Benefits of Ketamine Therapy

Benefits of Ketamine Therapy

What are the Benefits of Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine therapy has proven to be effective in treating depression, insomnia, and anxiety. It may also be useful in reducing the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and in relieving chronic pain. Though ketamine does not cure these conditions, it can provide relief for a long period of time. Patients tend to feel symptom relief in as early as an hour. Once a patient has undergone several therapy sessions, they may experience symptom relief for weeks at a time. 

Benefits for Depression

Ketamine has been proven effective in treating depression. It works in two main ways: First, by creating space for the patient through its dissociative properties. Dissociation makes the patient feel less connected to their depression, problems, and life stresses.

Dissociative properties:

• Less emotional connection
• Separated from direct experience
• Perceived out-of-body experience

Second, Ketamine contains psychedelic properties. These psychedelic properties create certain sensations and can even help to alter mood, which helps the patient ease out of depression and even avoid it altogether.

Psychedelic properties:

• Greater sensory acuity 
• Time distortion
• Heightened imagination

Benefits for Anxiety

Ketamine also helps with anxiety. Ketamine therapy activates prefrontal glutamate neurotransmission, which helps lessen and even eliminate anxiety. Unlike other types of antidepressant and anti-anxiety treatments, Ketamine works by blocking glutamate receptors. Interestingly, by blocking these receptors Ketamine also reduces chronic inflammation, which is believed to be a major contributor to depression and heightened anxiety. 

Benefits for Insomnia

Insomnia is a common side effect of antidepressants. Ketamine therapy has shown to be effective in treating insomnia caused by antidepressants. It appears to work by increasing GABAergic inhibition in the thalamus, which regulates sleep patterns.

Benefits for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (or PTSD) is characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance. Symptoms of PTSD include excessive startle response, irritability, anger, difficulty sleeping, and social withdrawal.

Ketamine has proven to be very effective at alleviating these symptoms. One study showed that 50% of participants who received ketamine had significant improvement in their PTSD symptoms. Another study showed that 40% of participants reported complete remission of PTSD symptoms.

Benefits for Pain Management 

The analgesic properties of ketamine make it useful in managing acute and chronic pain. Acute pain is usually short-lived, while chronic pain lasts for weeks, months, or even years.

Post-surgical pain is a good example of how ketamine therapy can benefit patients. After undergoing surgery, patients experience muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Ketamine alleviates these symptoms.

Postoperative pain management is an area where ketamine therapy excels. A study conducted at the University of Washington examined the efficacy of intravenous ketamine as an adjunct to traditional opioid therapy. They concluded that ketamine provided better pain control than opioids alone.

Ketamine has been shown to reduce opioid use in people undergoing surgery. A recent study showed that ketamine reduced opioid consumption by a significant degree. Another benefit of ketamine is that it doesn’t cause respiratory depression. Opioids can slow breathing down to dangerous levels. Ketamine does not affect respiration.

Are There Any Cons of Ketamine Therapy?

While ketamine is generally considered safe, there are some risks associated with its use. The biggest downside to ketamine therapy is its potential side effects, such as:

• Nausea/Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Headaches
• Numbness
• Hallucinations

It is important to note that these effects are typically mild and transient. 

Finding Ketamine Therapy Near Me

Ketamine therapy has increased in popularity over recent years, making it more accessible. Wave Treatment Centers, located in the Philadelphia area, offer ketamine-assisted therapy in addition to other innovative treatment options such as TMS therapy. Wave offers treatment in the form of IV-ketamine and Spravato which is esketamine in the form of a nasal spray. 

Ketamine Therapy in Chestnut Hill, PA

It’s time to seek mental health treatment so you can live a more fulfilling and productive life. Wave Treatment Centers offer a variety of treatment services in a comfortable and peaceful environment. Even if you have not had success with traditional modes of treatment, we can help. To find out more about ketamine-assisted therapy in Philadelphia, PA, please give us a call or visit our contact form today. 

The post Benefits of Ketamine Therapy appeared first on WAVE Treatment Centers.