Skip to main content

Can Ketamine Help Depression?

Depression is often misunderstood by the general public. It can come in many forms and look different for everyone, just like treating it. There are a surplus amount of hacks and tips for battling depression, but not all of them help. 

If treatments aren’t properly monitored, they can become more harmful than helpful. Fortunately, studies have shown that treating depression with ketamine can help in a safe and effective way.

TYPES OF KETAMINE

There are two primary types of ketamine used to treat depression: Esketamine, otherwise known as Spravato, and Racemic. Both versions are used to treat patients with depression that haven’t responded well to other medications. Esketamine/Spravato have been approved by the FDA. Racemic ketamine is used off-label, but has shown efficacy in studies. 

Racemic is often given as an infusion into the bloodstream while Esketamine can be given as a nasal spray. 

HOW DOES KETAMINE HELP TREAT DEPRESSION

Ketamine treatments have been shown to target the receptors in the brain to help ease things such as anxiety, inflammation, and depression. Through treatments, ketamine targets glutamate, which is a neurotransmitter that connects to the AMPA receptor in the brain. This connection releases molecules that help neurons communicate, influencing mood disorders. 

While there is still a lot unknown about the exact ways ketamine can treat depression, it has shown significant benefits. Many believe that ketamine is able to work in a variety of ways, which is how it can help mood related issues and restore communication through receptors. 

Clinical trials with ketamine have shown that 70% of patients being treated for depression with ketamine experience a significant reduction in the symptoms of depression and require far less medicated treatment in the future. 

GET ANSWERS TODAY

If you’re curious about how ketamine could help you or a loved one battling depression, contact us today. We understand that each individual is different and should be cared for differently, which is why we work with you to ensure patients receive the proper dosage during each treatment and we closely monitor how you react from day one and into the future. 

What sets us aside from other clinics is integrative psychiatry. Our ketamine medical consults are all trained in integrative psychiatry and will help you determine the best method of treatment to meet your needs. Should ketamine be the right pathway for you, we’ll work with you every step of the way to make sure you understand each process and the benefits of using ketamine to treat depression.

Read more about how ketamine’s interactive qualities can target receptors in your brain to help combat depression.