Ketamine is a dissociative drug that produces feelings of euphoria and relaxation, but it can also produce hallucinations and therapeutic effects. It is typically administered in pill form or by injection, IV infusion, or nasally. The drug has been shown to be effective at treating depression and anxiety disorders.
So what exactly can you expect when you undergo psychedelic-assisted therapy with ketamine? Keep reading to find out.
How does Ketamine work?
When you take Ketamine, it works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain. These receptors are responsible for many things, including memory formation, learning, and emotional responses. When these receptors are blocked, they cannot process negative thoughts and feelings, which leads to feelings of happiness and relief.
What does Ketamine feel like?
Ketamine has dissociative properties, and many people will find that it provides a temporary disconnection between the brain and the body. When Ketamine is given in these low doses, the experience is relaxing and allows you to look at life more objectively.
When taking Ketamine, you’ll initially find that your body feels like it’s in a state of euphoria. You feel happy, relaxed, calm, and even slightly high. This feeling typically lasts for about 1 hour after you take the it. Your thoughts may become more positive, and you start to think differently than you did before you took Ketamine. Many feel an improvement in their mental state and note that they haven’t felt that relaxed ever before.
What is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?
Ketamine has recently become popular as a method to treat depression and other mental health conditions. It has historically been used as an anesthetic, but recent studies discovered that the psychedelic effects of Ketamine-assisted therapy could be used to help people with major depression and other mood disorders.
Ketamine-assisted therapy is a treatment that involves taking Ketamine in combination with psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The idea behind this type of treatment is that Ketamine has antidepressant effects that help to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety by acting on parts of the brain involved in these conditions.
Efficacy of Ketamine
There have been several studies done on the efficacy of Ketamine for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. One study found that patients who received a single dose of Ketamine had significant improvement in their symptoms within one hour of treatment. Another study found that over 80% of participants reported a 50% or more reduction in anxiety and/or fearfulness symptoms. A third study found that 89% of the participants using sublingual ketamine at home experienced improvements in depression and anxiety, 63% reported improvements of 50% or more.
Mental Health Disorders Ketamine Therapy Can Help
Treatment-Resistant Depression
Depressive disorder is a condition where someone experiences persistent low moods, loss of interest in activities, and lack of energy. People suffering from this condition often feel sad, anxious, hopeless, guilty, and worthless. They may also experience physical symptoms such as fatigue, sleep problems, poor appetite, and difficulty concentrating.
Treatment-resistant depression refers to when a person’s depression doesn’t respond well to at least two different types of traditional antidepressants. This means that despite trying multiple medications, the patient still suffers from depression symptoms.
Studies show that Ketamine can be effective for treatment-resistant depression. It has been shown that it is helpful in significantly decreasing depressive symptoms.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders refer to a group of conditions characterized by excessive worry about future events, trouble sleeping, and feeling fearful or nervous. Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and others.
People with anxiety disorders often suffer from chronic levels of anxiousness and fearfulness. Studies show that these psychedelic treatments can reduce symptoms of anxiety and improve the quality of life in those with anxiety disorders.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is a condition that occurs after experiencing a terrifying event. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, irritability, hypervigilance, and avoidance.
People with PTSD often struggle with insomnia, anger issues, and suicidal thoughts. Studies have found that repeated Ketamine sessions can significantly reduce the severity of symptoms in those with chronic PTSD.
How Can Ketamine be Administered?
This psychedelic therapy is most commonly administered in one of these four ways:
- Ketamine Infusions: In this method, a healthcare provider administers Ketamine intravenously. It is widely used for treating depressive symptoms, managing pain, and anesthesia. The infusion can take about 45 minutes to complete and can offer lasting relief, but it must be done in a Ketamine clinic.
- Ketamine Injections: This is a quick shot in your muscle to administer Ketamine. It is similar to the IV method but doesn’t take as long. This also has to be done in the office by a healthcare provider.
- Ketamine Nasal Sprays: This form of Ketamine is only available when treating depression. It is a quick and painless way to administer Ketamine, but it requires medical supervision and must be done in an office.
- Sublingual Ketamine: This method is administered in the form of an oral tablet that will be placed under the tongue. It dissolves quickly and enter’s your bloodstream immediately. This can be taken at home.
Side Effects of Ketamine Treatment
Although there are some adverse effects associated with Ketamine use, most of them are mild and temporary. Some of the common side effects include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion or hallucinations
- Increased heart rate
- Lightheadedness
Making the Most of Your Ketamine Experiences
There are many benefits to using Ketamine for depression and anxiety. However, it is most successful when paired with therapy. Therapy helps people learn how to manage their emotions and cope with stressful situations. If you want to make the best out of your Ketamine experiences, consider working with a therapist who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT teaches patients how to identify negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier ones.
Consider Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy with HAPPŸŸ
HAPPŸŸ is an innovative psychotherapeutic approach that combines the power of Ketamine with personal support and curated, evidence-backed exercises to help achieve breakthrough results for anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, addiction, OCD, and more.
We believe that combining these powerful tools together can help our clients achieve lasting change. Our goal is to help people overcome mental health challenges through a combination of Ketamine treatments and ongoing post-session resources and guidance.
Take our free 1-minute assessment to know if FLÖW Ketamine-assisted therapy is right for you. Find freedom and relief from the comforts of home.
