sensitive to medications, including ketamine. Age-related changes in metabolism and overall health increase the risk of side effects, making it not safe for certain people in this population. However, some older adults may still use ketamine therapy with adequate monitoring.
- Pregnant women: There may be effects on the mom and baby. And since there’s not enough research on the effects during this stage it’s best to avoid it while pregnant or breastfeeding.
- People with a history of substance abuse: There’s a higher risk of dependency and misuse of ketamine.
- Patients with uncontrolled medical conditions: Those with severe cardiovascular, respiratory, or neurological issues may have complications.
- Patients on certain medications: Ketamine may interact with other medications, which can increase the risk of side effects or reduce its effectiveness.
If you’re not a good candidate for ketamine therapy, don’t worry. There are other effective alternative treatments for treatment-resistant depression. Here are some options to consider.
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): This is a proven treatment that involves electrical stimulation of the brain under anesthesia to help with severe depression.
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): It is a non-invasive treatment that involves magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain that are linked to mood.
- Medication adjustments: Talk to a psychiatrist to explore different combinations or classes of antidepressants.
- Intensive psychotherapy: More frequent or specialized psychotherapy sessions to address treatment-resistant depression.
But before you choose one, consult with a health professional to get the right treatment plan. Everyone’s medical history, current health and specific needs need to be considered to get the best results.
If you’re considering ketamine therapy and want to know if you qualify, get in touch with one of our specialists at the Ketamine Wellness clinic. We’ll guide you through this process, taking into account your medical history, current medications, and any underlying health conditions.
During the consultation, a qualified practitioner will assess your situation and tell you about the benefits and risks of the therapy. And if you have any other questions about this treatment, we’ll answer them all!
Ketamine therapy is a treatment for treatment-resistant depression that works fast and often profoundly when other methods have failed.
But it’s not for everyone. Those in high-risk categories, such as older adults, pregnant women, and people with a history of substance abuse, should consider alternative treatments.
Ketamine Wellness NY. Let’s get you on the road to mental wellness. If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, OCD, or PTSD and other treatments haven’t worked, get in touch. Book a consultation today!
- “Ketamine Checklist.” APNA, www.apna.org/ketamine-infusion-therapy/.
- Mandal, Suprio, et al. “Efficacy of Ketamine Therapy in the Treatment of Depression.” Indian Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 61, no. 5, Sept. 2019, p. 480, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6767816/, https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_484_18.
- Strong, C.E., and Mohamed Kabbaj. “On the Safety of Repeated Ketamine Infusions for the Treatment of Depression: Effects of Sex and Developmental Periods.” Neurobiology of Stress, vol. 9, Nov. 2018, pp. 166–175, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynstr.2018.09.001.