If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, anxiety, or chronic pain, you’ve probably heard of ketamine. Ketamine is a medication that has been used for decades as an anesthetic, but in recent years, it has gained attention for its potential to treat mental health conditions and chronic pain. Unfortunately, because ketamine is still a relatively new treatment option, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions circulating about it. In this blog post, we’ll separate ketamine facts from ketamine myths and set the record straight.
Myth #1: “Ketamine is just a party drug.”
Ketamine Fact: While it’s true that ketamine is sometimes used recreationally, it’s important to understand that the ketamine used for therapeutic purposes is very different from the street drug known as “Special K.” Therapeutic ketamine is administered by a licensed medical professional in a controlled setting, whereas street ketamine is often misused and can be dangerous.
Myth #2: “Ketamine is addictive.”
Ketamine Fact: There is no evidence to suggest that ketamine is addictive. In fact, ketamine research has shown that it can actually help people who are struggling with addiction. One study found that ketamine reduced cravings and increased abstinence in people with alcohol use disorder.
Myth #3: “Ketamine isn’t backed by any scientific research.”
Ketamine Fact: This couldn’t be further from the truth! There are hundreds of studies that have been conducted on ketamine, and the body of research continues to grow. A quick search on PubMed will turn up over 1,000 results for “ketamine.”
Myth #4: “Ketamine therapy is only temporary.”
Ketamine Fact: The effects of ketamine are not always permanent, but they can last for weeks or even months. In one study of people with treatment-resistant depression, 67% of participants reported significant symptom relief at one month after receiving just six ketamine treatments. And in another study of people with chronic pain, 60% of participants reported significant pain relief at three months after receiving just four ketamine treatments. These findings suggest that while ketamine may not always provide long-lasting relief, it can offer significant relief for some people.
Myth #5: “Ketamine doesn’t work for everyone.”
Ketamine Fact: It’s true that not everyone responds to ketamine treatment, but research suggests that it does work for many people. In one study of people with treatment-resistant depression, 70% of participants showed improvement after just six treatments. And in another study of people with chronic pain, 50% of participants reported significant pain relief after four treatments. While there is still much we don’t know about how and why ketamine works, these studies suggest that it could be an effective treatment option for many people.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, anxiety, or chronic pain, Emerge Ketamine can help. Our team of dedicated, licensed medical professionals specializes in ketamine-assisted therapy for mental health conditions and chronic pain.
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