Ketamine Therapy: A Lifesaver In The Severely Depressed

Almost everyone has experienced at least one brief bout of depression before in life. For many people, what they experience is situational or acute depression. For example, they suffer an unexpected death in the family or a sudden job loss or the breakup of a marriage. They feel hopeless, helpless, despair, anxiety for the future, fatigue. This means they are depressed. Most people eventually recover by coming to accept change and then embracing it. It just takes a little period of adjustment.

Women who have just given birth can also experience a type of depression called postpartum depression. Occasionally, some people with acute or postpartum depression will seek help and be given an antidepressant. What if traditional antidepressants don't make it better, though? Thankfully, ketamine therapy is becoming more popular. Here's what you need to know.

What Is Ketamine?

You may have heard of ketamine before being touted as an illicit designer party drug that is a hallucinogen. Any drug can be abused on the street, just look at the opiate problem. In actuality, ketamine is a very valued resource in medicine. It is used in anesthesiology as a sedative as well as for pain relief. But recent research has shown promising results in treating chronic depression.

Who Is A Candidate For Ketamine Therapy?

Unfortunately, some people with chronic depression have brain chemicals that never balance themselves out. Some may have had a triggering life change event and never recovered, but many were simply fine one moment and the next, felt horribly depressed and didn't even know why. They recognized something was wrong and sought help, but the doctor's prescription antidepressants didn't do anything and may have even made things worse. For people who are nearing the end of their rope and are sick and tired of being sick and tired and are seriously considering or have attempted suicide, ketamine therapy can literally save their life.

Why Does Ketamine Work When Other Antidepressants Don't?

Antidepressants take weeks for the active ingredients to accumulate in the body and begin working. It can be months before someone really starts to feel better and able to cope with life again. Some people just don't have that kind of time left, especially if they have been suffering from depression and the merry-go-round of trying different drugs for years. Ketamine's chemical action can work within hours of the first treatment, almost miraculously improving outlook and health.

How Is Ketamine Therapy Administered?

Ketamine therapy is done in a controlled facility under strict medical supervision. It may be administered intravenously or via a nasal mist. Finding the right dosage for each person can take time, and some may have short-lasting mild side effects such as colors appearing brighter. Each session from start to recovery takes only an hour or two.

For more information, contact a company like Newport Pain Management today.