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Ketamine for depression

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Ketamine is different from traditional anti-depressants

From mild to moderate to severe cases, depression responds robustly to low-dose ketamine treatments. Those suffering from suicidal ideation may find these symptoms removed entirely following the first weeks of treatment.

Ketamine is different from traditional antidepressants and can be effective even if other treatment methods have yielded sub-optimal results.  This powerful medication can facilitate major changes, quickly. It doesn’t change who you are, only how you feel.

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After their first three weeks of treatment, more than 80% of patients report at least a 50% reduction in symptoms

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An estimated 30.9% of those with Major Depressive Disorder can be defined as having Treatment Resistant Depression

Depression research

Effect
Depression
Study
Efficacy of ketamine therapy in the treatment of depression
Level of evidence
Magnitude of effect
Summary
Ketamine acts faster than traditional anti-depressants
Effect
Depression
Study
Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Mood Disorders
Level of evidence
Magnitude of effect
Summary
Intravenous ketamine administration for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is generally safe and well-tolerated when administered by trained professionals. An initial case series of 10 subjects with TRD who received six open-label ketamine infusions over 12 days found that, throughout treatment, depressive symptoms were reduced by an average of 85%
Effect
Multiple Infusions
Study
Efficacy of single and repeated administration of ketamine in unipolar and bipolar depression: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Level of evidence
Magnitude of effect
Summary
Meta-analysis revealed rapid and robust anti-depressant effects of single-dose ketamine in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) patients. By pooling data from RCTs, we showed for the first time that repeated ketamine administration is effective in sustaining initial anti-depressant effects observed after single dosing
Effect
Depression
Study
A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders
Level of evidence
Magnitude of effect
Summary
Several studies now provide evidence of ketamine hydrochloride's ability to produce rapid and robust anti-depressant effects in patients with mood and anxiety disorders that were previously resistant to treatment. Despite the relatively small sample sizes, lack of longer-term data on efficacy, and limited data on safety provided by these studies, they have led to increased use of ketamine as an off-label treatment for mood and other psychiatric disorders
Effect
Depression
Study
Ketamine as a novel treatment for major depressive disorder and bipolar depression: a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis
Level of evidence
Magnitude of effect
Summary
The quantitative meta-analysis showed that ketamine significantly reduced depressive symptoms. The large and statistically significant effect of ketamine on depressive symptoms supports a promising, new, and effective pharmacotherapy with rapid onset, high efficacy, and good tolerability
Effect
Depression
Study
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging trial of intravenous ketamine as adjunctive therapy in treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
Level of evidence
Magnitude of effect
Summary
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a broad range of subanesthetic IV ketamine doses in the acute (72 h) treatment of TRD patients when added to stable anti-depressant therapy. The results suggest evidence for the anti-depressant efficacy of the 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg subanesthetic doses of IV ketamine and no clear or consistent evidence for clinically meaningful efficacy of lower doses of IV ketamine
Effect
Depression, fast-acting
Study
Ketamine and the Future of Rapid-Acting Antidepressants
Level of evidence
Magnitude of effect
Summary
The therapeutic onset of traditional anti-depressants is delayed by several weeks. Many depressed patients fail to respond to treatment altogether. In contrast, subanesthetic ketamine can rapidly alleviate symptoms of depression within hours of a single administration, even in patients who are considered treatment-resistant
Effect
Suicidal ideation
Study
The Effect of a Single Dose of Intravenous Ketamine on Suicidal Ideation: A Systematic Review and Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis
Level of evidence
Magnitude of effect
Summary
Suicide is a public health crisis with limited treatment options. The authors conducted a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis examining the effects of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. They concluded that ketamine rapidly reduced suicidal thoughts within one day and for up to 1 week in depressed patients with suicidal ideation.

"I have suffered from crippling depression since I had my first son 7 years ago. After trying dozens of medications that never worked, trying Ketamine changed my life. I have been seeing Coreen at the Bellevue clinic for the past several weeks and it has been life altering. I have become a much better mother and a productive member of society. Coreen is kind and knowledgeable and does an amazing job to make it a pleasant experience. I literally feel like I owe my life to Ketamine. Northwest Ketamine Clinic makes it all possible for me and I am very grateful."

– Sydney G

Treatment options for depression

Ketamine

Our foundational program: 6 intravenous infusions administered over 2-3 weeks under careful monitoring by our trained medical staff

Ketamine + Coaching

Our Healing Pathway option brings you together with an experienced psychedelic practitioner focused on self-empowerment, finding clarity, and dislodging blocks

Ketamine + Therapy

Work through challenging life issues with Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, our most involved program, with a licensed mental health counselor trained in psychedelic therapy

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