Ketamine is an unusual type of psychedelic drug that is growing in popularity. Originally derived from “Angel dust”, a dissociative anesthetic, ketamine has been cited as a drug of misuse.
Currently, ketamine is gaining immense popularity as a promising treatment for a type of depression called treatment-resistant depression. Treatment-resistant depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide.
Let’s explore what treatment-resistant depression is and how ketamine therapy can help with it.
What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression?
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a type of major depressive disorder that happens when at least two different first-line antidepressants fail to manage a patient’s condition during a depressive episode.
According to an estimate, over 30% of individuals with major depressive disorders have treatment-resistant depression. Unlike people with major depressive disorders, those with treatment-resistant disorders are more likely to experience severe symptoms, anxiety, longer depressive episodes, and suicidal thoughts.
**If you or someone close to you has suicidal ideation and behavior, dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline**.
Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Ketamine therapy is an FDA-approved therapy for treatment-resistant depression. It produces promising results in people who suffer from severe major depression that has not improved via medication or other therapies. It’s also widely used for people experiencing suicidal thoughts.
While the exact mechanism through which ketamine treats treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is still unclear, it is believed to target the NMDA receptor of the brain as an antagonist and increase the amount of neurotransmitter that activates the AMPA receptor. This results in the release of certain molecules that build new pathways and help neurons communicate with each other, immediately affecting the mood, cognition, and thought process of the patient.
It is also believed that ketamine might reduce signals involved in inflammation, which has been linked to mood disorders.
What Happens During Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine is usually administered to patients through intravenous infusion that lasts around 40 minutes. The ketamine dose for treatment-resistant depression is kept lower than what is used for sedation.
Since ketamine is a rapid-acting antidepressant, patients begin to see improvement within 40 minutes. Usually, 1 to 3 ketamine infusion therapy sessions are required for patients to find adequate relief from symptoms of treatment-resistant depression.
Besides intravenous infusion, ketamine can also be given as a nasal spray.
Ketamine Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression in Atlanta, GA
If you or someone you know is suffering from treatment-resistant depression and is looking for innovative and evidence-based treatments, visit our Dr. Browning at Chastain Psychotherapy. Our highly trained and compassionate psychiatrist offers ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) to individuals with treatment-resistant depression symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety disorder.
At our clinic, our psychiatrist will assess your unique case to determine if you are the right candidate for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. If you are a candidate, our psychiatrist will administer a carefully calibrated dose of ketamine in a controlled and supportive environment, followed by a psychotherapy session.
For more information or to arrange a one-on-one consultation with one of our providers, call us today at (404) 963-2647 or use our convenient online appointment request form.
