How Does Ketamine Work?
We are always seeking answers to complex problems, what causes depression and how to treat depression is a field of research that is eminently important. There is still a lot to understand about depression and the best ways to facilitate healing. Typically, a treatment plan for treating a depressive illness starts with having a strong doctor-patient relationship to evaluate the life as a whole including sleep, exercise, nutrition, and substance abuse.
Previous theories concerning antidepressants
Traditional theories of treating depression have focused on the chemical messengers in the brain: serotonin and noradrenaline. Antidepressants work to restore the balance of serotonin and noradrenaline in order to lift the mood. Unfortunately, antidepressants work slowly to increase nerve cells in the hippocampus and seem to only work effectively in conjunction with exercise, and psychotherapy. Serotonin and noradrenaline are important components in mood, but not the main players as they have relatively small numbers of neurons.
New research and new connections
The Glutamate System, the system that ketamine primarily interacts with, is getting more attention in the neurobiology of mood disorders. Ketamine is believed to rapidly increase the communication among these neurons by creating new pathways, thus enhancing brain circuit activity and relieving depression. One theory is that long-term stress in susceptible people can lead to changes in the brain such as nerve cell atrophy, damage specifically made to a protein called BDNF. This very important protein is responsible for synaptic regulation with the glutamate system.
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The good news is that damage due in the brain to chronic stress is considered reversible. This is where Ketamine may come in. Ketamine can give rise to new neurons, branches, protrusions and synapses in the brain by rekindling BDNF production. Increased BDNF has a strong antidepressant effect so you can get back to feeling like you again.
Ketamine is more than a band-aid to depressive symptoms. It only takes about 40-minutes of intravenous ketamine for antidepressant effects to take place. Most providers recommend a treatment plan unique to the patient and will encourage therapy, nutrition, and exercise as part of the regime.