Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can be caused by seeing or experiencing a horrific event. PTSD can be very tricky to treat for patients as there are few options available that report effective relief. People with PTSD can experience insomnia, flashbacks, low self-esteem, and a lot of painful or unpleasant emotions. Although there have been many unsuccessful PTSD treatments, Ketamine Infusion Therapy has provided hope for many.

Traditional Treatments of PTSD

About 7 or 8 out of every 100 people in the U.S have PTSD (or about 7-8% of the population) and are not only veterans. The rate of PTSD is higher in females (5.2%) versus males (1.8%). Today, the only FDA-approved medicine for PTSD are sertraline and paroxetine, which are both SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). In addition, mood stabilizers and other antipsychotics are also used as “off-label” prescriptions (meaning the drug is not specifically for PTSD but can be prescribed to treat a variety of things).

Using Ketamine to Treat PTSD

Ketamine Therapy is different from traditional treatment methods because it works with the NMDA receptors in your brain. Binding to your receptors and increasing glutamate in the space between the neurons in your brain. Glutamate then activates connections in your AMPA receptor. Working together, these two receptors release molecules that help neurons communicate along new pathways. This process is called synaptogenesis, and is responsible for affecting your mood, cognition, and thought patterns. In addition, Ketamine appears to reduce signals that trigger inflammation, which is linked to mood disorders. Ketamine Infusion Therapy offers an innovative treatment option that offers hope for many patients that have had little luck with traditional treatment.
If you think Ketamine may work for your PTSD, call us at (773) 227-2687 to book your initial consultation.