Ketamine PTSD

Ketamine for PTSD Management

PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is an anxiety disorder that can develop when individuals have experienced a traumatic event at any point in their lives. Repeated ketamine infusions have been shown to not only provide fast relief from the debilitating symptoms of PTSD, but also provide maintained benefits for several weeks after use.

How does ketamine therapy for PTSD work?

PTSD is a long-term mental health condition that develops in response to traumatic experiences. Hyperarousal, avoidance, and re-experiencing of symptoms are the hallmarks of post-traumatic stress disorder. An estimated 6.8% of the population suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, with victims of interpersonal violence being particularly at risk. Few contemporary pharmacotherapies (treatments involving medications) are helpful for PTSD in survivors.

 

One study from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai found that repeated intravenous (IV) ketamine treatment therapies significantly reduced the severity of the symptoms. The improvements were rapid and maintained for several weeks after the ketamine infusion.

 

The first randomized, controlled trial of repeated ketamine treatment therapy for chronic PTSD reveals this may be a successful treatment for PTSD patients, according to a study published online in the American Journal of Psychiatry. The findings provide insight into the effectiveness of repeatedly administering ketamine infusions for PTSD. Current evidence implies that repeated IV ketamine is an effective treatment for persons with PTSD and calls for more research into sustaining this rapid and robust response over time.

 

An additional study published in JAMA Psychiatry sheds more light on the effects of ketamine therapy on PTSD. When examined 24 hours after the ketamine infusion, the intensity of PTSD symptoms were significantly reduced. Ketamine’s positive effects also persisted at a greater length after controlling for baseline and 24-hour depressed symptom intensity when compared to the use of benzodiazepines.

Lowering secondary depression symptoms and an overall enhancement of clinical presentation were also linked to ketamine use. In most cases, patients tolerated the ketamine infusion without experiencing any serious adverse effects.

 

Even though they have the strongest scientific backing, antidepressants, and cognitive-behavioral therapy still leave PTSD sufferers with poorly managed symptoms. For severe and disabling PTSD, non-approved treatments are still being studied. 

 

Historically, ketamine has been utilized as a subset of general anesthesia. It causes a ‘dissociation’ in the limbic system from the thalamic-neocortical one. It’s believed that this split has both functional and electrophysiological roots. People who are clinically administered ketamine show signs of catalepsy, including delayed nystagmus and wide-open eyelids. The subjects’ corneal and light reflexes are preserved throughout this condition. Patients lose muscle tone but remain conscious. In this setting, ketamine is typically administered at larger doses than in the treatment of MDD. The ability to comprehend one’s surroundings and organize one’s ideas, which can contribute to the appearance of delirium or psychosis, has been documented to be disrupted by minor alterations in the central nervous system (CNS).

 

Ketamine acts as an antagonist at the NMDA receptor, which is a type of glutamate receptor. Recent years have seen increased research into it as a possible antidepressant. High NMDA receptor activity may be a risk factor for developing PTSD because it has been demonstrated to promote the production of spontaneous intrusive memories (depressive or anxious). Ketamine, as an NMDA receptor antagonist, shows promise as a therapeutic target for alleviating PTSD symptoms.

How Does Ketamine Infusion Compare to Other Treatments For PTSD?

Ketamine infusions Oak Park, Illinois is a relatively new treatment option for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and its effectiveness compared to other treatments is still being studied. However, some evidence suggests that IV ketamine may be more effective than traditional treatments for PTSD in some cases.

 

Traditional treatments for PTSD include therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). While these treatments can be effective for many individuals with PTSD, they may take several weeks or months to produce significant symptom relief.

In contrast, ketamine infusions Oak Park, Illinois have been shown to produce rapid symptom relief for some individuals with PTSD. Studies have shown that a single ketamine infusion can provide significant relief from symptoms of PTSD within hours of administration.

 

This rapid onset of action may be particularly beneficial for individuals with severe symptoms or those who have not responded well to other treatments.

 

Additionally, some studies have suggested that ketamine therapy may be more effective than traditional treatments for certain types of PTSD, such as treatment-resistant PTSD or PTSD with comorbid depression. However, more research is needed to establish the long-term effectiveness of IV ketamine for PTSD and to determine which individuals may benefit the most from this treatment.

 

It is important to note that IV ketamine treatment for PTSD should be administered with the help of a ketamine clinic Chicago. Other treatments, such as therapy and medication, may also be recommended with ketamine infusion to manage PTSD. Everyone with PTSD is unique, and treatment decisions should be based on thoroughly evaluating their symptoms and needs.

New Patient Special

Start your healing journey with our exclusive offer:

Waived intake fee
$275 per infusion 

(45 minute session)

 

That’s a total savings of $325 on your treatments.