Ketamine

What is ketamine?

Ketamine is a well-known medication used widely as an aesthetic, having been used safely for decades during operations. Recent discoveries found that ketamine can act as a reset to the brain, restoring neurotransmitter function and improving mood and energy.

That makes ketamine a powerful treatment for depression and anxiety. Infusions may also redirect pain signals, helping you find relief from chronic discomfort.

What is a candidate for ketamine treatment?

Ketamine infusion may be appropriate if your depression has failed to respond to other, more conventional treatments like talk therapy and traditional antidepressant medications.

It’s also effective for people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and those who suffer from chronic and debilitating pain.

Before you receive ketamine treatment from Invigorate Asheville, you need to provide a referral from your primary care physician or psychiatrist.

What can I expect during ketamine infusion therapy?

Ketamine infusion therapy involves very small doses of the anesthetic, so it puts you into a state of sleep. Your provider customizes the exact dosage delivered during your infusion based on your height, weight, and depression or pain symptoms.

During a ketamine infusion, you sit in a comfortable chair and receive the ketamine via an IV. You may experience mild hallucinations or a floating out-of-body sensation during therapy. These side effects subside soon after treatment is complete.

Plan to have a friend or family member drive you home upon release from Invigorate Asheville. You need to schedule rest for the remainder of the day and the night following ketamine infusion.

When might I notice the results of a ketamine infusion?

Ketamine acts on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in your brain and stimulates glutamate activity almost right away. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that regulates your mood. When NMDA and glutamate activate, symptoms of depression and pain fade quickly.

Expect your mood to improve in three to four hours after treatment. Lasting results come from a series of treatments; Invigorate Asheville customizes your specific protocol. Ketamine doesn’t take weeks or months to build-up in your body like conventional antidepressants.

How many ketamine sessions do I need?

Invigorate Asheville recommends a series of treatments for you to achieve the best results. About half of patients also benefit from occasional follow-up treatments once their initial treatment protocol is complete.

For depression, Dr. Dula recommends six one-hour treatments received over the course of four weeks. For pain, people do best with five four-hour drips delivered daily for five days. Chronic, persistent pain may need additional weekly four-hour visits after this initial treatment.

To learn more about how ketamine therapy can greatly improve depression or pain, call Invigorate Asheville, or use the online tool to schedule an appointment.