Ketamine works in several ways at the same time, many of which are still being studied.

Research has shown that ketamine stimulates brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the growth of neurons in the brain. In patients treated with IV ketamine therapy, researchers have observed increased synaptic connections. Ketamine is known to stimulate the growth of neurons in as little as one hour. This neuronal growth and increased neuronal interconnectivity relieve symptoms of anxiety.

In 2016, the Society for Neuroscience published a major breakthrough explaining how ketamine causes new nerve cells to mature extremely quickly in the hippocampus. Dr. John Krystal, MD, the chief psychiatrist at Yale Medicine, even called this drug a “game changer”.

Ketamine also improves neural activation, or communication between brain cells by working as an NMDA receptor antagonist. This neuronal growth and increased neuronal interconnectivity have been shown to improve mood and cognition.

Medications like Valium, for example, only provide anti-anxiety effects for as long as the drug is in the system. Once Valium wears off, the symptoms of anxiety will typically return. With ketamine, on the other hand, the drug triggers a biological reaction in the cortex that allows the brain’s connections to regrow. Therefore, it’s the brain’s reaction to the drug that provides relief, rather than the drug itself.

Ketamine also may also work in other ways. For example, it might reduce signals involved in inflammation, which has been linked to mood disorders.

What Is Anxiety?

For the average person, anxiety is a typical and healthy emotion. For instance, it is normal to experience nervousness before a test or job interview. Disproportionate levels of anxiety, however, are medical disorders. They are categorized by excessive worry, nervousness, apprehension, obsessions, sleep disturbance and fear.

These disorders influence how one behaves and processes emotions. They can also cause physical symptoms such as skin rashes, gastrointestinal discomfort and migraines. Anxiety comes in many different forms. Mild cases can be intermittent and cause slight discomfort. More severe cases can be debilitating and prevent normal day-to-day life.

There can be many contributing factors to anxiety and some common causes include:

• Environmental stressors (work, relationship, or family problems)
• Symptoms of a different disease
• Side effects of a medication
• Genetics
• Withdrawal from illicit substances

Those with anxiety respond to treatment differently. Some are helped with medications. Others benefit from traditional therapy.

There are many cases of treatment-resistant anxiety. These occur when symptoms do not respond to the typical treatment options. In such cases more novel therapeutic interventions should be considered. IV Ketamine therapy is known for helping relieve treatment-resistant anxiety.

Anxiety Statistics

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America presents informative statistics regarding anxiety. In the U.S., anxiety is one of the most common mental disorders. Every year, anxiety disorders affect approximately 18% of adults. Anxiety is treatable, but only 36.9% of sufferers seek treatment.

Traditional medications do not work for everyone. 30-40% of patients with anxiety won’t achieve remission with medications.

If traditional medications work at all, they may take 6-12 weeks to relieve anxiety. With IV Ketamine therapy, patients may experience improvements within 24 hours of their first treatment session. This improvement wanes over the subsequent 24-48 hours, but as the IV ketamine protocol continues, symptom relief is sustained.

Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety

What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety?

• Uneasiness
• Nervousness
• Agitation
• Fear
• Confusion
• Decreased cognition
• Avoidant behavior
• Lack of self-confidence
• Suicidal thoughts

Physical symptoms are also common:

• Sweaty palms
• Shaky voice
• Muscle tension
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Heart palpitations
• Difficulty breathing
• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue

Depending on the severity of symptoms, anxiety can be debilitating and severely disruptive to day-to-day life.