Ketamine therapy is increasingly popular, with private clinics now offering this drug to those looking to cure depression or anxiety. The market for ketamine is so big, that NPR reports that for-profit ketamine clinics averaged $3.1 billion in revenue in 2022, and it will likely double to $6.9 billion by 2030.
But, is ketamine therapy safe? The short answer is no, ketamine therapy is not safe if done without proper supervision. Even with a medical professional on standby, issues like ketamine addiction, adverse side effects, and potential long-term effects still exist. For people interested in using this drug, it’s important to understand the dangers of ketamine, know how to recognize signs of ketamine addiction, and find a balance between experiencing positive effects while weighing its potential dangers.
What is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine therapy is offered by clinics to those looking for help with mental health issues. There are several different forms of ketamine available, including intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and nasal spray routes. Different clinics use different forms of ketamine to treat people, with IV ketamine infusions being one of the most popular. While one clinic might only offer nasal spray ketamine, others might offer IM shots or ketamine infusions.
The issue with ketamine therapy is that some ketamine clinics falsely claim this drug has benefits such as:
- Relief from grief
- Treatment for anxiety
- PTSD/Trauma treatment
- Childhood issues
- Treatment for depression
However, it’s important to know that none of these statements are supported by the FDA. In fact, the FDA has only approved one form of ketamine, known as esketamine, to help improve suicidal thinking in people with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). It’s important to know that TRD is different from regular depression. People with TRD have already tried antidepressants to help improve their symptoms, but to no avail. For people with TRD, esketamine can be a way to improve outcomes and a second treatment option.
More importantly, ketamine therapy with esketamine, which is a nasal spray form of s-ketamine, should be used together with an antidepressant and under the close watch of a medical professional. While it’s true that esketamine can help with depression, it isn’t the first line of treatment for it and is only approved for use after someone has failed to respond to other antidepressants.
Origins of Ketamine
Ketamine was first synthesized in the early 1960s and was used mainly as an anesthetic for surgeries. However, due to its hallucinogenic effects, it soon gained recognition as a popular party drug.
The FDA has approved ketamine as an anesthetic since 1970. This form of ketamine, known as Ketalar, was the first formulation of ketamine to be used in humans. Since then, over 60 years of research has been poured into ketamine, especially since its off-label and even recreational use has skyrocketed.
Today, this drug is considered a Schedule III controlled substance by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Its potential for abuse and addiction has been a concern, with ketamine being used as a party drug and in raves thanks to its hallucinogenic effects.
Benefits of Ketamine Therapy
In addition to its approved use as an anesthetic and recreational drug, ketamine has gained attention for its potential therapeutic effects in treating treatment-resistant depression. Since its approval by the FDA in 2019, demand for ketamine has grown, with the injectable Ketamine market set to experience a 9.8% growth between 2021-2031.
Ketamine is no doubt an alluring prospect for both patients and physicians due to its fast-acting antidepressant effects. Routine antidepressants such as Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and atypical antidepressants can take weeks or even months to produce results. However, IV Ketamine has been shown to provide relief from depressive symptoms in people with bipolar depression and major depressive disorder within as little as one day. This rapid response is particularly beneficial for individuals with severe depression who may be at risk of self-harm.
Additionally, ketamine therapy is also being explored as a potential treatment option for other mental health conditions such as:
- Substance use disorder
- Eating disorders
- PTSD
- OCD
While research shows that ketamine treatment might have some positive effects for these conditions, the reason behind its effectiveness is still not fully understood. More studies are needed to solidify its potential benefits for people with these mental health conditions.
Is Ketamine Therapy Dangerous?
Like all types of medical treatments, ketamine therapy also comes with its own set of risks and side effects. The most common side effects reported by patients undergoing IV ketamine treatment include :
- Feeling strange, weird, or bizarre
- Feeling spacey
- Feeling woozy/loopy
- Dissociation
- Floating sensation
- Visual distortions
- Difficulty speaking
- Numbness
While these side effects usually don’t last for more than a few hours, they can seriously impact someone’s ability to function especially if they are not being closely monitored by a medical professional. This is why even FDA-approved ketamine treatments require a 2-hour monitoring period after administration.
