unlocking the benefits of Ketamine infusion therapy

“Understanding Ketamine Treatment: Benefits, Risks, and Follow-Up Care for Mental Health”

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Ketamine, a powerful anesthetic drug, has gained attention in recent years for its potential to treat various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. While ketamine treatment infusions are still relatively new, studies have shown promising results for those who have failed to respond to traditional treatment options. However, many still have questions about how ketamine works, what to expect during treatment, and how to maintain the benefits over time.

First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand how a ketamine treatment works in the brain. While the exact mechanisms are still being studied, it’s believed that ketamine works by activating specific receptors in the brain that promote the growth of new neural connections. This process, known as neuroplasticity, is thought to be responsible for the rapid and long-lasting effects of ketamine on mood and anxiety.

During a ketamine infusion, a small dose of the drug is administered intravenously for about 40 minutes. Patients typically experience a sense of relaxation and dissociation; some may even have visual or auditory hallucinations. These effects usually wear off within a few hours of the infusion, and patients are typically able to resume their normal activities the next day.

While many people experience immediate relief from symptoms after a single ketamine infusion, most patients require a series of treatments to achieve long-lasting results. The exact number and frequency of infusions will depend on the individual and the severity of their condition. Still, most patients receive a series of six treatments over two to three weeks.

One of the unique aspects of ketamine treatment is the importance of follow-up care. While the effects of a single infusion can be profound, it’s essential to continue working with a mental health professional to ensure that the benefits are maintained over time. This may include regular therapy sessions, medication management, and lifestyle changes to support mental wellness.

One of the most common concerns patients have about ketamine treatment is the potential for side effects. While ketamine is generally safe when administered by a trained medical professional, there are some risks to consider. These may include nausea, dizziness, dissociation during the infusion, and the potential for abuse or addiction if misused.

However, the risks of ketamine treatment are generally considered low compared to the potential benefits. For many patients who have struggled with treatment-resistant mental health conditions, ketamine offers a new hope for relief and improved quality of life.

If you’re considering ketamine treatment, it’s important to research and find a reputable provider with experience administering the drug for mental health conditions. Ask questions about the provider’s training and experience, as well as their approach to follow-up care and patient support.

It’s also important to be open and honest with your mental health provider about your medical history, any medications you’re currently taking, and any concerns or questions you may have about the treatment process. Then, by working together as a team, you and your provider can develop a customized treatment plan that meets your unique needs and helps you achieve lasting mental wellness.

In conclusion, ketamine treatment offers a promising new approach to treating treatment-resistant mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. While the treatment process may be unfamiliar to many patients, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. With the support of a trusted mental health provider and a commitment to follow-up care, ketamine treatment can be a powerful tool for achieving lasting mental wellness and improved quality of life.

 

Tranquility Ketamine is a Ketamine Infusion Therapy clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Founded by two experienced emergency room physicians with over 50 years combined practice administering ketamine in the emergency department, the clinic provides effective treatments for depression, PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder), chronic pain, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), anxiety, stress, and burnout in comfortable private rooms.

Resources:

  1. “Ketamine Infusions Show Promise as a Treatment for Depression” by Harvard Health Publishing
  2. “Ketamine Infusions for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Series of 28 Patients Treated Weekly or Twice Weekly in an Outpatient Setting” by The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
  3. “Ketamine for Depression: A Review of Its Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Properties and Patient Response Rates in Clinical Trials” by The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
  4. “Ketamine Treatment for Depression: Opportunities and Challenges” by The National Institute of Mental Health
  5. “Guideline Watch: Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder” by American Psychiatric Association

Ketamine Infusion Therapy: The Promising Alternative to Opioids for Chronic Pain Relief

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Chronic pain is a widespread problem that affects millions of people worldwide. Various conditions, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, cancer, and nerve damage, can lead to a chronic pain diagnosis. Unfortunately, the treatment of chronic pain can be a challenging and complex process, and traditional pain management approaches such as opioids have many drawbacks. In recent years, ketamine infusion therapy has emerged as a promising alternative to Opioids for the treatment of chronic pain. This blog post will explore why ketamine infusion therapy is better for chronic pain than opioids.

