According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. A quarter of a billion people suffer its effects, from children to senior citizens.
It can be extremely debilitating in its severe forms and may lead to a range of associated problems, from lack of productivity at work to suicide.
Given the severity of the effects of the disease, this is no small problem. And now using ketamine for depression is becoming a more popular and accepted therapy.
Origins of Using Ketamine For Depression
In 1964, ketamine was first trialed on human prisoners.
It was found to have high effectiveness in reducing pain and in rendering patients unconscious for surgical procedures. Side effects dissipated rapidly upon emergence from anesthesia.
These findings led to its approval as an anesthetic in 1970 and from that point, it came into wide use. It was particularly important during the Vietnam War.
Mechanism Of Action
Most drugs that help treat depression fall under the category of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Serotonin is responsible for the regulation of mood and plays a part in many other brain functions, notably cognition and memory.
Ketamine’s Impact On The Brain
Ketamine may actually prompt the brain to produce more glutamate.
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