What is Ketamine Therapy & Why am I Doing it?

Not long ago, a trusted individual introduced me to the concept of Ketamine therapy, urging me to explore its potential and see if it resonated with me. Admittedly, I was initially apprehensive and had little knowledge about Ketamine.

After conducting some research, I discovered that Ketamine is both an anesthetic and a psychedelic dissociative drug. Some of the main side effects include pain control, disassociation, euphoria and even may result in hallucinations.  It has been used in hospitals and veterinary clinics for decades, and also is known for its misuse as a street drug more commonly known as “Special K.”

So how was this going to help me?

Interestingly enough, Ketamine has gained popularity as an effective intervention for addressing Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, OCD, Alcohol use disorder and other conditions. The organization, Mindbloom, conducted the largest ever peer-reviewed study of Ketamine therapy, in which there were over 1,200 participants.

Below are some of their results:

• 89% of clients reported improvement in depression and anxiety after only four sessions.
• 62% of the participants in the clinical study who reported suicidal ideation, no longer reported ideation after four sessions.
• 30% of clients experiencing depression and anxiety achieved remission (or virtually no symptoms) after 4 sessions.

Source: CBC Radio

I was well aware that these results may be biased, but it was enough evidence for me to give it a shot.

Over the past four to five years, I have tried countless anti-depressants, along with anti-anxiety meds.  I may have noticed a slight benefit for a week or two, and then would go back to feeling numb, and generally uninterested in life. I have never had serious thoughts of self-harm, but depression has always felt like I am caught living beneath a drizzly rain cloud, while looking out at others enjoying all the sunshine.

On June 26th, 2023, I had my first Ketamine session with Mindbloom, and it was nothing less than humbling.  It was a beautiful experience in which I felt more connected and engulfed in gratitude and love. Quite frankly, I am still processing this experience and doing my best to integrate this experience.  I am encouraged by the potential mental health benefits that this type of therapy offers. Additionally, I hope that through sharing my experiences in an open manner, this will support others in their mental health journey.

In the near future, I’ll dive deeper and discuss more of the therapy specifics, along with sharing details from my first experience. Stay tuned!

Below are a few links I found interesting:

Mindbloom – Ketamine Study Summarized

Mindbloom – Full Study

Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression – Harvard Health Publishing