What are opioids, and how do they work?

Opioids are a class of drugs that are used to treat moderate to severe pain. They work by attaching to specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord, reducing the perception of pain. Opioids are effective painkillers, but they also have significant drawbacks. Opioids can be highly addictive, and prolonged use can lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction. They can also cause a wide range of side effects, including nausea, constipation, drowsiness, and respiratory depression. In addition, long-term use of opioids can damage the liver, kidneys, and other organs.

What is ketamine infusion therapy?

Ketamine infusion therapy involves the administration of low doses of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, into the bloodstream. The therapy has been used for decades as an anesthetic in surgical procedures, but it is only in recent years that its potential as a treatment for chronic pain has been recognized. Ketamine is believed to work by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, which are involved in the perception of pain.

Advantages of ketamine infusion therapy over opioids for chronic pain

1. Ketamine is not addictive.

One of the most significant advantages of ketamine infusion therapy over opioids is that it is not addictive. While opioids can be highly addictive, ketamine does not produce the same level of dependence. Ketamine does not activate the same reward pathways in the brain as opioids, meaning there is little risk of addiction or abuse.

Ketamine does not cause respiratory depression.

Another significant advantage of ketamine infusion therapy is that it does not cause respiratory depression, a potentially life-threatening side effect of opioids. Respiratory depression occurs when opioids suppress the central nervous system, leading to decreased breathing rate and depth. This can cause oxygen levels in the blood to drop, which can be fatal. Ketamine does not suppress the central nervous system to the same extent as opioids, which means that it does not cause respiratory depression.

2. Ketamine is effective for neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain, which is caused by damage to the nerves, is notoriously difficult to treat with opioids. Ketamine, on the other hand, is effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Ketamine blocks NMDA receptors in the brain, which are involved in the transmission of pain signals. This means that ketamine can be an effective treatment for chronic neuropathic pain.

3. Ketamine has fewer side effects than opioids.

Opioids can cause a wide range of side effects, including nausea, constipation, drowsiness, and cognitive impairment. Ketamine, on the other hand, has fewer side effects than opioids. The most common side effects of ketamine infusion therapy are mild and include dissociation, dizziness, and changes in perception. These side effects usually resolve quickly after the infusion is stopped.

4. Ketamine has a rapid onset of action.

Another advantage of ketamine infusion therapy over opioids is its rapid onset of action. Ketamine is administered intravenously, which means that it enters the bloodstream quickly and starts to work within minutes. This makes it an effective option for patients who need rapid pain relief.

Conclusion

In summary, ketamine infusion therapy is a promising alternative to opioids for the treatment of chronic pain. Ketamine is not addictive, does not cause respiratory depression, is effective for neuropathic pain, has fewer side effects than opioids, and has a rapid onset of action. While ketamine infusion therapy is not appropriate for all patients, it should be considered a treatment option for those struggling with chronic pain who have not responded to traditional pain management approaches. As always, patients should consult with their healthcare provider to determine if ketamine infusion therapy is right for them.

 

To learn more about this innovative treatment, click here or call 505-639-4973

 

Ketamine Infusion Therapy

Four Conditions Treated Successfully with Ketamine Infusion Therapy

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Ketamine infusion therapy is a relatively new treatment option for mental health disorders and chronic pain. Initially used as an anesthetic in the medical field, Ketamine has been shown to provide relief from a range of conditions such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain. Below we will discuss the benefits of Ketamine infusion therapy in treating these conditions.

Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Traditional antidepressants can take weeks to show any effect, and a significant percentage of patients do not respond to these medications at all. Ketamine infusion therapy has emerged as a promising treatment option for depression, especially for those who are resistant to traditional antidepressants. Ketamine acts on the glutamate system in the brain, leading to the release of a chemical called BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which promotes the growth and survival of brain cells. This mechanism of action is different from traditional antidepressants, which work by altering serotonin and other neurotransmitter levels. Ketamine infusion therapy can improve depressive symptoms within hours, which is a significant advantage over conventional antidepressants. Additionally, studies have shown that the effects of Ketamine infusion therapy can last up to several weeks, with some patients experiencing relief from depression for months.

