Some of the conditions treated with Ketamine include:
Depression
Many people across the globe suffer from depression, and it is considered to be among the largest causes of disability worldwide. In many instances, ketamine infusions have given relief to four out of five people in as little as one session. Ultimately, those who suffer from bouts of depression may find relief in the form of ketamine, particularly if other medications and antidepressants have not worked in the past.
Bipolar Depression
Bipolar depression is accompanied by intense mania or euphoria followed by severe misery. Stabilizing moods to break the cycle of mania and depression is key to successful treatment. Ketamine infusions offer relief and improvement in symptoms faster than other treatments, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation or electroconvulsive therapy, which often take weeks or months to reach their full effect. Patients have reported improvements after two weeks of repeated doses accompanied by psychotherapy.
Severe Anxiety
Dealing with severe anxiety can be incredibly frustrating, and whether you see symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pains or trembling, sweating, and dizziness, you may be looking for a solution. Because anxiety affects such a large population of people, it is important to find permanent changes that can provide relief. Additionally, prescription drugs can take quite some time to become effective and often carry unwanted side effects and even addictive potential, while ketamine infusions may help to provide relief in as little as 2 or 3 treatments.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Almost eight percent of the population suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms often include flashbacks, intrusive memories, memory loss, and mood changes, to name a few. Most standard treatments have been found largely ineffective. However, it has been reported that a single ketamine infusion for 40 or more minutes can cause a rapid decrease in PTSD symptoms. Patients often know after two or three treatments whether it’s an effective choice for them. If they show a positive response, patients can experience tremendous relief in a series of six treatments over the course of two to three weeks.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Classified as an anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder plagues patients with recurring and unwanted thoughts that drive them to perform repeated actions. This can be debilitating and even life-threatening. Existing treatments, which include antidepressants and cognitive behavior therapy, are only helpful in around 50 percent of cases. Ketamine infusions can quickly alleviate symptoms of OCD in patients with constant intrusive thoughts. Exposure therapy after completing a course of ketamine treatments can restore healthy brain function and help the individual create healthier rituals to cope with everyday life.
Migraines
Nearly 38 million people regularly experience migraines in the United States alone, and if you’re one of those people, you’re probably looking for some relief. Migraines can cause debilitating pain, along with other disruptive symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sounds. Patients who regularly experience migraines may have developed an intolerance to medicine, making ketamine infusions an ideal solution. It has been found that 75 percent of patients experience improvements in their migraine intensity after a series of ketamine treatments.
Suicidal Ideation
If you deal with suicidal thoughts, you deserve to get the help you need. Because suicide rates have increased by over 30 percent in the past two decades, more people are seeking answers. Recent studies have shown that ketamine treatment may reduce suicidal thoughts in 82 percent of those who receive serial ketamine infusions and even eliminate suicidal ideation in 68 percent of patients.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic disorder that often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Symptoms can include fatigue, stiffness, headaches, sleep problems, and more. Current treatments are often medications such as Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, narcotics, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants. Ketamine treatment has been shown to be revolutionary for fibromyalgia, showing a significant reduction in pain intensity during and after the infusion treatment period.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Complex regional pain syndrome is a form of chronic pain that typically develops after an injury, surgery, stroke, or heart attack and usually affects an arm or a leg. Symptoms can range from uncomfortable to crippling. However, ketamine treatments have been found to significantly reduce symptoms of CRPS and provide relief from joint stiffness, muscle spasms, throbbing or burning pain, and more. Patients usually experience relief in the first few treatments.