Ketamine Infusions For Mental Health And Pain Management/ Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
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Glacier Mental and Family Health Solutions
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner located in Eagle River, AK
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a class of medications that belongs to a class of drugs known as dissociative anesthetics. It was initially developed as an anesthetic agent and is commonly used in medical settings for inducing and maintaining anesthesia during surgeries. Ketamine works by blocking certain receptors in the brain, particularly the N-methyl-D-asparte (NMDA) receptor, resulting in dissociation, analgesia, and sedation.
Ketamine has gained attention for its potential therapeutic effects in mental health and pain management. It has been found to produce dissociative and psychedelic effects, which can lead to altered perceptions and feelings of detachment from reality.
Ketamine is administered in different forms including intravenous (IV) infusions, intramuscular (IM) injections, nasal sprays, and troches. The dose and administration method used at Glacier is IV and IM.
What Mental Health Disorders and Chronic Pain Conditions Does Ketamine Help?
Mental Health
1. Depression:
Ketamine may rapidly relieve symptoms of treatment-resistant depression, sometimes within hours or days after the infusion. It has shown effectiveness in reducing suicidal thoughts and improving overall mood.
2. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
Ketamine can help reduce symptoms of PTSD, such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and hyperarousal, and potentially improve overall quality of life.
3. Anxiety Disorders:
Ketamine has demonstrated potential in the treatment of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorders (GAD), social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It may alleviate anxiety symptoms and promote emotional well-being.
4. Bipolar Disorder:
Ketamine infusion therapy may provide relief for individuals with bipolar disorder, specifically during depressive episodes or treatment-resistant manic episodes.
Pain Management
1. Chronic Pain:
Ketamine has been shown to be effective in managing chronic pain conditions, such as neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), fibromyalgia, and phantom limb syndrome. It may help alleviate pain intensity and improve overall pain control.
2. Migraines and Headaches:
Ketamine infusions have been successful in reducing the frequency and severity of migraines and chronic headaches.
3. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD):
Ketamine can be beneficial in managing the symptoms associated with RSD, a painful disorder affecting the sympathetic nervous system.
Please see cost of services for the Ketamine infusion rate.
