Why Ketamine Infusion May Be The Best Option For Depression Patients

Updated on April 29, 2021
Anxiety winter depression woman having a panic attack and a hard time breathing. Home alone girl crying stressed depressed.

Depression is a bigger problem than you may imagine. According to 2017 NIH statistics, around 8.5% of the U.S. population was dealing with depressive disorders, and the number has probably grown much bigger now. To make things worse, 30% of patients taking traditional oral medications report treatment-resistant depression. The pandemic has aggravated the challenge manifold, and patients want treatment options beyond the conventional ones. Thankfully, hope is around the corner for patients with ketamine infusion therapy. Let us explain why it may be the best option for depression patients.

Proven to be safe and effective 

Ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic, and healthcare experts consider it amongst one of the safest therapies because it has been around for decades. While it was initially used for anesthesia, specialists recommend it as a fast-acting antidepressant as well. The infusion therapy works with slow, constant intravenous (IV) drip that provides calming effects to the brain. It works well for most patients, with only a few reporting mild issues like nausea and dizziness. You can expect to follow it as a long-term therapy without concerns about safety and side effects.

Fast-acting symptom relief

Even as ketamine therapy is available in other forms such as oral medication, nasal spray, and intramuscular shots, IV infusions are best from the outcome perspective. Ketamine specialists at MD Infusions suggest that you should pick the IV method on priority because it offers relief only within hours. If you have tried depression medications but haven’t got results, this may be the miracle you have been waiting for. The medication is absorbed quickly through intravenous treatment, and you experience a feeling of calmness and relaxation right away.

Lasting remission 

While ketamine infusion therapy is not a one-time treatment that cures you in a single session, it is still much better than conventional antidepressants when it comes to symptom relief. You have to take medications every day for years on end, and you never know when they will stop working. But ketamine infusions promise lasting relief over a single treatment cycle because they stimulate beneficial brain changes. You may have to take multiple sessions over several weeks, but the results are sustainable compared to the daily dose of medicines. 

High success rate

For those who are more concerned about realistic stats and figures, the Ketamine infusion therapy scores on this front too. Research indicates that it has high success rates for treating persistent depression. Patients with treatment-resistant depression also reported significant symptom relief even after a single infusion, and things getting better with multiple sessions. An excellent efficacy rate is a valid reason to try this therapy over traditional therapies.

The recognition of Ketamine’s potential as a safe and effective treatment of depression, anxiety, and PTSD has been on a rise. Specialized clinics have begun opening across the US, and patients are exploring them to avail themselves relief. Everything boils down to choosing a clinic with a good reputation and skilled experts who have experience with the therapy. If you are in the right hands, you can definitely expect to beat your depression for good.

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