Uncategorized Archives ~ Ketamine Therapy for Depression and Anxiety

Ketamine Infusion Aftercare: Answering all your questions

How long does Ketamine Infusion last? Can you work after Ketamine Infusion? What should I do the night before Ketamine Infusion? In this article, we’ll be diving into all these questions and more. If you are looking for medically supervised and assisted psychedelic therapy in Philadelphia and have furher questions, contact us at Mindstream Medicine today. First: what is ketamine infusion therapy? What is ketamine infusion therapy used for? The medication works by stimulating the brain and creating new neural pathways that often leave patients feeling more open-minded, relaxed, and generally calm. This can help TRD, Treatment Resistant Depression, as well as anxiety and ptsd. To learn more about how it works, check out our blog posts comparing the differences between antidepressants and SSRIs. Note that with psychedelic treatment, it’s imperative to have treatment in a medically assisted way, to ensure safety. If you’re in Philadelphia, looking for a ketamine…

How Much is Ketamine Treatment

The Costs of Ketamine Therapy The short answer is that the cost of ketamine therapy depends on the type of treatment a patient receives. Different delivery methods prove to have different efficacies. This is because depending on the way the drug is administered to the body, the bioavailability of it can change. Bioavailability is an indicator of how much of a substance reaches the bloodstream and can be used by the body after being administered. Here is a quick breakdown of the costs and differences among the various methods of treatment: Oral Treatment: Intranasal Sprays: Intramuscular Injections: IV Infusion: Is Ketamine Therapy Covered by Insurance? Unfortunately, most large insurance providers, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, do not yet cover ketamine therapy. This is because it is not officially approved by the FDA for depression, anxiety, or PTSD as of January 2024. This may soon change: as recently as June…

The Safety of Ketamine Infusion: Ketamine’s Side Effects

What is Ketamine Infusion Therapy? A newer, innovative approach to treating mental health concerns, ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. Originally used as an anesthetic for pain management during invasive procedures, ketamine is now being explored for its remarkable effects on Treatment Resistant Depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Targeting a separate part of the brain than typical antidepressants, Ketamine can bolster growth of synapses between neurons, allowing for more plasticity, openness and relaxedness. Ketamine is an up and coming approach to mental wellness, and there is still a lot to discover. Thus, there are some important precautions to know about. We will discuss the potential side effects of ketamine to understand its risks and ensure you can receive the best care possible. Common Ketamine Side Effects Any medication or drug has side effects. Ketamine is no exception to this rule. Ketamine’s most common effect is dissociation. Other common side effects include drowsiness,…

Ketamine Therapy vs Traditional Antidepressants

One of the most common mental health disorders is major depressive disorder, more commonly known as depression. Depression is a significant obstacle in daily life. There are many different treatments because of how common depression is. The most common of these treatments is antidepressants. Treatments like ketamine therapy exist because antidepressants sometimes cannot help symptoms. In this blog, we will discuss the differences between ketamine therapy and traditional antidepressants. Antidepressants It is crucial to understand how depression works to understand antidepressants. There are many potential sources of depression, but researchers don’t know the exact cause of the disorder. But some leading causes are your brain chemistry, genetics, stress, medical conditions, and other medications. One explanation for depression is an imbalance of neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin. Serotonin is a natural transmitter that regulates your mood. An imbalance of serotonin can cause depressive behavior and prevent your mood from improving. The leading theory…

What to Expect During Your First Ketamine Infusion Session

One of the most common mental illnesses is depression. For the most part, people can treat depression with prescribed medicine from their healthcare provider. However, some people are not able to treat depression in conventional ways. One very effective solution is ketamine therapy. Ketamine infusion therapy can improve the condition of someone with depression by leaps and bounds. Naturally, those who are interested in the treatment are also curious about the process of ketamine therapy. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the treatment process that we provide at Mindstream Medicine. Preparing for a Session At Mindstream Medicine, our intake process is FREE and begins with a telephone consultation with our board-certified emergency medicine physician, Dr. Husted. The consultation will involve many questions relating to your condition. It is crucial to understand your condition and anything you have done to treat it in the past. It is also important to know…

