Ketamine Applications: How Does It Affect the Brain and Body?
One of the most commonly used general anesthetics in medical settings because of its sedative and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects. Ketamine acts on specific receptors in the brain, producing sedation and blocking pain perception.
Ketamine is an excellent antidepressant many doctors use to treat their patients. Low-dose ketamine has rapid and sustained antidepressant effects in individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Unlike traditional antidepressants, which can take several weeks to produce therapeutic effects, ketamine has a rapid onset which can occur within hours of administration.
Ketamine is used as an anesthetic in medical settings because it can relieve pain and produce a state of sedation. It is often used as a procedural sedative for painful procedures in various medical settings, such as postoperative pain, chronic pain, and cancer pain. It also has shown analgesic synergy combined with other analgesic medications to enhance the effectiveness of pain relief.
In animal studies, ketamine has been shown to decrease the stress response and produce anxiolytic effects.
Ketamine is used off-label to treat bipolar disorder, and some studies have suggested that it can improve symptoms of mania. It may also help with cognitive deficits associated with this disorder.
Ketamine is considered a dissociative (state characterized by detachment from one’s surroundings) drug. Those effects are believed to result from its effects on glutamate and other neurotransmitters in the brain. While in this state, someone may feel immobile or like they are “floating” with alterations in perceptions of time and space. Otherwise known as a “k-hole” by recreational users. A dissociative state is characterized by a feeling of detachment from surroundings, time, and space. This property makes ketamine useful as a general anesthetic and in treating certain psychiatric conditions, such as depression and PTSD, but also dangerous as a “date rape” drug.
High doses of ketamine can cause vivid hallucinations and “out-of-body” experiences and normally last 30-60 minutes In high doses, ketamine can cause extremely vivid hallucinations. Some describe it as an “out-of-body” experience. Teens and young adults have flocked to the drug because of this property leading to hazardous recreational use of the drug. Some studies have investigated combining ketamine and psychotherapy to treat depression and anxiety
Ketamine appears to increase the release of glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory processes.
Ketamine may cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
Some individuals may experience nausea and vomiting after taking ketamine, so they shouldn’t eat or drink hours before treatment.
In specific medical settings, ketamine has been shown to preserve memory function and prevent memory impairment.
Ketamine increases the release of GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and sleep.
Ketamine can also produce psychological effects such as hallucinations, altered perceptions of reality, intense feelings of euphoria, and increased energy and creativity. Some people use it recreationally to enhance the effects of other drugs or alcohol. Because of its psychoactive properties, ketamine should be used in a controlled clinical setting or at home as prescribed by a doctor.
Ketamine can cause mood changes, euphoric feelings, anxiety, and paranoia. The drug has been shown to produce rapid and sustained improvements in mood and reductions in symptoms of anxiety and depression.
In individuals with depression and suicidal ideation, ketamine has been shown to reduce symptoms rapidly.
In high doses, ketamine can cause respiratory depression, leading to reduced breathing and potentially life-threatening respiratory failure. (Very rare)
Long-term ketamine use can cause bladder and urinary tract problems such as pain during urination, incontinence, and decreased bladder capacity leading to frequent trips to the bathroom.
Chronic use of ketamine may cause liver or kidney damage.
Long-term use of ketamine can impair cognitive abilities, including memory and attention.
Ketamine can cause slurred speech and difficulty communicating.
Ketamine may cause amnesia, making it difficult to recall events that occurred while under the influence of the drug.
The dissociative effects of ketamine can cause confusion and disorientation in some individuals.
Ketamine can impair coordination and balance. It may be difficult to perform physical activities.
High doses of ketamine can cause delirium characterized by confusion, agitation, and hallucinations.
The impairments in coordination and judgment caused by ketamine can increase the risk of accidents and injuries. It is recommended not to drive on the same day as treatment.
Ketamine can impair judgment and decision-making abilities, potentially leading to risky behaviors. (criminals have used ketamine to conduct sexual assaults on their victims).
Some individuals may experience “flashbacks” or spontaneous recurrences of the dissociative state they experienced with ketamine.
Regular use of ketamine can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Ketamine should only be used when prescribed by a doctor or in a clinical setting with guidance from a healthcare provider.
Over time, the body may develop tolerance to the effects of ketamine, requiring increasing doses to achieve the desired outcome.
Stopping regular use of ketamine can result in withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
Long-term use of ketamine can worsen depression and increase the risk of suicide.
Ketamine can interfere with the function of hormones, including those that regulate the menstrual cycle and growth.