PTSD

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a condition that affects individuals who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events such as sexual assault, combat, or natural disasters. PTSD can manifest as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks, and hypervigilance, among other symptoms. Traditional treatments for PTSD include psychotherapy and medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). However, these treatments do not work for everyone, and some patients may not respond to them. Ketamine infusion therapy has been shown to be effective in treating PTSD, especially in those who have not responded to traditional treatments. Ketamine has been found to increase the production of a protein called mTOR, which is involved in the formation and strengthening of synapses in the brain. This process may help to overwrite traumatic memories and reduce the symptoms of PTSD.

Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in the United States, affecting approximately 40 million adults. These disorders can manifest as excessive worry, fear, and panic attacks, among other symptoms. Traditional treatments for anxiety disorders include psychotherapy and medications such as benzodiazepines and SSRIs. However, these treatments have their limitations, and not all patients respond to them. Ketamine infusion therapy has shown promise in treating anxiety disorders, especially in those who have not responded to traditional treatments. Ketamine works by blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the brain, which is involved in regulating anxiety. This blocking effect can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and provide relief to patients.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide and can be debilitating. Traditional treatments for chronic pain include medications such as opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and physical therapy. However, these treatments can have significant side effects and may not provide relief to all patients. Ketamine infusion therapy has emerged as a promising treatment option for chronic pain, especially in those who have not responded to traditional treatments. Ketamine acts on the NMDA receptor in the brain, which is involved in the perception of pain. By blocking this receptor, Ketamine can reduce the perception of pain and provide relief to patients.

In addition to the benefits discussed above, Ketamine infusion therapy has several other advantages over traditional treatments. Ketamine infusion therapy is administered intravenously, which allows for precise dosing and rapid onset of action. In addition, patients can start feeling the effects of Ketamine infusion therapy within hours of treatment, which is a significant advantage over traditional medicines, which can take weeks to months.

To learn more about this innovative treatment, click here or call 505-639-4973

Man sleeping and working

The Connection Between Mental Health and Sleep

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The more we learn about sleep, the more we realize it is the foundation for health and wellness. For many years, mental health issues such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety have been pinpointed as the cause of poor sleep. However, recent research shows that it could be the other way around in some cases! Lack of consistent sleep could be the cause of some mental health issues.

Let’s look at depression. An analysis of 21 different studies found that people who suffer from insomnia have twice the probability of developing depression compared to those who do not have problems sleeping. 

Research around anxiety had similar conclusions. Insomnia appeared to be a risk factor for developing anxiety disorders. One of these studies concluded that problems with sleep were a predictor for generalized anxiety disorder in children and teens between the ages of nine and 16.9 Additionally, those who struggle with sleep problems may be more likely to develop an anxiety condition, particularly if their sleep problems are prolonged and left untreated.

What about PTSD? Sleep deprivation is not only a common symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affecting between 80% to 90% of people with the condition but it is also believed to play a role in both the development and maintenance of this disorder.

These are just a few examples of how sleep, or lack thereof, can impact mental health. For this reason, we recommend that our patients undergoing Ketamine Infusion Therapy treatments do their best to improve the quality of their sleep each night. Here are our top tips:

Natural Light Exposure In The Mornings

Exposure to natural sunlight in the morning helps us regulate our natural circadian rhythms, also known as our natural body clock. Our circadian rhythm tells us when to go to bed, wake, eat, and even when to release mood-altering hormones. So, in addition to the sleep benefit, it will boost your immune system, lower stress, and regulate your appetite!

No Caffeine 12 Hours Before Bedtime

Many of us love our morning joe, but consuming it too late in the day can impact our sleep. As a rule of thumb, we have found that by giving yourself a 12-hour window of no caffeine, sleep improves significantly! So, for example, if you want to go to bed by 10 pm, don’t consume caffeine after 10 am that day.

