Talk therapy and antidepressants are some of the most well-known treatment methods for mood swings and other related mental disorders like depression, anxiety, and chronic stress. While these options have positive effects, they take time to provide results, and the effects may not last long. Ketamine treatment is one of the best treatment alternatives for mental disorders.
Mental health patients are constantly looking for better treatment options, especially if they can provide long-lasting solutions. Ketamine treatment delivers results almost instantly, with the effects lasting longer than other treatment methods. It’s rapid, effective, and safe to incorporate with traditional medications.
Here is an in-depth analysis of ketamine treatment and how long it lasts.
How Long Does Ketamine Last in Your System?
Ketamine typically leaves the body within several hours, depending on the route of administration and other factors, including body mass, drug dosage, and metabolic rate. While ketamine leaves the body fairly quickly, the effects might take a little longer (a few weeks or months).
That’s one of the reasons many people prefer ketamine over other traditional treatment methods. It starts working faster, and its effects last relatively longer. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the most common treatment for depression, can take weeks to start working on a patient’s body. If you quit taking the medications, most SSRIs will subside in your system within one week. That leaves you experiencing the symptoms of your condition again and other withdrawal effects like mood swings, suicidal ideation, or nausea.
Ketamine’s onset (the time it takes to start feeling the therapeutic effects of a drug) can take from a few hours to a week, depending on the admission method. A single ketamine dose can take a few weeks or even months before entirely exiting your system.
The medicine allows for short-term or long-term treatment, depending on your needs.
Ketamine Admission Methods for Short-term Relief
There are several methods for ketamine admission, with each method leaving you experiencing the treatment’s effects over varied periods. The main reason for this variation is the method’s bioavailability (the amount of ketamine that the admission method delivers to your body). Intravenous (IV), is the most bioavailable (over 90%) since your body uses the entire dosage. Oral lozenges have the lowest bioavailability (at only 10%).
Your doctor will decide which method to use depending on your specific needs.
Long-term Use of Ketamine
Your doctor may prescribe repeated sessions of ketamine within a short period (typically six sessions in two weeks).
With this treatment series, ketamine will deliver longer-lasting results (from a few weeks to months). That’s why this method is the most common and effective for treating PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, and anxiety than single-dose ketamine (typically lasting only a week).
While you may start seeing improvements before your dosage ends, completing the typical six sessions is always advisable.
What If Depression Symptoms Return Sooner After Ketamine Treatment?
Whereas there are many effective treatments for depression, some people don’t respond well to traditional therapies. For these individuals, ketamine may be an option.
While it’s uncommon, sometimes patients start experiencing depression symptoms sooner after using ketamine treatment. If this happens, booster infusions can help as soon as the symptoms return.
Ketamine, the Viable Solution for Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, OCD, and Chronic Stress
Ketamine treatment is rapidly changing how experts treat mood-related complications like depression and anxiety. Compared to other treatments, ketamine starts working relatively faster and delivers results that leave you feeling better for weeks or months.
Ketamine helps patients with short-term or long-term treatment demands. The fact that you can incorporate it into your traditional treatment regimen makes it even more effective and quick.
