Summary: Mood disorders like anxiety and depression are the leading cause of disability. Though there are many medications to treat these issues, most medications take a long time to help and require prolonged therapy. Ketamine, on the other hand, provides quick relief from mood disorders. It helps rewire the brain and thus providing prolonged relief. There are many studies confirming the efficacy of ketamine IV therapy in depression. However, now one of the most extensive studies to date shows that sublingual ketamine combined with telehealth is even better than clinically administered IV ketamine for anxiety and depression.
Ketamine is a medication initially developed as an anesthetic for surgical procedures. However, in recent years, it has gained attention for its potential use in managing mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Ketamine acts on a specific type of neurotransmitter receptor in the brain called the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. This unique mechanism of action sets ketamine apart from traditional antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It has led to its exploration as a novel treatment option for individuals who have not responded well to these traditional treatments.
Currently, the FDA has approved ketamine for use in the management of treatment-resistant depression and as an anesthetic in medical procedures. However, ongoing research is examining the potential use of ketamine for a wider range of mood disorders, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A growing body of evidence suggests that ketamine may be a safe and effective treatment option for these conditions, particularly in individuals who have not responded well to traditional treatments.
One promising approach to the delivery of ketamine treatment is through telehealth. Telehealth has some unique benefits. This approach to care has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to improve access to care and reduce healthcare costs. For individuals with mood disorders, telehealth offers a convenient and effective way to receive treatment in the comfort of their own homes while also receiving ongoing support and monitoring from their healthcare provider.
One of the biggest studies to date confirms the efficacy of sub-lingual ketamine in depression and anxiety
In the last decade or so, there has been a considerable increase in ketamine for treating mood disorders. There is a reason why researchers are so much interested in ketamine. To date, most drugs used to manage anxiety and depression increase the brain’s serotonin levels. These drugs start acting slowly over weeks and even months. These medications only work when taken daily and indefinitely, causing many adverse effects.
However, some new studies show that ketamine is quite different from the existing antidepressants. Thus, early studies show that ketamine infusion can help provide prolonged relief from depression and anxiety. It seems that ketamine helps rewire the brain, especially when combined with cognitive behavioral therapy.
However, as one can understand that ketamine infusion has one significant drawback, such therapy can only be provided in clinics. Hence, in recent years, researchers have started exploring the role of oral ketamine therapy in managing mood disorders. The sublingual route is of particular interest, as it offers the benefits of quick effect. Moreover, when drugs are taken sub-lingually, they are able to bypass first-pass metabolism.
The new study is one of the most extensive clinical trials regarding the use of sub-lingual ketamine for managing depression and anxiety. The study was done on 1,247 patients. The study had some remarkable findings. It found that sub-lingual ketamine reduced the severity of anxiety and depression in 89% of patients.
What is especially outstanding is that 63% of the participants reported more than a 50% reduction in their symptoms. Also, 30% of all the participants achieved complete remission just after four sessions for depression and anxiety. It means that they virtually had no symptoms.
The benefits of ketamine sub-lingual therapy were especially outstanding in patients with suicidal ideation. At the beginning of the study, 62% of those living with depression had suicidal thoughts. And at the end of the study, none had a suicidal thought.
These findings are encouraging in many ways. These results are much better than those achieved by other medications and talk therapy and are even better than the results achieved by ketamine IV therapy. It appears that sub-lingual ketamine therapy combined with telehealth and remote patient monitoring is one of the most effective ways of managing mood disorders.
Of course, there is still a need for more studies before sub-lingual ketamine can be approved for managing mood disorders. There is also a need for more extensive and prolonged studies to identify the long-term safety and benefits of such therapy. It is worth exploring if, in the long run, those living with depression and anxiety can be cured through such an approach.