Avoid Screens Before Bedtime

Minimizing screen time at night is an excellent tip for a few reasons. First, exposing your eyes to light before you try to go to sleep disturbs your circadian rhythm (see the sun exposure tip above). It tricks your mind into thinking you are starting your day rather than ending it. In addition, our screens are often TVs, smartphones, or ipads where we are taking in information such as news, or work emails, which could cause added stress, making it difficult to sleep. Try reading or listening to music as an alternative.

While sleep isn’t the only answer to mental health issues, it is a considerable component that we are discovering more and more about how important it is for overall wellness. So whether you are undergoing treatment of any kind for any mental health condition or not, improving your sleep is the path to elevating your overall physical and mental health.

To learn more about Ketamine Infusion Therapy, click here or call 505-639-4973

 

Suicidal Ideation And Ketamine Infusion Therapy

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Bringing awareness to this often-stigmatized topic is key to ensuring those who suffer from suicidal ideation can find the right resources to help them. Suicide continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide, yet few treatments are available to lessen the risk. As a clinic that specializes in treating Major Depressive Disorder, anxiety, and PTSD, this subject is crucial to us.

 

What Are The Statistics?

Death by suicide has been on the rise for over a decade. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 703,000 people a year take their life worldwide. For every suicide, there are likely 20 other people making a suicide attempt, and many more have serious thoughts of suicide. Men are more likely to die by suicide 3.6 times more often than women; however, women were 1.4 times more likely to attempt it. Also surprising, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10-34 and the 4th leading cause of death for ages 35-54. Suicide rates amongst men aged 15-24 experienced the most significant increase this past year at a staggering 8%.

 

Diagnosing Suicidal Ideation

An underlying mental health issue often lays the foundation for suicidal ideation. For others, alcohol or substance abuse can play a role in suicidal thoughts. In some cases, suicidal thinking can be related to an underlying physical health problem, and blood tests or other medical tests may be necessary to diagnose. Recently, research has highlighted how stress is often a precipitating factor overlooked in the literature. In any of the above situations, contacting a health professional is necessary to work through the cause of such thoughts.

 

What Are The Treatments?

For non-emergency situations, many traditional outpatient treatments are available for those with suicidal ideation. Psychological counseling can help explore the issues that led to suicidal thoughts and help learn skills to manage emotions. Medications are often prescribed, such as antidepressants, anti-psychotic drugs, anti-anxiety medications, etc., to help reduce symptoms. Addiction treatment can also aid those whose suicidal ideation stems from substance abuse.

 

Ketamine Infusion Therapy

Traditional therapies sometimes don’t provide the relief needed to recover from suicidal thoughts. Prescription medications can take weeks or months to take effect, and the efficacy is variable and often incomplete. As a result, 66% of patients suffer treatment-resistant depression and endure months of trial treatments and adjunctive therapies in hopes of relief.

 Ketamine infusion therapy has proven to be rapidly effective in the remission of depressive symptoms of MDD, TDD, and BD, in some cases providing temporary relief within hours of the first infusion. It is remarkably effective in aborting suicidal ideations with a single IV infusion. Ketamine has been shown to be 70% effective in TDD. According to a review published in ScienceDirect, “recent findings from human and animal research (are) demonstrating rapid-acting mechanisms via which ketamine effectively rescues stress-induced pathologies linked to suicide risk.” In addition, they also discovered additional impacts on clinical risk factors: ketamine improves mood, sleep, and reward processing

Although the response to a single infusion is short-lived (a matter of days), repeat administration over a short time (typically two weeks) can extend the length of remission, with some patients enjoying improvement for as long as six months. Additional “booster” treatments can be given that continually expand the duration of remission of symptoms. Ketamine infusions are safe, rapid, and effective. Consequently, ketamine infusion therapy is revolutionizing the treatment of depressive disorders.

 

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately. If you are interested in exploring Ketamine Infusion Therapy to treat suicidal ideation or depression, call our clinic at 505-639-4973 or click here.

Woman with Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder: Can Ketamine Infusion Therapy Help?

