Does ketamine therapy get you high?
Ketamine therapy has been making waves in the medical community, touted as a revolutionary treatment for severe depression and chronic pain. However, with its rise in popularity, a question often arises: does ketamine therapy get you high? To answer this, we need to delve into what ketamine is, how it's used in therapy, and what patients can expect during their treatment.
What is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine therapy involves the controlled administration of ketamine to treat various conditions, primarily depression and chronic pain. Unlike recreational use, therapeutic doses are carefully monitored and adjusted to maximize benefits and minimize risks.
How Ketamine Therapy is Administered
Ketamine can be administered in several ways, including intravenous (IV) infusions, intramuscular (IM) infusions, nasal sprays, and oral tablets. The method depends on the condition being treated and the patient's specific needs.
What Are the Psychedelic Effects?
At high doses, ketamine can cause hallucinations, altered perceptions of reality, and a sense of detachment from the environment. These effects are why it's sometimes used recreationally.
Duration and Intensity of These Effects
The psychedelic effects of ketamine can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on the dose and method of administration.
Does Ketamine Therapy Make You High?
The short answer is yes, ketamine can produce psychedelic and dissociative effects often described as a "high." However, it's important to understand the nuances.
Patient Experiences During Ketamine Therapy
When administered in a clinical setting, ketamine can induce an intense subjective experience characterized by:
- Vivid visual hallucinations
- Distortions in sensory perception
- Feelings of dissociation from one's body/surroundings
- Euphoria or a "mystical" state
The degree of these psychedelic effects depends on the dosage. Therapeutic doses (typically 0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes) are lower than those used for anesthesia but can still produce a noticeable psychedelic experience.
Managed in a Clinical Setting
It's crucial to understand that ketamine therapy takes place under strict medical supervision in a controlled environment. This allows providers to:
- Carefully calibrate the dosage
- Monitor vital signs
- Ensure the patient's safety during the dissociative state
Clinicians may also provide anti-anxiety medications beforehand to reduce the intensity of the psychedelic effects.
Therapeutic Benefits vs Side Effects
While the psychedelic experience can be unsettling for some, research suggests it may actually contribute to ketamine's rapid anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects. However, the experience can also produce side effects like:
- Nausea/vomiting
- Increased blood pressure
- Anxiety/agitation (during treatment)
Most side effects are short-lived and resolve within 1-2 hours after the infusion ends.
The Bottom Line
So in summary - yes, ketamine therapy involves a temporary psychedelic "high" or altered state of consciousness. But this occurs in a safe, medically supervised setting with the goal of providing therapeutic mental health benefits. As with any treatment, the risks and side effects must be weighed against the potential benefits for each individual.
FAQs
Can ketamine therapy be used for conditions other than depression?
Yes, ketamine therapy is also being explored for conditions like PTSD, anxiety disorders, and chronic pain management.
How quickly does ketamine therapy work for depression?
Many patients experience relief from depressive symptoms within hours of their first ketamine treatment.
Is ketamine therapy safe?
When administered in a clinical setting under professional supervision, ketamine therapy is considered safe. Patients are closely monitored to manage any potential side effects.
How is ketamine therapy different from recreational ketamine use?
Ketamine therapy is administered in a controlled, clinical environment to ensure safety and efficacy. It is also pharmaceutical grade and a controlled weight-based dose in a clinical setting.
What are the common side effects of ketamine therapy?
Common side effects include dizziness, nausea, and mild dissociation, which are typically short-lived and manageable.
Please note: Intended for educational and informative purposes only and not intended to serve as medical or professional advice. For medical attention or advice you should consult your physician or other health care professional.