In addition, using ketamine without supervision might also lead to other dangerous and even fatal consequences for some people. These include:
- Delirium
- Amnesia
- Impaired motor function
- High blood pressure
- Potentially fatal respiratory problems
In short, while ketamine therapy is approved by the FDA, using it off-label and without proper medical supervision can lead to serious and potentially dangerous side effects, with overdoses and deaths a concern among recreational users. That’s why it’s essential for people who are interested in using ketamine for depression to seek out licensed and experienced medical professionals who can properly administer the medication and monitor its effects.
Can You Do Ketamine Therapy Safely?
Besides seeking out licensed and experienced medical professionals, there are other important steps to take in order to explore ketamine therapy safely. Here are a few key considerations:
- Research the clinic or provider offering ketamine therapy – Before starting any kind of treatment, it’s important to thoroughly research the clinic or provider that will be administering the treatment. Look for reviews, credentials, and any red flags that might signal potential issues.
- Ask about protocols and safety measures – When speaking with a potential ketamine therapy provider, don’t be afraid to ask about their protocols and safety measures. This can include questions about monitoring vitals during treatment, emergency plans in case of adverse reactions, and follow-up care.
- Be open and honest with your provider – Ketamine therapy is a deeply personal and vulnerable experience. It’s important to be open and honest with your provider about any mental health concerns or past traumas that could impact the treatment. This will help them tailor the treatment to your specific needs and ensure a safe and effective experience.
- Consider alternative therapies as well – While ketamine therapy can be a powerful tool for treating depression, it may not be the right fit for everyone. It’s important to consider other treatment options such as talk therapy, medication, addiction therapy, or lifestyle changes before making a decision about ketamine therapy.
Risk Of Ketamine Addiction
Yet another issue with ketamine is its potential to lead to addiction. Lab tests show that long-term use of ketamine causes issues to the brain similar to other addictive substances, including structural and functional impairments. It can even lead to neurodevelopmental effects in both rodents and humans.
Signs and Symptoms of Ketamine Addiction
Besides animal studies, research on ketamine in humans show that regular ketamine use is associated with symptoms of addiction, which include:
- Continuing to use ketamine despite knowing it causes problems
- Physically dangerous usage
- Spending too much time obtaining or using ketamine
- Experiencing tolerance and needing more ketamine to get the same effects
If you or someone you know is showing signs of ketamine addiction, it’s important to seek help from a medical professional. Quitting ketamine abruptly can have serious consequences, including increased depression and anxiety, which is why medical detox and follow-up ketamine addiction treatment is highly recommended for users.
Treatment for Ketamine Addiction
Treatment for ketamine addiction may include inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, or partial hospitalization programs. The type of program that is recommended for an individual will depend on the severity of their addiction and any underlying mental health issues.
- Inpatient treatment: This type of treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for a designated period of time, typically ranging from 30 to 90 days. During this time, individuals receive structured therapy and support to help them overcome their ketamine addiction.
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP): This type of program offers more intensive treatment than outpatient but does not require individuals to stay at the facility overnight. PHPs often involve a combination of group therapy, individual therapy, and medication management.
- Outpatient treatment: This type of treatment allows individuals to live at home while attending therapy sessions at a designated facility. Outpatient treatment can range from a few hours per week to several hours per day, depending on the severity of the addiction.
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): MAT involves using medications, such as Naltrexone or Buprenorphine, to help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings for ketamine. While research is limited on what medications to use for ketamine addiction, both these medications show promise.
Not only can these treatments help with addiction, but they can also be vital in helping you recover from issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health disorders that ketamine therapy may have been used to treat. This is why a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses both substance use disorder and mental health concerns is crucial for long-term ketamine addiction recovery.
