When it comes to treating depression, doctors are trying new treatments regularly. Depression is a major concern among many individuals, as it impacts and causes issues in both personal and professional lives. Recently, when Ketamine was found to be helpful with treating depression, many people are turning to this treatment for relief. But how exactly does Ketamine work to treat depression? First, it’s important to understand depression and the negative impact it can have on you.
What is Depression?
Depression is a mood disorder that can cause a person who is suffering to feel sad, hopeless, and lose interest in things that matter to them. When people have major depressive disorder, it can interfere with daily life. It can be hereditary, or brought on by factors such as poverty or abuse, and can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or background.
Symptoms of depression can vary among individuals, but some of the most common signs of depression include the following:
- Feeling sad or down more often than not
- Loss of interest in favorite things and hobbies
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Lack of appetite
- Sleeping more often than not
- Inability to focus
- Anger or mood swings
How Can Ketamine Help Treat Depression?
Scientists have recently completed an experiment with mice in a laboratory setting that shows promise for how Ketamine can impact the brain, helping relieve depression symptoms in those who present with them. By using a microscopic imaging technique, the scientists observed the part of the brain that controls and regulates emotions – the medial prefrontal cortex.
When given a dose of Ketamine, the mice in the experiment who presented with depression symptoms seemed to become more active, happy, and able to run mazes and other obstacles. When the scientists looked at the brain, they noticed that structures were repairing themselves, and the brain was even building new ones to replace ones that were damaged. This caused the mice to exhibit behavior changes anywhere from three to forty-eight hours after they were treated.
While the results did not last indefinitely, with ongoing treatments it has become clear that the effects of the Ketamine can last for longer periods of time, providing relief from the symptoms that cause individuals to suffer.
In theory, this breakthrough could be helpful in treating people who suffer from depression, as well. Simply put, with the correct dosage and number of treatments, the effects of Ketamine can make a major difference and long-lasting impact in the lives of those who are dealing with this mood disorder.
To learn more about Ketamine therapy for depression, call Ketamine USA for a consultation to see if you are an ideal candidate for treatment.