How Can Ketamine Infusions Help Promote Mental Health?

Ketamine is a drug that was initially designed as anesthesia for large animals and people during surgeries. Numerous research has proved that correct dosing of ketamine can help solve several mental health conditions, such as depression. However, some people have abused ketamine due to its sedating and hallucinogenic effects. This post will help you determine how Ketamine infusion in Ionia helps promote mental health.

What Is a Ketamine Infusion?

First, an infusion is a treatment that is provided intravenously. Ketamine infusion is the process of administering an anesthetic medicine, especially during surgery. At Advanced Pain Solutions, ketamine infusions are usually inserted in an IV into your arm vein. When ketamine is administered at a low dose, it helps relieve pain and lower the symptoms associated with pain hypersensitivity and psychological disorders.

In addition to long decades of guaranteed safety, ketamine infusion works by changing numerous biochemical pathways in the brain to produce fast and noticeable results after the first session. Ketamine also works by blocking receptors that transmit pain signals to help relieve symptoms.

Ketamine Therapy for Mental Health Conditions

Over the years, the use of ketamine has proven to be a breakthrough treatment for patients dealing with mental health conditions. It has been made possible due to its ability to relieve pain-like symptoms quickly. Mental health experts are currently studying the impact of ketamine on:

• Schizophrenia
• Several mental health conditions and symptoms
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Depression

Although most ketamine research is promising, it may not be as widely accessible globally as prescription medications and standard talk therapy. Nonetheless, Ketamine use is becoming a more reliable treatment alternative as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a ketamine drug (Spravato) for treatment-resistant depression in 2019.

Ketamine Infusions and Chronic Pain

Unlike many different medications out there that claim to completely solve your chronic or debilitating condition, Ketamine is a drug that has proven to be very effective and reliable in treating some chronic diseases. For instance, low-dose ketamine infusions are known to treat successfully:

• Low back pain
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Neuropathic pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Lyme disease
• Migraines
• Cancer pain
• Phantom limb pain
• Postherpetic neuralgia

How Does Ketamine Affect the Brain?

Ketamine usually works on a certain group of cells known as NMDA receptors in your brain. These receptors communicate with neurotransmitters, like glutamate, to trigger your neurons. This trigger is a good thing most of the time, but if these neurons remain in an excitatory state for a long time, they start to die off, resulting in a number of cascading conditions such as anxiety or depression.

Furthermore, Ketamine works directly on your brain by blocking the NMDA receptor signals. This blockage allows your brain to develop new synapses and pathways, essential in the natural healing of past illnesses or injuries. Ketamine also blocks glutamate, which is critical for your emotions and memory, allowing you to feel relaxed and forget moments before or after your surgery.

Conclusion

At Advanced Pain Solutions in Ionia and the Surgery Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dr. Adam Camp, MD, offers ketamine infusion therapy to patients dealing with pain and severe mental health conditions. Ketamine infusions have proven to be successful where conventional medical care has failed. To learn more about ketamine infusions, use the online booking tool or call the office today.