How Ketamine Affects Your Brain Waves
This blog post has been adapted from the transcription of the above video.
Here at Reset Ketamine, we value and enjoy staying up to date with the latest research related to mental health and ketamine. Recently, I came across an interesting scientific article that talks about how ketamine affects your brain waves. In this blog, we talk about why ketamine can create a kind of meditative and peaceful experience for patients, which transforms them for the better.
In a scientific study, it was found that patients who were receiving ketamine had an increase in gamma waves. Gamma waves are found in those who are in a deep meditative phase.
Ketamine and Gamma Waves
This scientific article, titled “Electrophysiological correlates and predictors of the antidepressant response to repeated ketamine infusions in treatment-resistant depression” was published in Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry in April 2022.
I found this article fascinating because they were measuring patients who were receiving ketamine with electrodes attached on their scalp or EEGs. One of the interesting things they found was an increase in a specific type of brainwave called gamma waves.
We have alpha, beta, theta, and delta waves as well that are part of our sleeping or waking consciousness. However, gamma waves was the one thing that they noticed the most. Gamma waves are present in long-term meditators who get into a deep meditative state. Multiple studies have shown that meditation can also be pretty effective for mood disorders like anxiety and depression.
Could it be possible that ketamine is creating a kind of a meditative experience for the patient, which is helping alleviate their depression? Is ketamine altering the brain wave physiology by creating these gamma waves?
Experiencing what it feels like to die during a non-ordinary ketamine experience can make patients more grateful and intentional about the lives they have.
Experiencing “Death” Through Ketamine
There’s another interesting study on a patient who, as he was getting an EEG, unfortunately passed away. Because of this, he was able to make a unique contribution to global society through this unique EEG pattern. Guess what type of EEG pattern the patient had as he was literally passing away? Gamma waves!
Some patients have reported a near-death experience (NDE) as they're receiving ketamine. Yes that can be scary, but sometimes it can be peaceful as well. As humans, our greatest fear is the fear of death. But what if someone, through ketamine, was able to face their fear of death and feel calm and collected about it? What if, through a near-death-like experience, you think to yourself “Now I know what dying may feel like. Thankfully I’m still alive and I’m still here and I get to live my life.” Patients who have had near-death experiences during their ketamine experience have a renewed sense of life. This is why many of our patients are willing to make positive changes in their lives after their treatment.
Summary
In conclusion, ketamine increases gamma wave activity in the brain, which has been linked to meditation and even the passing of someone's life. The fortunate thing is that when someone is receiving IV ketamine, they are being monitored. All ketamine patients are safe and cardiovascular respiratory function is in good order. However, being able to almost face death can be quite awakening and life-changing.
Study mentioned in the above video and blog:
If you enjoyed this blog, you might like to explore these blogs as well:
Theta Brain Waves & the Anti-Anxiety Effects of Ketamine
Did you know that during a ketamine infusion, your brain gets into a very calm meditative state, similar to people who have meditated for years? Explore this and what it could mean for lowering anxiety in this blog post!
Ketamine and Near-Death Experiences (NDE)
Did you know that some people experience near-death experiences during their ketamine infusion? This can be challenging but also powerful to change their life.
How Ketamine Works On Our Brain
Our brain is typically hardwired based on our past experiences and traumas. But just like clay, we can mold and shape it to become better through treatments such as ketamine infusions. Find out in this blog how ketamine acts as a catalyst for change to transform our brains.
After their treatment, many ketamine patients leave feeling more at peace and more determined to make positive changes in their lives. Why is this? In this blog, we talk about a ketamine article that measures exactly how ketamine affects your brain wave physiology.