Chronic use of ketamine can suppress the immune system, making it more difficult to fight infections.
In sporadically rare cases, ketamine use can result in death, mainly due to overdose or respiratory failure. This is extremely rare in clinical settings under a doctor’s care and supervision.
Ketamine is an anesthesia drug already FDA approved and being used daily by doctors. It is also popularly used for off-label medical conditions like mood disorders and chronic pain. There are some limitations on what conditions it may treat. Ketamine has an FDA indication as a surgical procedure relief – so you won’t find any advertisements about its mood-boosting properties!
Example Of An “Off-Label” Prescription
The drugs we take every day can have a variety of uses outside their original FDA-approved indication. For example, chemotherapy is FDA-approved to treat certain types of cancer but may also be used with other medication(s) for various other forms of cancer that it’s not FDA-approved with altogether!
The Popularity Of “Off-Label” Prescriptions Is On The Rise
Off-label use of medications is becoming more popular amongst alternative medical doctors, especially as insurance companies are starting to cover some. For example, many chemotherapy combinations and beta blockers for migraines exist outside the patent protection offered by their manufacturer; this means that those who have these off-label uses will likely not be charged extra fees or denied coverage if they want care that includes using them in combination with other drugs. If you’re suffering from mental illness it is in your best interest to evaluate various treatment modalities to identify the one that may suit you best based on your medical condition and lifestyle.
Ketamine has been used off-label for years as a safe and effective treatment option for mood disorders, pain management, and addictions. Ketamine infusions are usually administered in a clinical or hospital setting and occasionally at home under proper supervision by an experienced medical practitioner.
Low-dose ketamine has been used off-label to treat psychiatric conditions such as addiction, anxiety, bipolar disorder, suicidal thoughts, OCD, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also being prescribed off-label for chronic pain disorders like fibromyalgia. One great benefit of ketamine is that it can act quickly to reduce symptoms of depression, which makes it an attractive option for individuals unable to cope with their daily living or constantly living in pain.
Ketamine has been used for over 50 years as an anesthetic and is one of the most promising tools in development today. It may have significant potential to treat mental illnesses like depression or anxiety with its non-addictive nature.
Ketamine IV Treatment
IV ketamine treatments have shown promise in treating major depressive disorder (MDD). Doctors who administer the drug tend to recommend patients continue on their regular antidepressant regimen.
Ketamine has been used safely for decades as anesthesia. The FDA-approved form of ketofol is intravenous (IV) injection or lozenger. Not all doctors prescribe this medication outside of a clinical setting because they know how powerful it can be when mixed with other medications or recreational drugs, considering the potential for abuse. Not only does ketofol work wonders during surgery, but it also helps patients recover from pain faster when they’re ready for discharge.
Find out if your doctor is willing to prescribe ketamine. It will depend on their perspective towards mental health conditions like depression or anxiety as well as their experience and belief in the efficacy of the drug for those medical applications.
How Many Infusions Will A Person Need, And What To Expect?
Infusion IV drips can be a very intense experience. There is no research to suggest that more than six weeks will help, but many people go back for boosters if symptoms return and it’s possible Stewart might see them again after their next appointment (he doesn’t always). The duration time frames vary depending on what type of treatment you choose; however, most infusions only last 40-60 minutes while some may take 15-20 since the person experiencing this procedure looks asleep much more oftener than not moving or talking throughout all stages which make sense given how intensely medicated they are at any one point during these treatments by contrast awake surgery involves open eyesight with occasional close encounters between patient’s spirit & surgeon.
Potential Side Effects of ketamine at high doses:
- Amnesia
- Ataxia
- Catalepsy (immobility or inability to move)
- Convulsions
- Dangerously slowed breathing
- Delusional state
- Diplopia (double vision)
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dysphoria (unease, restlessness)
- Elevated blood pressure
- Hallucinations or Out of body experience
- Hyperexcitability
- Mental confusion
- Nausea
- Psychosis
- Sedation
- Visual and auditory hallucinations
Potential Side effects of ketamine at smaller doses (typically by recreational users)
- Calm and relaxed state
- Depressed mental state
- Diminished reflexes
- Dizziness
- Hallucinations
- Loss of memory
- Nystagmus
- Pain relief
- Raised blood pressure
- Slurred speech
Disclaimer
The information in this and other blog posts are a combination of opinions and reiterated facts, and does not constitute medical advice. To address your individual or loved ones medical conditions you should always consult a doctor or qualified healthcare practitioner about the specific details of your health before trying a new treatment. Everyone’s health needs are different and should be approached accordingly.