Why Is Ketamine A Good Alternative To Regular Antidepressants ?

Depression is one of the most common of all mental illnesses in the United States. Treatment for depression typically involves a combination of medications and therapy. However, that doesn’t always work. Sometimes, depression can be “treatment-resistant.” Recently, the drug known as ketamine has been gaining popularity as a possible alternative to regular antidepressants, particularly when other treatment methods have been attempted without the intended results.

Ketamine was first introduced as an anesthesia medicine during the 1960s when it was used on Vietnam War soldiers. When administered properly, it is able to relieve pain successfully and can be used in conjunction with other drugs to decrease people’s need for pain medications. However, it can also be abused. When taken in high doses, Ketamine can lead to hallucinations, a disconnection from reality, and a loss of consciousness.

Depression is typically treated with a combination of therapy and medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy is commonly used to treat depression, along with other forms of therapy like psychotherapy or group therapy. As for medications, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used. The downside of these treatment options is that they both take time to begin working, meaning a person with depression must continue to endure their symptoms. This may range from several weeks to several months.

Ketamine has been shown to improve symptoms of depression at a much more rapid pace than standard depression treatments. For example, (SSRIs) work by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain, which can happen over a period of months. On the other hand, Ketamine has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression almost instantly. Similarly, therapy requires time to begin working. Ketamine appears to be a faster way of treating depression than any other previous treatment method. Ketamine may be the treatment solution that long-term depression sufferers have been searching for. It’s not widely available yet. However, you can receive Ketamine treatments for depression as well as other mental health issues at our Ketamine clinic. Contact us today for more information about Ketamine as an alternative treatment for depression.