Ketamine Treat Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Ketamine is used for treating depression in patients who have not responded to other forms of treatment. Although the side effects are mild, they can be debilitating. Some of the most common effects are drowsiness, blurred vision, double vision, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and short-lived anxiety reactions. There is no evidence to support the use of ketamine for the treatment of depression, but it is an FDA-approved drug. Many medications, like ketamine, develop off-label uses after the clinical experience.

Though Florida ketamine therapy has been used for anesthetic purposes for decades, its rise in popularity as a treatment for depression is relatively recent. The drug contains two mirror-image molecules and ketamine. Various studies have confirmed its effectiveness in treating mood disorders. In addition to treating depressive symptoms, ketamine can also be used to treat anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Antidepressant Action:

In a recent study, a group of researchers reported ketamine's rapid antidepressant action. The metabolite reversed depression-like behaviors in mice and did so without causing addictive or dissociative side effects. These results were obtained with the help of a team of scientists, including NIMH grantee Todd Gould of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and colleagues from NIH centers.

Ketamine helps depression through IV infusions. These treatments are highly effective and last for 90 minutes. However, it can be expensive, and most insurance companies do not cover it. The costs of six ketamine infusions over three weeks can reach $3,000 or more. Some practitioners and patients may prefer the IV form of the treatment over intranasal ketamine, but Krystal says there is not enough research to compare the two options.

Convenient Ketamine Treatment:

In a 2012 study, 105 people were treated with ketamine. In that study, 75 to 80% of patients reported a positive impact compared to those who received traditional depression medications. In addition, ketamine treatment is less expensive than electroconvulsive therapy and is more convenient than many other forms of medication. The researchers are still studying the drug's long-term effects on the brain. They have yet to prove whether ketamine helps depression or not.

Effects of Ketamine:

The effects of ketamine are not immediately apparent. Its long-term effects are still being studied. The antidepressant has been shown to be effective for many patients suffering from depression. The drug is also safe, and it is not addictive. A doctor will monitor patients closely and determine if ketamine is safe. The benefits of ketamine are generally not long-term. Ketamine treatment is not an effective treatment for severe depression.

Relieve Depression:

One study found that a single intranasal dose of ketamine can help people with depression who are resistant to other forms of treatment. It can also improve symptoms of suicidal behavior. In addition, it may help those who are depressed and feel hopeless. In the short-term, ketamine can help these people. It also has a long-term effect on chronic inflammation. If a person can overcome depression, ketamine treatment is effective for them.

While ketamine is not a first-line treatment for depression, it has shown promise in several clinical studies. In some cases, the drug acts quickly and can ease the psychological burden of depressed individuals. When a person's depression is severe, he or she may be unable to participate in meaningful psychotherapy. The medication can help them begin to recover. But if the depression is severe, ketamine cannot be prescribed in these cases.

Reduce Depression- Mostly in Women:

Women are more prone to stress and are more likely to develop depressed mood-related disorders than men. The reason is that women's brains undergo a greater range of hormonal fluctuations during their reproductive years than men. These hormonal changes affect brain chemistry, and ketamine is effective in shutting down the rapid "machine gun" firing of bad thoughts. It has also been discovered that ketamine can help a patient suffering from depression.