Groundbreaking New Help for PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can have a devastating impact on daily life, and while there are treatments, improvement often falls short. The triggering nature of trauma-focused therapy can lead to discontinuation, and conventional medications such as SSRIs have shown limited benefit.

Ketamine infusion therapy is a novel treatment for PTSD that can relieve symptoms, and boost quality of life for patients living with PTSD. Ketamine Research Institute of Consciousness Sciences North America (KRICSNA) is a premier ketamine infusion center following standard protocols under the direction of Rajeev Verma, MD. Serving patients in Wethersfield, Connecticut, and the surrounding areas, our center is supported by board-certified anesthesiologists who administer ketamine infusion therapy.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine was first developed in the 1960s primarily as an anesthetic in medicine and veterinary care. It’s known for its ability to provide pain relief and sedation. However, more recently, ketamine has been shown to have a beneficial impact on mental health conditions, including treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Unlike traditional antidepressants that can take weeks to work, ketamine works quickly, sometimes improving symptoms within hours or days.

How Does Ketamine Treat PTSD?

There are multiple ways ketamine affects PTSD symptoms. Ketamine stimulates glutamate production, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in neural activation. This stimulation leads to changes in the brain circuits associated with mood and thought processing. The result is often a rapid and significant reduction in PTSD symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Additionally, ketamine may help patients with PTSD by resetting some neural pathways, making it easier to respond to psychotherapeutic treatments.

Science-Backed Support

Intravenous (IV) ketamine infusions significantly reduce symptom severity in people with chronic PTSD and the improvement is sustained for several weeks after the infusions, according to a study published in the The American Journal of Psychiatry in 2021. Researchers believe that ketamine’s ability to change the brain’s neurocircuitry is how it benefits patients with PTSD. Ketamine increases neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to form new healthy neural connections.

What to Expect from Ketamine Treatment

Compared to traditional treatment with SSRIs, ketamine typically leads to rapid improvement. Some patients experience improvements in their symptoms within a few days of treatment. Ketamine’s symptom-relieving effects may last from days to weeks. Your provider will recommend an individualized course of treatment. The number and frequency of treatments vary depending on individual response and the protocol of the treatment center.

What is a Ketamine Infusion Therapy Session Like?

A ketamine treatment session for PTSD is carefully administered to ensure safety. During the session, our anesthesiologists administer the medication intravenously at a low dose for 40 to 60 minutes. Throughout the infusion, vital signs like blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels are closely monitored. The experience can vary greatly among individuals. It’s normal to feel detached from your surroundings and experience dream-like states or vivid imagery, which can be integral to the therapeutic process. After the session, patients typically remain under observation for a short period to ensure they are stable and to manage any immediate side effects.

These ketamine sessions, when combined with ongoing support and psychotherapy, can provide a comprehensive approach to managing PTSD. If you’re struggling with symptoms of PTSD, consider ketamine infusion therapy at KRICSNA, located in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Contact our center to request an appointment today.