Ketamine infusions are a type of medication that relieves depression, anxiety, and pain. The drug allows the patient to achieve a deep state of relaxation. This state of mind can improve the patient’s perception of his or her environment and relieve pain. Some patients report feeling less depressed immediately after receiving ketamine treatment. After just one session, the effects of ketamine therapy can last for months. Ketamine can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, depression, and PTSD. Visit California Center for Ketamine Therapy

Before receiving ketamine infusions, patients should consult their physician about their current condition and medical history. The doctor will likely place a blood pressure cuff or pulse oximeter on the patient’s arm during the procedure. During this time, the doctor will monitor vital signs and ensure that the patient is comfortable. If a patient has been prescribed ketamine, the physician should be able to help him or her get through the process of recovery.

Winograd, a father of two small children in Portland, OR, had been suffering from a deep depression for months. His depression had become so bad that he felt paralyzed by his feelings. He sought the help of a doctor friend who recommended ketamine to treat depression in his case. Though ketamine started in Belgium as a medicine for animals, the FDA approved it as a therapy for humans in the 1970s. It was used to treat the injured soldiers during the Vietnam War.

Patients with depression can undergo ketamine therapy as an intravenous (IV) infusion. The drug has no approval as a mood disorder treatment. Most research regarding this treatment has come from patients who have received ketamine infusions. This type of therapy can be very effective in relieving the symptoms of depression. The most common side effect after undergoing ketamine therapy is a noticeable increase in mood. The treatment is effective when used in combination with psychotherapy.

One study found that ketamine significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with depression and anxiety. In addition, ketamine’s immediate action on the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor is beneficial for patients with severe depression and anxiety. The effects of ketamine were long-lasting, lasting up to a month. The effectiveness of ketamine therapy is largely unknown, however, because of its open-label design.

One of the reasons ketamine can help treat depression is its ability to restore damaged synapses. People with chronic depression often lose these important connections due to stress. Ketamine can help regrow lost synapses in the brain. The more synapses there are, the stronger the antidepressant effects of ketamine. Although the treatment has a number of drawbacks, it is worth exploring as an option for those who have not found success with conventional mental health treatments.

While most ketamine providers require patients to visit an office to begin therapy, some offer remote screenings. Mindbloom, for example, provides ketamine lozenges to its clients. The company pairs clients with psychiatric clinicians who will determine if the drug is right for them. The telemedicine sessions are typically scheduled via Skype or FaceTime and patients meet virtually with a “psychedelic guide” before and after each session. Psychedelic guides have completed training in mental health, crisis management, and life coaching.