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Ketamine is a drug that has been used extensively in emergency rooms and operating rooms across the world for light to deep sedation and pain control in patients of all ages.
It was initially created in 1962, and approved shortly after by the FDA for use as an anesthetic and pain reliever. In fact, it has become the preferred anesthetic/analgesic for pediatric patients requiring sedation.
The reason is that ketamine provides sedation and pain control without lowering heart rate, blood pressure, or affecting breathing. The part about “not affecting breathing” is why it is superior for pain control when compared to opioids such as dilaudid, morphine and fentanyl. Opioids have significant abuse and addiction potential.
Because of the safety profile of ketamine, the US military has utilized ketamine to treat battlefield injuries since the Vietnam war.
At Ketamine & Ascending Wellness, we understand that your journey may have been challenging, especially if you’re grappling with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or similar conditions that haven’t improved with traditional treatments. Many of our clients have explored various avenues, from multiple antidepressants to therapies like ECT and TMS, yet still find themselves struggling with the weight of their condition. Daily tasks can feel overwhelming, and maintaining a normal routine at home, work, or school might seem like an insurmountable challenge.
Depression, along with MDD, PTSD, Bi-Polar Disorder, OCD, and other mood disorders, leaves a profound impact on many lives. Statistics reveal a concerning picture: depression affects a significant portion of the adult population in the U.S., with millions experiencing major depressive episodes annually. Alarmingly, this also correlates with a high number of suicide attempts each year, a particularly acute issue among veterans.
Traditionally, depression has been treated with oral antidepressants like SSRIs or SNRIs. These medications function by enhancing the brain’s serotonin and norepinephrine levels – key neurotransmitters that facilitate nerve cell communication. By boosting these neurotransmitters, the hope is to improve mood-regulating brain circuits.
However, we recognize that these solutions are not one-size-fits-all. The path to clinical depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder is complex, and not solely due to low levels of certain neurotransmitters. It’s not uncommon for patients with treatment-resistant depression to have tried several medications without finding relief. This is particularly concerning for those experiencing urgent mental health crises, as traditional antidepressants can take weeks to become effective. For those in the depths of severe depression, a more immediate form of relief is often crucial.
At Ketamine & Ascending Wellness, we’re committed to offering alternative, innovative treatments that address these urgent needs, providing hope and a new path forward for those who have yet to find relief.
Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist. While researchers are still working to determine the exact mechanism of action for affecting mood and depression, it is known that ketamine affects glutamate which is one of the most abundant neurotransmitters in the body. Through interaction with the NMDA receptor ketamine increases the amount of glutamate available for neurotransmission and communication within the brain. In layman’s terms, ketamine wakes up portions of the brain that have been shut down by chronic depression, pain and anxiety. In essence it allows the brain to make new connections and these new connections are believed to play an integral role in the antidepressant effects of ketamine.
However, NMDA receptors aren’t the only receptors that ketamine interacts with! GABA receptors, G protein-coupled receptors, and cholinergic Mu receptors are also affected by ketamine and all have a role to play in depression and chronic pain. It is thought that ketamine has anti-inflammatory properties and even the dissociative side effect is thought to play a role in improving mental health. When given in the clinical setting, under the supervision of our talented physicians and in the appropriate, patient specific dosing, ketamine can be a great tool for improving overall mental health and well being.
Imagine a young, vibrant brain’s dendritic network as a flourishing forest, where each tree represents the brain’s ability to maintain stable moods and foster positive emotions like joy and hope. Emotional trauma, however, can act like a storm, releasing cortisol that strips away this vital “foliage”, diminishing the brain’s natural production of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). The result? A landscape where once-lush dendritic trees become barren, leading to challenges in mood regulation and cognitive function.
At Ketamine & Ascending Wellness, we utilize ketamine therapy as a beacon of hope for rejuvenating these vital neural pathways. Ketamine works by reigniting the production of BDNF, aiding in the regeneration of dendrites and enhancing neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. This process, known as synaptogenic-neuroplastic repair, can lead to significant improvements in mood and cognitive function, often rapidly. Many of our patients describe their experience as a lifting of mental fog, a newfound clarity and lightness that replaces the heaviness of depression and negativity.
While the full scope of ketamine’s mechanisms remains a subject of ongoing research, its effectiveness is evident. Studies from leading medical institutions and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), along with practical outcomes observed in numerous ketamine infusion centers nationwide, consistently demonstrate ketamine’s remarkable potential. It offers a ray of hope, especially for those battling PTSD, major depressive disorders, bipolar depression, anxiety disorders, and OCD, particularly when other treatments have fallen short.
