Depression and anxiety can drastically impact the lives of adolescents, especially if they are dealing with a treatment-resistant condition. Ketamine Therapy is an evidence-based treatment that might be a solution many are looking for.
Understanding Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine Therapy has the potential to heal deep emotional wounds by guiding the patient to navigate their emotions and integrate the insights gathered during ketamine sessions for long-term healing. Guided Ketamine Therapy is a good treatment option for those seeking extended preparation and integration, led by a compassionate Guide who is present at the bedside throughout the whole session. This type of ketamine treatment is administered with intramuscular injections (IM). IM ketamine is preferred over IV (intravenously) due to fewer side effects and a better-controlled, deep dissociative state.
The treatment has multiple phases that go beyond the initial symptom relief, including:
- Preparation Phase: Preparing the patient for the treatment, setting the right intentions, meditations, and grounding exercises to achieve the right mindset.
- Medicine Phase: Two strategically timed doses of ketamine are injected into the large muscle of the shoulder, leading to a dissociative state. This phase can include sensory deprivation with eye masks and headphones (with carefully curated playlists) that help the patient better navigate the experience.
- Integration Phase: The post-session phase includes guided integration, journaling thoughts and feelings.
The Effects of Ketamine on the Brain
Ketamine is an anesthetic with dissociative properties, first synthesised in the 1960s. Now, it’s used in Ketamine Therapy to efficiently reduce the symptoms of various mental health conditions, providing relief and improving the quality of life. Unlike traditional antidepressants, ketamine works by blocking the NMDA receptors in the brain, causing a surge of glutamate in the area of the brain that is responsible for mood regulation, promoting neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to create new connections.
Negative thought patterns are a common occurrence in adolescents struggling with depression. Ketamine Therapy can help reduce those thoughts and promote emotional resilience and healing.
Tailored Care for Your Needs
Patients undergo strict medical screenings to ensure the safety and efficacy of the treatment. Health risks, medical and mental health history, and severity of the symptoms all play a key role before starting Ketamine Therapy. The treatment plans are personalized and structured to support both the medical history and the therapeutic goals of each patient.
The Importance of ”Set and Setting”
Since Ketamine Therapy is conducted in a clinical setting, significant emphasis is placed on creating a comfortable and safe space for all recipients. The concept of ”Set and Setting” refers to the mindset and environment in which the treatment is conducted. Preparing the patient before the treatment with meditation and breathwork encourages vulnerability and openness to healing. The setting of the treatment is just as important, as deep healing is best achieved in a comfortable and supportive setting.
Ketamine Therapy vs. Traditional Antidepressants
Ketamine and traditional antidepressants both have the same purpose, but have different mechanisms of action. Antidepressant medications like SSRIs (Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Escitalopram) are a common treatment for adolescents, but they’re not suitable for all, since some teens struggle with treatment-resistant depression. They work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin. Here are other differences and similarities between the two treatments:
| Treatment Type | Ketamine Therapy | Traditional Antidepressants (SSRIs) |
| Administration | IM, IV | Oral |
| Onset of Effects | Within hours or days | Several weeks |
| Duration of Treatment | Typically, a series of 6 treatments spaced closely together (with booster sessions if needed) | It can last from a few months to a few years |
| Frequency of Treatment | Structured as a short series that lasts a few weeks | Ongoing |
| FDA Approval | Off Label | Depends on the exact medication, but the most common ones are FDA-approved |
| Common Side Effects | Nausea, lightheadedness, headaches | Nausea, weight gain, fatigue |
| Black Box Warning | / | Some can increase suicidal ideation in patients under 25 |
Benefits of Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine Therapy can be a transformative treatment option for adolescents facing difficult mental health struggles. The evidence-based approach to healing offers various benefits, including:
- Rapid relief from symptoms: Ketamine Therapy offers a rapid reduction of symptoms of various conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it also provides potential relief to individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression.
- Safety and support: All Ketamine Therapy treatments are medically monitored and conducted under strict safety protocols. A team of compassionate professionals is there to offer guidance and support every step of the way.
- Long-term healing: Ketamine Therapy offers more than just immediate reduction of symptoms. It teaches individuals how to integrate their therapeutic insights and use them later on. This can lead to deeper emotional healing and long-term recovery.
Finding adequate treatment for teens is not an easy feat, but Ketamine Therapy offers unique benefits that most conventional treatments do not. Book a free consultation at Kadelyx and learn more about the transformative effects of Ketamine Therapy.
