Ketamine for PTSD? Ian?

[AntsyVee]

Ian and everyone else,

Have any of you tried this and/or know any additional information?

https://therapyreset.com/3-reasons-why-ketamine-may-be-a-ptsd-treatment-option/?cn-reloaded=1

Thanks!

Vee

[panic_down_under]

Ian and everyone else,

Have any of you tried this and/or know any additional information?

https://therapyreset.com/3-reasons-why-ketamine-may-be-a-ptsd-treatment-option/?cn-reloaded=1


Looks like someone is trying to drum up business, Vee. Studies have shown ketamine can ease depression very quickly, sometimes within 24 hours. The evidence for anxiety disorders is less robust, but it will likely work.

The problem is the positive effect doesn't last long, typically only 1-2 weeks (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6717708/) after a treatment. Currently, it can only be administered by IV, or a nasal spray. Not sure how many people will want to have a IV infusion every couple of weeks, and the spray is apparently very expensive (http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sciencedaily/mind_brain/depression/~3/SPov2-SZh4A/200713144413.htm), about US$240 per dose, which will limit its availability. Another problem is it also acts on opioid receptors which may become a problem with regular use.

Ketamine shows promise, but the application needs a lot more work.

[AntsyVee]

Thanks, Ian. I figured it was too good to be true. I know people can get addicted to ketamine. When my cat had to take it, i had to go through pretty much a background check to get it from the pharmacy lol. One of my buddies is thinking about doing a clinical trial for it, but I don’t think I’ll sign up.

[panic_down_under]

Thanks, Ian. I figured it was too good to be true.

I think ketamine's niches will be in hospital inpatient settings treating suicidal ideation until conventional ADs kick-in, and maybe as an alternative to ECT, not as a replacement for ADs. The current delivery methods are too expensive and even if this is overcome the abuse potential is too high for general use.

[Pamplemousse]

I didn't witness it first-hand but my sister did - and what happened to my late wife when she was given that stuff in a hospital setting (it went into her central line while in ICU) makes me think they should stick to tranquillising bloody horses with it :mad:

[AntsyVee]

Yeah, it's like any opioid--it's a double-edged sword, PM. I respond really well to opioids, but I know their risks. My buddy is someone I met in group therapy for traumatic grief. She's much worse off with her PTSD than I am. 97% of the time, I feel pretty great just sticking to my Lexapro. Other than dreams, I really don't have a lot of PTSD symptoms anymore. My claustrophobia is much worse for me than my PTSD now. But she wants to try the clinical trial, so we'll see what happens. She doesn't even know if she qualifies yet.