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Navigating the Benefits of Ketamine Treatment for Depression
Are you struggling with hard-to-treat depression? Treatment-resistant depression is nothing short of frustrating, but ketamine therapy might be the solution you've been looking for. Ketamine therapy for depression involves the administration of a carefully monitored dose of ketamine 一 a dissociative anesthetic 一 to alleviate depressive symptoms and provide rapid relief.
Dr. Hadi Estakhri at Allied Psychiatry & Mental Health offers intravenous ketamine as well as a nasal spray (Spravato®) to his patients in Newport Beach, California.
Read on to learn more about the five benefits of ketamine therapy for depression that could help you regain control of your life.
1. Ketamine provides rapid relief
Ketamine therapy provides rapid relief from depressive symptoms. Unlike traditional antidepressants that can take weeks or even months to start working, ketamine often begins to alleviate symptoms within hours or days. According to one study, some people even reported improvement within one hour after the first dose!
This swift response can be a game-changer, especially if you’ve been facing severe depression or suicidal thoughts. Studies show that the remission rate with ketamine is about 30% while the clinical remission rate of antidepressants is reported as low as 11% 一 a stat that highlights the effectiveness of ketamine therapy.
2. Ketamine therapy boosts your mood
Ketamine doesn't just alleviate the symptoms of depression; it also enhances your mood and overall sense of well-being. Many patients report feeling a profound sense of calm, clarity, and optimism after ketamine treatments. These positive effects can be life-changing and can help you regain your motivation and joy in daily activities.
3. Ketamine therapy helps reduce suicidal thoughts
For individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts, ketamine therapy offers a lifeline. Research has shown that ketamine can rapidly reduce suicidal ideation, providing immediate relief to those in crisis. If you or someone you know is in a critical situation, ketamine therapy could be a crucial intervention.
If you are currently in crisis, call the suicide lifeline at 9-8-8.
4. Ketamine works even if other treatments have failed
Over the course of a 12-year period, an estimated 8.9 million Americans struggle with major depressive disorder, and about 2.8 million are listed as having treatment-resistant depression. For those 2.8 million Americans, finding the treatment that works can seem like a lost cause.
Thankfully, ketamine therapy offers hope when other options have failed because it targets a different part of your brain than traditional medications. Its mechanism of action (how it works) is different from traditional depression medications.
Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist, which means it blocks the activity of NMDA receptors in your brain. This action leads to increased release of glutamate. The surge in glutamate levels stimulates the growth of new synaptic connections, especially in parts of your brain associated with mood regulation.
Dr. Estakhri can help determine if ketamine therapy is right for you. If it is, you have several options to explore, including an intravenous option or a nasal spray.
5. Ketamine therapy is easy and straightforward
Ketamine therapy doesn't just provide short-term relief. Many patients experience long-lasting results, and a series of treatments can extend these effects even further and allow you to enjoy an improved quality of life. Ketamine treatment also complements therapy and lifestyle modifications to help you manage your depression.
Not only does ketamine work fast, but it’s also a relatively straightforward process. If ketamine therapy is right for you, simply sit back and relax while the medication is administered via an IV (or through a nasal spray). You may feel groggy, and that’s perfectly normal. You’ll need a friend or family member to drive you home, and in the morning you’ll wake up feeling much more refreshed.
Is ketamine therapy right for you?
Dr. Estakhri at Allied Psychiatry and Mental Health is dedicated to helping you find relief from your depression and regain control over your life.
If you're interested in exploring ketamine therapy as a treatment option, don't hesitate to reach out and schedule a consultation today by calling us at 949-945-0927 or booking online. There's no need to continue suffering when a brighter future could be just a phone call away.
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