Ketamine Therapy is an innovative treatment option for people seeking relief from various mental health conditions, such as treatment-resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Here is everything to know about the treatment and how it can support your path to healing.
How Ketamine Can Rewire Your Brain
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic drug that was first synthesized in the 1960s. Today, it’s used for reducing the symptoms of various mental health conditions during Ketamine Therapy. Ketamine works by blocking the NMDA receptors in the brain, causing a surge of glutamate in the area of the brain that’s responsible for mood regulation. This action also promotes neuroplasticity, causing the brain to form new connections. Ketamine can potentially ”rewire” the brain by reducing the negative thought patterns that are common occurrences of depression, causing the individual to develop emotional resilience.
What is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine Therapy is a treatment for relieving symptoms of various mental health conditions. Ketamine Therapy has shown improvement in individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) who haven’t found relief with traditional antidepressants. Due to its rapid onset of effects, many patients experience relief within hours or days of the session. Ketamine Therapy is administered intramuscularly (IM), intranasally (IV), or nasally. IM is the preferred way of administration due to fewer side effects. The treatment consists of three common phases, including:
- Preparation phase: Setting intentions, doing breathwork, and meditations led by a trusted Guide.
- Medication phase: A dose of ketamine is injected into the large muscle of the shoulder by a medical professional.
- Integration phase: Patients receive emotional and grounding support after the session, which promotes integration of the therapeutic insights.
The Importance of ”Set and Setting”
The ”Set and Setting” are two crucial elements of Ketamine Therapy that promote deep emotional healing while making the patient feel safe and ready to take the next step in their healing journey. The Set refers to the mindset established during a preparation phase, which includes breathwork and meditation led by a trusted Guide. This ensures that each patient is in a calm state of mind before the treatment begins. The Setting refers to the clinical environment in which Ketamine Therapy is conducted. A safe and comfortable space can help enhance treatment efficiency and the overall pleasant experience of therapy.
Different Ketamine Therapy Services
There are several Ketamine Therapy Services available, depending on the individual’s preferences and therapeutic goals. Ketamine Therapy includes:
Guided Ketamine Therapy: A private therapy session with extended preparation and integration phases led by a trusted Guide of choice. Ketamine is administered intramuscularly (IM) by injecting it into the large muscle of the shoulder.
Semi-Guided Ketamine Therapy: Experience a balanced therapywith guidance and independence, led by a trusted Guide. Ketamine is administered intramuscularly (IM) or intravenously (IV).
IV Ketamine Infusions: A ketamine treatment administered intravenously (IV), with similar elements of Semi-Guided Therapy.
Couples Ketamine Therapy: Heal from shared or individual mental health struggles in an understanding environment with your partner. Ketamine is administered intramuscularly (IM) by injecting it into the large muscle of the shoulder.
Group Ketamine Therapy: Healing in a supportive setting with like-minded individuals who share similar struggles. Ketamine is administered intramuscularly (IM) by injecting it into the large muscle of the shoulder.
Spravato Treatment (Esketamine): An FDA-approved nasal spray, self-administered under clinical supervision. The treatment is sprayed into the nose 2-3 times, each spaced five minutes apart.
Racemic ketamine is the typical form of ketamine used in most ketamine treatments, while esketamine is one of ketamine’s two stereoisomers used in Spravato Treatment. Racemic ketamine is the pure form of ketamine that includes arketamine (R-ketamine) and esketamine (S-ketamine).
Ketamine Therapy Treatment Plans
People who are interested in healing through Ketamine Therapy undergo an in-depth assessment of both mental and medical histories, ensuring that the treatment is suitable for their specific needs. Ketamine Therapy offers personalized treatment plans that are tailored to the individual needs of each patient. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for treating mental health conditions, and no patient is the same, so having a customized healing journey can provide the best results.
The Transformative Effects of Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine Therapy offers effects that can help those struggling with depression experience relief. The most notable effects are better mood regulation, reduction of negative thought patterns, increased emotional resilience, and flexibility. It’s a people-oriented treatment that values vulnerability, allowing people to heal from their deepest wounds in a safe and controlled environment. People dealing with depression with feelings of isolation and loneliness might find Guided Ketamine Therapy or even Group Ketamine Therapy particularly appealing. The compassionate Guides are there to provide a safe space for healing and emotional clarity.
Ketamine vs. Traditional Antidepressants: A Comparative Overview
Both ketamine and traditional antidepressants are used in treating the symptoms of depression, but in different ways. Different types of antidepressant medications target different neurotransmitters to reduce depression symptoms. Most antidepressants are available in tablet form and require a prescription from a licensed health care provider. The most common antidepressants are Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Escitalopram. They work by blocking serotonin reuptake.
Here are the differences and similarities of both treatment options for treating depression, as they can offer different therapeutic experiences.
| Treatment | Ketamine Therapy | Traditional Antidepressants (SSRIs) |
| Administration | Injection, infusion, nasal | Oral |
| Onset of Effects | Within hours or days | Several weeks |
| Duration of Treatment | Six weeks (for IM, IV), twice a week for four weeks, then once a week for four weeks, followed by maintenance treatments. (for Spravato) | 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 | Only Spravato Treatment | Depends on the exact medication, but the most common ones are FDA-approved |
| Common Side Effects | Nausea, high blood pressure, lightheadedness, headaches | Nausea, fatigue, weight gain |
| Black Box Warning | / | Some can increase suicidal ideation in patients under 25 |
Healing in a Safe and Controlled Setting
Ketamine Therapy offers people-oriented mental health care, with trusted Guides who are there to support every step of your healing journey. This type of guided approach can help patients feel more open and vulnerable, as they feel safe to express their struggles. All ketamine treatments are administered under strict medical monitoring, while Guided Ketamine Therapy provides full, undivided attention from a clinical professional who is present at the bedside throughout the session.
How to Know if Ketamine Therapy is Right for You
Ketamine Therapy is for people struggling with depression, which some find difficult to manage due to the lack of response from traditional antidepressants. It’s a suitable option for alleviating the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) due to its rapid-acting effects. The treatment can also help individuals with other mental health challenges, such as:
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Eating disorders
- Chronic pain and headaches
- Substance use disorders
- Hospice and palliative care needs
- Personal growth and healing
Spravato Treatment is a viable treatment option for people dealing with conditions such as treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) with acute suicidal ideation or behaviors.
If you intend to harm yourself right now, please call 988, 911, or proceed to your nearest Emergency Department for immediate treatment.
Break Free from Depression With the Right Treatment
Ketamine Therapy is an evidence-based treatment, and compared to some traditional antidepressants, it’s fast-acting and effective. Learn more about Ketamine Therapy at Kadelyx Health, and decide if ketamine treatments can support your healing journey.
