Is Ketamine Therapy Right for Me?
Ketamine therapy for depression is one of the biggest breakthroughs in psychiatric treatment in the last decade of research. When first-line interventions like antidepressants fail to improve symptoms, people struggling with treatment-resistant depression are now eligible to receive ketamine treatments as of a 2019 FDA decision (Grinspoon, 2024). So, how does this treatment work, and how do you know if it’s right for you?
Ketamine is a type of psychoactive medication known as a dissociative, and it typically induces pain relief, forgetfulness, and pain relief (Grinspoon, 2024). Recent research has shown that short-term ketamine treatment significantly reduces symptoms of depression; moreover, long-term treatments can help clients stay in remission better than antidepressants alone (Grinspoon, 2024). It’s theorized to work by inducing neuroplasticity - the brain’s ability to generate and change neural networks - therefore allowing people to build healthier ways of thinking and feeling (Kopelman et al., 2023). Considering the shortcomings of our best available antidepressant medications (only about half of people will respond to them, they take several weeks to take effect, and it may take several different prescriptions to find one that works for each person), it’s easy to see the benefit of a powerful, quick intervention like ketamine therapy.
This new therapy is typically offered at freestanding clinics under the supervision of a psychiatrist or other prescribing healthcare provider. New clients will typically have to complete an intake interview, then receive several sessions of ketamine infusions under medical supervision. Some clinics offer therapy under the influence of ketamine; more often, the ketamine infusion is a stand-alone treatment. Importantly, IV ketamine therapy for depression is not covered by insurance, which means that it can get very costly; however, the nasal spray version of ketamine, Spravato, is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and may be covered by insurance (Grinspoon, 2024).
If traditional treatments for depression such as antidepressants have not helped you feel better, you might be a good candidate for ketamine therapy. Fast-acting ketamine might be especially useful for providing relief from severe symptoms of depression in the intermediate period when a new antidepressant is just “kicking in” (Grinspoon, 2024). If you think ketamine might be right for you, talk to your psychiatrist or medication manager about a referral. If you decide to pursue ketamine treatment, however, be aware that ketamine clinics are a business first and foremost. Look for trained clinical staff, reasonable pricing, and ethical business practices before booking your first appointment with a new clinic.
Finally, it’s important to understand that ketamine reduces the symptoms of depression temporarily, it’s not a cure. Ketamine helps the brain build new, healthier connections and patterns, but talk therapy is still needed to help you untangle the neural networks that maintain depression. If you are looking for a therapist to help you overcome depression, look no further than our experienced clinicians at AWC.
References
Grinspoon, P., MD. (2024, February 15). Ketamine for treatment-resistant depression: When and where is it safe? Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ketamine-for-treatment-resistant-depression-when-and-where-is-it-safe-202208092797
Kopelman, J., Keller, T. A., Panny, B., Griffo, A., Degutis, M., Spotts, C., Cruz, N., Bell, E., Do-Nguyen, K., Wallace, M. L., Mathew, S. J., Howland, R. H., & Price, R. B. (2023). Rapid neuroplasticity changes and response to intravenous ketamine: a randomized controlled trial in treatment-resistant depression. Translational Psychiatry, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-023-02451-0
