Here on Addictive Addiction, we cover a number of drugs which were intended for pharmaceutical use, but are sometimes abused. Codeine is one of these drugs. And as you may know, LSD was originally studied as a drug to treat several disorders. Among other drugs, doctors sometimes prescribe ketamine for depression. Let’s look at how the drug can help those who suffer from the condition.
Ketamine for Depression
Ketamine was originally developed as an anesthetic. But more recently research has indicated that doses of ketamine for depression are quite effective.
The drug was first used on soldiers during the Vietnam War in the 1970s. It was used to treat pain because of its anesthetic properties. It’s also been used as an animal tranquilizer in veterinarian offices.
It wasn’t until 2000 that scientists began to research ketamine as a treatment for mood disorders. In that research, they determined that ketamine has the potential to treat depression and stabilize mood much more effectively than commonly prescribed anti-depressants.
The FDA has approved ketamine as an antidepressant, but warns that patients should try other medications before ketamine. As with most drugs, doctors will take time to fine-tune the dosage and strength of ketamine before prescribing a long-term course of the drug.
Does Ketamine Help with Depression?
It’s commonly abused, so how does ketamine help with depression? Well, in short, it blocks receptors in the brain. You already know that the drug is a painkiller. It blocks NMDA and HCN1 receptors, and it’s in this way that it also serves as an effective antidepressant.
Ketamine is also the preferred drug for emergency room patients. When patients enter the ED, and doctors are unsure of their medical history, ketamine is prescribed. The drug rarely interacts with other drugs, both prescription and street.
The ketamine prescribed by doctors is slightly different than the street drug. Synthetics are available which adhere to the purity standards of the FDA. That said, if you suffer from depression please do not take the street drug. It will likely do you more harm than good.
Can Ketamine Cause Depression?
Interestingly, despite ketamine’s efficacy as a treatment for depression, long term abuse of the drug can actually cause depression. You can read more about the long term effects of ketamine elsewhere on Addictive Addiction, but to summarize, the street drug can cause amnesia, sleeplessness and anxiety. Nightmares and vivid dreams are also common, and depression is a common side effect of ketamine abuse.
If your doctor prescribes you ketamine for your mood disorder, be sure to follow the prescription instructions exactly as they’re written. Failure to do so can lead to dependency and very negative side effects.
Ketamine Depression Treatment
Scientists have great hope for the future of ketamine for depression treatment. It’s been highly effective when other drugs have been failed. Depression and mood disorders are difficult to treat. There are, if you include over the counter and prescription drugs, hundreds of treatments available for depression, and science sometimes struggles to find the “perfect cure.”
Ketamine depression treatment is by no means a panacea. There’s no one size fits all drug for the treatment of depression. While some will benefit from counseling or therapy, others may need a stronger drug like ketamine or even Depakote.
Your doctor will prescribe you a ketamine depression treatment after other options have failed. Your treatment will probably be in conjunction with a course of therapy, whether inpatient or outpatient.
If you suffer depression, please follow your doctor’s advice. Take what’s prescribed, and attend recommended counseling. Depression is a very serious mood disorder and it’s important for you to get the help you need, and under a doctor’s supervision.
Ketamine Depression Dosage
It’s not our intent to diagnose or prescribe ketamine for depression. We don’t recommend any one prescription over another – that’s between you and your doctor. And, of course, you know that you shouldn’t self-medicate with ketamine that you’ll buy as a street drug.
There are a few ways which ketamine can be prescribed, and the ketamine dosage will depend on your disorder, your body composition and your general health. Ketamine can be taken intravenously, orally, or sublingually (under your tongue).
The most commonly prescribed ketamine depression dosage is .3mg of ketamine per pound of body weight. As mentioned, though, your doctor will tailor the dosage to suit your physical and psychological needs. Don’t rely on a “standard” dose. Instead, talk to your doctor about what’s best.
Ketamine Treatment in Animals
Ketamine isn’t a wonder drug. But there are many proven uses for the substance, including ketamine treatment in animals. Ketamine is most frequently used on dogs and cats in the vet’s office. It’s an effective sedative in animals, and is used to restrain pets before checkups or even surgery.
Ketamine also has analgesic uses. Similar to humans taking an aspirin, ketamine can be used to relieve the pain of animals. And while it’s usually used in smaller animals, it can also be used to treat horses and even elk.
Other Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine certainly has its uses as a painkiller and an antidepressant. But as you know, depression isn’t a generic term. It’s a very specific mood disorder that ketamine can treat.
There are others, as well. Bipolar disorder treatment has been successful with ketamine. The drug was also discovered to be effective in treating post traumatic stress disorder. This treatment dates back to the Vietnam War, but it’s still used today.
The problem with ketamine as a treatment for these ailments is that it’s not covered by most insurance plans. This is true globally. The drug is recognized as a street drug, despite its proven efficacy in helping so many individuals. The treatment is cost prohibitive, even an impossibility for some people.
Furthermore, there’s a lot of opposition to the drug for medicinal purposes. Even more so than for the use of medical marijuana, though not as widely publicized. Ketamine carries a stigma, and the government, as well as pharmaceutical companies, are opposed to the drug’s use.
If you’re been diagnosed with depression, talk to your doctor. Ketamine for depression may be an option for you if nothing else works. Remember to stick with the doc’s orders, though. The street drug will not have the safe beneficial effects.