Ketamine for Anxiety

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Ketamine for Anxiety

Everyone experiences anxiety on occasion; however, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive, and persistent worries and fear about everyday situations. Oftentimes, anxiety disorders result in sudden and relentless feelings of extreme anxiety and fear or terror that peaks within minutes (panic attacks).

These irrational feelings of worry and panic interfere with daily life, can feel impossible to control, are exaggerated relative to the actual danger, and can go on for years. You might even avoid certain places and situations to prevent having to experiencing a sense of dread. Symptoms can begin during childhood or your teenage years and continue into adulthood.

Some examples of anxiety disorders include social anxiety (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and specific phobias. People can also experience more than one anxiety order at a time.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety 
  • Relentless thoughts about your worries that prevent you from concentrating or functioning normally
  • Feeling tense, nervous, and restless
  • A sense of impending doom, danger, or panic
  • Rapid or increased heartrate
  • Trembling
  • Rapid breathing (hyperventilating)
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Unable to control your worry
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) issues
  • Avoiding things that trigger your anxiety

Traditional Methods of Treatment for Anxiety

The first line of treatment for anxiety is usually psychotherapy or counseling. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can teach you specific coping skills, helping to minimize symptoms so you can return to your normal activities. Prescription medications such as antidepressants and benzodiazepines are also used. Some examples of benzodiazepines include alprazolam (brand name Xanax®) or diazepam (brand name Valium®). According to research, around 50% of people undergoing treatment for general anxiety disorder (GAD) are “treatment resistant,” meaning they do not see improvement after using anti-anxiety medication.

Medications tend to be a “band aid” approach to underlying issues in need of a more effective solution. Although antidepressants and benzodiazepines may provide relief from symptoms, this may leave the user unmotivated to heal or resolve the root cause of their anxiety. In the case of benzodiazepines, their use can also result in addiction. Benzodiazepines are one of the most addictive prescriptions on the market. According to a study conducted in 2015, “any patient who has taken a benzodiazepine for longer than 3–4 weeks is likely to have withdrawal symptoms if the drug is ceased abruptly.”

At Daytryp Health, we encourage you to explore the source of your anxiety condition so that you can release whatever may be causing it and truly free yourself. Our team of medically trained experts combined with ketamine treatments for anxiety can help facilitate your journey to wellness.

What is Ketamine Therapy for Anxiety?

Ketamine has been associated with being a party drug with hallucinatory effects, but it was originally used as an anesthetic to treat severely wounded soldiers during the Vietnam war in the 70s. With its primary use being a quick acting anesthetic used in hospitals and veterinary clinics around the world, ketamine infusions/injections are quickly becoming a popular treatment for mental and emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety.

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How Does Ketamine for Anxiety Work?

Unlike benzodiazepines which enhance the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA (the chemical in your brain that allows you to feel calm), it is believed that ketamine works by repairing neuron synapses and increasing the level of glutamate transmission in the brain. Researchers are still performing studies and collecting data to determine exactly why this method of action is so beneficial. So far, the research that has been published is extremely promising.

  • A study of patients with anxious and non-anxious bipolar depression found that both anxious and non-anxious patients with bipolar depression had significant antidepressant responses to ketamine.
  • A randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 15 patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) found that symptom relief from a single IV dose of ketamine lasted for more than 1 week in some patients with OCD that struggled with constant intrusive thoughts.
  • Researchers in New Zealand investigated the efficacy and safety of ketamine in subjects with treatment-resistant GAD and SAD. The main finding was that most subjects’ symptoms were alleviated for three months with treatment. Subjects tolerated the ketamine treatment well and reported significant improvement in social and work functioning.

Patients experiencing symptoms of anxiety can notice relief within 24 hours of receiving a ketamine infusion compared to waiting weeks for antidepressants to take effect. Even patients who didn’t get results from behavioral therapies or other medications have reported finding success with ketamine therapy.

Ketamine for Anxiety Protocol

As with all our patients, you will receive an in-depth consultation to assess your current needs so we can create a treatment plan that is right for you. Typical ketamine therapy for anxiety plans consists of either 3 or 6 45-minute sessions, set in our thoughtfully designed treatment rooms.

Our goal is to provide a safe and tranquil space so that your journey is a productive one. Our staff will be on hand to assist and support you every step of the way.

Upon completion of your session, we will sit with you to help process any insight that may have been revealed during your journey and properly integrate your experience. We have found this to be an integral part of the process and achieving the best results with ketamine therapy for anxiety.

Anxiety is the most common mental disorder in the United States. If you or someone you love is suffering from an anxiety disorder, contact Daytryp Health to learn more about how ketamine can help.

Ketamine for Anxiety FAQs

Ketamine is a safe and effective medication for the treatment of anxiety. It has a low risk of side effects and is well tolerated by most people. Ketamine is also a very effective medication for the treatment of other mental health conditions, such as depression and PTSD.

Yes, ketamine can help to relieve anxiety. When administered in a therapeutic setting, ketamine treatments can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety, including fear and worry. Ketamine may also help to improve mood and well-being in people with anxiety.

While there are a variety of treatment options available for anxiety, ketamine has emerged as a promising option, particularly due to its rapid onset of action and lack of adverse effects. Ketamine works by binding to the NMDA receptor, which results in the release of glutamate and subsequently dopamine. This action leads to an increase in neuronal activity and has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety.

This isn’t an easy question to answer as each case is unique to the individual. Some people may experience long lasting relief from their initial round of anxiety ketamine treatments. However, some patients may feel the need for additional support after their initial infusion, and in these cases, boosters may be recommended.

Ketamine itself does not cause anxiety. If you are nervous about your ketamine for anxiety treatments, that would be the at the root of it. Daytryp Health’s team of experienced ketamine professionals will answer any questions you may have, as well as set expectations so you have nothing to worry or be anxious about during your journey.