Ketamine Treatment for PTSD and Trauma: A New Path to Healing
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma are conditions that develop in the aftermath of traumatic incidents. While PTSD has long been associated with veterans of war, these disorders can affect anyone who has experienced a life-altering or dangerous event. Survivors of childhood abuse, sexual assault, accidents, violence, and natural disasters can all suffer from PTSD or trauma-related symptoms. Ketamine therapy for PTSD and trauma is a growing option for relief from the debilitating symptoms of these conditions.
Is Ketamine Treatment for PTSD Effective?
Despite being a relatively new treatment option, ketamine has shown promising results for PTSD treatment:
- A study funded by the VA Office of Research and Development showed that two ketamine treatments for PTSD a week for four weeks, via infusion, alleviated symptoms in a majority of veteran patients with treatment-resistant PTSD.
- A Yale School of Medicine study concluded that “ketamine increases the number and function of synapses,” which means that ketamine treatment for PTSD helps heal and enhance brain functionality in patients suffering from PTSD.
- A Mount Sinai Hospital study with a general population found ketamine to be a fast and effective alternative treatment for PTSD. The study shows that “a single dose of IV ketamine was associated with rapid reduction of core PTSD symptoms and reduction in comorbid depressive symptoms in patients with chronic PTSD.”
Learn more about how ketamine works and check out answers to some of the most common questions people have about the efficacy of ketamine for PTSD.
How Does a Ketamine Treatment for PTSD Work?
Ketamine affects the brain differently than other medicines prescribed for PTSD. Scientific research has shown that ketamine for PTSD works by:
- Quickly increasing levels of glutamate, the most common neurotransmitter in the brain. Normal amounts of glutamate are necessary for healthy brain function.
- Growing new neural pathways and repairing damaged ones, as shown through FMRI brain scans.
- Inducing rapid synaptic plasticity changes, which occur within hours after ketamine administration.
According to the VA National Center for PTSD and Yale University, “Accumulating evidence demonstrates aberrant glutamatergic function in mood, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders and dysfunction in glutamate neurotransmission is increasingly considered a cardinal feature of stress-related psychiatric disorders including PTSD.”
Ketamine alleviates the worst symptoms of PTSD, allowing patients to process and move beyond their trauma in a unique manner. While ketamine is not a cure for PTSD, it presents a window of opportunity for healing that many patients have never experienced before.
Ketamine-mediated synaptic plasticity changes appear to occur within a matter of hours after ketamine administration
Additionally, through FMRI brain scans, ketamine has been shown to grow new neural pathways and repair damaged neural pathways, allowing the brain a chance to heal. “Ketamine-mediated synaptic plasticity changes appear to occur within a matter of hours after ketamine administration.” (Mt. Sinai Hospital)
Ketamine alleviates the worst symptoms of PTSD, allowing patients to grow past their trauma in a unique manner. While Ketamine is not specifically a cure for PTSD, it presents a window of opportunity for healing that many patients have never experienced and this is why Ketamine for PTSD is a growing treatment option.
Why Choose New Pathways Clinic for Your Ketamine Treatment for PTSD?
At New Pathways Clinic, we offer:
- The most experienced team in Ohio for providing ketamine therapy for PTSD and trauma
- A holistic approach to mental wellness
- Encouragement to maintain or engage in mental health therapy during ketamine treatments
- A network of psychologists available to accompany treatments upon request
We believe in combining ketamine therapy with traditional psychotherapy for optimal results. Our team wants to show you the promise these treatments have for alleviating the worst symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and trauma.
Have you suffered from PTSD and not yet found the healing you require? Do you wonder why current medications don’t seem to help your treatment plan? Consider the success of ketamine for PTSD for your condition. At New Pathways Clinic, we are seeing remarkable results for our clients suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and trauma.
Reach out and schedule a free consultation with our experienced team today to discover if ketamine for PTSD can work for you.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) FAQs
- How does ketamine infusion therapy specifically help with PTSD symptoms?
- What is the recommended course of treatment for PTSD?
- Are there any contraindications or conditions that would prevent someone from receiving ketamine for PTSD?
- Can patients undergoing ketamine treatment for PTSD continue their usual PTSD medications?
- What is the success rate for ketamine treatments in alleviating PTSD symptoms?
- What kind of improvements can patients expect after undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for PTSD?
- Can ketamine infusion help with associated conditions, such as depression or anxiety, in PTSD patients?
- Is there a support system in place at New Pathways Clinic for patients receiving ketamine for PTSD?
- How can family members and caregivers support a loved one undergoing ketamine therapy for PTSD?
Ketamine IV infusions help break up negative thought patterns by opening new pathways in the brain, allowing patients to process and move on from past traumas. Ketamine has been shown to quickly increase the production of glutamate, a key neurotransmitter in the brain that is essential for alleviating PTSD symptoms.
To begin treatment for PTSD, submit an intake form and schedule an initial assessment with our nurse practitioner. If you are a suitable candidate, you will then schedule a series of 6 ketamine IV
While rare, there are some contraindications for ketamine therapy. Only a medical professional, such as our nurse practitioner, can thoroughly assess your specific situation during the initial assessment to determine if ketamine treatment is appropriate for you.
In most cases, patients can continue their usual PTSD medications while receiving ketamine infusions. However, this decision ultimately depends on the advice of a medical professional.
Studies have shown that ketamine infusion therapy has a 70% success rate in alleviating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
In most cases, patients can expect acute relief from PTSD symptoms and associated depression after completing a series of ketamine infusions.
Yes, the relief of PTSD symptoms is commonly associated with a reduction in depression and anxiety levels.
Absolutely. We offer a free support group for patients, as well as the option for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KATP). Additionally, our nurse practitioner can refer patients to a network of trusted psychologists for further support.
Family members and caregivers can sign a Release of Information (ROI) form, which allows them to attend the ketamine infusion sessions and provide support throughout the treatment process.
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