Is Ketamine Therapy the Breakthrough We’ve Been Waiting for in Depression Treatment?
If you’ve been struggling with depression and nothing seems to work, you’re not alone. In my work with patients across Davis County, I’ve seen firsthand how frustrating it can be to try one antidepressant after another with little or no relief. That’s why I’m now offering ketamine therapy as part of Mind Anchor Psychiatry’s treatment options here in Bountiful, Utah.
Ketamine is one of the most promising therapies we’ve seen in years for people living with treatment-resistant depression. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a form of major depressive disorder (MDD) that doesn’t improve after trying at least two different antidepressants. It can be incredibly frustrating and isolating, often leading to substance abuse and increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. An estimated 3 million people in the United States live with TRD (source).
Ketamine therapy offers new hope for those with TRD who haven’t responded to traditional treatments. For many patients, it’s been the first thing that’s actually helped them feel like themselves again.
What Is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine was originally approved as an anesthetic in 1970, but researchers discovered it has powerful antidepressant effects at much lower, subanesthetic doses. Unlike standard antidepressants, which target serotonin, ketamine works on the brain’s glutamate system, which plays a key role in promoting synaptic plasticity and mood regulation (source).
This means that new neural connections can be formed within the brain to better process traumatic memories and encourage resilience. The best part is that ketamine therapy is fast-acting; some patients start noticing relief of depression symptoms within 24 to 48 hours after treatment (source).
What to Expect from Ketamine Treatments
At Mind Anchor Psychiatry, we provide ketamine therapy for depression in a supportive, medically supervised setting. Here’s how it works:
Initial consultation to determine if ketamine is appropriate for you
Low-dose administration via intramuscular (IM) methods
Guided integration to help you process and build on the insights from each session
Ongoing support as we monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan if needed
Every treatment is personalized. Ketamine could be used in combination with medication and counseling. Some patients see meaningful results after just a few sessions; others benefit from a more structured, long-term protocol.
Is Ketamine Safe?
When administered in a clinical setting by trained providers, ketamine is safe and well-tolerated. The dose used for depression is much lower than what’s used in surgical settings, and side effects are typically mild and short-lived.
Some patients experience temporary dissociation or dizziness during a session, but these effects wear off usually within an hour or two. At Mind Anchor Psychiatry, we do ask that patients arrange for a ride as driving is not allowed after treatment. We partner with Uber Health to provide safe transportation for patients who don’t have someone available to accompany them.
If you have questions or concerns, I’ll walk you through everything so you feel comfortable and informed before moving forward.
Is Ketamine Therapy Right for You?
Ketamine treatment may be a good fit if:
You’ve been diagnosed with major depressive disorder
You’ve tried at least two different antidepressants without success
You’re looking for a new approach after traditional treatments haven’t worked
This therapy isn’t for everyone, but it can be life-changing for the right person. We’ll always start with a full consultation to decide if it’s the right next step for your care.
If you’re in the North Salt Lake region and other surrounding areas (Farmington, Centerville, Layton, Woods Cross, Kaysville, Millcreek, West Valley, Murray, Taylorsville) and are interested in exploring ketamine therapy for depression, I’d be happy to answer your questions or set up a consultation at our office in Bountiful, Utah.
You can send me a message or schedule an appointment here.
You don’t have to stay stuck. There are more options, and ketamine might be one of them.
References:
Zhdanava M, Pilon D, Ghelerter I, Chow W, Joshi K, Lefebvre P, Sheehan JJ. The Prevalence and National Burden of Treatment-Resistant Depression and Major Depressive Disorder in the United States. J Clin Psychiatry. 2021 Mar 16;82(2):20m13699. doi: 10.4088/JCP.20m13699. PMID: 33989464.
Riggs LM, Gould TD. Ketamine and the Future of Rapid-Acting Antidepressants. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2021 May 7;17:207-231. doi: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-072120-014126. Epub 2021 Feb 9. PMID: 33561364; PMCID: PMC8170851.
Ionescu DF, Felicione JM, Gosai A, Cusin C, Shin P, Shapero BG, Deckersbach T. Ketamine-Associated Brain Changes: A Review of the Neuroimaging Literature. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2018 Nov/Dec;26(6):320-339. doi: 10.1097/HRP.0000000000000179. PMID: 29465479; PMCID: PMC6102096.