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As the holiday season gets into full swing, many are excited and joyous during this time of year. However, for some, the winter season brings on a condition known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at around the same time every year. Most people with SAD’s symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping energy and making them feel moody. These symptoms often dissipate during the spring and summer months. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer and resolves during the fall or winter months.

What are the symptoms of Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

Symptoms may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of SAD may include:

  • Feeling listless, sad, or down most of the day, nearly every day
  • Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • Having low energy and feeling sluggish
  • Having problems with sleeping too much
  • Experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating, and weight gain
  • Having difficulty concentrating
  • Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
  • Having thoughts of not wanting to live

How is Seasonal Affective Disorder Treated?

Treatments are available that can help many people with SAD. They fall into four main categories that may be used alone or in combination:

  • Light therapy
  • Psychotherapy
  • Antidepressant medications
  • Vitamin D
Light Therapy

Since the 1980s, light therapy has been a mainstay for treating SAD. It aims to expose people with SAD to bright light daily to compensate for the diminished natural sunshine in the darker months. For this treatment, the person sits in front of a bright light box (10,000 lux) every day for about 30 to 45 minutes, usually first thing in the morning, from fall to spring. The light boxes, which are about 20 times brighter than ordinary indoor light, filter out the potentially damaging UV light, making this a safe treatment for most. 

Psychotherapy 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a therapy aimed at helping people learn how to cope with difficult situations; CBT has also been adapted for people with SAD (CBT-SAD). It focuses on replacing negative thoughts related to the winter season (e.g., about the darkness of winter) with more positive thoughts. CBT-SAD also uses behavioral activation, which helps individuals identify and schedule pleasant, engaging indoor or outdoor activities to combat the loss of interest they typically experience in the winter.

Medications

Because SAD, like other types of depression, is associated with disturbances in serotonin activity, antidepressant medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are also used to treat SAD when symptoms occur. These agents can significantly enhance patients’ moods. Commonly used SSRIs include fluoxetine, citalopram, sertraline, paroxetine, and escitalopram.

Ketamine Infusion Therapy

Ketamine therapy leads to an increased release of glutamate, which is known to be involved in neuronal plasticity and synaptic growth and repair. These effects through complex pathways lead to the release of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a substance responsible for maintaining healthy neurons and their connections, known as synapses.

Increased BDNF has been shown to bring about the repair and regrowth of damaged synapses and their neuronal connections caused by chronic stress in animal models. Likewise, in humans, ketamine is thought to lead to the creation of new neuronal circuits and repair of the healthy neuronal connections that existed in the brain before the patient suffered from depression, PTSD, OCD, or chronic anxiety.

Ketamine is a treatment that is being discussed and utilized more often for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD) and may be helpful for those experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Ketamine Infusion Therapy may work exceptionally well among patients resistant to other treatment forms like antidepressants and cognitive therapy. According to the National Center of Biotechnical Information, ketamine is gaining popularity in treating major depressive disorder (MDD) that has previously been treatment-resistant. Although not approved by the FDA, ketamine is also gaining popularity for treatment-resistant MDD because of its rapid onset of efficacy. 

To learn more about Ketamine Infusion Therapy, click here.

 

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PTSD, Military Veterans and Ketamine Infusion Therapy

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November 11th is Veteran’s Day, a day we honor those who have served in the military for our country. Unfortunately, many veterans who have served in combat come back home suffering from PTSD. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition affecting up to 8% of the population at some point in their lives. 

The statistics among veterans, however, are staggering in comparison. According to a 2020 survey, 83% of all US veterans and active duty service men and women have experienced PTSD since the 9/11 attack due to their military service. PTSD was the second-most reported severe mental injury sustained during service, after sleep issues, in the veterans and active duty service men and women participating in the survey. 

PTSD is a condition that can result from experiencing or witnessing any traumatic (physical or emotional) event. Up to 20% of individuals who have survived episodes of sexual assault, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, accidents, natural disasters, or military combat can develop this illness.

