You may have met someone who has benefited from ketamine for chronic pain or seen a video about how ketamine works to alleviate depression and anxiety. So you get all jazzed about trying ketamine infusions for yourself and you approach your doctor about it. Instead of getting helpful information and support to pursue infusions, you get a cold reception, a flat out “no”, or a simple shrug of the shoulders.
WHAT’S ONE OF THE LESSONS YOU’VE GAINED FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE FROM THE TREATMENT?
What I learned is that I couldn't change my situation by "traditional" means, nor by thinking my way through. I'm so glad I had the courage to try ketamine...it's like a poetic hero's journey into the unknown realm of the self. An added plus is the research that ketamine encourages the brain to continue growing even after the infusion itself.
WHAT’S ONE OF THE LESSONS YOU’VE GAINED FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE FROM THE TREATMENT?
I’ve learned how important and how easy it is to feel real empathy with another person. Letting yourself truly feel and think from another person’s perspective is so important I think. The insights about empathy and where real love is in my life quite literally saved my marriage. The selfishness of depression and the inability or unwillingness to see how a path very different from my own could bring someone else happiness are real dangers that I don’t think are addressed as much as they could be in the context of depression. There is a lot more to the condition that just feeling sad. I strongly feel that I learned this during ketamine treatment and I know that my relationship started to change in the car on the way home from the first treatment.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING KETAMINE INFUSION TREATMENTS?
If you can afford it, do it. If you don’t like it, you can make a choice after you try it. I was at a point where I would try anything to get out of the depressive stupor. Staying persistent and on “the plan” helped me regain my equilibrium. Eight months after the last treatment, I am able to read and focus. I am proactive in my life again. I’m much more productive both within and outside of myself.
Ketamine treatments can be rapidly effective in a significant number of patients suffering from depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. However, there are some patients who seem to do better than others. In addition to an appropriate environment, preparation, and integration afterwards, the right mindset going into a ketamine treatment is crucial.
These are the three MENTAL factors that support patients’ improvement from the ketamine treatments:
Ketamine is shedding it’s old reputation and gaining a new life as an effective and rapid treatment for depression, PTSD, and anxiety. Some researchers even state that ketamine is "the biggest breakthrough in depression research in a half century.” You may have read news articles, seen videos on YouTube, or perhaps have even heard of a ketamine infusion clinic near you. But should you consider trying it for your own depression?
WHAT WAS ONE OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES DURING THE TREATMENT?
I had a time or two where the experience I had caused me to suddenly understand everything. Things seemed to make sense on a deeper level. It was extremely satisfying. It is very difficult to put my experience into words. But almost all my treatments are uniquely different and yet the same. I am learning that you can alter the experience to see what you want as well at times. It’s very cool.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering ketamine infusion treatments?
This was the best gift I could have ever given myself. I was so worried and concerned about the money and finances of it UNTIL…. I got in the car after my first session and stated “No regrets. It’s worth every penny!”
What stands out in your mind about your experience with Dr. Ko & Reset Ketamine?
For me, it’s been transformational - Dr. Ko is an obviously skilled and capable clinician, but I think he’s found his true calling in this therapeutic work. His approach to medicine embraces both the Western and Eastern traditions, and for me, that is very rare...and powerful. He and his staff make me feel safe, cared for and seen as a whole person, and we can all benefit from that.
What was one of your most memorable experiences during the treatment?
My grandmother died a couple of years ago. I miss her so much everyday. I wore her ring to my ketamine infusions. Before I went in for the first treatment I just stared at her picture which made me less nervous. During my first infusion, I felt her presence. I started having wonderful memories of her flooding my mind. It helped me to focus on all the happy moments I had with her. It helped my grief a lot.
According to the World Health Organization, depression has now surpassed HIV, AIDS, malaria, diabetes, and war as the leading cause of disability. It is estimated that 16.2 million Americans have experienced a major depressive episode, and depression is much more common in females than males. Some studies report up to 20% of teenagers experiencing depression before they reach adulthood, and statistics are showing that it’s actually increasing.
Furthermore, with the current COVD-19 pandemic, civil unrest, and heightened stress levels worldwide, our psychological health is challenged even more. Experts are anticipating significant impacts in the rates of anxiety and depression.
To simplify the question, we will limit the discussion to ketamine and its role in depression.
The short answers are: 1) Unawareness of ketamine as a treatment 2) Ketamine is not FDA approved for mood disorders 3) Ketamine is considered an experimental or investigational drug
But to leave it at this doesn’t fully explain it. To explore more, let’s do a deeper dive into each of these answers.
You’ve read up about ketamine. Maybe you have a friend or acquaintance who's gotten better thanks to ketamine. You’re ready to try ketamine infusions and you want to talk to your doctor but not sure how to go about it without getting an immediate dismissal. Well we got you covered and have a suggestion on how to bring up ketamine treatments with your doctor.
COVID-19 has taken the world by storm, and with the rush of new trials, medications, and treatments, everyone is hoping for a miracle drug or vaccine. But with the rush and urgency for a treatment, doctors had to result with what is currently available and repurposing drugs that are originally intended for a different disease. They have tried drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, antivirals, antibiotics, and vitamins. It’s a tough battle to fight, as they need medication that will stop the disease from progressing and treat those patients that have fallen dangerously ill. With severe economic impacts and a push to “open-up” states, doctors and researchers are rapidly developing trials to find out which medications may be the most effective.
![3 Reasons Why Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You About Ketamine [2020 Update]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8dfbc1cf81e0fb77ead442/1520489352243-F0H3L98Q4GQE6S5EA3GR/IMG_9684.jpg)
![Why You Should Consider Ketamine Infusions for Depression [2020 UPDATE]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8dfbc1cf81e0fb77ead442/1519943692485-0B3UWB5F75RGVGHOJK85/pexels-photo-847483.jpeg)
![The Four Types of Experiences You May Have With Ketamine [2020 Update]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8dfbc1cf81e0fb77ead442/1519853468092-YIIPMI8VWKZMGFE35QGV/pexels-photo-357891.jpeg)
