Can Ketamine help anxiety?
Anxiety is an extremely common mood disorder. Subsequently, anxiety is becoming increasingly prevalent as we learn more about the types of Anxiety Disorder and symptoms. It’s estimated that some 31% of adults experience anxiety disorder of some kind in the U.S. Most types of anxiety disorder are traditionally treated with anti-anxiety medications, therapy, counseling, or some combination of those. However, Ketamine may also be a viable treatment option for some patients.
How does Ketamine work for anxiety patients?
Ketamine is an anesthetic that is delivered to patients via IV. Treatment with ketamine quickly increases glutamate activity in the brain, and glutamate is one of the brain’s messengers that helps with learning and memory, mood regulation, and neuroplasticity. You may be wondering what Neuroplasticity is. Simply put, it’s the brain’s ability to change and adapt to new experiences. Experts believe that increasing neuroplasticity can help form new pathways and likewise create more positive thoughts.
Anti-anxiety medications can take two to six weeks to start working, whereas Ketamine treatment can provide relief exponentially faster. Interestingly, Ketamine can start relieving anxiety symptoms in as little as two hours. The types of anxiety that can be treated with Ketamine include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, some phobias, PTSD, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Ketamine treatments have also been shown to be effective in treating depression, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and other types of neuropathic pain.
Get help for anxiety
As with any type of treatment option, always consult with the healthcare professional that helps you manage your anxiety disorder.
We at Athens Ketamine Center are happy to help! We see a wide variety of patients, but we have a common goal – to get you feeling like yourself again! We treat patients in the comfortable and calming environment of our offices, which are centrally located in Athens, GA. We can talk you through all of the options available, and help you find the right treatment path. With compassionate care, a clean, comfortable environment, and a friendly, professional team, you’re in good hands at Athens Ketamine Center.
Call us at (706) 286-8344, email us at ketamine@ashfordpain.com, or fill out our Contact form to get started.