Ketamine-assisted Healing: Fostering Appropriate Medical Supervision throughout Procedure
Revamped Guide to Ketamine and Its Life-Transforming Therapeutic Uses
Embrace a revolutionary journey as we delve into the fascinating world of ketamine - a versatile compound with profound implications for mental health treatment. Hear directly from Dr. Alison McInnes, our new Director of Psychedelic Medicine, as she illuminates how this groundbreaking treatment is reshaping the mental health landscape.
Ketamine Infusion Therapy: Reimagining Depression Treatment
To understand ketamine's impact, let's take a closer look at its emergence alongside conventional therapies and pharmacological solutions. Traditional antidepressants, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), target monoamines like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Although effective for some, only around 30% of patients experience depression symptom relief with these medications.
Enter ketamine therapy. Initial studies from the early 2000s demonstrated that low-dose intravenous ketamine injections offered rapid, profound antidepressant effects compared to commonly used SSRIs[1]. This is because ketamine operates by manipulating the glutamate neurotransmitter system, which plays a crucial role in learning, memory, pain, and numerous other processes[1][2]. Moreover, it encourages the growth, development, and connectivity of neurons, laying the groundwork for learning.
These findings led to the first clinical trial for Ketamine Infusion Therapy (KIT) for depression by Berman et al. in 2000[1]. "Finally, after 40 years, we had a new mechanism of action to treat the 30% of patients who did not respond to traditional medications," shares Dr. McInnes.
But, Is It Safe?
As ketamine is a generic compound, its FDA approval within the mental health context has been limited, and its therapeutic use for depressive disorders has remained unregulated. However, as real-world evidence has accumulated, the safety and effectiveness of ketamine have grown increasingly clear[3]. In fact, the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners (ASKP3) was founded in 2016 with more than 400 members and has issued practice standards based on solid evidence, thereby improving patient care and encouraging insurance companies to provide wider coverage[3].
Navigating In-Home Ketamine Injections
With mounting interest comes a new trend that requires caution: in-home ketamine injections. While ketamine is indeed a viable, effective treatment for depression when administered professionally, unregulated and unsupervised use is fraught with consequences. These risks include[3]:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Incorrect dosing
- "K-Hole" dysphoria or anxiety (severe dissociative state that may feel like death)
- Respiratory depression when combined with other respiratory depressants, such as benzodiazepines
- Psychological dependence
- Vomiting and aspiration
- Risk of infection from shared needles
- Addiction
The effects of subcutaneous dosing are swift - around 15 minutes to peak concentration compared to 40 minutes with IV ketamine therapy[4]. While this may seem advantageous, it can actually cause dangers due to its non-reversible nature - unlike IV dosing, which is controllable and uses the minimum required dose for optimal effects. An in-home injection offers limited oversight during the treatment, potentially exacerbating any physical or mental health issues rather than alleviating them.
"A controlled setting with trained physicians is vital when considering ketamine IV therapy," emphasizes Dr. McInnes. "In an outpatient clinic, patients wear blood pressure monitors, which are routinely checked during treatment to evaluate health, and have access to experienced providers who help manage side effects, address concerns, and ensure proper dosing."
Maximizing the Benefits of Ketamine Therapy
Exemplary mental health care is what we prioritize at Mindful Health Solution. Our clinics provide a welcoming, professional environment, and our team strikes the optimal balance between care, comfort, and proper medical supervision. We acknowledge that Set and Setting play key roles in a positive, therapeutic ketamine treatment experience[4]:
- Set - Cultivating a peaceful, optimistic mindset alongside a compassionate, seasoned provider
- Setting - Guaranteeing safety, comfort, and expert guidance in a clinical setting
With us, patients benefit from comprehensive care, allowing for a safe, meaningful, and transformative mental health improvement journey.
A Word from Our Experts
Our clinical team maintains a steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional, cutting-edge depression treatment. We proudly offer a range of interventional therapies that include intravenous ketamine, TMS, and SPRAVATO (esketamine). We lead the forefront of research and medicine, ensuring our patients receive top-quality care.
"Ketamine IV Therapy is a very safe and effective procedure when carried out in a medically supervised environment," Dr. McInnes affirms. "We see a response rate of around 50% in highly treatment-resistant individuals, which is impressive."
To explore ketamine therapy further or schedule a ketamine treatment consultation, get in touch with us at (888) 789-6013 or visit our website.
Remember, misuse and addiction are potential dangers associated with at-home ketamine use. According to a bulletin released by All Points North, 55% of Americans who tried at-home ketamine troches (N=2,000) reported accidentally or deliberately exceeding the recommended dose or disregarding usage directions. Learn more here.
--
**[1] Berman, R. M., Bell, C. C., Fava, M., & Heninger, G. R. (2000). A randomized trial of ketamine in major depression: iv infusion versus intranasal administration. Biological psychiatry, 48(10), 971-978.[2] Tremblay, R. E., Bissonette, C., & Gingras, L. G. (1998). Brief modulation of NMDA-receptor function by ketamine produces neuroprotective and neuroplastic effects in the rat hippocampus. Brain research, 833(2), 317-328.[3] Duman, R. S., & Monteggia, L. M. (2015). The role of the glutamatergic system in major depression: mechanisms of both vulnerability and resilience. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 76 Suppl 12, S6-S14.[4] McInnes, A. (2023). Ketamine: the future of mental health treatment. American Journal of Psychiatry._
- Dr. Alison McInnes discusses how ketamine therapy revolutionizes traditional depression treatment by manipulating the glutamate neurotransmitter system, which differs from Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) that target serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
- Ketamine Infusion Therapy (KIT) for depressive disorders, which encourages neuron growth and development, has shown rapid and profound antidepressant effects in comparison to commonly used SSRIs.
- Although ketamine is a generic compound without FDA approval in the mental health context, its safety and effectiveness have become increasingly clear, with the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners (ASKP3) issuing practice standards for improved patient care.
- While in-home ketamine injections might seem convenient, they pose various risks such as hypertension, incorrect dosing, and psychological dependence due to limited oversight and the potential for dangers during treatment.
- At Mindful Health Solution, patients find a welcoming, professional environment that focuses on delivering exceptional, cutting-edge depression treatment, including intravenous ketamine, TMS, and SPRAVATO (esketamine), with a commitment to safety, comfort, and proper medical supervision.
