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Ketamine: What Is It, and What Is It Used For?

Ketamine is a medication commonly used for pain relief throughout medical settings. It’s also proven to effectively treat mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, by working on the brain’s glutamate system. Although it has been around for many years, ketamine continues to gain traction in medicine due to its impressive therapeutic benefits. In this article, we’ll walk you through what ketamine is, how it works, and some key uses it can be deployed for when caring for your mental health or recovering from physical pain. 

At Ahwatukee Ketamine Clinic and Drip Lounge in Phoenix, AZ, we are passionate about improving the lives of our patients. With ketamine therapy treatments, we provide a safe and effective option for people suffering from chronic pain, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health challenges. Whether you seek relief from acute mental health challenges or longer-term support services, our ketamine clinic provides compassionate and knowledgeable care. 

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a medication mainly used for starting and maintaining anesthesia. A dissociative anesthetic causes profound sedation, amnesia, disconnectedness from one’s environment, and loss of pain response. Patients may experience visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations due to ketamine’s ability to alter sensory perceptions.

How Does Ketamine Work?

Ketamine is an anesthetic drug that works differently than most other medications—it acts on the central nervous system instead of the peripheral one. It binds to glutamate receptors in the brain and blocks specific signals, which can cause sensations of pain and relief from anxiety.

What Can Ketamine Be Used For?

Ketamine has been in use for much longer than most people realize. Initially approved by the FDA in 1970 as an anesthetic medication, it has since established itself as one of the mainstays of modern anesthesia and critical care practices. It provides a myriad of uses in treating various illnesses and mental health disorders:

Depression

Ketamine has been making a name for itself as a viable new treatment option for those suffering from depression. Studies have shown that ketamine can bring rapid relief to those struggling with the condition.

In addition, ketamine is believed to work on different pathways in the brain than currently used antidepressants and may be beneficial in cases where other treatments have failed. It is also associated with fewer side effects. Therefore, ketamine presents an exciting new approach to treating depression that offers hope to individuals living with this condition.

Anxiety

Ketamine can effectively treat symptoms of anxiety. Many people have experienced a dramatic improvement in their quality of life after receiving ketamine therapy. The ketamine used in treating anxiety works by blocking brain pathways linked to worry, depression, and fear. After ketamine is administered, patients often report increased relaxation, better sleep, reduced stress levels, improved well-being, and improved mood.

PTSD

Ketamine is gaining traction as an innovative and effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies have shown that ketamine infusions have helped to reduce the severity of PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and insomnia. Patients with lifelong PTSD can achieve lasting relief from ketamine treatments. 

Chronic Pain Management

Ketamine has been increasingly prescribed for the management of chronic pain. Medical research has reported ketamine as a safe and effective drug for migraine, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, and certain types of cancer pain.

Fibromyalgia

Ketamine therapy has recently been studied as a potential treatment for fibromyalgia, in which ketamine is delivered as injections or administered intravenously. Those who have undergone ketamine treatments for fibromyalgia report positive outcomes regarding their pain levels, with fast-acting effects and improved quality of life. Ketamine treatment is a promising avenue for people with fibromyalgia seeking relief from their symptoms quickly and effectively.

Migraines

Ketamine has been gaining recognition among migraine sufferers as a viable treatment option after other treatments have failed. It works by blocking neurotransmitters from reaching specific receptors in the brain that are vital for the development of pain. Ketamine infusions could offer short-term relief from migraines and could even potentially bring long-term relief. By utilizing ketamine, those who suffer from migraines may be able to find the relief they have been looking for.

How Long Do the Effects of Ketamine Last?

Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic traditionally used in hospitals and veterinary clinics. However, ketamine has more recently been studied for its antidepressant effect, and it may be prescribed off-label under certain circumstances. But how long do the effects of ketamine last?

The answer depends on how ketamine is taken – individuals can spot-treat a depressive episode with ketamine infusions or opt for ketamine nasal spray treatments. Generally speaking, the effects of ketamine have been found to last from 3 to 14 days when used as a single course of treatment for depression. Additionally, ketamine’s mood-elevating effects can last up to one month when paired with other conventional therapies.

What Makes You a Candidate for Ketamine?

If you’re looking for ketamine treatment, the first step for many is determining if ketamine therapy is right for you. This can involve several factors, from mood and overall mental health to medical history and potential ketamine side effects. To ensure you are a good candidate, it’s best to complete a thorough assessment with us so we can provide the best possible care.

Transform Your Life with Ketamine Therapy in Phoenix, AZ

At Ahwatukee Ketamine Clinic and Drip Lounge in Phoenix, AZ, our team of health professionals is dedicated to helping individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and pain management. Through our ketamine treatments, we provide an alternative form of healing that many have found to be highly successful. If you seek a relatively new treatment for your mental health or pain management needs, contact us or call us today for a consultation. Our friendly staff will answer any questions and explain the details of our available ketamine treatments.

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