Is Ketamine a Depression Miracle Cure?

Here's what's happening on the HealthyPlace site this week:

• Is Ketamine a Depression Miracle Cure?
• From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs
• Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans
• Mental Health Quote

Is Ketamine a Depression Miracle Cure?

While depression currently lacks a definitive cure, especially a miracle cure, ketamine (esketamine, Spravato) seems to come close—at least so far in its short history of depression treatment (read: Does Ketamine Cure Depression?). After years of clinical studies, the FDA approved a ketamine nasal spray for severe depression in 2019.

Ketamine was first used in the 1960s as an anesthetic. Later, it proved useful for pain relief. Unfortunately, ketamine also has a dark side: it is used illegally as a club drug and has been used as a date rape drug. Now, in a nasal spray format and used in conjunction with oral antidepressants, it’s offering promising results for depression.

A small number of approved doctors have begun prescribing ketamine for treatment-resistant depression with positive results. People with severe depression have seen improvements in their symptoms quickly—within mere hours. Traditional antidepressants can take weeks to months to have full effect. Ketamine has also helped people who have had suicidal ideation and behavior.

Doctors remain hopeful but cautions. Ketamine for depression is too new to know the long-term effects. Further, it carries risk of serious side-effects as Ketamine has potential for abuse, tolerance, and addiction.  When used as prescribed and under close medical supervision, though, these effects have thus far been minimal. While not a miracle cure, ketamine could be extremely beneficial in depression treatment.

Related Articles Dealing with Mental Illness Medication

• 8 Types of Mental Health Medications, Drugs
• How to Help Mental Illness Medications Work for You
• Psychiatric Medications: Patient Information Sheets
• Anxiety about Psychiatric Medication Side Effects
• Worrying About Psychiatric Medication Side Effects
• Are Brand Name Drugs Better Than Generics? Drugs Are Not Cornflakes/a>
• Talking to Your Doctor About Anxiety Medications
• Sorting Out Anxiety Treatment Options: Medication

Your Thoughts

Today's Question: If you’ve tried Ketamine or Spravato nasal spray for severe depression, what’s been your experience? If you haven’t tried it, would you consider it? We invite you to participate by sharing your thoughts, experiences, and knowledge on the HealthyPlace Facebook page.

From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs

On all our blogs, your comments and observations are welcomed.

• Distraction vs Avoidance: How to Cope with Distress
• Speaking Openly About Mental Illness and Your Family Culture
• Is It Time to Go Back to Therapy for Mental Illness?
• Anxiety About the World via the News: Reclaim Your Peace
• PTSD and Intimate Relationships: Problems and Solutions
• New Experiences Lead to Stronger Self-Esteem
• Why Schedules Are Good for Anxiety
• Embracing a Lifestyle of Kindness
• The Struggles of Motherhood While Living with ADHD

Feel free to share your thoughts and comments at the bottom of any blog post. And visit the mental health blogs homepage for the latest posts.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans

Here are the top 3 mental health articles HealthyPlace Facebook fans are recommending you read:

1. When You Have Mentally Ill Friends
2. Working Benefits My Mental Illness Recovery
3. Icons Talking About Mental Health Make a Positive Impact

If you're not already, I hope you'll join us/like us on Facebook too. There are a lot of wonderful, supportive people there.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Mental Health Quote

"Mental illness is not a personal failure.."

Read more mental health quotes.

------------------------------------------------------------------

That's it for now. If you know of anyone who can benefit from this newsletter or the HealthyPlace.com site, I hope you'll pass this onto them. You can also share the newsletter on any social network (like facebook or stumbleupon) you belong to by clicking the links below. For updates throughout the week, follow HealthyPlace on Twitter or become a fan of HealthyPlace on Facebook. Also, check out HealthyPlace on Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest, where you can share your mental health pins on our Share Your Mental Health Experiences board.

back to: HealthyPlace.com Mental-Health Newsletter Index