Depression

What is depression?

Depression is a serious medical condition that affects how you feel, think, and act. When you have chronic depression, your symptoms last for longer than two weeks and can range from mild to severe.

Symptoms of depression may include:

• Fatigue
• Persistent sadness
• Loss of interest in activities
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
• Changes in appetite, which can lead to weight loss or gain
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Trouble thinking or concentrating
• Headaches or body pain

If left untreated, depression can increase your risk of self-harm and suicidal thoughts (suicidal ideation). 

What causes depression?

A number of factors can contribute to chronic depression. The condition can affect anyone and might develop because of your genetics or because of a brain chemical imbalance.

You might also be prone to depression if you have low self-esteem or are under constant stress. If you’re exposed to violence, abuse, or neglect, you’re more vulnerable to chronic depression.

How is depression treated?

Many people find relief of their depression symptoms with antidepressant medications, regular exercise, and eating a healthy diet. However, some develop treatment-resistant depression that’s difficult to treat with these medications.

If you’re still experiencing persistent depressive symptoms with your current treatment, the team at StrIVeMD Wellness & Ketamine can determine if you’re a candidate for ketamine therapy.

If ketamine therapy isn’t a good fit for you, the providers might recommend other therapies. 

How do ketamine infusions treat depression?

Ketamine infusions are an innovative depression therapy for depression that isn’t treatable with conventional medications. Ketamine, a psychedelic, is a surgical anesthetic that can also provide fast and long-lasting relief of depression symptoms.

The exact mechanism of action of Ketamine for the treatment of mood disorders is unknown.  Ketamine modulates glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, and its receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex.  

Chronic depression and anxiety can lead to an inflammatory state, and ketamine possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Psychedelics, like ketamine, can also reconfigure functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) by reducing functional connectivity. 

By delivering the psychedelic intravenously into your bloodstream, the StrIVeMD Wellness & Ketamine team can help you find relief from your depression symptoms. They use a much lower dose than is necessary for surgery to avoid unwanted side effects.

Treating depression with ketamine infusions generally involves a series of intravenous (IV) infusions over the course of two to three weeks. 

The StrIVeMD Wellness & Ketamine team customizes your treatment plan to your individual needs. They might suggest maintenance infusions once a month to keep your depression symptoms under control.

If your treatment for depression isn’t working, schedule a consultation online or call StrIVeMD Wellness & Ketamine to find out if ketamine infusions are right for you.

We specialize in psychedelic medicine including intravenous ketamine for treatment resistant depression and chronic pain including migraine headaches and nerve pain. We also specialize in ultrasound guided stellate ganglion block treatment for PTSD, anxiety, and Covid long hauler symptoms. We are here to help and treat. Call us to book your appointment today.