Ketamine Treatment for Anxiety
In recent years, ketamine has emerged as a promising treatment option for anxiety disorders. In particular, research suggests that it may be a viable option for those suffering from treatment-resistant anxiety.
Ellen Diamond Ph.D., Chief Psychologist at Mind Body Centers explains, “People with anxiety disorders are most often treated with traditional antidepressants. These have been around a long time and are all designed to work in basically the same way. It can take weeks to see if drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor will work. If they don’t, more may be tried or different classes of psychiatric medications added and side effects are not uncommon.”
Up to 4 out of 10 patients will not achieve control of their symptoms through these traditional therapies.
Research on Ketamine for Anxiety Disorders
Ketamine infusion therapy is research-backed, evidence-based, and has a 30-year FDA-approved safety profile. Ketamine infusions are used to successfully treat a range of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and PTSD. Unlike traditional medications for anxiety, ketamine infusion therapy is typically effective within hours and symptoms can stay controlled for weeks or months between treatments.
Study: Ketamine for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial
Summary: At least 1/3 of people who suffer from social anxiety don’t experience significant benefits from standard treatments. In this study, patients who received ketamine therapy experienced significant and long-lasting anxiety relief, suggesting that it could be a promising treatment option with meaningful advantages over other treatments.
Summary: Researchers analyzed eight separate studies that investigated ketamine therapy for anxiety disorders. They concluded that current research supports ketamine’s ability to provide significant relief in patients suffering from social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and other conditions on the anxiety spectrum.
Summary: This study confirmed that ketamine has rapid anxiety-relieving effects, often occurring within the first hour of treatment. Researchers concluded that ketamine can be an effective medication for patients suffering from treatment-resistant anxiety and phobias.
How Ketamine Works
Ketamine belongs to a distinct class of medications that is different from traditional mental health treatments. It stimulates the neurotransmitter glutamate, which is often a major player in anxiety and depression disorders. It also enhances the brain’s neuroplasticity, or our ability to form new habits and change thought patterns. This is thought to explain why ketamine is so quickly effective in previously difficult-to-treat anxiety disorders.
Ketamine’s anxiety-relieving effects are twofold: the infusion itself tends to bring feelings of deep relaxation, but it also “rewires” the brain to produce long-term relief from anxiety symptoms.
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At Mind Body Centers our team of experienced medical professionals specializes in ketamine therapy and treatment, providing personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs.