Approximately 12% of Americans suffer from social anxiety. If you have anxiety that doesn’t respond to traditional medications and therapies, you don’t have to give up on finding treatment. Ketamine infusions for anxiety can improve your general health and allow you to make positive changes in your work, social life, and relationships. 

Boston MindCare in Lexington, Massachusetts, provides ketamine infusions to help those with anxiety regain control over their fears. Ketamine has a mixed public perception, but it’s gaining popularity as a treatment option for those with various mental illnesses, including depression. So what is ketamine, and how can it help those with anxiety? 

What is ketamine? 

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic used to block pain and sedate patients during medical procedures. However, it has been shown to have positive effects in people outside of surgery. 

Its calming effect has been shown to positively affect those with mental illnesses. Even after the drug has left the patient’s system, the antidepressant and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects continue to boost their mood. The effects of ketamine can last anywhere from 1-2 weeks after a transfusion. 

In multiple trials, those with anxious depression found that ketamine infusions were particularly effective in treating their symptoms. This indicates that ketamine is a viable treatment for those with depression and anxiety, especially cases that do not respond to traditional medications. 

What are ketamine infusions like? 

Ketamine can be given through a number of routes. Infusions are ideal for most people, and they are given by trained professionals in a controlled setting. After meeting with the anesthesiologist to discuss your symptoms and previous treatments, you can begin receiving treatment. 

The session can take anywhere from 40-50 minutes. During that process, you will be monitored and your dose will be adjusted as needed. Ketamine takes effect quickly, and most patients report a marked improvement within 24 hours. 

Your doctor will help you create a treatment plan depending on your reactions and the efficacy of the first few sessions. Most people experience a positive change in their mental health after receiving ketamine treatments. 

If your anxiety is severe and treatment-resistant, the team at Boston MindCare can go over your symptoms and help you determine if ketamine is a viable treatment option for you. To contact us, call 781-247-5323 or book an appointment online.