Millions of people around the world struggle with depression, yet nearly one-third of those who seek help do not find long-term relief from traditional depression treatments. Treatment-resistant depression can be tricky to manage, but ketamine infusion therapy has shown promising results in treating depression.
At Ahwatukee Ketamine Clinic and Drip Lounge in Phoenix, AZ, we offer this medically supervised treatment to help men and women find relief from the burden of depression.
Keep reading to learn more about ketamine infusion therapy and its many benefits.
Depression can be described as a mental health disorder that causes prolonged feelings of sadness or hopelessness. It can be brought on by factors like unexpected trauma or loss (such as the death of a loved one), seasonal changes, or chemical imbalances in the brain.
The symptoms of depression look different for everyone, but these are some of the most common:
Several types of antidepressants can be used to treat depression, but medication does not provide consistent, long-lasting results for everyone.
Ketamine infusion therapy is an alternative depression treatment that utilizes low doses of ketamine in a clinical setting to provide fast-acting relief from the symptoms of depression. During ketamine infusion therapy, a mild dose of ketamine is administered intravenously.
Many patients feel immediate relief and relaxation after receiving their first ketamine drip. These initial results may wear off within a few hours to a few days after receiving treatment. However, the long-term benefits of ketamine for depression continue to develop as your body metabolizes the ketamine.
Are you curious about what kind of benefits can come from ketamine infusion therapy at Ahwatukee Ketamine Clinic and Drip Lounge? Keep reading to find out.
Unlike some forms of depression treatment, ketamine infusions can treat a wide spectrum of depressive disorders. Ketamine treatment has helped relieve symptoms associated with the following conditions:
It’s important to note that certain other diagnoses may preclude you from receiving ketamine treatment. For example, ketamine infusion therapy should not be used in people with schizophrenia or any history of psychosis.
Ketamine is known for its fast-acting dissociative and sedative effects, which is why it is often abused illegally as a party drug. However, in small, controlled doses, the dissociative effect is not as strong and provides a more relaxed, lightweight, and euphoric feeling rather than a full out-of-body experience or “trip.”
Yet even in small doses, the effects can be felt quickly, with many patients reporting an improvement in mood and stress levels within minutes of beginning the IV drip.
Synapses are critical connections between neurons in your brain and neurons elsewhere in your body. They allow for communication between neurons and connect sensory organs to the nervous system.
Studies have found that many people with long-term depression actually end up losing a significant number of synapses in their brain due to the emotional stress their body is under. This loss of synapses can exacerbate many symptoms of depression, such as a lack of interest in regular activities.
However, ketamine has been proven to help repair these lost synapses with as little as one treatment session. However, the effects of ketamine treatment are cumulative, so subsequent treatments are necessary to further repair lost and damaged synapses.
As more synapses continue to regrow, the antidepressant effects of ketamine treatment become stronger and last longer.
Ketamine can also help repair glutamate receptors in the brain, which play a major role in mood disorders.
Despite depression being a very complicated disorder, the actual ketamine treatment is extremely simple. A ketamine infusion session consists of sitting in a chair and having an IV drip hooked up.
Most people have had IVs at some point, so you probably already have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Once the drip is set up, you can sit back and enjoy its calming effects.
Treatment typically takes 30 minutes to an hour to complete.
Since ketamine treatment has a cumulative effect, we recommend a series of infusions to achieve the best results. Infusions are typically scheduled twice a week for the first few weeks and then once a week on an ongoing basis. However, the number or frequency of infusions will vary from person to person since treatment is always personalized.
It’s also worth noting that ketamine for depression is just one aspect of a comprehensive approach to your mental health. We also recommend following up with a psychologist or counselor for talk therapy. This can help unpack a lot of the emotional baggage that comes with depression and better equip you to cope with common stressors.
With two locations in Arizona, treatment is never out of reach. Adults in Arizona with depression can visit us at Ahwatukee Ketamine Clinic and Drip Lounge in Phoenix, AZ, or the Scottsdale Ketamine Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ.
If you think ketamine treatment might be right for you, contact our team to schedule your consultation at one of our locations.
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