Recently, Ketamine treatments have gained a lot of popularity in the medical world due to their effectiveness in managing depression. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which take time to work alongside their disruptive side effects, Ketamine offers much more benefits of providing faster relief.
Although this treatment is effective, it is only available in clinics such as Complete ketamine solutions of Hollywood due to its tendency to be abused. Learn more about this treatment type as you read further.
What is Ketamine Treatment
Ketamine is a schedule 3 non-narcotic medication that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as general anesthetics. However, some doctors prescribe it as an off-label use to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain.
Types of Ketamine Treatments
Ketamine infusions
This involves administering Ketamine by injecting it into the bloodstream. This should be done in a clinic and should take about 40 minutes to administer.
Intramuscular treatments
Unlike the infusion, a shot of Ketamine is injected into your muscles rather than into your bloodstream. It should also be administered in a hospital and should take about 40 minutes.
Lozenge (troche)
Here, Ketamine is taken orally. This can either be done at the hospital or at home under medical supervision. It can also either be prescribed as the primary treatment or as a secondary treatment to be administered in between intravenous, intramuscular, or nasal treatments.
Nasal Treatments
A type of Ketamine known as Spravato is administered through a nasal spray, and this procedure is usually carried out by a doctor. The patient would be placed under medical supervision for about two hours in case of any side effects. Nasal spray can also be administered in a pharmacy following the directives of a doctor.
How Long Does a Ketamine Treatment Last?
A standard ketamine treatment plan will require a total of 6 infusions over a 3-4 week period. A single treatment can take between 40minutes to 3 hours to complete depending on some factors such as the treatment method, dosage, metabolic rate, and body mass of the patient.
Several individuals may have different experiences, but a general overview of how long treatment would last has been outlined below.
- 0 to 15 minutes: initial effects and dosing begin to set in.
- 15 to 45 minutes: patient begins to experience the full effects of the medication.
- 45 minutes to 1 hour: the patient may begin to regain consciousness.
- 1 hour +: effects of dizziness begin to wear off.
Keratin treatments are stipulated to last for about an hour, while recovery can last up to three hours. It would take 10-12 hours to flush the treatment completely from the body.
After a treatment session, it is advised for patients to take a break from work or strenuous physical activities.
Benefits of Ketamine Treatments
It Has a High Success Rate
Although the use of Ketamine treatment is still being researched, current studies have shown a significant improvement in patients even after one treatment session.
Works Quickly
Ketamine treatments have an immediate effect on patients, unlike SSRIs, which require several weeks of treatment to evaluate their effects.
Longer Lasting Results
Ketamine treatments provide a long-lasting effect even after the treatment has ended. On the other hand, traditional anti-depressants are only effective with consistent daily use.
What to Expect During a Ketamine Treatment
Meet your Doctor
This is the first step in receiving your treatment. Your doctor will ensure that you remain comfortable throughout your treatment period. Should you have any concerns or questions concerning the treatment, they would be available to address them quickly.
Begin your dosage
The next step is to begin your treatment. Before now, you must have discussed with your doctor which treatment option would be most suitable for you. Most treatment options would allow you to engage in other relaxation activities, such as listening to music or having a conversation with the doctor before the effect of the medication sets in.
Feel the relief
A good number of patients show improvements after the first treatment session. However, this may not be the case for everyone. Some may require several sessions before noticing an improvement.
Ketamine treatments should only be considered when a patient has tried other treatment methods with no signs of improvement. Always consult with a specialist to know if it’s the right option for you. In case you begin to experience any side effects during the treatment, don’t hesitate to let your doctor know.