Are you fed up with life because of depression? Let's talk about Ketamine (Ketamine for Depression)

Imagine someone who has been suffering from severe depression for 25 years. They have tried every medication and treatment available, but there is no relief. They are fed up with life and are so helpless that they can't even get up from the sofa. Would you believe me if I told you that a drug called 'Ketamine' gave them a new lease of life? This is something that has really happened to some people. But behind every success story, we also hear about people who have lost their lives by misusing this drug. So, what exactly is Ketamine? Does it help with mental illnesses like depression? Is it worth the risk? Let's talk about this simply and clearly.

What is Ketamine?

Simply put, Ketamine is actually an anesthetic. That is, a drug that causes drowsiness. This drug, which was first used to anesthetize animals in the 1960s, was approved by the US FDA for use in humans in 1970. It was also used to treat soldiers injured in the Vietnam War.

In an emergency, for example, after rescuing someone who was about to commit suicide, there are times when this drug is given in the ambulance to control their agitation. It was because of incidents like this that doctors began to understand its power against depression. Imagine, after giving Ketamine to a person who was about to jump off a bridge and sedating him, about 9 months later he says, "I haven't thought about killing myself in 9 months." As more and more stories like this pile up, doctors thought, "Maybe there's something to this."

But there is a dark side to this. Ketamine is a drug that some people use to get high. Some people call it 'Special K', 'Super K'. It is injected, added to drinks, and used in cigarettes.

This experience lasts about two hours. It should only be taken under medical supervision. This is because it carries serious risks such as loss of consciousness, high blood pressure, and slowed breathing. If used incorrectly, it can lead to long-term problems such as bladder problems and drug addiction.

How do I get Ketamine treatment?

Currently, the only FDA-approved treatment for depression is a nasal spray made from ketamine called Esketamine. It is given only in a certified clinic to people with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder who have not responded to at least two other antidepressants. After the patient is given the spray, they are monitored by medical staff for two hours.

Other methods, such as intravenous (IV) Ketamine, are not yet FDA-approved for psychiatric treatment. However, doctors are using this method under medical supervision, based on research data, for people who have not responded to other medications.

• Treatment: Patients are typically given six IV infusions over three weeks.
• Dosage: The dosage must be determined very precisely, as there is a very narrow range of doses that are effective for depression but not for anesthesia.
• Supervision: A doctor will be present for the entire 40 minutes of IV administration and beyond. They will be ready to help immediately if the patient experiences any discomfort or confusion.

How does it feel during treatment?

People who have received this treatment describe the experience in different ways. A woman named Krista, who has suffered from depression and anxiety since childhood, later developed PTSD and chronic pain. She says that before Ketamine treatment, these illnesses controlled her life.

Jeff, the person we spoke to earlier, described his experience this way: "It was like floating in a pool of water. That was the first time I understood the meaning of the word 'happy place'. Everything related to my real life disappeared, and I didn't feel that weight that I was carrying around everywhere."

After treatment, as the effects of Ketamine wear off, some clinics also offer a conversation with the patient to help them integrate what they learned from the experience into their lives. This gives the patient an opportunity to talk about old issues and pain.

How does Ketamine affect the brain?

The amazing thing is that it's not the 'dissociative experience' that you experience during treatment that brings relief from depression. That relief comes afterwards. That is, the way your brain responds after being exposed to Ketamine is the treatment.

Simply think of it this way:

In people with long-term, severe depression, some of the important connections (synapses) that transmit messages between nerve cells in the brain are lost. Research has found that within 24 hours of the first dose of ketamine, these lost connections begin to grow back. The more these connections grow, the greater the relief from depression.

In other words, the nerve cells in our brains that are involved in our mood use a chemical called ``glutamate`` to communicate with each other. Some people with depression have weakened receptors in their brains that respond to ``glutamate.`` Ketamine works by rebuilding these receptors and helping nerve cells communicate properly again.

When brain connections are repaired in this way, even antidepressants or psychotherapy that previously did not work can begin to work.

What are the side effects and risks?

Even when used under medical supervision, Ketamine can have side effects.

Risk of addiction

Yes, Ketamine is a potentially addictive drug. But doctors say that when treated under proper medical supervision and according to the correct protocol, the risk of addiction is very low. The risk comes when someone starts using it for their own purposes without medical advice.

Who is this not suitable for?

Ketamine treatment may not be appropriate for people with a history of drug abuse and mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. People with bipolar disorder should also be very careful, as Ketamine can rarely cause a manic episode. This should be decided by your doctor.