New research studies indicate that ketamine for depression is excellent as it can cure this condition within few hours. Initially this drug was considered to include hallucinations. Ketamine, the anesthetic drug that is also used as a party drug illegally that is called “special K” — can be effective in relieving some patients out of depression instantly.
The new information about ketamine for depression treatment is really going to go a long way in providing a much better way to treat depression just as acupuncture for anxiety has come a long way as well. The research for whether ketamine for depression treatment would be successful is going on for the past 50 years.
Ketamine Depression Treatment – New Research
Ketamine, is basically an anesthetic that is used for both animals and humans. If this drug is used illegally, that is after drying the liquid into a powder form — there are possibilities of it creating hallucinations and a dream-like state.
Ketamine depression treatment is gaining some popularity in the recent years as the effectiveness of this drug in curing depression has been proved. The test of this drug was first conducted on mice that were depressed. As a part of that study, mice were put forward to some stressful conditions that led to synaptic connections between the brains nerve cells, similar to how the reaction of human brains after a substantial period of depression. As a part of the Ketamine depression treatment the researchers gave ketamine to the depressed mice and found that there were some synaptic connections that was rapidly restored.
Effects Of Ketamine On Depression
Many people including those who are researching on the subject always questioned the effects of ketamine on depression just like mood enhancing exercises. Well, a new study has revealed that there are some positive effects of ketamine on depression. This research shows that there are some connections in the brain that are changeable and adaptable, unlike what was thought before. Initially they were under the impression that it cannot be changed. Stress and depression are associated only when the connection is lost and it is important to remember that even when the connections are lost, it can be reversed with timely action.
Ketamine treatment for depression was also studied by the National Institute of Mental Health. One of the research proved that the NPR effect appeared like looking at a tree with plain branches and sudden you can see a sprout of healthy leaves. The institute recently did a test of ketamine on approximately 30 patients who were suffering from depression.
Unlike other antidepressants that are available in the market, ketamine does not direct an increase in the serotonin levels in the brain. Low serotonin is one reason why there is depression. For some patients, it may take many months for antidepressants to work on the serotonin levels.
Unlike other antidepressants, ketamine affects a substance known as glutamate, which is a neurotransmitter that is found in the nervous system and the human brain.
There is no likelihood of this drug ketamine become widely popular as a depression treatment remedy is unlikely because of its possible side effects of hallucination and a possible abuse. Researchers now are trying to use this component in some drugs that can give the same effect of ketamine without the negative side effects.