PTSD may affect some individuals for the rest of their lives, with or without therapy. PTSD is a condition where certain situations trigger the sudden onset of irrational and intrusive thoughts, memories, and fears related to the original stressor. This condition can bring about panic attacks, nightmares, flashbacks, and various phobias, leading to social avoidance, headaches, anxiety, depression, pervasive guilt, and withdrawal from friends and loved ones. PTSD can result in problems at work and with relationships, as well as difficulty with personal advancement and growth, and can increase the risk of drug and alcohol abuse and suicide.

Medical treatment for PTSD traditionally involves SSRI antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and other medications, all with variable success rates, high incidence of untoward side effects, and slow onset of benefits. Psychotherapeutic treatment modalities include cognitive behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization reprocessing. These therapies have a significant role in treating PTSD but can take an extended period to have a lasting effect on the patient’s functioning. They also tend to provide variable and incomplete relief for many patients.

Ketamine infusions are a new tool in the treatment of PTSD. They lead to rapid improvement in PTSD symptoms, in many cases, after the first treatment. The efficacy of ketamine in the treatment of PTSD was noted in the 1990s when injured soldiers who were treated with ketamine, either as an analgesic or surgical anesthetic, rarely went on to develop PTSD, compared to 30% of soldiers developing PTSD if treated with opiates and other anesthetics during surgery.

It is surmised that ketamine blocks the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors increasing glutamate in the regions of the brain involved in emotion and long-term memory formation. This causes the suppression of maladaptive emotions and memories, allowing access to more adaptive neural circuitry and leading to more positive emotions and fewer negative memories. However, ketamine infusions are not a cure for PTSD and should be considered an adjunctive therapy that may provide rapid and lasting symptomatic relief from this condition. Therefore, patients who have PTSD are advised to continue with other therapies with the guidance of a mental health professional.

If you or someone you know is suffering from PTSD and would like to learn more about Ketamine infusion therapy, click here or call (505) 639-4973

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Ketamine Infusion Therapy; An Alternative to Opioids for Chronic Pain

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Experiencing daily pain for over 12 weeks is categorized by the medical community as Chronic Pain. Chronic pain affects a staggering 50-100 million adults in the U. S. yearly and over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Another disappointing statistic, chronic pain is the leading cause of long-term disability in the U. S. today. Traditionally, opioid analgesics are the first choice when treating patients with chronic pain.

Opioids and Addiction

Often, in the beginning, opioids provide pain relief for most patients. Unfortunately, these effects don’t last. Over a relatively short period of time, the neurons involved respond to the overexpression of the opiate receptors, leading to decreased effectiveness of these medications. As a result of the reduced efficacy, larger doses administered more frequently are needed. As a result, patients develop medication tolerance, dependence, and addiction.

 

Statistics on opioid abuse show a severe national crisis affecting public health and socio-economic welfare. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them. In 2019, nearly 50,000 people in the United States died from opioid-involved overdoses. 

Ketamine Infusion Therapy: An Alternative Treatment

Ketamine has been the choice for surgical use for its anesthetic properties for many decades. In recent years, Ketamine Infusions have been used to treat depression, chronic pain, and many other mood disorders. The administration of intravenous low-dose Ketamine is surprisingly effective in rapidly improving the symptoms of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other mental health conditions, as well as chronic pain syndromes. Numerous studies have been conducted at reputable research centers from 2000 to the present, supporting its use for these conditions.

The Science of Ketamine

When Ketamine binds to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in your brain, it helps increase the amount of a glutamate neurotransmitter. Glutamate activates connections in another brain receptor, which triggers the release of molecules that allow neurons to find new pathways with which to communicate in your brain. This process is called synaptogenesis, and it’s thought to affect your mood and thought patterns.

Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Chronic Pain

It has been shown that Ketamine infusions rapidly provide up to a 50% decrease in patient-reported pain levels in patients that respond to these treatments. Ketamine is particularly effective for many chronic pain syndromes, particularly neuropathic pain syndromes, such as chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Ketamine is thought to improve chronic pain in a novel way by blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. This NMDA blockade is believed to allow the pain pathways in the brain and spine to “reset,” allowing a more normalized response to pain signals from the body’s nerves. This resetting of the pain pathways may last for weeks to months and can be maintained with occasional booster treatments, as needed.

