Anxiety disorders are the most familiar mental health condition in the United States and other developed countries. Many people worldwide suffer from anxiety and are taking medication to help them cope with it. Many turn to different medications with varying effectiveness and one of the therapies that people turn to is ketamine therapy.
Anxiety, More Common Than You Think
Anxiety is a mental health condition that has been increasing in recent years. It can cause people to have intrusive thoughts, feel out of control, or avoid certain situations. It is not clear what causes anxiety disorders, but it is thought that genetics and environmental factors play a role.
Anxiety can be debilitating for individuals who suffer from it. They might not be able to function normally because they’re constantly worried about their symptoms and how they will affect them in the future.
Medications After Medications
Despite the many medications after medications, many still experience anxiety. Many people don’t want to take medication for their anxiety because they don’t feel like it is the right option.
There is an assortment of treatments available to help people get better from their anxiety, including medication, therapy, and coping skills like breathing exercises and meditation. However, some people still struggle with anxiety even after trying these methods.
The more you know about your own feelings and thoughts on your treatment options, the easier it will be for you to determine what you should do. So is ketamine therapy a solution when so many options don’t work? What makes it different this time?
As a start, let’s first explore what ketamine is. We can slowly unravel how ketamine may help you with your anxiety.
What Is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic drug with anesthetic, analgesic, and hallucinogenic effects. It was developed in 1962 and approved for use as a general anesthetic in 1970.
Ketamine (also known as “special K”) is classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Schedule III controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, meaning it has potential for abuse but can be legally prescribed or administered safely under medical supervision.
When Is Ketamine Prescribed?
Ketamine is an anesthesia drug that is typically used in surgery. Patients can experience hallucinations, dissociation, and amnesia after receiving the drug.
Ketamine has been prescribed for a variety of reasons, including:
- To relieve pain in people who are terminally ill or have a terminal illness
- To help manage the symptoms of chronic pain
- For emergency treatment during surgery when other drugs are not available
Why Is Ketamine Used For Anxiety?
Ketamine was first discovered to treat anxiety in the 1960s when it was administered to rats and mice subjected to stressful situations before receiving the drug.
Another research was about researching the effects of different drugs on animals. A researcher gave a cat a small dose of ketamine. The cat was so relaxed that it fell asleep. When the cat woke up again, it had no memory of what happened when it was under the influence of ketamine.
This observation led to further research into how ketamine affects humans. In 1965 they finally discovered that it relieved anxiety and depression in people with schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
How Does Ketamine Work?
Ketamine works by binding to the NMDA receptors, known as glutamate receptors. These receptors are housed on the cellular membrane of neurons, where they help neurons communicate with each other. When ketamine binds to these receptors, it blocks these signals from being sent along with it.
This leads to changes in consciousness and perception, which can last from minutes to hours depending on the dosage.
How Effective Is It For Anxiety?
Ketamine is a drug that can be given on an IV to patients suffering from anxiety. It has been shown to work for some patients and not for others.
Many different medications are available today, with varying effectiveness rates, making it difficult for people who suffer from anxiety to choose the proper medication. This often leads them to give up on medication altogether or continue using it ineffectively until they have had enough or have reached their breaking point.
What Studies Say
However, for the most part, ketamine has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression, chronic pain, and PTSD in several studies. The effects of ketamine have also demonstrated effectiveness for treating other mental disorders such as schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety disorders like panic attacks.
The research goes as far back as the 1960s, and many more studies come up that support these claims.
Downsides
Though it can be effective, there are some side effects of using ketamine, including
The use of ketamine for anxiety treatment is a controversial topic. Some people claim that there are no downsides to using this drug, while others argue it can direct to addiction and other negative side effects.
There are some downsides to using ketamine for these conditions. For example, the effects of ketamine wear off after only a couple of hours, which makes it problematic for patients to manage their symptoms without taking the drug again and again. Some side effects are associated with ketamine, such as dizziness, confusion, or feelings of drunkenness when taken at higher doses.
Who Should Not Use Ketamine
Ketamine is not recommended for people who have a history of addiction or mental illness. It may also worsen symptoms in those currently struggling with substance abuse problems.
Consider Ketamine Therapy
You’ll need all the services you can get. Although ketamine is effective, it can be more effective if done through a specific plan.
Ketamine Therapy for anxiety can be administered via injection, nasal spray, or intravenously. Ketamine treatment can be used with other treatments like psychotherapy, mindfulness meditation, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Takeaway
Anxiety can feel like a dark cloud over your head, making it difficult to function in everyday life. It’s important to know that you’re not alone and that there are many different ways to cope with anxiety.
If your anxiety keeps troubling you, drop by our clinic, A Better Solution Wellness Clinic. We offer Ketamine therapy and other therapy for nutrition and aesthetics.
