Should I Try Ketamine For My Depression?
3-minute read time
Spravato is a form of Ketamine used for treating depression. Ketamine therapy has recently been FDA approved for mental health treatment - but should you try it?
We'll cover the following:
Who Is Spravato Good For?
Spravato is only for those who have already tried traditional antidepressants. If past medications haven't helped, you may have treatment-resistant depression. This is actually quite common. The science on antidepressants is still uncertain - research often suggests that these drugs might not be very effective, especially for certain people.
For those struggling with depression, it can be exhausting to keep trying different medications. People who have failed to benefit from at least two different antidepressants are eligible for Spravato. Since Spravato is completely different from traditional antidepressants, it could be worth trying.
Spravato is approved by the FDA to help with both depression and suicidal ideation. Keep in mind that your insurance company may have their own requirements to qualify for this treatment.
How Does Ketamine Therapy Work?
Ketamine is an anesthetic that can induce psychedelic effects. For this reason clinics require you to remain at the office for two hours during treatment, and to have transportation arranged for returning home.
Antidepressants treat depression as a condition caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. These drugs boost certain neurotransmitters to improve mood such as Serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with emotions.
Like traditional antidepressants, Ketamine also impacts Serotonin. The difference is that Ketamine works more quickly than antidepressants. Whereas antidepressants can take weeks to make their impact, Ketamine does so within 24 hours.
The benefit of Ketamine therapy is that instead of waiting for results, you'll know more quickly whether it’s beneficial or not. Though the impacts are faster, it's not the same for everyone. Let's look at how you may respond to Spravato treatments.
Does Ketamine Make You High?
Ketamine is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance. The impacts of Spravato vary per person, but here are some common experience patients have:
Dissociation - Spravato is a dissociative anesthetic, meaning that it can bring out-of-body sensations. Many people describe this as pleasant, but not all. It is possible that your sense of what is and isn't real can become distorted.
Drunk and High Feeling - Many describe the body numbness as a feeling of calm, yet it can also be reminiscent of extreme drunkenness. For some, this may be uncomfortable. Many also describe a light-headed sensation, which can be enjoyable.
Relaxation - Like many drug experiences, set and setting makes a big difference. Many clinics provide a comfortable environment for your treatment, and encourage your use of preferred music or movies to shape your experience. With the right setting, many patients use their 2 hour Spravato treatment as a time for enjoyable relaxation.
Ketamine Therapy and Trauma
There is no conclusive research on whether Ketamine therapy is helpful or harmful for those with PTSD or complex trauma.
In general, anyone with PTSD taking any mental health medications should be in therapy. Therapy is important for those with trauma because symptoms can change over time. Past emotions can be triggered, flashbacks can occur out of nowhere, or problematic behaviors such as addiction can take hold.
Because Ketamine is dissociative, many find trauma symptoms go away during Spravato treatments. Yet others can have emotions activated. If you are taking Spravato while working with a trauma therapist through a treatment like EMDR Therapy, create a plan with your therapist for regulating emotions that may arise during Spravato treatments.
Thinking about Spravato, but unsure if you may also have PTSD or trauma?
How to Get Started With Ketamine Treatments
It's a good idea to discuss Spravato with your current psychiatrist or doctor. You should also discuss with your therapist. Together, you can create a plan for your two hour treatments.
Mindfulness techniques can be helpful to include in a treatment plan. These are tools to use during your Spravato treatment, and may help increase your ability to gain enjoyment and relaxation from the experience and reduce negative side effects.
Want to begin with therapy and explore if Spravato might be good to try in the future? Working with our therapists is a great first step
Interested in Ketamine therapy in Michigan? Wellspring Connection does not provide Spravato treatment, but we do help link patients to treatments and work closely alongside our trusted Spravato partners.