Ketamine initially used as an anesthetic, is today being used to treat anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Ketamine therapy can be administered as an intravenous infusion or a nasal spray. Whether you take Ketamine as a spray or an IV, it will stimulate different parts of your brain and relieve you of your symptoms. As a result, you will notice an improvement in your mood and feel more relaxed after the treatment. But before you look for Atlanta Ketamine treatment options, you must determine whether the treatment is right for you.
How Do You Know Ketamine Therapy is Right for You?
There are several treatment options for people with mental health issues. So how do you know if Ketamine therapy is right for you? While you must speak to a medical professional to determine whether you are eligible for the treatment, below are certain situations when the treatment may apply to you:
You Have Treatment-Resistant Depression
There are many people for whom traditional anti-depressants may not work to treat depression. Ketamine therapy is helpful for treatment-resistant depression, giving such people the option of recovering from the condition.
You Want Quick Relief with Minimal Side Effects
Ketamine therapy is known for working quickly. You may notice a change as fast as an hour after treatment. The treatment is said to have long-lasting effects on mood disorders. Some patients may report an immediate decrease in suicidal thoughts and thoughts of self-harm after the first dose. In addition, the treatment doesn’t have long-lasting side effects. Even minor side effects like nausea and dizziness last a short time.
You Suffer from Chronic Pain
If you suffer from chronic pain, then Ketamine therapy can help you. Ketamine is a pain-relieving medication that can help decrease your pain.
You Have Suicidal Thoughts
Ketamine can help reduce suicidal thoughts quickly. As a result, it is considered to be a life-saving medication for people with such thoughts. Some people may report feeling an almost immediate decrease in suicidal thoughts after a single Ketamine injection.
You Suffer from Severe Anxiety
Some anxiety disorders, like treatment-resistant depression, don’t respond to traditional treatment methods. In such cases, Ketamine therapy can help reduce severe anxiety.
What To Expect During the Therapy Sessions?
Ketamine therapy is usually administered as an intravenous infusion. The treatment typically lasts for about 40 -45 minutes. The dose is usually lower than what is used for sedation. Tablets dissolving under your tongue and intramuscular injections are also becoming popular for Ketamine therapy. You will be made to sit comfortably in a chair and can listen to music during the treatment. The sessions required will vary, depending on your condition and response to the therapy. In most cases, treatment providers recommend a six-session course spread over a period of two to three weeks. Most of the time, talk therapy is also included in the treatment after the drug effects end.
What Do Ketamine Infusions Feel Like?
Ketamine therapy may feel different for different people. However, most patients feel like they are floating outside their bodies during the infusions. In addition, some people may experience increased sensory awareness, while others may cry uncontrollably or feel anxious. Side effects of Ketamine therapy include drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, disassociation, and poor coordination. Your blood pressure may also increase, which is why it is essential to be monitored by a medical professional during treatment.
Ketamine treatments give you a break from disturbing thought patterns. As the negative thinking starts to reduce, during and after the sessions, you can respond better to psychotherapy and work easily around your behavior patterns.
Is Ketamine Therapy Safe?
When administered under supervision and with patient screening, Ketamine therapy can be safe. However, Ketamine is a controlled substance under the Drug Enforcement Administration because of its potential for abuse and is subject to safety regulations and controls. In addition, certain people may not be eligible for Ketamine therapy if they:
- Are pregnant
- Have uncontrolled hypertension
- Are a patient of an acute cardiovascular disease
- Have reacted negatively to the therapy previously
- Have a history of psychosis, substance abuse, or high intracranial pressure
Ketamine therapy can be beneficial to treat certain disorders and conditions, provided an experienced treatment provider like Complete Ketamine Solutions of Atlanta administers it. They offer Ketamine infusion therapy and follow the most advanced set of infusion protocols. They have performed over 6,000 successful infusions, and their team will help you determine whether you are eligible for it.
