Credit: Envato. Depression is a serious issue that requires serious solutions, yet too many with major depressive disorder have tried a whole host of medicines to no avail, eventually moving toward Treatment-resistant depression or TRD.
TRD does not necessarily mean that depression cannot be treated, but rather that it does not respond to the usual treatments, meaning people with TRD have often tried a good deal of treatments. This is where ketamin comes in–not as a party drug or anesthetic, as many might initially think of it, but rather an ‘antidepressant’ for those who have tried many antidepressants.
Mental health professionals, from those with a Masters in School Counseling online to those treating elderly patients, know that the scope for mental health treatment is vast and complex, and while a ketamine-related medication might seem unconventional, it’s always about doing what’s best for the patient. Ketamin as Treatment
For depression, ketamine is given in a sub-anesthetic dose and is thought to work through several methods of action (MOA), first and foremost, by blocking NMDAR receptors , which increases glutamate release and activates other receptors. This MOA emphasizes the increase in excitatory glutamate, which is thought to enhance synaptic plasticity and neural connectivity, potentially reversing depression-related deficits.
At the same time, ketamine boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling, promoting neurogenesis and resilience in key brain areas like the prefrontal cortex. The big difference between these effects and traditional antidepressants is time. Some selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) take weeks before effects are noticed, ketamine can work in minutes. SSRIs are currently the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant in the US Finding Alternatives
Ketamine has derivatives, many with the potential for fewer unwanted side effects, reduced dangers for abuse, and improved formulas. A commonly used ketamine alternative is Esketamine, which is essentially a more refined version of ketamine. Esketamine is used in place of ketamine for psychiatric purposes. It has also received FDA approval for TRD in the form of a nasal spray .
Eskatamine offers a similar rapid-acting antidepressant effect with potentially fewer side effects and a reduced risk of abuse via […]
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