After decades of research has proven its efficacy, in recent years we’ve seen ketamine-assisted therapy gain recognition as a potential breakthrough treatment for numerous illnesses. Patients who have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain have mostly reported feelings of relief from their symptoms shortly after treatment. 

Let’s dig a bit deeper into which diagnoses might benefit from ketamine-assisted therapy, and how it can help.

1. Depression – Studies have shown that patients who respond to ketamine experienced rapid relief from suicidal ideations, in addition to other symptoms of severe depression. This is a game-changer that is expected to save countless lives! (Harvard Medical School)

2. Anxiety – Ketamine’s glutamate property, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter, mediates the brain’s response to stress and traumatic memories that resurface. This is what is believed to give ketamine its antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects. (Psychiatry Advisor)

3. PTSD – A recent study showed that when ketamine was administered to mice after observing a traumatic event, it prevented the intensification of passive avoidance learning. The results of a double-blind study showed that a ketamine infusion expeditiously and substantially decreased the severity of symptoms in patients with PTSD compared to midazolam. (Psychiatry Advisor)

4. Chronic pain – According to the National Library of Medicine, low-dose ketamine elicits strong analgesia production in neuropathic pain states, including the enrichment of declining inhibition and anti-inflammatory effects at central sites in the brain. (National Library of Medicine)

While these are just a few of the illnesses that ketamine can be used to treat, there are others that we do work with patients to treat as well. If you think you might benefit from ketamine-assisted therapy, contact us through the form on our website & we’ll be in touch with you!

Sources: Harvard Medical School, Psychiatry Advisor, National Library of Medicine

Websites:

1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ketamine-for-major-depression-new-tool-new-questions-2019052216673
2. https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/home/topics/anxiety/ketamine-a-promising-novel-therapy-for-anxiety-and-ptsd/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23432384/