Do Ketamine Infusions Get You High?
Disclaimer: Post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) is our preferred phrasing, but we understand many people still use the term PTSD, so we refer to it as such.
Ketamine treatment can help bring peace and relief to an individual because the compound targets different neurotransmitters than serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. Ketamine is often used in individuals who have endured trauma or are struggling with mental health challenges like anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder/post-traumatic stress injury (PTSD/PTSI). Ketamine infusions are proven especially effective when someone's been experiencing persistent treatment- or medication-resistant symptoms.
What Is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a psychedelic medication that can create an altered state of consciousness when absorbed into the body and may help improve an individual's mood. A ketamine infusion is the medical process of administering ketamine through an IV so that an individual can experience the medication's effects in a controlled environment.
When individuals are under the influence of the chemical compound, they may experience a dissociative sensation. Individuals may experience minimal side effects during the infusion treatment or after the session, including:
- Nausea
- Mild drowsiness
- Increased blood pressure
Does Ketamine Treatment Make You High?
A small amount of ketamine can make an individual experience an altered state, which makes receiving ketamine infusions from a medical professional in a controlled environment essential. The professional ensures individuals get the proper dosages so the side effects are manageable.
At the beginning of a ketamine infusion session, one of Stella's medical professionals will slowly administer ketamine through an IV. When ketamine first starts entering an individual's system, little to no side effects may be present. As the infusion progresses, the individual will experience ketamine's effects and could encounter feelings and sensations like:
- Lightness
- Floating
- A weight lifted off their shoulders
- Calmness
They could also have visions that contain different images, shapes and colors. Every person's experience with ketamine infusions differs based on their body's natural reaction to the chemical compound. A person's feelings and sensations due to the infusion can make them experience a dream-like state.
How Do Ketamine Infusions Work?
Ketamine infusions are medically supervised treatments that can help people with mental health challenges. If an individual suffers from treatment-resistant depression (TRD) or anxiety, ketamine infusions can provide relief of symptoms such as depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.
Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist that interacts with glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. When ketamine binds to the NMDA receptors, it increases the level of glutamate in the brain by making neurons activate connections in the AMPA receptor. With the AMPA receptor activated, the NMDA receptors get blocked, resulting in synaptogenesis — when neurons communicate in new pathways, affecting thought patterns, cognition and mood.
With the glutamate increase activated by ketamine infusions, an individual's mood can improve. The ketamine infusions and subsequent custom care plan may also allow individuals to overcome anxiety and depression symptoms and:
- Revitalize energy levels
- Beat persistent sadness
- Regulate sleeping patterns
Ketamine may also repair damage from increased cortisol levels and other stress hormones.
A licensed provider determines if ketamine infusions are beneficial for specific conditions based on the individual's health history and symptoms. If the treatment is deemed beneficial, the individual will receive the ketamine infusion through an IV from one of Stella's medical providers. The medical professional will supply minimal dosages and monitor the session to ensure the individual is safe and comfortable during the experience.
The psychedelic state individuals experience while under the influence of ketamine can help make them more aware of different factors contributing to their trauma, depression or anxiety.
Kickstart Lasting Relief With Stella Ketamine Infusions
When other treatments haven't been working, consider ketamine infusions from Stella. Stella's advanced practice provider will complete an intake assessment to determine patient eligibility for ketamine infusions. The providers at Stella want to help manage pain and trauma symptoms, so they ensure clients can try various custom care solutions. Learn more about ketamine infusions when you schedule an informational call.
