InSynch Health

How Ketamine Differs from Antidepressants

If you’re taking antidepressants but your symptoms aren’t going away, you may have treatment-resistant depression. Learn more about ketamine infusion therapy and how it could be the solution you need to feel your best.

Ketamine is an effective treatment for several types of mental health and psychiatric disorders. If you’re not finding relief from your symptoms with traditional antidepressants, it may be time to consider the ketamine infusion services available at InSynch Health.

Our medical team offers ketamine infusion therapy in the office as an alternative treatment when medications aren’t working well. We review your medical history and your symptoms to determine if ketamine is the right option for you.

What to know about ketamine

Ketamine is often used as a surgical anesthetic. However, in low doses, the prescription medication can quickly and effectively reduce the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions.

During ketamine infusion therapy, we slowly drip precise amounts of ketamine into your bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) line.

Ketamine infusions help relieve symptoms by doing a number of things. First, it blocks the brain’s N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which affect memory and learning. Ketamine also increases the levels of glutamate, the largest neurotransmitters in your brain. And, it also supports the formation of new neural connections.

These new connections in your brain create new ways of thinking to improve your mood and provide long-lasting relief from your other depression or anxiety symptoms.

Antidepressants vs. ketamine infusion therapy

Typically, the initial treatment plan for depression and other mental health issues involves a combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy (talk therapy). Using these treatments, you may find that it takes a few weeks before you start noticing symptom relief.

In some cases, traditional treatments aren’t enough to manage depression and other conditions in the long term. Those with treatment-resistant depression may continue to feel persistent sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness even when taking antidepressants and participating in therapy.

Antidepressants don’t work on your brain the same way ketamine does. Antidepressant medications generally focus on increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain to improve mood. However, new research shows that glutamate can play a vital role in treating depression and providing long-lasting symptom relief.

In addition to taking up to a month to start working fully, antidepressants can also cause negative side effects that are difficult to deal with.

When to consider ketamine

You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at InSynch Health to find out if you’re a candidate for ketamine infusion therapy if you have persistent symptoms of:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

It’s also important that you schedule an appointment with our team if you’re already using antidepressants but continue to experience symptoms or if you notice your symptoms are worsening. Without proper treatment, your risk for more serious symptoms, including self-harm and suicidal ideation, can increase.

Many people find symptom relief after their first ketamine infusion session. You can expect to undergo a series of infusions over the course of a few weeks to maximize your results.

We also provide psychotherapy services in the office that you can participate in throughout your ketamine therapy. This combination of treatment can help ensure the best outcome for your mental health.

To learn more about ketamine therapy and to see if it may be able to help you, call 409-245-0795 or book an appointment online with InSynch Health today.

InSynch Health

✆ Phone (appointments): 281-721-4181

Email: frontdesk@insynchhealth.com

Fax: 949-757-621

Address: 87 I-10 Service Road, Suite 125, Beaumont, TX 77707