Ketamine infusion treatment is all the rage, with many people touting it as the absolute cure for depression. And while it is not a miracle cure, it has shown very impressive results in treating several mental health conditions. Once used as an anesthetic on the battlefield, ketamine rewires your brain, creating and strengthening neuron connections. It has been successfully used to address treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, among other conditions. But if Park Slope Ketamine infusion treatment is an entirely new concept to you, all the information available can be confusing. Here is a condensed review of five facts you should absolutely know about this therapy.
Ketamine Is Reserved for Worst-Case Scenarios
Medical experts estimate that more than 8 percent of adults in the US live with depression at some point. But while ketamine has been used successfully to treat some cases of depression, it is rarely the first line of treatment. Doctors often reserve it as a last resort, usually to address depression symptoms that have failed to respond to three types of antidepressants. This means that your doctor will likely not recommend ketamine therapy right off the bat if you receive a diagnosis of depression. Instead, they may try traditional treatments before turning to it.
Ketamine Treatments Address Several Mental Health Issues
While often touted as a treatment for depression and depression alone, ketamine infusion treatments can address the symptoms of other mental health conditions. These include bipolar disorder, PTSD, alcoholism, anxiety, Tourette’s syndrome, and alcoholism. That said, ketamine therapy is not recommended for use in some conditions, especially schizophrenia and other paranoia disorders. It might worsen rather than improve symptoms like hallucinations.
Ketamine Treats Chronic Pain
In addition to improving the symptoms of depression, ketamine therapy can also alleviate chronic pain. Ketamine contains chemicals that block nervous system receptors, preventing your brain from receiving pain signals. While it does not address the root cause of the pain, it can relieve your discomfort. In fact, about 67 percent of Ketamine patients report improved chronic pain symptoms after several treatments. That said, ketamine therapy does not work on all types of pain. It is best used to treat pain caused by migraines, spinal injuries, sickle cell disease, phantom pain, and cancer treatment.
Ketamine Is Not Addictive
Many people associate ketamine therapy with ketamine addiction and abuse. But although it is dangerous when abused, ketamine is safe to use in small doses under the directions of a trained doctor. In fact, the National Institute of Health affirms that ketamine infusion treatment shares no connection with ketamine addiction. This is because ketamine infusions are usually measured, adjusted, and monitored by a trained professional in a safe environment flowerstips.
Ketamine Treatments Are Painless
Because ketamine infusions are administered through an IV drip, the treatments are painless. Most patients report that they only feel discomfort before the procedure due to needle anxiety – a problem you can solve by distracting yourself musicalnepal.
Discuss Ketamine Therapy with Your Doctor Today
If your depression symptoms fail to respond to at least three types of antidepressants, your doctor may recommend ketamine therapy. This outpatient procedure can be performed in about an hour – 40 minutes for the infusion and 20 minutes after the infusion to relax. To learn more about how ketamine therapy can help you, schedule an appointment with a doctor or mental health provider today sccbuzz.