The Role of Neuroplasticity in Mental Health: How Ketamine Helps

The brain is a complex organ in the body, it is what helps you be you. The brain is what helps you be you. However, damage to your brain can cause changes in your mental state. Mental health disorders sprout because of the changes in your brain. Mental health is why understanding the brain is so important. In this blog post, we will explore the brain’s importance and how ketamine can help treat mental health problems. The Most Important Organ The brain is the most vital organ in the human body. It processes external information and sends messages back to the body. It is the root of human intelligence and why we experience emotions. As described by InformedHealth, the brain is made up of about 100 billion nerve cells or neurons. Your brain reacts to information given by your senses. But what happens if your brain gets damaged? Damage can…

The Science Behind Ketamine: How It Works for Depression and Anxiety

Depression is a common mental disorder that affects many lives. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 5% of adults globally suffer from depression. Furthermore, Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that treatment-resistant depression affects 30% of people diagnosed with major depressive disorder. These people have to look for other non traditional methods to help as a result. One of these methods is ketamine, an anesthetic drug that has found success in treating mental health disorders in recent years. But how does ketamine work differently compared to other medications? A Quick History Lesson Ketamine was first synthesized in 1962 by Calvin L. Stevens. After promising research when tested on animals, ketamine was tested on humans in 1964. The investigations that followed showed ketamine to be a favorable option as an anesthetic. The FDA approved the drug in 1970, allowing anesthetic use of the drug in the Vietnam War. Finally, in 2000, researchers…

Preparing for Your Ketamine Therapy Journey: Tips and Advice

In this article, we offer our tips and advice for an optimal ketamine therapy experience. Ketamine therapy represents a modern iteration of psychedelic therapy within the long history of medicine, offering a unique solution for individuals with mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression. Research from the NIH indicates that ketamine therapy can lead to significant improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms within the first hour of the initial dose. Additionally, the NIMH reports that 71% of participants receiving intravenous ketamine therapy experienced a noticeable improvement. However, it’s important to note that side effects can occur if proper preparation and precautions are not taken. So, what steps can you take to ensure a successful treatment? Steps to Take for a Successful Ketamine Therapy Journey 1. Physical Preparation To ensure a smooth ketamine infusion procedure, proper physical preparation is essential. Begin by fasting for 4 to 6 hours before your infusion….

Integrating Ketamine Therapy with Traditional Talk Therapy

As of 2023, the World Health Organization reports that over 1 billion people worldwide are living with a mental health condition. With such staggering numbers, it’s no wonder so many are seeking effective treatments. Among the most popular options is traditional talk therapy, or psychotherapy, which has become a cornerstone in mental health care. But even this trusted method can benefit from a little boost. Enter innovative treatments like ketamine therapy, which can enhance the effects of psychotherapy and provide new hope for those struggling with mental health disorders. What is Psychotherapy? Psychotherapy encompasses a variety of treatments aimed at helping individuals identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, or behaviors. It’s the most common form of mental health treatment besides medication, typically conducted one-on-one with a licensed mental health professional. Traditional talk therapy has proven effective in assisting patients to alter problematic behaviors. According to studies from the NHI, 61%…

Safety and Efficacy of Ketamine Infusion Therapy

Ketamine infusion therapy holds transformative potential for individuals grappling with treatment-resistant depression. For many, this innovative approach can be life-changing, offering a glimmer of hope where traditional treatments have failed. However, the novelty of ketamine therapy brings with it concerns about its safety and efficacy. This uncertainty can make potential patients hesitant to try it, leaving them with limited options for managing their mental health conditions. Is Ketamine Safe? The short answer to the question is, ketamine therapy under the right conditions is safe. A study by the NIH reveals that 99.3% of patients treated with ketamine experienced no adverse effects that required the discontinuation of ketamine. However, there is some nuance that is important to know. Like any medication or treatment, there are potential side effects you could experience. A few side effects of ketamine therapy are: While there are many concerns over these side effects, there are protocols…