Busting Myths About Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine assisted therapy (KAT) has become increasingly common as more patients have become aware of its existence through regular appearances in various news outlets, influencer posts, and even reality TV shows. As awareness of ketamine therapy has grown, however, so have common myths and misconceptions related to this mental health treatment.
A Brief Overview of Ketamine Assisted Therapy
KAT is a unique therapeutic modality in which patients are given moderate doses of ketamine in a highly controlled, continually monitored environment. Because of its psychedelic properties, ketamine facilitates deep transpersonal experiences that can help patients unlock various traumas and break emotional patterns. Ketamine therapy has been shown to be effective for a wide range of mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, addiction, and chronic pain.
Continue reading for a closer look at some of the myths surrounding KAT.
Myth: Ketamine therapy is dangerous.
Ketamine is an FDA-approved drug that has been used for decades as an anesthetic. It is used off-label for KAT, but treatment is still considered safe when it takes place in a clinical setting under the supervision of a trained and licensed physician.
Like any medication, there are some risks and side effects that can occur with ketamine. These include confusion, excitability, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, slowed visual and auditory processing, and mingling of the senses. Side effects like these are generally short lived and temporary. Throughout each KAT session at Kore Regenerative Medicine, you will be closely monitored by Dr. Quinn and her nursing staff to ensure that you are comfortable and safe.
Myth: Ketamine therapy leads to addiction.
Because ketamine is a controlled substance, there is a fear of addiction surrounding ketamine therapy. When used in high doses with heavy frequency, ketamine can be addictive. However, ketamine assisted therapy utilizes moderate, controlled doses only in supervised settings. This significantly reduces addiction risks. In fact, ketamine can actually help individuals struggling with substance abuse, as it helps to alleviate depression and anxiety while reducing cravings.
Myth: The effects of ketamine treatment for depression are short-lived.
The effects and benefits of KAT last well beyond the length of the treatment session. Ketamine therapy works by activating NMDA receptors and stimulating BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). These effects increase neuroplasticity and encourage neurogenesis, the growth of new brain cells, which can permanently alter brain function. Additionally, each KAT session is followed by a conversation with your provider in which you will have an opportunity to talk through your experience and discuss any fears, breakthroughs, or thought patterns that emerged while under the effects of ketamine.
It can take several sessions to begin truly feeling the effects of KAT, but most patients will experience long-term relief of their symptoms.
Myth: Ketamine therapy is just a fad with no scientific basis.
Because ketamine therapy has been popularized in part through influencer culture, there is some skepticism about the efficacy of this treatment. However, there are multiple clinical studies that have pointed to the potential of ketamine therapy as a mental health treatment modality. About 70% of patients receiving KAT for major depression reported seeing a significant reduction in symptoms after three infusions. Additionally, recent studies have indicated that ketamine has the capacity to significantly and rapidly reduce suicidality in patients experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Myth: Ketamine assisted therapy is a cure-all for mental health disorders.
While ketamine therapy can be highly effective and beneficial for a wide range of patients, it is not a cure-all, and ideally, it should not be used as a standalone treatment. Ketamine should be viewed as a complementary therapy to conventional psychotherapy, antidepressant medications, and functional medicine treatments.
Additionally, it is important to begin KAT with realistic expectations. While some patients may experience an immediate improvement in their symptoms, others will see much more gradual effects over a series of treatments.
Myth: You should only consider ketamine therapy as a last resort.
Because KAT is still a somewhat unconventional treatment, some may view it as a last resort for addressing their mental health concerns. In reality, ketamine therapy can be an effective treatment much earlier on in your mental health journey. You do not necessarily need to exhaust all other treatment options before you consider beginning KAT. Ketamine therapy is also effective for high-functioning individuals who want to work through traumas quickly so that they can achieve their professional and personal goals.
At Kore Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Jordanna Quinn and her staff can help you discover the benefits of KAT in a safe, holistic treatment environment. Dr. Quinn is a Board-Certified physician under the American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and she carefully crafts each treatment to unlock the body and mind’s natural healing capabilities. Schedule a consultation to learn more about ketamine therapy and the other holistic treatments offered in our practice. Schedule a discovery call today to begin your patient journey at Kore Regenerative Medicine.
