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It is true that many traditional antidepressants can take weeks or even months to kick in. The problem with that is, for depressed patients having suicidal ideation, that waiting period gives them any time to act out their thoughts. But ketamine, which was once just an anesthetic, truly shines here. Low-dose ketamine can provide almost instant relief from depression, with its effects lasting days or even weeks. This can save depressed individuals who may have otherwise done something really bad. Because of that, it’s dubbed “a life-saving drug.”
Ketamine’s effectiveness in depression is now a widely known fact. What’s unknown is: What makes ketamine work so quickly unlike most antidepressants?
This led Dr. Gabriela K. Popescu to carry out a study.
The secret to ketamine’s effectiveness lies in how it interacts with the brain. Specifically, it targets N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are proteins involved in brain functions like memory, learning, and mood regulation. These receptors play a key role in maintaining consciousness.
According to the researchers, ketamine’s efficacy in treating depression and preventing suicide may be because it targets NMDA receptors selectively. This precision is critical because drugs that act indiscriminately on all NMDA receptors usually cause undesirable side effects.
Knowing that NMDA receptors play a key role in consciousness, it’s easy to understand why altering all of them at once can cause unpleasant outcomes.
At low doses, ketamine binds to two specific sites on these receptors, slowing their activity. This selective action provides immediate relief from depressive symptoms by increasing excitatory transmission in the brain. In simple terms, it “wakes up” parts of the brain that may have been dampened by depression.
Ketamine’s effects on depression can last for days, sometimes even weeks, after a single dose. Why? Researchers believe ketamine triggers the formation of new or stronger synapses in the brain. Synapses are the connections between brain cells, and strengthening them helps maintain the brain's heightened activity even after ketamine has left your system.
This is what allows you to experience relief long after ketamine has left your body.
Now that researchers know why ketamine works so quickly and effectively, they have a template for designing drugs that work the same way. But why not just continue using ketamine?
Ketamine can be addictive. This is one reason it must be used in low doses. Plus, ketamine in low doses works very differently than in higher concentrations.
If less addictive ketamine-like drugs can be developed, individuals who don’t respond well to traditional antidepressants—or who can’t afford to wait before they kick in—might have access to better medications in the future.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, ketamine might seem like a miracle solution. In many ways, it is. But it’s important to approach it thoughtfully. Ketamine is typically administered in controlled settings where medical professionals monitor its use. Do not self-medicate; aside from being unsafe, you’ll miss the careful dosing and monitoring that make it effective for treating depression.
At the same time, ketamine isn’t a cure-all. It’s most effective as part of a broader treatment plan, which might include therapy, lifestyle changes, or even other medications.
If you’re ready to take a big step in addressing your depression and improving your quality of life, come talk to us at Hope Mental Health.
We will work with you to discover a treatment plan that works best for you.
