What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a relatively new drug. It was developed in 1962 but not approved for use in humans until 1970. Initially it was used as a general anesthetic and was known to have dissociative effects. It is still used in hospital settings for its anesthetic and analgesic properties. It was also used during the Vietnam war as a battlefield anesthetic, used as such because other soldiers could easily administer it to someone who was wounded. In the 1970s and 80s, it became an increasingly popular street drug. In the 1990s, ketamine became a drug abused while clubbing, particularly in the rave scene. In 1999, ketamine became a controlled substance in the United States.
Although it has a somewhat checkered history, ketamine is now being used medically to help those suffering from several different medical and mental health conditions.
New Uses
In 2022, ketamine serves as an innovative treatment for mental health and other conditions. While it’s still used as an anesthetic agent during surgery, it is also used in an emergency room setting as a pain management tool. Additionally, it’s used as an alternative pain medication for those experiencing pain from cancer and cancer treatments, as well as for those who have pain that isn’t helped by opioid medications.
Some of the most ground-breaking uses for ketamine are in the treatment of mental health conditions. Prescribed at low doses by a licensed, experienced practitioner, ketamine may offer relief for conditions such as:
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Chronic pain
- Migraines
How it Works
Simply put, low-dose ketamine acts as a block to forming short-term memories and to block specific receptors in the brain that receive pain impulses. Ketamine inhibits the receptors in your brain, forcing your brain to create new connections and building additional pathways that lead to better mood, sleep, and behavior.
At low doses, ketamine can be a very effective treatment for several mental health conditions, including those that may have been resistant to other treatment modalities.
As a newer treatment for mental health conditions and chronic pain, it’s important to visit a practitioner who is knowledgeable about and experienced in the use of ketamine. Jason Meisel, nurse practitioner specializing in psychiatry in the Park Slope area of Brooklyn, provides ketamine treatment in a professional, safe, therapeutic environment.
He prescribes ketamine in several different forms, including:
- Lozenge
- Capsule
- Spray
Nurse Practitioner Jason collaborates with you to determine the correct dosage and method for ketamine administration. He also works with a compounding pharmacy to specifically tailor a prescription for you.
A Full Treatment Protocol
Although ketamine is a highly effective treatment, it must be coupled with therapy. As the ketamine treatment builds new neural pathways, it’s crucial to use the combination of therapy and ketamine treatment to create new, positive neural pathways to facilitate the greatest degree of healing and symptom management possible.
If you think ketamine treatment might be right for you, please reach out to Meisel NP Psychiatry today. We can be reached at 740-777-6184 or info@meiselpsychnp.com to help you figure out a treatment plan that will work for you.
Image credit:
| Tommyandone / Envato Elements |
Disclaimer: The information contained here is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.
