What is Ketamine?
Ketamine, an anesthetic sold under Ketalar, can alter sensory perception and induce a dissociative state. Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic since the 1970s for human and animal surgical treatments. It is used by doctors to induce general anesthesia during non-muscle-relaxing medical operations.
Ketamine has also been labeled an invaluable medicine by the World Health Organization.
What is Ketamine Infusion Therapy?
Ketamine infusion therapy is a powerful, safe, and clinically validated treatment for patients with problems like chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and depression. Ketamine is well known for its quick-acting antidepressant properties. Intravenous ketamine therapy is an FDA-approved drug that’s extremely safe to use under medical supervision.
Benefits
Ketamine IV treatment has several advantages. It is frequently used to treat chronic pain and mental health issues. Due to the prevalence of these illnesses in our culture, ketamine therapy is becoming a more popular alternative treatment for these conditions as it is the most effective, fastest acting, and safest treatment on the market. It can enhance people’s quality of life by reducing their feelings of anxiety and depression. People who have undergone ketamine infusion therapy report greater well-being and increased mental clarity, which helps them stay focused on their goals rather than feeling overwhelmed by stress and unhappiness.
Side Effects
An unanticipated or unintended effect of a medicine is referred to as a “side effect” in medical terminology. It is critical to focus on the mode of administration and how this relates to the development of side effects. The majority of the research on ketamine’s side effects examines these effects in the context of recreational use, whether or not addictive behavior patterns are present.
When medications are used in a different way or at a different dose than prescribed by a doctor, the risk of negative side effects increases. Depending on your dosage and frequency, the degree and duration of both neurological and psychological side effects can vary. Certain side effects are only slight changes that disappear shortly after a session, whereas less frequent but more serious side effects can call for further observation or treatment.
Short-Term Side Effects
Following a therapy session, some immediate psychological and physiological adverse effects that may occur include:
- Increased heart rate and a high blood pressure
- Nausea, sometimes accompanied by vomiting
- Brain fog
- Confusion and disorientation
- Headaches
- Dissociation
- Heightened anger or vulnerability
- Struggle with integrating memories and emotions
Note: While all of these side effects may be undesirable, all are easily treated and usually only last during the treatment or for a short time after. Ketamine is excreted from the body via urine within 2-4 hours.
Long-Term Side Effects
The treatment protocols, which include specific doses and frequency guidelines, will prevent any long-term negative side effects. The negative effects outlined below have generally evolved in the context of frequent, habitual recreational use. The following are a few possible long-term physiological and adverse psychological effects of ketamine use:
- Kidney damage or injury
- Discomfort while urinating
- Elevated heart rate
- Elevated blood pressure
- Tolerance and substance abuse
- Risk of seizures
- Respiratory depression
- Memory issues
- Decreased subjective well-being
- Alterations in sleeping patterns
Final Words
Each client’s experience will be different, so it’s critical to be aware of potential adverse effects in advance. Having a support team to look out for you both during and following the session and getting precautions developed with the help of a professional team to manage these potential effects are equally crucial. While some people may suffer several adverse effects, many experience none. In a clinical setting, there are no known long-term or permanent side effects from ketamine infusion therapy.
However, if you are presently participating in a ketamine treatment regimen, it’s crucial that you let your care team know about any worries, remarks, or observations you have about your session and the occurrence of anything you might think constitutes a negative side effect.
