It’s no secret that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can take over your day. Intrusive thoughts can appear out of nowhere, and the urge to carry out certain behaviors can feel overwhelming. Even when you know the thoughts don’t make sense, the cycle keeps repeating.
And when you’ve tried therapy, medications, or a combination of both, and you’re still stuck, it can feel like nothing is working. In fact, about half of the people with OCD experience significant impairment, which can make it feel as though nothing is changing.
That’s why more attention is turning to ketamine therapy. At Allied Psychiatry & Mental Health, Dr. Hadi Estakhri and his team offer ketamine as a different approach for people dealing with treatment-resistant OCD.
We offer both intravenous ketamine infusions and an intranasal spray in our Newport Beach, California, office. If you’re struggling with OCD, keep reading to learn how ketamine therapy is changing the game.
There are a variety of reasons to consider ketamine for OCD, including:
Ketamine has been used safely since 1964 as an anesthetic. More recently, it’s been utilized in the mental health space to help treat conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and OCD.
Unlike traditional medications, which can take 8-12 weeks to show results, ketamine often works much quicker, sometimes within hours to days.
Research has shown that ketamine may help reduce obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, especially in people who haven’t responded to other treatments.
Research also suggests ketamine may provide rapid, short-term relief from OCD symptoms (even in teens) and is generally well tolerated, though ongoing treatment may be needed to maintain results.
Ketamine works differently from standard medications. Instead of targeting serotonin, it acts on the NMDA receptors in your brain and increases glutamate, a chemical that helps with brain communication.
This leads to:
In other words, ketamine helps loosen the grip of obsessive thought patterns, which gives your brain a chance to reset and respond differently.
Ketamine may be worth considering if you:
For some people, ketamine helps create the mental space needed to engage more effectively in therapy.
While results vary, many people notice fewer or less intense intrusive thoughts, reduced urge to perform compulsions, and improved mood and anxiety levels.
Ketamine isn’t a cure for OCD, but it can be a tool to help break the cycle enough for other treatments, like therapy, to work more effectively.
Your first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Estakhri. During your appointment, he reviews your symptoms and health history to ensure you don’t have any contraindications.
If ketamine therapy is right for you, he’ll review your treatment options. We offer ketamine in two formats: as an intravenous infusion or as a nasal spray (Spravato®).
During treatment, you may experience:
These effects are short-lived, but you’ll need someone to drive you home after your session.
If you’ve been feeling stuck or haven’t found relief with traditional approaches, this may be a new path forward.
Call Dr. Hadi Estakhri at 949-945-0927 or book an appointment online today to learn more about ketamine therapy for OCD.
