IV Ketamine Infusions: How Do They Work?

Ketamine blocks a brain receptor known as the NMDA receptor (although it works at many other receptors simultaneously). By blocking specific NMDA receptors, the infusion stimulates a rapid release of the neurotransmitter known as glutamate. Glutamate is an "excitatory" neurotransmitter, and this initial but relatively brief "glutamate burst" quickly helps to lessen symptoms of depression and anxiety for the first few days.

Ketamine's anesthetic effects are mediated by interactions with the NMDA receptor member of the glutamate receptor family. It also interacts with other receptors, including opioid receptors, dopamine receptors, and a receptor known as the AMPA receptor thought to be an essential component of its antidepressant effects.

Although medical professionals are going "off-label" when using ketamine to treat patients with chronic pain and depression, as many of 40% of all prescriptions written for patients in the US are used "off-label".  Examples of this include such things as the use of antidepressants for pain, anticonvulsant medication to treat Fibromyalgia and even blood pressure drugs to regrow hair. Fortunately for ketamine there are many clinical trials supporting the evidence that this drug successfully treats those who suffer from chronic pain and depression when nothing else can.

Doctors and scientists report that their deeply depressed patients who are treated with ketamine respond within just a few hours! No other drug used for depression has the ability to bring relief in anywhere near this short amount of time. And with infusions administered in sequential fashion fundamental brain healing can occur.