The benefits of Ketamine Treatment for Psychotherapy

Chronic psychological conditions like depression, anxiety, Bipolar, OCD, PTSD, etc can have an extreme impact on the mental and physical health of an individual. It can cause drastic behavioral issues and take a toll on your inner peace. It is imperative to seek psychotherapy and medication to regain control of life. 

Ketamine is a drug that has proved to be useful in treating different chronic conditions. The effect of Ketamine is astonishing. However, it is imperative to consult a leading and reliable therapist for a well-researched and optimum Ketamine treatment plan. 

Here are the benefits of Ketamine treatment for psychotherapy:

1. Blocks the receptor signals: Ketamine directly works on the NMDA ¹receptors in the brain. These receptors are responsible for the cascade of events resulting in conditions like depression and anxiety. The Ketamine drug works directly on NMDA receptors and blocks them. It creates a new pathway for signals. Ketamine clams your brain and controls the chain of thoughts. It provides the desired escape and enables one to get control of the self. 
2. Works quickly: The effect of the Ketamine drug is instant. Unlike other psychotherapy ²medicines, which work a little late, Ketamine provides instant results. Moreover, Ketamine continues to work efficiently even after the body metabolizes it. When Ketamine is used to treat depression, it starts working in just a matter of hours. However, the typical antidepressant needs a series of courses for visible effect. 
3. No effect on blood pressure: Under proper medical supervision, Ketamine does not have any major side effects on the breathing rate and blood pressure. The drug is widely used as a sedative in major operations due to its neutral nature and no effect on blood pressure. Thus, the consumption of Ketamine for treating depression or any other psychological condition is harmless. 
4. Reduces self-harming thoughts: Ketamine calms the brain and its neurons. It can substantially reduce suicidal, self-harming thoughts. Moreover, a bespoke plan for treating depression, anxiety, or bipolar can reduce the symptoms and provide great relief. In many cases, Ketamine has proved to be of great help in reducing post-stress disorders. 
5. Reduces signals: The signals and neurotransmitters responsible for depression and anxiety ³can be controlled and reduced with the aid of Ketamine. The drug has a considerable effect on neurotransmitters. It reduces the space between neurons and helps neurons to communicate with each other. Ketamine controls the signals leading to inflammation and mood disorders. 

How does Ketamine therapy work?

Ketamine.net explains that, like most other psychological treatments and therapy, the Ketamine therapy ⁴treatment process starts after the initial assessment of the patient. The therapist studies a detailed review of the condition and factors to suggest the best Ketamine treatment plan. The treatment is discussed in detail before administering the psychedelic medicine. Generally, the treatment commences with a low dose, and as the treatment progresses, the dose also increases in proportion.

 The last phase of Ketamine treatment is integration, wherein the patient’s psychedelic ⁵activities are established and modified by the therapists.

The bottom line

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and treatment for psychological conditions have come a long way. It has witnessed a dramatic shift and large global acceptance. However, the treatment process is elaborate and depends upon the condition of the patient. The drug dose is decided based on several factors, such as the physical and mental condition of the patient as well as past medical history. It is essential to do comprehensive research and associate with the finest clinics for Ketamine treatment and therapy to get the optimum results.  

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2. van Bronswijk, Suzanne C., et al. “Precision medicine for long-term depression outcomes using the Personalized Advantage Index approach: cognitive therapy or interpersonal psychotherapy?.” Psychological medicine 51.2 (2021): 279-289. ↩︎
3. Simpson, Carra A., et al. “The gut microbiota in anxiety and depression–A systematic review.” Clinical psychology review 83 (2021): 101943. ↩︎
4. Rhee, Taeho Greg, et al. “Efficacy and safety of ketamine vs electroconvulsive therapy among patients with major depressive episode: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” JAMA psychiatry (2022). ↩︎
5. Aday, Jacob S., et al. “Long-term effects of psychedelic drugs: A systematic review.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 113 (2020): 179-189. ↩︎

Last Updated on July 24, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology

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Icy Health Editorial Team