Ketamine Infusion Therapy: A New Approach to PTSD, CPTSD and Trauma Therapy
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has a profound impact on your life, well-being and interpersonal relationships. About one in 20 American adults suffer with PTSD in any given year1. At Modern Mindwork, we are committed to providing you with a safe haven and support to alleviate the symptoms of trauma-related mental health conditions and PTSD.
Post-traumatic stress disorder arises from diverse traumatic experiences and ketamine infusion therapy offers a powerful and innovative approach to addressing its symptoms, setting it apart from traditional treatments.
1. National Centre for PTSD. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.asp; retrieved 07/01/24
Benefits of Ketamine Infusion Therapy in Treating PTSD, CPTSD and Trauma.
Ketamine infusion therapy helps in the treatment of:
- Combat-related PTSD
- First Responder PTSD
- Childhood trauma-related PTSD
- Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD)
- Military sexual trauma (MST)
- Accident-related PTSD
- Assault-related PTSD
This groundbreaking therapy may alleviate the symptoms of these conditions including:
- Flashbacks and nightmares
- Emotional dysregulation
- Hypervigilance
- Avoidance of trauma-related stimuli
- Dissociation
- Disturbances in self-concept
- Interpersonal difficulties
- Negative alterations in mood and cognition
Ketamine provides rapid relief from symptoms, often within hours. It is a non-opioid and non-addictive medication, with a response rate of 60-70% for reducing PTSD symptoms1, 2.
1. It’s important to note that individual responses may vary, and not all patients will experience the same level of relief.
2. Feder, A., et al. (2014). Efficacy of intravenous ketamine for treatment of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(6), 681-688; retrieved 07/01/24.
How Ketamine Infusion Therapy Works for PTSD
- Overview of Ketamine Therapy for PTSD:
Treatment Approach: Ketamine infusion therapy targets key areas in the brain to alleviate symptoms of PTSD by modulating neurotransmitter levels and enhancing neural connectivity. - Targeting the Glutamate System:
Boosting Glutamate Levels: Ketamine increases the levels of glutamate, a neurotransmitter vital for mood regulation and memory. This adjustment helps decrease the frequency of negative thoughts and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression often associated with PTSD. - Restoring Neural Function:
Promoting Neural Repair: Trauma can disrupt normal brain function, damaging neural circuits and connections. Ketamine aids in the growth, repair, and restoration of these neural connections, contributing to symptom reduction. - Calming the Amygdala:
Reducing Overactivity: The amygdala, a part of the brain that processes fear and anxiety, often becomes overactive in PTSD. Ketamine helps reduce this overactivity, lessening the severity and frequency of fear responses, anxiety, and hypervigilance. - Enhancing Neuroplasticity:
Improving Brain Adaptability: By promoting neuroplasticity, ketamine enables the brain to form new, healthy neural pathways, allowing individuals with PTSD to develop more adaptive responses to stress and trauma. - Comprehensive Impact:
Overall Symptom Improvement: Through these mechanisms, ketamine provides a multifaceted approach to treating PTSD, offering relief from intense emotional distress and improving overall mental health.
PTSD treatment with ketamine infusion therapy
- Ketamine infusion therapy typically involves a series of infusions over several weeks, with each infusion lasting about 40-60 minutes.
- Modern Mindwork is an anesthesia-led practice, meaning that we can tailor each infusion to your individual needs and personalize the treatment to you.
It’s important to realize that it is not a cure for trauma-related mental health conditions but a powerful adjunctive therapy that’s best undertaken alongside other therapies. - To enhance the effectiveness of ketamine infusion therapy, it's recommended to combine it with other evidence-based treatments, such as trauma-focused psychotherapy (e.g. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing or Cognitive Processing Therapy). Supportive interventions like mindfulness and stress reduction techniques remain helpful.
- We offer integrative coaching and supplementation recommendations alongside your infusion series, where you’ll receive infusion specific points of focus.
- We are happy to work collaboratively with your therapist and/or prescribing provider.
Our compassionate team is committed to providing effective, personalized care to help you overcome the challenges you face, regain control of your life and achieve lasting well-being.
Exploring MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD
MDMA, known as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is currently under significant clinical scrutiny for its potential to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Historically recognized as "Ecstasy" or "Molly," MDMA is being repurposed from its recreational roots to a therapeutic context. Its ability to enhance feelings of empathy and emotional openness makes it a promising candidate for psychotherapeutic use.
Current Regulatory Status: MDMA is a Schedule I controlled substance. However, its status may soon change. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted MDMA-assisted psychotherapy a Breakthrough Therapy designation for PTSD, with a current priority review status, expediting the development and review process. A decision on its reclassification and potential approval is expected soon, with significant implications for its medical use.
Therapeutic Promise: Clinical trials have demonstrated MDMA’s effectiveness in significantly reducing PTSD symptoms. Its unique action on neurotransmitters associated with mood and emotion enhances therapeutic sessions, allowing deeper emotional processing.
As we anticipate regulatory changes, MDMA-assisted therapy holds the promise of complementing existing treatments like ketamine infusion therapy, broadening options for those battling PTSD.
Contact Us Today
Modern Mindwork offers individualized, safe and effective ketamine therapy. We provide personalized care and support, empowering you to regain control over your life and achieve lasting well-being through the transformative benefits of ketamine infusion therapy and psychedelic therapies.
Take the first step towards healing today.