Although anxiety is a normal reaction to stress, it can also become out-of-proportion and lead to disturbances in your daily life and functioning. About 70% – 75% of patients who get treatment for anxiety experience positive results. Although not a cure for anxiety, when used in conjunction with talk therapy, ketamine therapy for anxiety can be quite effective.
Because of its analgesic and sedative properties, ketamine was first created in the 1950s and put into widespread medical use in the 1960s. However, in recent years, scientists have begun to explore ketamine’s potential benefits for treating mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Although several drugs are available to treat anxiety, studies show that about half of those with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are “treatment-resistant.” That means that after using anti-anxiety medicine, people don’t feel any better. An increasing number of specialists are considering ketamine as a viable option for treating resistant cases of anxiety.
Anxiety is not one of the conditions for which the FDA has approved ketamine. The use of ketamine therapy for anxiety is considered “off-label” however has been increasingly seen as an effective management option for those suffering from anxiety.
Ketamine therapy stimulates the brain by rapidly increasing glutamate activity. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that helps control our emotions and aids learning and memory. The ability of your brain to alter and adapt in response to new experiences is called neuroplasticity, and glutamate from ketamine therapy helps it do its job.
Researchers believe ketamine therapy’s ability to boost neuroplasticity could be used to “re-wire” the brain, eliminating negative or counterproductive thought processes and replacing them with healthier ones. Developing more optimistic ideas due to these rerouted neural pathways has been shown to reduce anxiety.
Common anti-anxiety drugs work by first increasing the levels of other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, before turning to glutamate.
One of the more unique features of ketamine infusion and oral ketamine is that they rapidly stimulate the glutamate system. This may lead to quicker outcomes. Anti-anxiety drugs can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 weeks to take effect; however, ketamine has been shown to ease anxiety in as short as two hours.
Ketamine therapy for anxiety has a wide range of administration methods:
Ketamine is sometimes given as sublingual tablets to be taken between infusions or as a maintenance dose between more intensive administration methods. You can take a pill and dissolve it under your tongue. This version of ketamine is less effective than others since it takes longer for the body to absorb it. Remember that because this ketamine formulation isn’t FDA-approved, your health insurance will probably not cover the expense.
While the exact mechanisms of ketamine’s effects on anxiety are still not completely understood, it modulates the brain’s glutamate system, which can improve mood and reduce anxiety symptoms.
After the intravenous (IV) administration of ketamine for GAD, you can expect to experience various effects. Here are some of the most common:
Unlike other medications used to treat anxiety, such as antidepressants, IV and oral ketamine can have a rapid onset of action. Some individuals report feeling the effects within minutes of administration.
A ketamine infusion is a dissociative anesthetic, which can cause a temporary sense of detachment from reality. This can include altered perceptions of time, space, and self.
Ketamine can cause euphoria, which can be pleasurable for some individuals. This effect is thought to be related to the drug's ability to increase dopamine release in the brain.
Ketamine therapy can cause feelings of relaxation and calmness, which can be helpful for individuals with anxiety.
A ketamine infusion has been shown to improve mood in individuals with depression, and some studies suggest that it may also have mood-enhancing effects in individuals with anxiety.
Ketamine treatment therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety symptoms in some individuals with GAD. This effect can last for several days to a few weeks after administration.
Some studies have shown that a single ketamine infusion can significantly relieve anxiety symptoms for up to two weeks, while others have reported longer-lasting benefits of up to a month or more. However, the duration of the effects may vary from person to person, and additional infusions may be needed to maintain the benefits.
Anxiety disorders affect approximately 30% of adults at some point in their lifetime and over 40 million adults every year. Of these specific anxiety disorders, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) affect upwards of 3.1% and 7/1% of the U.S. population and often occur in conjunction with other mental health conditions including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Upwards of 50% of individuals with GAD and SAD can experience anxiety that is not responsive to first-line treatment. Ketamine’s mechanism of action of targeting glutamate receptors has been shown to be effective at not only providing rapid antidepressant effects, but also rapid decreases in anxiety.
