Ketamine is a medication that is used for the maintenance of anesthesia. It gives a trance-like feeling of anesthesia providing pain relief, sedation, and amnesia. Ketamine can also be used through intravenous therapy to help with mental health disorders, chronic pain and depression. Ketamine typically works much faster than other antidepressants. It can help reduce the life-threatening thoughts and acts that can lead to suicide. When administered properly, it relieves other serious symptoms of depression such as energy levels, appetite, sleep, self-esteem and more. Ketamine can also be effective for treating anxiety that is paired with depression. Researchers have even said that it can play an impactful role in minimizing suicide risks.

Ketamine Infusions work by Synaptogenesis. Ketamine infusions target the NMDA receptors in the brain. When it binds to these receptors, causing an increase in the amount of another neurotransmitter called glutamate in the space between neurons. Glutamate stimulates connections in a different receptor called the AMPA receptor. By working together in unison, these two receptors, NMDA and AMPA, release molecules that help neurons communicate along new pathways. This in depth process affects mood, cognition, and thought patterns. Because of ketamine’s bad history, being called a party drug, many people have been wary of it, and fear that it’s addictive. Studies have shown that when taken in low doses this is not the case, as it is for ketamine IV infusion. The dose that is required to treat depression is far lower than the dose used for anesthesia. Recharge Clinic also offers Ketamine troches which are chewables, and nasal spray in case an infusion is not in your schedule. These can be prescribed by Dr. Tieche and his providers and picked up at our pharmacy, Recharge RX. Ketamine can put an end to that and bring immediate relief of depression symptoms.