Many people struggle with depression, PTSD, and other mental illnesses. Though many treatments are available, people have varying responses to common care strategies. Recent research has shown that ketamine may be an effective approach to providing relief for patients who have found other methods unsuccessful. Sadly, this synthetic compound is popularly misunderstood. If you’re considering ketamine therapy, it’s important to understand its history. The primer below will introduce you to this invaluable drug. 

What You Need to Know About Ketamine

What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine is an anesthetic agent derived from cyclohexanone, an organic compound. It has analgesic effects, providing relief from both acute and chronic pain. It’s often administered intravenously and intramuscularly to deliver fast-acting relief that lasts as long as two hours, depending on its ingestion method. It functions as an N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA) antagonist, meaning it inhibits the function of nerve cells. 

Discovery

Ketamine was first synthesized in 1962 by American scientist Calvin Stevens of Parke-Davis Laboratories. It was patented in Belgium in 1963 and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1970. It found an immediate application in the Vietnam War and was used to treat soldiers wounded in battle. Thanks to its pain-relieving effectiveness, it was then integrated into general medicine and surgery on a mainstream basis. It’s still often used as an anesthetic for pediatric and veterinary medicine and as a general short-term sedative during and after surgery. Unfortunately, it’s also abused as an illicit club drug for its dissociative properties. This misuse has led to negative public perceptions around ketamine, though media depictions and opinions are gradually changing. 

Mental Illness Applications

Recent research has shown that ketamine may be helpful for treating psychological conditions, such as depression and PTSD. Ketamine infusion therapy may alleviate the symptoms of mood disorders and other forms of mental illness. Ongoing clinical trials continue to discover promising results. Speak with your health care team before seeking ketamine therapy, as you may have an adverse reaction to its effects and it may interact poorly with other medications.

If you’re interested in exploring ketamine therapy, turn to Ketamine Center of Connecticut in Milford, CT. They offer treatment options for many conditions, including mental illnesses like OCD, bipolar disorder, and depression, and chronic pain treatment. They also offer counseling services. Count on their staff to build a customized treatment plan to meet all your needs. Call (203) 701-6388 today to schedule a consultation, or view their services online.