Ketamine therapy for anxiety has been found to decrease anxiety and irritability symptoms in as few as one to three hours post-infusion with a duration of sustained results lasting weeks to months. The fundamental differences in how ketamine works to treat anxiety compared to traditional treatments including selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors can work faster and more effectively treat anxiety disorders with often complex origins.
If you are considering an alternative approach to addressing your anxiety, we highly recommend contacting us today at Midwest Alternative Treatment Clinic. On top of that, there are also additional steps that you can take to begin improving your quality of life as a person with anxiety.
Anxiety is a prevalent mental health condition characterized by excessive worry, fear, and nervousness. It can be debilitating and affect an individual’s quality of life. While seeking professional help is recommended, there are things that individuals can do to manage their anxiety symptoms. Here are some strategies that can be helpful:
Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation can help reduce anxiety symptoms. These techniques activate the relaxation response, which counteracts the body's stress response.
Regular exercise is an effective way to manage anxiety symptoms. It can help reduce stress, boost mood, and improve physical health. Exercise also releases endorphins, which are natural mood-boosting chemicals in the brain.
Sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night and establish a regular sleep routine to promote restful sleep.
A healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains can help manage anxiety symptoms. Avoid or limit caffeine and alcohol, which can exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety often involves negative thoughts that can be irrational or distorted. Challenging and replacing these thoughts with more realistic and positive ones can help manage anxiety symptoms. This technique is called cognitive restructuring.
Social support from friends, family, or support groups can help manage anxiety symptoms. Social support can provide a sense of comfort, validation, and perspective.
Mindfulness involves being present at the moment and non-judgmentally observing one's thoughts and emotions. Mindfulness-based techniques are effective in managing anxiety symptoms.
Stress can exacerbate anxiety symptoms, so managing stress levels is important. Strategies for reducing stress include time management, prioritizing self-care, and engaging in relaxing activities.
It's important to remember that managing anxiety symptoms is a process, and what works for one person may not work for another. Finding the best strategies that work best for you may take some trial and error. Seeking professional help is also recommended, as a mental health professional can provide individualized treatment and support.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition characterized by excessive and persistent worry that is difficult to control and interferes with daily life. If left untreated, GAD can have significant long-term effects on a person’s mental and physical health and quality of life.
One of untreated GAD's most significant long-term effects is its impact on mental health. Chronic worry and anxiety can lead to depression, low self-esteem, and hopelessness. This can make it difficult for individuals with GAD to engage in social activities, maintain relationships, and perform well at work or school. Over time, this can harm a person's overall quality of life.
In addition, untreated GAD can increase the risk of developing other mental health conditions, such as panic disorder, substance abuse, and other anxiety disorders. This can further complicate treatment and make it more difficult to manage symptoms. To learn more about anxiety and other mental health disorders, visit the National Institute for Mental Health.
The physical effects of GAD can also be significant if left untreated. Chronic anxiety can lead to increased muscle tension, which can cause headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and other physical discomforts. It can also lead to fatigue, insomnia, and other sleep disturbances, exacerbating anxiety symptoms.
Over time, chronic anxiety can also increase the risk of developing other physical health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and chronic pain conditions. This is because anxiety triggers the release of stress hormones, which can harm the body's immune system and lead to inflammation and other health problems.
Untreated GAD can also significantly impact a person's social and occupational functioning. Chronic anxiety can make it difficult to form and maintain relationships and participate in social activities. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, further exacerbating anxiety symptoms.
In addition, untreated GAD can make performing well at work or school difficult. Chronic worry and anxiety can impact concentration and cognitive functioning, making completing tasks and meeting deadlines difficult. This can lead to poor performance and decreased job or academic satisfaction.
Fortunately, many effective treatments are available for GAD, including therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can help individuals with GAD learn coping skills and strategies to manage their symptoms. Medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines, can also effectively reduce anxiety symptoms.
In addition, lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and stress reduction techniques, can also help manage symptoms of GAD. These approaches can help reduce stress's impact on the body and promote overall health and well-being.
Untreated GAD can have significant long-term effects on a person's mental and physical health and social and occupational functioning. However, with appropriate treatment, individuals with GAD can learn to manage their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life. It's important for individuals with GAD to seek help from a qualified healthcare professional and to engage in self-care practices to manage their symptoms and promote overall health and well-being.
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