Ketamine’s Potential Ability to Heal Neurological Damage

In recent years, ketamine has been shown to possess capabilities as an extraordinarily effective treatment for a variety of conditions and symptoms. One unique potential attribute of ketamine is the ability to regenerate dead or degraded brain cells. “While controversial, ketamine has emerged as an effective treatment for refractory depression. Serial infusions have been performed 3 times per week, but our practical experience has challenged this precept concerning infusion frequency. Depression is associated with neuron loss, reduced synapse numbers, and dearborization of dendrites. Ketamine appears to potently induce mechanisms which reverse these neurodegenerative processes” [1].

Dead and degraded neurons have been linked to several types of chronic and major depression-related disorders. Ketamine’s potential regenerative effect is the mechanism by which the chemical is thought to work as an effective treatment for depression. “Depression is associated with a loss of neurons, reduced synapse numbers, and dearborization of dendrites in the hippocampus and frontal cortices (Cook and Wellman, 2004; Lui et al., 2008; Duman, 2014; Morais et al., 2014). In essence, depression is a model of reversible neurodegeneration” [1].

Depression-related conditions like major depressive disorder (MDD) afflict countless individuals all over the world at any given time. These conditions, often caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, can pose seemingly insurmountable challenges and obstacles for those who are unfortunately and often chronically afflicted by them. Such challenges often lead to devastating struggles and consequences and these disorders do not discriminate between people for any reason. “Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living” [2].

Through clinical and medical trials in recent years, alternative treatment methods for depression, like Ketamine, have shown potential for treating depression and alleviating some of its catastrophic consequences and agonizing tribulations for those experiencing it. It is for this reason that our scientific communities must persevere in the search for new and effective methods of combating the chemical imbalances that cause depression-related disorders.

SOURCES

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4810965/

[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007

Originally published at https://www.rtrwellnesscenter.com on September 1, 2020.