The Benefits of Ketamine Therapy for PTSD and Anxiety

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders are debilitating conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. For those suffering from these mental illnesses, daily life can feel like a struggle as symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, and constant worry take their toll. Fortunately, new research is showing that ketamine therapy may provide relief for PTSD and anxiety where other treatments have failed. Clinical studies have revealed some of the key benefits of ketamine therapy for these conditions.
Relief from Symptoms
Ketamine administered sublingually in low to moderate doses has been shown to reduce symptoms of, Treatment Resistant Depression, PTSD, Suicidal Ideation and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, rapidly and significantly. In clinical trials, and in our clinical experience, a single ketamine session can often lead to an immediate reduction in these painful and debilitating symptoms. Combined with integrative therapy, it is not unusual to see one of more of these symptoms go into remission. This stands in contrast to traditional oral antidepressants or anxiety medications, which may take several months to achieve effects and often at the expense of uncomfortable side effects
Disruption of Negative Thought Patterns
Ketamine appears to work differently in the brain than typical antidepressants and anxiolytics. It is believed to disrupt overactive circuits in the brain related to fear and negative thought patterns. By interfering with glutamate signaling, ketamine may metaphorically “reset” these circuits and allow new, more adaptive patterns to emerge. Patients commonly report feeling calmer and more in control of their thoughts after treatment.
Increased Neuroplasticity
Ketamine also stimulates activity in the prefrontal cortex and enhances neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to form and reform synaptic connections. This boosts the birth of new neurons and supports the healthier functioning of circuits involved in stress response regulation. Enhancing neuroplasticity may also aid in overwriting maladaptive memories and thought patterns with more balanced ones over time with continued therapy.
Fewer Side Effects
While some nausea, dizzying or dissociative effects during the ketamine session are not common, side effects afterwards tend to be minimal compared to many psychiatric medications. Ketamine is usually well-tolerated. Ketamine has a very low addiction profile, especially the given the dose and frequency used in clinics like The Sitting Room in Edmonton. This makes ketamine a compelling option for those who struggle with side effects or prefer non-addictive interventions.
Availability of Combination Treatments
At The Sitting Room, ketamine treatment is combined with evidence-based psychotherapies like cognitive processing therapy to maximize benefits. Therapists help clients process their ketamine experiences within a trauma-informed model to encourage changes to generalize into daily life. Combination treatments help sustain and build upon improvements from ketamine alone over the long term.
For those suffering from refractory PTSD, anxiety, depression or other treatment-resistant mental health issues, ketamine therapy shows great promise. Its unique rapid-acting mechanisms elicit strong and prolonged responses with few side effects when administered in clinical settings like The Sitting Room. With specialized combination treatment programs available in Edmonton, ketamine therapy is offering new hope for recovery. Given the incredible suffering caused by PTSD and anxiety, wider access to ketamine treatment in Alberta cannot come soon enough.