Ketamine allows a decrease in painful symptoms as well as a decrease in the need for opioid medications. In addition, there is an evident overlay of depressive symptoms and chronic anxiety for many patients suffering from chronic pain disorders. Therefore, Ketamine’s ability to decrease the symptoms of depression and anxiety can lessen the compounding effect these conditions have on the patient’s pain level.

To learn more about Ketamine Infusion Therapy, click here or call 505-639-4973 to schedule a private consultation.

Tranquility Ketamine Clinic is a leading provider of Ketamine infusion therapy in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Founded by two experienced emergency room physicians with over 50 years of combined practice administering Ketamine in the emergency department, the clinic provides effective treatments for depression, PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder), chronic pain, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), anxiety, stress, and burnout in comfortable private rooms at its Northeast Albuquerque location.

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How Ketamine is Helping us Better Understand Depression and the Brain

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Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic medication that was first synthesized in 1962 by a chemist searching for a novel compound with the anesthetic efficacy of older dissociative anesthetics such as PCP but with a much greater safety profile and lower incidence of “emergence reactions.” Emergence reactions are untoward, uncomfortable reactions that may be experienced while the medication wears off, causing hallucinations, anxiety, and other unpleasant psychic symptoms.

A dissociative anesthetic can, at higher doses, cause a sense of the patient being dissociated or “out of body” for a time, hence the name. This effect is not typical at the lower doses used for mental health disorders, but milder side effects such as altered perceptions or a sensation of floating frequently occur.

How is Ketamine Used?

Due to Ketamine’s favorable safety profile, it rapidly replaced morphine as the “buddy drug” given by soldiers to their wounded comrades in pain during the Vietnam War. It is still being used on battlefields today. Ketamine was found to be a much safer and more effective analgesic than the previously used opiate medications, as it did not lower the blood pressure or slow the patient’s breathing and did not require cardiac monitoring.

Ketamine is used extensively in emergency departments for analgesia and sedation in children. More recently, Ketamine has been administered to adults who are about to undergo painful or delicate procedures—creating a favorable dissociative, amnestic state. As a result, Ketamine is the anesthetic of choice for pediatric analgesia and sedation in the ED.

Most recently, the administration of intravenous low-dose Ketamine has been surprisingly effective in rapidly improving the symptoms of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other mental health conditions such as chronic pain syndromes. This effect is supported by numerous studies conducted at reputable research centers from 2000 to the present.

Ketamine as a Quick Treatment for Depressive Disorder

Ketamine has been shown to improve symptoms of depression in as little as several hours after the first treatment. This lifting of the depressive symptoms seems to last anywhere from several days to weeks or months and typically lasts longest after a series of six infusions over two weeks. In addition, single-dose “booster” treatments for two weeks to months after the initial infusion have been shown to prolong the antidepressant effect of the medication in many patients.

Antidepressants

For depressive disorder, typically, antidepressants are prescribed. Antidepressants work in line with what’s called the monoamine hypothesis of depression. The hypothesis, which emerged in the 1950s, says that depression is caused by low levels of chemical messengers in the brain called monoamine neurotransmitters, which include serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. The idea is if you can increase levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain, you can reverse depression.

These drugs fall into several categories, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and the older tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). They all affect one or more of the monoamine neurotransmitters. These drugs cause monoamines to remain in the synaptic cleft — the space between neurons — for longer. Their success at treating depression is thought to be related to the birth of new neurons in a part of the brain called the hippocampus (an area responsible for learning, memory, and emotion) and the increased production of proteins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is known to build neural connections. These processes take time and may account for the slow relief typically associated with antidepressants. It can take anywhere from weeks to months to alleviate depression symptoms.

