Traditional antidepressants are no longer the only treatment for people struggling with depression. Ketamine Therapy and Psilocybin are groundbreaking, innovative treatment options, too. Here is everything to know about the two treatments and how they compare.
Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine Therapy is a transformative treatment that offers relief from symptoms of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Ketamine treatmentscan also help provide comfort and relief from conditions 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 from trauma
Ketamine can be administered by intramuscular injection (IM) or intravenous infusion (IV). IM ketamine is preferred over IV (intravenously) due to fewer side effects and a better-controlled, deep dissociative state. or nasally through a nasal spray. Spravato treatment (Esketamine) is a self-administered nasal spray.
Different Ketamine Therapy Services
Ketamine Therapy comes in many forms, each accommodating specific therapeutic needs. Methods of administration, level of guidance, and support are the primary differences among these services, which can significantly impact the patient. The services available include:
Guided Ketamine Therapy: A highly guided experience with extended preparation and integration phases led by a Guide of your choice.Ketamine is administered intramuscularly (IM) by injecting it into the large muscle of the shoulder.
Semi-Guided Ketamine Therapy: A balanced, therapeutic experience with limited preparation and integration phases led by a trusted Guide. Ketamine is administered intramuscularly (IM) or intravenously (IV) in a private setting.
IV Ketamine Infusions: A ketamine treatment administered intravenously (IV), with similar elements of Semi-Guided Therapy.
Couples Ketamine Therapy: Rebuild and strengthen the bond with your partner by healing from individual or shared emotional wounds, in a safe and controlled setting. Ketamine is administered intramuscularly (IM) by injecting it into the large muscle of the shoulder.
Group Ketamine Therapy: Heal from trauma and deep emotional wounds in a supportive setting, with up to 6 people per session. 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.
How Ketamine Therapy Works
Ketamine is an anesthetic with dissociative properties, first made in the 1960s. Now it’s used during Ketamine Therapy to alleviate the symptoms of various mental health challenges. Racemic ketamine is the pure form of ketamine that includes arketamine (R-ketamine) and esketamine (S-ketamine). Racemic ketamine is the common form of ketamine used in most ketamine treatments like Ketamine Therapy, while esketamine is one of ketamine’s two stereoisomers used in Spravato Treatment.
Ketamine works by blocking the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDA) in the brain, causing a surge of glutamate, which is responsible for cognitive functions and mood regulation. It also promotes neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new connections.
The treatment has multiple phases that are followed to achieve the optimal therapeutic results from the treatment, including:
- Preparation Phase: Preparing the patient for treatment, setting the right intentions, meditations, and grounding exercises to achieve the right state of mind before the session starts. This can help the patient to be calmer and more open, leading to a more profound healing experience.
- 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. Follow-up care and additional support are available for those patients who need it.
Benefits of Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine Therapy offers a variety of benefits that can suit your healing journey, including:
- Rapid relief from symptoms: One of the main benefits of Ketamine Therapy is the rapid onset of effects and reduction of symptoms, even in cases where the patient has not responded to traditional antidepressants.
- Personalized treatment plans for your unique needs: Every patient is unique, and to achieve optimal results, the treatment plan is tailored to their needs and therapeutic goals.
- Safe administration in a clinical environment: Safety comes first when it comes to Ketamine Therapy, as the treatment is conducted in a clinical setting by board-certified professionals.
- People-oriented care: Ketamine Therapy offers care that’s centered around making you feel welcomed and comfortable enough to start your healing journey. The concept of ”Set and Setting” is a crucial element of this treatment. The Set refers to leading the patient to achieve the right mindset before the session by doing grounding exercises and breathwork. This allows them to start the session in a calmer and more open state of mind.
Psilocybin
Psilocybin is a psychedelic chemical compound found in some mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms. The hallucinogen effects cause changes in perception, cognitive processes, and mood (heightened emotions). Psilocybin is used to reduce the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), conducted in a controlled, clinical setting. The drug is consumed orally under strict medical supervision, and the psychedelic effects can last up to a couple of hours.
What Psilocybin Does to the Brain
Psilocybin Therapy is more than just a psychedelic trip, it leads you to be more introspective and to reconnect with yourself through a guided therapeutic experience. After the Psilocybin is consumed in a controlled setting, the compound is transformed into psilocin. This action activates serotonin receptors and reduces negative thought patterns that are common in depression. Similar to ketamine, it promotes neuroplasticity. Many patients have noted that Psilocybin Therapy is a deeply spiritual and meaningful experience, through which they’ve felt relief and meaning.
Benefits of Psilocybin
For those wanting a more ”organic” approach to healing their depression, Psilocybin is a natural treatment that’s been around for centuries in various cultures around the globe. The rapid reduction of symptoms and relief are favorable for individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), who haven’t experienced improvement after using traditional antidepressants. It is said that Psilocybin can enhance the quality of life and evoke a sense of meaning and purpose in the patient, which can last beyond the treatment itself. This treatment is for those seeking a non-conventional approach to healing from mental health problems.
Ketamine Therapy vs Psilocybin: A Comparative Overview
Both ketamine and psilocybin are substances used for treating depression. Still, their method of administration and mechanisms of action are two main differences that can drastically impact how the patient experiences them. To better understand Ketamine Therapy and Psilocybin Therapy, here is a comparative view of the key aspects of both treatments.
| Type of Treatment | Ketamine Therapy | Psilocybin |
| Method of Administration | IM, IV, Nasal | Oral |
| Onset of Effects | Within hours or days of the session | Within the first 30 to 60 minutes after consumption |
| Duration of Session | Two to three hours | Several hours |
| 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) | Four to eight weeks |
| Side Effects | Nausea, high blood pressure, lightheadedness, headaches | Nausea, increased anxiety, confusion, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, heightened emotions |
Both treatment options are effective for those struggling with depression, but each treatment has its own approach. Read more about Ketamine Therapy at Kadelyx Health, and find out more about the services and how they can support your journey to better mental health.
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