Why Ketamine Infusions Might Be Your Answer to Combating Depression

Depression is a common mental health condition that affects around 16 million adults yearly, according to the CDC. Depression is more than just feeling sad; it's a severe mental health problem that affects your mood and daily life.

Although many different treatments are available for depression, they don't always work for everyone. If you've tried medications, therapy, and other treatments but still suffer from depression, ketamine infusions may be just what you need.

At Delmarva Pain and Spine Center, Dr. Sachi Patel and her team offer IV ketamine infusions for chronic pain and depression. Dr. Patel is an esteemed anesthesia and pain management specialist who provides cutting-edge treatments for all her patients.

What are ketamine infusions?

You've likely heard of ketamine as an anesthesia agent used for surgical procedures. That's how doctors initially used it, as the drug has a soothing effect on your brain. It was first approved as an anesthetic in the 1970s but has since gained popularity for pain management and depression.

Ketamine is considered a Schedule III non-narcotic and is a controlled substance. However, you can receive ketamine infusions under the direct supervision of a medical professional, such as Dr. Patel.

Ketamine infusions are simply IV drips that contain a small amount of ketamine. Dr. Patel starts an IV line in your arm and hooks up the IV line containing ketamine. She attaches a heart monitor to you to watch your vital signs during the infusion.

The ketamine infusion takes about an hour, and you'll be monitored for side effects and safety the entire time. You should feel a reduction in pain and negative thoughts right away. Ketamine boosts your mood almost instantaneously.

After the infusion, you'll need someone to drive you home and stay with you until the effects of the ketamine wear off. You may have side effects, like vivid dreams or hallucinations during your infusion or afterward.

How does ketamine help depression?

Ketamine works directly on your brain's chemistry to help you overcome treatment-resistant depression. One way it can do this is by stimulating the brain's chemical glutamate production.

During your IV infusion, ketamine travels through your bloodstream to your brain, where it binds with the receptors that make glutamate. Ketamine then encourages the production of glutamate, which is directly linked to your mood.

Low levels of glutamate are known to cause depression symptoms. When ketamine stimulates glutamate production, your mood significantly improves quickly during the infusion.

Ketamine also works by stimulating proteins involved in your brain's neuroplasticity, or ability to adapt to new thoughts and feelings. This means that ketamine helps you overcome negative thought patterns by stimulating certain chemicals in your brain.

Another advantage of IV ketamine infusions is that they work extremely fast in combating your depression symptoms. Other treatments take weeks to months to work, whereas you'll feel immediate relief after an IV ketamine treatment.

Are ketamine infusions right for you?

Ketamine infusions are a great tool that Dr. Patel is excited to share with her patients. However, it's only suitable for some.

If you're suffering from treatment-resistant depression, Dr. Patel evaluates your overall health and wellness to determine if this treatment is best for you.

Ketamine is a powerful drug with side effects like any other medication. It's also known to increase blood pressure, so it may not be a good option if you suffer from hypertension.

It's also not advised if you or anyone in your family has a history of psychosis, because it can bring hallucinations and other adverse side effects. You should also tell Dr. Patel if you have an account of heart disease or a substance abuse problem, as these issues aren't safe with ketamine.

However, if you're healthy and need to find a treatment for depression when others have failed, Dr. Patel recommends IV ketamine infusions to quickly eliminate your symptoms so you can finally feel like yourself.

Call our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Patel for IV ketamine infusions. You can also book an appointment on the website.