If you are suffering from depression and have tried every antidepressant on the market, along with psychological counseling, but your depression is constant, you are not alone. According to reports, up to 30% of people with major depression have treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
Ketamine infusion therapy is a miraculous treatment for such patients. Ketamine is a psychedelic drug that has been misused for years due to its dissociative effect, but now the FDA has approved it for treating TRD.
If you are considering ketamine for your depression, here is what you need to know about ketamine infusion therapy for depression and where you can go for this therapy in Sandy Springs, GA.
How Does Ketamine Infusion Therapy Work for Depression?
The exact mechanism through which ketamine infusion therapy treats depression is still understudy.
However, it is believed that ketamine targetsthe N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor of the brain. It binds the receptor as an antagonist and appears to increase the amount of the neurotransmitter glutamate in the synapse (spaces between neurons). Then, glutamate activates the AMPA receptor.
The blockage of the NMDA receptor by ketamine and the activation of the AMPA receptor by glutamate lead to the release of molecules that create new pathways and help neurons communicate with each other. This entire process affects the mood, cognition, and thought process of the patient.
Ketamine may also work in several other ways to treat TRD.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Ketamine Infusion Therapy?
Ketamine infusion therapy may be an option for people with treatment-resistant depression, meaning it is for people who have tried one or two classes of antidepressants and psychotherapy without success.
Those individuals who experience suicidal thoughts and those individuals who require more rapid improvement in their depressive symptoms may also be good candidates for this therapy.
What Happens During the Ketamine Infusion Therapy?
Ketamine infusion therapy uses a cannula (a tiny plastic tubing) that goes into the vein, a needle, and a plastic tube that connects the cannula to the IV (intravenous) fluid (normal saline containing ketamine drug). The IV fluid drips into the patient’s vein at a controlled rate through the tubing.
The patient is observed closely during and after the infusion therapy (for some time) to ensure safety and efficacy.
People with TRD usually find relief from their depression within 1 to 3 ketamine infusion therapy sessions.
What are the Possible Side Effects of Ketamine Infusion Therapy?
Like all other drugs, ketamine also has side effects. However, the benefits of ketamine infusion therapy possibly outweigh the side effects, particularly when a person has suicidal thoughts. Possible side effects of ketamine infusion therapy are:
- Nausea and vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Feeling disconnected from body, feelings, and thoughts
- Perceptual disturbance (blurry vision, altered sense of taste, and time appearing to speed up or slow down)
Depression Treatment in Sandy Springs, GA
At Chastain Psychiatry, Dr. Browning specializes in treating a wide range of mental health problems, including depression. Our mental health professionals utilize diverse strategies, such as psychotherapy, medication management, telehealth, and more, to help our patients regain equilibrium within their own lives.
To set up a consultation with Dr. Browning, call us today at (404) 963-2647 or fill out our Online Appointment Request Form.
