How Ketamine Is Revolutionizing Mental Health Treatment in Toronto

Ketamine treatments are widely known for their anesthetic properties. It has recently emerged as a revolutionary treatment for mental health issues like PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). At 

Ketamine Therapy Toronto specializes in IV ketamine infusions, a safe, fast-acting and research-supported approach that offers new hope for those who haven’t responded to traditional antidepressants. Learn how ketamine is reshaping lives and why it may be the breakthrough treatment you’ve been waiting for.

How does ketamine treatment work in treating depression?

Ketamine is currently commonly used as an anesthetic, yet it has demonstrated beneficial effects in treating those with depression. Researchers discovered that its success stemmed from two areas:

• Neurotransmitter modulation: Ketamine targets NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate) glutamate receptors in the brain, and boosts glutamate levels – a powerful excitatory neurotransmitter– leading to improved communication between brain cells and, in turn, a rapid antidepressant effect.

• Neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity: It promotes the growth of new neural connections (synapses), especially in mood-regulating areas of the brain, helping patients escape rigid, depressive thought patterns. This re-shaping of connections in your brain is called neuroplasticity.

• Anti-inflammatory properties: Ketamine reduces inflammation in the brain, which is increasingly recognized as a contributor to depression and anxiety.  

Ketamine Reshapes Your Brain

It is believed that depression may be caused by connection issues between a person’s nerve cells in brain areas regulating mood. Research indicates that those with long-term depression may have fewer synaptic connections or changes in these connections that inhibit these nerve cells from communicating properly.

Medically supervised ketamine infusion can cause these connections to reactivate and formulate new connections. Ketamine’s reshaping of the brain may explain why antidepressants may not have been as effective.

Physical Advantages

Physically, ketamine has different effects than other antidepressants. Its primary differences are as follows:

• Glutamate modulation: Where traditional antidepressants target serotonin, ketamine targets your brain’s NMDA glutamate receptors, causing glutamate surges. When taken in low doses, ketamine initiates a rise in glutamate, an essential neurotransmitter. This marked increase assists in synaptic plasticity, growing new brain synapses and restoring brain circuit functioning.

• Fast onset: SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressant medications take weeks to change brain chemistry. However, ketamine quickly alters neurotransmitter activity.

Despite ketamine’s ability to be taken using different methods (nasal spray, oral, and injection), IV administration is the most extensively studied. While many clients need several sessions for symptom relief, the results can last from weeks to months.

Why are patients turning to ketamine?

Fast Relief

Many patients feel mood improvements or a reduction in suicidal or other negative thoughts within 24 hours of their first infusion.

Safe

Ketamine has been administered in clinical settings since the 1960s, meaning it has a long-term history of being exceptionally safe. Low-dose ketamine protocols are in effect for patients with depression, using concentrations substantially lower than those provided in surgical environments.

At Ketamine Therapy Toronto, we administer customized dosage regimens to each client, monitored and administered by an expert anesthesiologist, ensuring optimal safety and therapeutic benefits.

Highly Effective

Ketamine works in a very distinctive manner when compared to other antidepressant medications. Recent clinical research shows that it has positive outcomes for those with treatment-resistant depression, OCD, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Its quick response is useful in situations where patients experience suicidal ideation or severe depression.

Potential for Long-Term Success

Since ketamine positively impacts neuroplasticity, its ability to increase the formation of new neural connections assists people in establishing freedom from rigid thought patterns and behaviours associated with mental health disorders. In theory, ketamine infusions can offer a long-term improvement in mental health and are still under significant research. 

Works Synergistically With Psychotherapy

By enhancing neuroplasticity, it can support long-term recovery, especially when combined with evidence-based psychotherapy. At our clinic, we take an integrated approach, pairing ketamine infusions with psychological support to maximize benefits.

Taking an integrated, holistic approach to healing ensures that clients receive care that addresses psychological and biological elements. Combining both aspects maximizes therapy’s advantages while promoting long-term recovery.

How is it administered?

Ketamine is administered in different ways:

• Intravenous ketamine: This treatment is where ketamine medication is administered directly into the bloodstream. Intravenous therapy is the focus at our clinic. It allows for real-time control of the dose, permitting an increase or decrease of medication. The desired effects of ketamine are achieved quickly.

• Intramuscular ketamine injections: Ketamine injections are administered like a vaccine or a needle. Unfortunately, this does not allow for real-time dose changes if there are undesirable effects. 

• Spravato treatment: This treatment is available in a nasal spray and has demonstrated promising results. However, similar to intramuscular ketamine injections, this treatment also does not allow for real-time dose changes in the event of undesirable effects. 

Are there side effects?

Ketamine infusions block specific receptors in your brain, generating dissociative experiences. Some individuals may experience temporary sensations such as feelings of euphoria or elation, as well as distorted body sensations (like floating).

Additionally, some clients report:

• Blurred vision

• Nausea

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• Pronounced drowsiness

• Light and sound sensitivity

• Temporarily elevated blood pressure and heart rate

These effects are typically mild and short-lived, often resolving shortly after treatment ends. In some cases, they may last slightly longer, but our experienced anesthesiologist is always present to monitor your treatment and ensure your comfort throughout the session.

Outside a controlled clinical environment, long-term use or abuse of ketamine can lead to more serious effects, such as addiction, undesired mood changes, urinary issues, and cardiovascular side effects. However, at Ketamine Therapy Toronto, treatments are carefully administered under medical and psychiatric supervision to mitigate any risks.

We follow evidence-based protocols and tailor each dosage to the individual, ensuring maximum safety and therapeutic benefit. While there is a potential for dependence with any controlled substance, we maintain safeguards to prevent misuse. At our facility, ketamine is not prescribed for unsupervised home use. Our professional team is committed to guiding clients through a safe, effective, and supportive healing experience.

Ketamine Treatment Offers Hope for the Future

Ketamine infusions provide new options for mental health. It offers hope to individuals who continually struggle with mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and compulsive disorders. Its fast-acting benefits, unique impact on the brain, and safety make it a valuable alternative for clients looking for relief, in addition to traditional oral medications. Ketamine has been shown to decrease depressive symptoms and, in turn, hopefully improve overall well-being, functionality, and mood.

Book Your Appointment at Ketamine Therapy Clinic

Ketamine Therapy Toronto offers evidence-based care for patients with mental health issues. Specializing in IV ketamine therapy, our expert team includes professionals in psychiatry, anesthesiology, and psychotherapy, all working together to create a customized treatment plan that fits your needs. This includes treatment of depression, PTSD, and OCD.

We take a patient-centred approach, tailoring our treatments to our patients’ needs. We aim to provide hope with our expert mental health therapy.

To book an appointment for ketamine treatment, contact us at 647-259-7740 or email us at admin@ketaminetherapyclinic.ca to learn more.