WHAT IS KETAMINE?
Ketamine is an anesthetic that has been used on both humans and animals for over 50 years. Its ability to anesthetize patients quickly and safely, with few side effects, was quickly appreciated by the medical community. Ketamine is a medication that has been used safely worldwide since the early 1970s and is part of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) list of essential medicines.
Primarily, it was used for sedative purposes during battle field surgery, as it did not affect blood pressure or respiration significantly and could administered to patients in a variety of ways. Most commonly, it remains in use as a sedative medication for short procedures and induction of anesthesia during surgery. Of note, the doses of our Ketamine infusions are significantly lower than the doses given for sedation and induction of anesthesia, at about 5-10% of an induction dose.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, researchers began to notice that Ketamine produced a positive effect on the recipient’s mood and affect after receiving just one dose. Further research was completed with intramuscular and intravenous injections, which confirmed that the research subjects had improved symptoms of depression compared with control subjects. In the last several years, further studies have confirmed this trend, as well as other studies in progress which suggest this modality will help in treating disorders such as chronic pain, addiction, bipolar disorder, and migraine headaches, to name a few.
HOW DOES KETAMINE WORK?
Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist and an AMPA receptor stimulator. AMPA stimulation results in increase in BDNF (brain derived neurotropic factor). BDNF stimulates the formation of new receptors and synapses (which are vital connections between neurons). Research suggests that a deficiency in these connections in associated with major depressive disorder and other mood disorders, difficulties with sleep, over-stimulation and focus.
Many pain patients suffer from a process known as central sensitization, where pain signals increase in frequency and intensity overtime. Ketamine acts to reset pain receptors and block signals of pain, restoring a healthier balance.
Researchers are still discovering Ketamine’s various mechanisms of action. Some studies have shown Ketamine to cause physical growth in the brain’s pre-frontal cortex, establishing new connections among neurons and repair of damaged cells.
Additionally, research on the use of Ketamine for depression and pain has been done almost exclusively using IV route of administration. See the link for publications and media.
There Are Three Principle Advantages Of Ketamine Treatment
Safety
All treatments are administered under the direct supervision of an anesthesia care professional. These professionals are accustom to administering Ketamine at a much higher dose for anesthesia during surgical procedures. Side effects and contraindications to Ketamine infusions are very few.
Rapid Response
In contrast to medications currently in use for the treatment of depression and other listed disorders, patient response to Ketamine is very quick. People who benefit from the infusion treatment experience improvement as soon as within 24 hours. By the second or third session, treatment is definitive. Comparatively, it can take several weeks for traditional medicine to begin to take affect.
Efficacy
On average, 2 out of 3 people (67%) will benefit from Ketamine infusions. The success rate is reported as high as 70-80%, reflecting a much higher percentage than treatment with conventional antidepressants alone