Ketamine

Ketamine is often administered through an IV (intravenous) or IM (intramuscular) injection, typically over a period of 30-60 minutes. The patient will then be monitored for an additional hour before being discharged.

Chronic Pain Management:

Ketamine works by blocking certain NMDA receptors in the brain, which helps reduce pain signaling and modifies how the brain processes pain. This can provide significant relief for individuals with chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), or neuropathic pain that have not responded to traditional pain medications.

Depression and Other Conditions:

For treatment-resistant depression and conditions like PTSD, ketamine can rapidly alleviate symptoms by enhancing neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new neural connections. This helps “reset” the brain’s circuitry, improving mood and emotional regulation. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which may take weeks to show effects, ketamine’s benefits are often noticeable within hours or days.

Given its ability to manage pain and provide rapid relief for mood disorders, ketamine is emerging as an innovative and effective treatment for individuals whose conditions have not responded to conventional therapies. Treatment is typically monitored closely in a controlled clinical setting to ensure safety and optimal outcomes.