How Ketamine Differs

Research suggests that one of Ketamine’s significant actions is as an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. That is, it blocks the activation of the NMDA receptor. This action leads to increased release of glutamate, which is involved in neuronal plasticity and synaptic growth and repair. These effects through complex pathways lead to the release of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a substance responsible for maintaining healthy neurons and their connections, known as synapses.

Increased BDNF has been shown to bring about the repair and regrowth of damaged synapses and their neuronal connections caused by chronic stress in animal models. Likewise, in humans, Ketamine is thought to lead to the creation of new neuronal circuits and/or repair of the healthy neuronal connections that existed in the brain before the patient suffered from depression, PTSD, OCD, and/or chronic anxiety.

In 2014, Thomas Insel, former Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, stated, “Recent data suggest that ketamine, given intravenously, might be the most important breakthrough in antidepressant treatment in decades.”

If you or someone you know could benefit from Ketamine Infusion Therapy, please contact Tranquility Ketamine by clicking here or calling (505) 639-4973.

ketamine infusion therapy treatment

Ketamine Infusion Therapy; Treating mental and physical health

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Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic medication first synthesized in 1962, has been used extensively in emergency departments for analgesia and sedation in children. Over the last several decades, Ketamine has been used in adults about to undergo painful or delicate procedures, creating a favorable dissociative, amnestic state. These procedures include fracture reductions and repair of disfiguring or extensive lacerations in frightened children. As a result, Ketamine is the anesthetic of choice for pediatric analgesia and sedation in the ED.

Most recently, Ketamine Infusion Therapy, the administration of intravenous low-dose Ketamine, has been surprisingly effective in rapidly improving the symptoms of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other mental health conditions as well as chronic pain syndromes. This effect is supported by countless studies conducted at reputable research centers from 2000 to the present.

Treating Mental Health Disorders

Ketamine has been shown to improve symptoms of depression in as little as several hours after the first treatment. This lifting of the depressive symptoms seems to last anywhere from several days to weeks or months and typically lasts the longest after a series of six infusions over two weeks. In addition, single-dose “booster” treatments for two weeks to months after the initial infusion have been shown to prolong the antidepressant effect of the medication in many patients.

In 2014, Thomas Insel, former Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, stated, “Recent data suggest that ketamine, given intravenously, might be the most important breakthrough in antidepressant treatment in decades.”

Treating Chronic Pain

Traditionally, many patients with chronic pain are treated with opioid analgesics. Opioids bind to neuronal opiate receptors causing decreased activation of the neuronal pathways involved in pain perception. Unfortunately, these effects are short-lived, and over a relatively short time, the neurons involved respond by the overexpression of the opiate receptors, leading to decreased responsiveness and effectiveness to these medications.

Consequently, many people who are started on opioid analgesics, despite initial improvement in their daily pain levels, frequently require the need escalating doses, increased frequency of dosing, and the use of more potent opioids to control their pain over time. The use of opioids to manage chronic pain is, therefore, a treatment with diminishing returns, as the side effects and lack of efficacy rapidly overwhelm the benefits of this class of medications. Medication tolerance, dependence, and addiction are often the result.

Ketamine Infusion Therapy has been shown to rapidly provide up to a 50% decrease in patient-reported pain levels in patients that respond to these treatments. Ketamine is particularly effective for many chronic pain syndromes, particularly neuropathic pain syndromes, such as chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Ketamine is thought to improve chronic pain in a novel way by blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. This NMDA blockade is believed to allow the pain pathways in the brain and spine to “reset,” allowing a more typical response to pain signals from the body’s nerves. This resetting of the pain pathways may last for weeks to months and can be maintained with occasional booster treatments, as needed. Ketamine, which blocks these hyperstimulated pain pathways, allows a decrease in painful symptoms and a decrease in the need for opioid medications. 

In addition, many patients suffering from chronic pain disorders have a proven overlay of depressive symptoms and chronic anxiety. Ketamine’s ability to decrease the symptoms of depression and anxiety can also lessen the compounding effect these conditions have on the patient’s pain level.

If you or someone you know suffers from a depressive mood disorder or chronic pain, contact us for more information on Ketamine Infusion Therapy by calling (505) 639-4973 or clicking here.