Woman, backlit by rays of sunshine, raising her arms in celebration of her ketamine therapy success

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:

  • Feeling dissociated
  • Ego Dissolution
  • Sedative effects
  • Nausea 
  • Anxiety

While there are many concerns over these side effects, there are protocols for whenever the side effects spring up. During ketamine therapy at Mindstream Medicine, you will always be monitored by a trained medical professional. As a result, effects like dissociation and ego dissolution will be less intense or stressful.

In the rare case of more imminent effects such as anxiety, the infusion can be turned off to help the effects settle. At Mindstream Medicine, you can be assured that you will never be left alone during the process and monitored closely by a medical professional. 

The most reassuring part about ketamine therapy is that if these side effects are too unpleasant, they almost always resolve within 15 minutes of stopping infusion. For the majority of those who have positive reactions, the response lasts at least a day for 70% of patients and up to three days for 30% of patients. The bottom line is that the most important thing to look out for when seeking ketamine therapy is that you are monitored at all times by a medical professional. 

Despite the concerns surrounding ketamine therapy, the benefits often outweigh the risks, which are generally minimal and infrequent. Any potential side effects, whether psychological or physical, can be effectively managed by a medical professional.

While some ketamine clinics may not guarantee monitoring their patients throughout the process, at Mindstream Medicine, you can rest assured that you will be under professional supervision from start to finish. If you’re considering ketamine therapy in Pennsylvania, schedule an appointment with us at Mindstream Medicine today.

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