An Innovative Treatment Option for Depression and Chronic Pain
Depression and chronic pain can be debilitating conditions that greatly reduce one’s quality of life. Traditional treatment methods like antidepressant medications or painkillers often provide limited relief.
But there is new hope. An innovative therapy that uses low doses of the drug ketamine through an IV infusion has shown remarkable potential as a fast-acting antidepressant and pain reliever.
In this comprehensive guide, we explore everything you need to know about ketamine IV therapy for depression and pain, including its benefits, risks, and what to expect during treatment.
Read on to see if this cutting-edge therapy could help you reclaim your mental and physical well-being.
What is Ketamine IV Therapy?
Ketamine IV therapy involves administering low doses of ketamine intravenously through an infusion, typically over 40 minutes. This allows the ketamine to directly enter the bloodstream and circulate through the body and brain.
Ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic that has potent antidepressant and pain relief effects at sub-anesthetic doses. It has been used for decades as an anesthetic in surgery and veterinary medicine. More recently, ketamine IV therapy has emerged as an off-label treatment for major depression, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, and other mental health conditions.
The standard dose given for depression treatment is 0.5 mg/kg over a 40-minute infusion. Ketamine clinics may recommend 3-6 sessions administered over several weeks for optimal results. Ongoing booster treatments may also help maintain remission of symptoms.
How Does It Work?
Ketamine IV therapy works differently than conventional antidepressants. It produces rapid antidepressant effects by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain that are involved in depressive circuitry and processing pain signals.
Specifically, ketamine binds to NMDA receptors on brain cell membranes. This blocks the neurotransmitter glutamate from binding to the NMDA receptor. Glutamate excites nerves, so blocking it disrupts pathways implicated in depression and reduces pain signaling.
Ketamine infusion also stimulates the growth of new synaptic connections between neurons in areas of the brain impacting mood, emotion, and cognition like the prefrontal cortex. Rebuilding these connections may reverse depression symptoms and improve brain plasticity.
The exact mechanisms are still being investigated, but studies confirm ketamine IV therapy can quickly improve treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain, and suicidal thoughts when other treatments have failed.
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Benefits of Ketamine IV Therapy
Clinical research over the past two decades has demonstrated ketamine IV therapy has several advantages as a psychiatric and pain treatment:
| Benefit | Description |
| Rapid antidepressant effects | Many patients report improved mood and reduced depressive symptoms within hours or days, unlike the weeks or months standard antidepressants can take. |
| Reduced suicidal thoughts | Studies show ketamine IVs can quickly decrease suicidal ideation in depressed patients. This has obvious lifesaving implications. |
| Improved cognitive function | Some evidence indicates ketamine may improve cognitive flexibility and working memory in the short-term. |
| Fewer narcotic painkillers needed | Research suggests ketamine infusions can reduce reliance on opioids for chronic pain. This helps avoid issues like tolerance. |
| Anxiety relief | Ketamine appears to reduce anxiety and fear response in the amygdala. This manifests as anti-anxiety effects. |
| Lasting impact | While the peak benefits of ketamine IVs fade after about 1-2 weeks, the improved neural connections created can have lasting antidepressant effects. |
Conditions That Ketamine IV Therapy Treats
Ketamine IV therapy has shown therapeutic potential for a wide variety of psychiatric disorders and types of chronic pain:
- Major depressive disorder
- Bipolar depression
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Social anxiety disorder
- Suicidal ideation
- Neuropathic pain
- Migraines and headaches
- Fibromyalgia
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Phantom limb pain
- Cancer pain
- Postherpetic neuralgia
Side Effects of Ketamine IV Therapy
Ketamine has been used safely for anesthesia for decades. When administered in controlled IV infusions, side effects are generally mild and temporary. Possible side effects include:
- Dizziness, blurred vision, lack of coordination
- Nausea
- Confusion, vivid dreams, hallucinations
- Sedation – During the infusion, you’ll be in a relaxed, sedated state
- Increase in heart rate and blood pressure – This resolves quickly once the infusion ends
- Headache, anxiety
- Euphoria, feeling “floaty” or disconnected
- Dry mouth
The psychedelic side effects some associate with ketamine are rare at the low doses given in IV therapy. You’ll be in a comfortable, reclined chair in a peaceful setting during your infusion, with relaxing music if desired. Any perceptual effects normally quickly resolve once the infusion ends.
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How Many Ketamine IV Infusion Sessions Are Needed?
Most patients require a series of 3-6 ketamine IV infusion sessions administered over several weeks for long-lasting relief of depression or pain symptoms.
Each session lasts around 40 minutes with a standard dose of 0.5 mg/kg given through IV infusion. Higher doses up to 0.75 mg/kg may occasionally be used. The initial infusions aim to rapidly reduce symptoms, while subsequent sessions help strengthen and prolong the benefits.
Many patients report the positive effects tapering off about 1-2 weeks after treatment.
Maintenance booster infusions every 1-3 months can help sustain remission of depression or pain over the long term. Some patients only require occasional boosters while others undergo them regularly.
Our ketamine doctors will advise on the ideal treatment plan based on your individual condition and response to the infusions. Most find that a series of initial intensive infusions followed by periodic boosters keeps their symptoms at bay.
Is Ketamine Therapy Covered By Insurance?
Because ketamine is used off-label for depression, insurance companies currently do not provide coverage for the infusions. Patients pay for ketamine therapy out-of-pocket.
Prices range widely but the average cost per infusion is $350-800, with discounted package plans sometimes available. It’s best to contact your nearest qualified ketamine clinic for current pricing information.
Some clinics may be able to assist you in submitting reimbursement claims to your insurer. They can provide details on any potential discounts or financial assistance options they offer.
We recommend calling your insurance provider to verify your coverage for ketamine therapy. Some plans may cover associated medical services like doctor visits and monitoring during infusions even if the ketamine itself isn’t covered.
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Why Choose Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness for Ketamine IV Therapy?
Under the expert care of Dr. Hardik Soni and his experienced clinical staff, Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness provides customized ketamine IV therapy to help patients struggling with treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain, and other debilitating conditions reclaim their health, happiness, and purpose.
We develop personalized infusion treatment plans using the latest therapeutic protocols to ensure optimal safety and results. During your infusion, our caring staff will monitor you closely in our peaceful, spa-like therapy suites.
Dr. Soni is highly selective about which patients qualify for ketamine therapy and diligently screens for contraindications. We also incorporate holistic wellness approaches to support your ketamine treatment journey like psychotherapy, nutrition optimization, and life coaching.
To see if you may be a candidate for ketamine IV therapy through Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness, schedule a free consultation with Dr. Soni. You’ll have a chance to ask him questions and learn how ketamine infusions could help improve your mental health and chronic pain.
Take the first step toward lasting relief and a deeper sense of well-being. Schedule your free consultation today.
