Recent studies revealed that ketamine significantly decreases depression symptoms. Can it help with substance abuse? There are a variety of substance abuse treatments available, and you may wonder which is the right one for you.
Some people opt for traditional methods like 12-step programs or therapy. Others try alternative approaches like yoga or meditation.
Coupling these with ketamine infusion therapy is a worthwhile combination. One that you should investigate. Let’s look at the possibilities.
How Does Ketamine Work?
Ketamine works by targeting the glutamate system in the brain. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in learning and memory. It’s also involved in the formation of new memories and the consolidation of old ones.
It does this by blocking the NMDA receptor. This receptor is important for long-term potentiation. This is a process that helps to strengthen synaptic connections.
By blocking this receptor, ketamine prevents the formation of new memories or the reinforcement of old ones.
It helps to “rewrite” the memories associated with drug use so that they are no longer reinforcing. This can help to decrease cravings and the desire to use drugs.
In addition to its effect on the glutamate system, ketamine also increases levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in pleasure and motivation. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps in mood regulation.
The increase in these neurotransmitters helps to improve mood. It also reduces stress, both of which can be triggers for substance abuse.
Ketamine also has a dissociative effect, which can help to reduce the negative emotions associated with drug use. This can make it easier to abstain from drug use and make it less likely that someone will relapse.
Ketamine also has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. This means that it helps to protect the brain from the damage caused by chronic drug use.
Why Is Ketamine Effective in Treating Substance Abuse?
One of the big reasons why ketamine is so effective in treating substance abuse is that it helps to break the cycle of addiction. Addiction is a disease that recurs over time and includes an uncontrollable urge to keep using drugs even though it harms you.
One of the main reasons that people keep coming back to drugs is because of the way they make them feel. Drugs hijack the brain’s reward system and provide a person with a sense of pleasure and euphoria.
Over time, the brain adapts to the presence of drugs, and the person no longer feels the same sense of pleasure. This leads to them using more drugs to achieve the same high, which can spiral out of control.
Ketamine helps to break this cycle by reducing the reinforcing effects of drugs. By blocking the NMDA receptor, ketamine prevents drug-related forming or reinforcement of memories. This helps to reduce the risk of relapse and makes it easier for someone to stay abstinent from drugs.
Ketamine is also a very rapid-acting medication. The effects of an infusion are felt within minutes, which is much faster than other medications that treat substance abuse. This is beneficial for people who are struggling with acute cravings or who are at risk of relapsing.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Ketamine is generally well-tolerated, and most people don’t experience any major side effects. Some people may feel a little dizzy or lightheaded after an infusion, but this goes away in a short time.
There is a small risk of more serious side effects. These include high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and hallucinations. However, these effects are rare and occur in very high doses.
Ketamine Benefits
There are many benefits of ketamine for substance abuse treatment. It is an effective treatment option. People with cocaine dependence who received ketamine infusions to abstain from cocaine were more successful at follow-up. Those who did not receive infusions did not fare as well.
Another benefit of ketamine therapy is that it is relatively short-lived. Most people only need a few infusions over the course of a few weeks or months to see significant improvements in their symptoms.
In contrast, other treatments for substance abuse, such as 12-step programs or traditional talk therapy, can take months or even years before you see any results.
Ketamine infusion therapy is also considered safe under the administration of a trained professional. There are some potential side effects, such as dizziness or nausea, but these are often short-lived and go away on their own within a few minutes after the infusion is complete.
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, or KAP, is a new treatment for substance abuse that combines ketamine infusions with traditional talk therapy. In a typical KAP session, the patient will receive an infusion of ketamine while undergoing talk therapy with a trained therapist.
One of the benefits of KAP is that it helps to address the underlying psychological issues that may be driving someone’s addiction. In traditional talk therapy, it often takes weeks or months to build up trust and rapport with a therapist. However, ketamine can help to break down these barriers and allow patients to open up more.
KAP is still in its early stages of development, but all studies have shown promising results. In one study of people with alcohol dependence, those who received KAP were more likely to abstain from drinking at follow-up than those who did not receive infusions.
What Are Other Uses of Ketamine?
It is primarily used as an animal anesthetic. Ketamine also has a wide range of medical and recreational applications.
Antidepressant
One of the most promising uses of ketamine is as an antidepressant. Depression is a difficult condition to treat, and ketamine offers a new way to approach it.
Ketamine works by blocking the NMDA receptor, which contributes to depression. Blocking the receptor leads to an increase in synaptic plasticity, which is helpful in treating depression.
A number of studies show that ketamine is effective in treating depression, even when other drugs fail. In one study, people with treatment-resistant depression saw a significant improvement in their symptoms after just one ketamine infusion.
Brain Protector
Ketamine has the potential to protect the brain from damage. Research suggests that ketamine may help to reduce inflammation and repair damaged cells.
One study found that ketamine helped improve cognitive function in rats that had suffered a stroke. Ketamine also served to protect against brain damage caused by alcohol withdrawal.
These findings suggest that ketamine could be a helpful treatment for people who had a stroke or other brain injury. It may also be helpful in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Management of Pain
Ketamine also has the potential to help manage pain. Research suggests that ketamine may be more effective than traditional painkillers. Ketamine was more effective in reducing pain than morphine.
Treatment For PTSD
Ketamine also serves as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a debilitating condition that is difficult to treat.
Ketamine is helpful in treating PTSD because it blocks the NMDA receptor. This receptor is involved in the formation of traumatic memories. By blocking this receptor, ketamine may prevent the formation of these memories.
Seizures
Seizures are serious medical conditions that are difficult to treat. Ketamine is also an effective treatment for seizures.
People with intractable epilepsy saw a reduction in seizure activity after receiving ketamine infusions. Ketamine is also more effective than traditional anticonvulsant drugs in treating status epilepticus. This is a life-threatening condition characterized by continuous seizure activity.
Management of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
Ketamine is also being studied as a possible treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD is a mental health disorder that is characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors.
How Substance Abuse Treatments Help
Substance abuse treatments help people to stop using drugs and alcohol. These treatments include counseling, therapy, and medication.
Counseling helps people to understand their addiction and overcome the challenges of recovery. Therapy helps people to change their behaviors and thoughts related to substance abuse.
Medication can help people manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Ketamine is one example of a medication that is being studied for its potential to help people with substance abuse disorders.
Is Ketamine Therapy Available Near Me?
Searching for effective substance abuse treatments? Ketamine infusion therapy may be worth considering. Ketamine infusion therapy is an effective treatment option. It has few side effects when administered by a trained professional.
Daytryp Health offers ketamine therapy in Arizona. This is for those who are looking for a relatively short-term treatment option that can provide long-lasting results. Try KAP therapy with us today.
