How Fast Does Ketamine Work for Anxiety
Ketamine, originally developed as an anesthetic, has gained recognition for its potential in treating various mental health conditions, including anxiety. Unlike traditional medications that require weeks or even months to take effect, ketamine has shown the ability to provide rapid relief for individuals struggling with anxiety disorders. While traditional treatments such as therapy and medication can be effective, they may take time to produce noticeable improvements.
With ketamine’s unique mechanism of action, you can experience noticeable improvements in your anxiety symptoms within hours or days, rather than waiting weeks for traditional medications to take effect.
How it Works
Glutamate, one of the brain’s chemical messengers, plays an integral part in mood regulation, memory consolidation, learning, and retrieval.
Glutamate similarly supports neuroplasticity, or your brain’s capacity to adapt and grow with each new experience. Researchers suggest Ketamine could “rewire your brain” by increasing neuroplasticity – this means dismantling harmful thought patterns while creating new paths that lead to positive ways of thinking, ultimately reducing anxiety symptoms.
Ketamine and Other Medications
Anti-anxiety drugs usually target other brain chemicals first, like serotonin.
Ketamine stands out among anti-anxiety medications in that it instantly activates glutamate production and allows faster results; patients practicing state this can result in quicker relief – while specific anxiety relief drugs might take six weeks, Ketamine can begin acting within two hours.
Types of Ketamine Treatment
Ketamine is available in multiple forms for treating various symptoms.
- Intravenous (IV) infusions: Ketamine can be slowly administered into your bloodstream via an IV drip in a clinic or hospital environment, providing immediate results.
- Intramuscular shots (IM): At hospitals, intramuscular shots are administered directly into large, skeletal muscles like those found in the thigh, arm, or calf muscles for immediate injection.
- Sublingual tablets may be prescribed alone as an at-home treatment or to maintain levels between IV or IM treatments. Place one tablet under your tongue, let it dissolve slowly, and watch how fast or slowly it’s absorbed by your body. This form isn’t FDA-approved, and insurance typically won’t cover its cost.
- Nasal Spray: When given in the nasal form, Sprovato, also known as esketamine, should only ever be administered under supervision in either a doctor’s office or hospital to monitor side effects and ensure safety for users. Initially, it will only need to be used once or twice every eight weeks, with subsequent maintenance doses every two or three weeks – sometimes prescribed alongside other anti-anxiety drugs.
Intramuscular injections, nasal sprays, and IV infusions are among the most efficient and prevalent ways to administer Ketamine since its effects quickly penetrate the bloodstream.
How Effective Is It, and How Can You Gauge It?
Ketamine’s use for depression and anxiety research is currently being scrutinized more than for depression itself. A 2021 review concluded that Ketamine could be an effective and safe medication to combat anxiety disorders.
Generalized and social anxiety
Researchers conducted a 2022 review that demonstrated how infusions of one single dose of Ketamine could significantly alleviate anxiety symptoms in those suffering from GAD or social anxiety disorder; specifically, panic and irritability were decreased considerably with longer-lasting and stronger effects at higher dosage levels compared to lower ones.
A small study in 2017 demonstrated that 83% of participants with GAD or social anxiety disorder experienced reduced anxiety symptoms after only an hour of receiving subcutaneous ketamine treatment.
A small trial involving hospice patients diagnosed with depression and anxiety who received oral Ketamine over 28 days for depression relief and reduced anxiety symptoms. Of the eight participants who completed this test, six reported improved mood.
In a 2017 small study conducted in China, participants with social anxiety received IV infusions of either saline or Ketamine; those receiving the latter experienced more significant improvement than when given placebo treatments.
Most participants could distinguish Ketamine and placebo from one another; since the study wasn’t blinded, participants reports biased results.
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What Are the Side Effects of Medication?
Ketamine therapy is typically affordable, with mild side effects that usually subside quickly.
Doctors warn against women using Ketamine who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have schizophrenia, as it should not be administered during these conditions.
Talk with your healthcare professional about potential risks if you have the following:
- High blood pressure
- History of substance use disorder
- History of psychosis
- Heart disease
- Increase in intracranial tension.
Taking Ketamine may cause side effects even if these do not arise for you.
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dissociation
- Sleepiness
- Elevated blood pressure or heart rate
- Double vision, blurriness, or other visual changes
- Perceptual changes include feeling as though time has either speeded up or slowed down.
Keep in mind, higher doses could increase your likelihood of experiencing side effects.
Some forms of Ketamine also carry their risks; complications with IV ketamine for anxiety include nerve damage and infections; it’s wise to choose a clinic that employs medical staff as soon as possible.
It’s wise to consult a health provider. They can monitor symptoms and assist if any adverse side effects arise.
Schedule Your Appointment
Are you tired of living with constant anxiety and searching for a fast-acting solution? Look no further than ketamine therapy at Florida Medical Pain Management. Our experienced team of healthcare professionals specializes in ketamine treatment for anxiety disorders, providing rapid relief and improved quality of life for our patients.
Don’t let anxiety control your life any longer. Take the first step towards a brighter future by scheduling a consultation with our experts. During your consultation, we will assess your unique needs, explain the benefits of ketamine therapy, and answer any questions you may have.
Our Treatment Services
Florida Medical Pain Management’s top priority is serving our patients’ needs and creating long-lasting relationships with them. Our treatments include:
- Treatment for Neuropathy
- Arthritis Management
- Back Pain Medication
- Chronic Pain Treatments
- PRP Injections
- Epidural Injection
- Regenerative Medicine
- Hip Pain Medication
- Ketamine Infusion Therapy
We want to help patients live more fulfilling and productive lives by effectively managing their pain. Florida Medical Pain Management also provides home therapy and many more. Click here to see our other services.
