Ketamine was approved by the FDA as an anesthetic agent in 1970. Not long after it was introduced, the hallucinogenic and feel-good effects began to be noticed. It became a party drug, known on the street as Special K. Recently its reputation has been changing. Because it works in an entirely different manner than the anti-depressants, Ketamine has become an important therapy for treatment resistant major depressive disorder. About one third of MDD patients do not respond to conventional therapy. The drug also has impressive anti-inflammatory effects and has been effective in treating chronic pain.
What can Ketamine treat?
- Major depression
- Anxiety
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Chronic pain
- Some auto-immune diseases
Ketamine infusion therapy in Denver CO is given in an iv solution over about one hour. You will be lying down or resting comfortably in a recliner during the infusion. The usual protocol is to give six infusions over the course of a few weeks, following up with booster infusions as needed. Mood elevation is noticeable in hours to days instead of weeks.
Side effects are few and transient. While the drug is infusing, you may feel like you’re floating, and you may be drowsy for a few hours. Your blood pressure may go up. You will be carefully monitored for that. Some people may experience nausea, but anti-nausea medicine will be given. Because the FDA has not yet approved Ketamine infusion therapy for anything other than anesthesia, your insurance will not cover the treatments.
If you have suffered with depression for a long time and have not improved on oral anti-depressants, you might consider Ketamine infusion therapy in Denver CO. For more information visit The Catalyst Center, INC.
