Ketamine has a long history of use in ways that are both legal and illegal. Its medical uses date back to the Vietnam war when it was commonly used as battlefield anesthesia for injured soldiers. Following the war, it continued to be used as a sedative in the operating room. Illegal street usage of ketamine has somewhat tainted public opinion of this medication. Still, it is beginning to attain some status as a promising treatment for depression and related mental health disorders. Ketamine transfusions, when administered by medical professionals, are a safe, effective method of treating mental health disorders. It holds special promise of treating depression that otherwise resists remediation through typical antidepressant prescriptions.
Contact Rockland Recovery by calling us at 855.732.4842 today to learn more about ketamine transfusion treatment in Massachusetts.
What Is a Ketamine Transfusion?
Ketamine transfusions are any application of intravenous ketamine to reduce symptoms related to depression. Ketamine can also be delivered as a nasal spray, though ketamine transfusions are the more common method when treating depression.
During a ketamine transfusion, ketamine is delivered directly to a client’s bloodstream through an IV. It is important to note that ketamine transfusions are not the first line of defense for treating depression. They tend to be fallback measures when other methods fail to deliver promising results. This is primarily related to ketamine transfusions not being FDA-approved for treating depression despite their positive track record. In addition, most insurance providers do not cover ketamine transfusion treatments for depression, citing its lack of FDA approval.
Since it is delivered through an IV, ketamine tends to be fast-acting. Positive effects are often noticed in just a few hours, with symptom relief lasting for days, if not weeks. Clients who receive ketamine transfusions typically receive a series of initial transfusions spread across a number of weeks. Long-term maintenance can involve a ketamine transfusion on an approximately monthly basis.
Ketamine Transfusion Efficacy
Having answered, “What is a ketamine transfusion?” the natural next question is, “Do ketamine transfusions actually treat depression?” In most cases, the answer is yes. Researchers aren’t entirely sure why ketamine is as effective in treating depression as it is. But the reality remains that ketamine transfusions are often significant at reducing depression symptoms in people who resist other forms of treatment.
In addition, ketamine’s fast-acting nature makes it an excellent treatment for people whose depression is severe to the point of suicidal ideation. In those cases, symptom relief is a matter of life and death. Ketamine is often able to reduce symptoms and help people stabilize.
One reason that ketamine helps treat depression is that it binds to receptors in the brain to produce glutamate. Glutamate is vital for communicating between neurons and building new neural pathways. This can positively impact mood, cognition, and thought patterns. There is also some evidence that ketamine transfusions reduce inflammation, which can be a common issue in people with mood disorders.
What Is Ketamine Transfusion Like for Massachusetts Residents?
Rockland Recovery is a leading provider of ketamine transfusion treatment for Massachusetts residents and others in the Manchester, New Hampshire, area. Getting a series of ketamine transfusions is straightforward and accessible. Ketamine transfusions may be what finally produces symptom relief from depression.
Moreover, side effects related to ketamine transfusions are limited. The most common side effects are:
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- High blood pressure
While these side effects tend to be mild, the possibility of high blood pressure resulting from ketamine transfusion means people with hypertension are not good candidates for ketamine transfusions out of an abundance of caution.
Get Depression Relief at Recovery Health Today
Access New Hampshire ketamine transfusion services by contacting 855.732.4842 today. We can discuss the possibilities of ketamine transfusion as a treatment option for depression and guide you through the process from start to finish.
