The expanded use of ketamine therapy has been one of the more remarkable recent developments in mental health treatment. While early reports focused on ketamine’s benefits for people with treatment-resistant depression, ongoing research indicates that the medication may be a valuable component of care for people with a wide range of psychiatric concerns.
The 5 Benefits of Ketamine Therapy
The five benefits listed below are just a few of the many reasons why patients and professionals across the globe are enthusiastic about ketamine’s potential as a mental health medication.
1. Rapid Symptom Improvement
One of the more remarkable benefits of ketamine infusion therapy is how quickly it works.
One problematic aspect of many mental health medications is that patients often have to wait a considerable amount of time before their symptoms start to dissipate.
For example, if you have a prescription for a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) – a category that includes popular antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft) – you will usually need to take the drug for four to six weeks before you begin to experience noticeable improvement.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), multiple studies have shown that ketamine therapy can begin to ease the symptoms of depression “in hours, or even minutes.”
2. Reduced Suicidal Ideation
Several studies have documented ketamine’s effectiveness at reducing thoughts of suicide.
For example, in February 2022, The British Medical Journal (The BMJ) published a study that involved 156 participants, all of whom had been voluntarily admitted into a hospital for bipolar disorder, depression, or another mood disorder.
All of the participants also reported current suicidal thoughts at the outset of the study.
The participants received two 40-minute infusions of either ketamine or saline, with a 24-hour gap between the infusions. Three days after the infusions, 63% of the participants who received ketamine reported a lack of suicidal thoughts, compared with 31.6% of those who received the placebo.
“The findings indicate that ketamine is rapid, safe in the short term, and has persistent benefits for acute care in suicidal patients,” the researchers wrote. “Ketamine rapidly induces remission of severe suicidal ideation in adults, an effect persisting over six weeks in two thirds of patients.”
3. Extended Effectiveness
When you receive a prescription for an antidepressant, you typically have to take the drug every day. Missing a day or two can begin to erode the medication’s effects and prompt the onset of several uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Researchers have found that a single ketamine infusion session can produce beneficial effects that last for three to seven days. After receiving a full course of ketamine infusion therapy for depression – which typically involves six to eight sessions over a few weeks – some patients achieve lasting remission, while others follow up with monthly maintenance doses.
4. Improved Cognitive Functioning
Ketamine benefits aren’t limited to improved mental health symptoms and fewer suicidal thoughts. Several researchers have also explored ketamine’s positive impact on cognitive functions related to learning, remembering, and processing information:
- A January 2021 study in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews determined that ketamine contributed to improvements in complex working memory, simple working memory, and processing speed among patients with treatment-resistant depression.
- A November 2021 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that patients who received ketamine to reduce suicidal ideation also experienced improvements in problem solving and clear thinking.
- A July 2023 study in the Journal of Affective Disorders reported that ketamine’s benefits may include significant improvements in several cognitive areas, including processing speed, working memory, visual memory, episodic memory, and executive function.
5. Multiple Options
When you’ve decided to participate in ketamine therapy, you can work with your treatment provider to choose the version that’s right for you. Your options include:
- IV infusion therapy: This version involves the administration of ketamine via intravenous (IV) injection. During a ketamine infusion session you will recline in a comfortable chair while a trained professional inserts a small needle into your arm. You will be awake throughout the entire process, and may read, listen to music, watch a video, or simply relax while a solution containing ketamine is slowly introduced into your bloodstream. A typical ketamine infusion session takes 45-60 minutes.
- Oral ketamine therapy: You can also take ketamine orally as an extended-release tablet. Studies indicate that this method of administration can lead to considerable improvements with minimal risk of serious side effects. The benefits of oral ketamine include being able to take the medication at home and not having to sit through an extended infusion session. Potential drawbacks include delayed onset of effects. Unlike infusion therapy, oral ketamine does not produce immediate improvements.
- Spravato (esketamine) therapy: In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Spravato for use with patients who have treatment-resistant depression. This version uses a ketamine variant called esketamine, which is administered via nasal spray. Patients self-administer the medication, but they must be in a doctor’s office or another approved medical facility to do so.
Who Benefits the Most From Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine benefits can vary from one person to another, influenced by factors such as:
- The type and severity of the symptoms they had been experiencing
- Which type of ketamine therapy they received
- How many ketamine sessions they completed
- If they also took part in psychotherapy (talk therapy) in addition to receiving ketamine
It would be impossible to determine which patient has benefited the most, but research suggests that ketamine therapy can help people with a range of concerns, including:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Suicidal thoughts
- Chronic pain
The best way to determine if ketamine can help you is to schedule a consultation with a trusted ketamine therapy provider.
Why You Should Choose an In-Person Ketamine Treatment Center
As ketamine therapy has become more widespread, some sources have begun to promote at-home treatment. This option involves receiving ketamine tablets and instructions for use in the mail, then taking the drug on your own.
There are several reasons why this can be a bad idea. Two of the most pressing concerns involve safety and effectiveness.
As a dissociative anesthetic, ketamine can cause confusion, disorientation, changes in blood pressure, slowed breathing, and loss of consciousness. Other potential adverse effects include seizures, psychosis, and overdose.
When you receive ketamine therapy from a reputable provider, you will be monitored by a qualified healthcare expert throughout your sessions. If you have a bad reaction to the drug, you will be able to receive immediate assistance from a trained professional.
Also, in-person ketamine treatment is usually accompanied by psychotherapy (talk therapy) sessions to help you process your experiences and ensure that you receive maximum benefit from the service. Taking ketamine on your own, without this level of informed support, can result in increased psychological distress and a worsening of your symptoms.
Contact Conscious Health to Learn More About the Benefits of Our Ketamine Therapy
Conscious Health offers a dynamic array of personalized outpatient services to help adults who have been living with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
At our mental health treatment center in Los Angeles, California, you will have the opportunity to work in close collaboration with a small team of experienced professionals. We’ll take the time to get to know you as a unique individual, so that we can be sure we are providing the focused care that will yield long-term benefits for you.
To learn more about ketamine therapy or any other aspect of our programming, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
Published: 10/25/2024
