What Is Ketamine?
Ketamine is an anesthetic developed in the early 1960s and is one of the most widely used drugs in modern medicine. It has a variety of medical uses and is FDA-approved as an anaesthesic. Ketamine has a remarkably safe track record in surgical settings and is frequently used in pediatric surgery. The military has used ketamine as a battlefield anesthetic since the Vietnam War ad Ketamine is also used in veterinary medicine. It is now being used to treat depression, PTSD and extreme physical pain.
For the past 15 years researchers have known that tiny doses of ketamine can rapidly relieve depression symptoms when delivered via slow intravenous infusion. The first scholarly paper describing this discovery was published by Yale in 2000. Since then, dozens more studies have been conducted by Yale and other major institutions, including the National Institutes of Health, the Veterans Administration, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Mount Sinai Medical School, Oxford University, and more. The original findings have been reconfirmed many times.
Treatment Results
Studies to date have focused on the worst-of-the-worst cases. These are treatment-resistant patients who have suffered for years or decades, often since childhood. They have tried SSRIs, mood stabilizers, and many other medications with no success. Most have also tried standard therapies like psychological counseling or CBT, as well as alternative treatments like acupuncture, with little to no benefit. Among these extreme cases, an astonishing 70% experience rapid relief after a small IV infusion of ketamine. For those who benefit from ketamine the response tends to feel different than when using SSRIs. People often describe a clarity of thinking, lifting of the weight of depression and an increased functional capacity which can take effect within the first few hours following treatment.
Ketamine Infusion Therapy Process
The ketamine must be administered in a very precise way in order to achieve the antidepressant effect. Virtually all the research studies have used intravenous infusion to ensure it goes directly into the bloodstream at a carefully controlled rate and straight to your brain without first being metabolized by the body. The IV drip rate will be set very precisely and fine-tuned throughout the procedure so that the optimal rate is maintained. Here at Ketamine Colorado Springs we make it our number one priority to deliver just the right amount of medication and the right timing to get you the best results we can.
Side Effects Of Ketamine Infusion
When considering the side effects of ketamine infusion for pain or ketamine therapy, it's important to note that any dissociative changes are typically mild and transient, if experienced at all. Temporary elevations in heart rate and blood pressure can also occur, but these effects are generally well tolerated and seldom lead to treatment discontinuation. During the infusion, some individuals may feel floaty or disconnected, sensations that typically last only about 45 minutes. Additionally, some people may experience mild nausea.
Schedule Your Ketamine Infusion Therapy Today
Ready to break free from the shackles of depression, PTSD, or chronic pain? Experience the life-changing benefits of ketamine infusion therapy at Ketamine Colorado Springs. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and embark on the path to a brighter, pain-free future.