By Anesthesia ketamine infusion, already used for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), may also aid benzodiazepine withdrawal. new research was announced in neuropsychopharmacology report.
Benzodiazepines (often abbreviated as “BZD” or better known as “benzo”) are a class of psychoactive drugs that treat anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms. They include Xanax, Klonopin and Ativan. And as anyone who has taken any of these knows, benzos make you feel really, really good.
Benzo acts on a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain and has an inhibitory effect on the central nervous system. As a result, pills like Xanax lull you into a state of tranquility and sedation, magically banishing worries. For people with anxiety and panic disorders, there is no shame in taking as needed, ideally under the supervision of a doctor.
Benzos are delicious, but dangerous. They are also very physical addicts and benzo withdrawal is hell. Likewise, in addition to hurting the body and causing panic, anxiety, and insomnia (basically all the things you’ve started to accept), it can also cause heart palpitations and even seizures if not done right. there is. The experience makes one feel not put together properly and is so brutal that many quickly turn back.There is also evidence of long-term use May lead to cognitive decline. But as it turns out, ketamine not only offers her PTSD, anxiety and depression sufferers an alternative to benzos, it also helps them wean themselves off benzos safely and comfortably.
A recent study found that people with severe unipolar or bipolar treatment-resistant depression were on benzos long term (6 months or more in this case). There are 22 patients taking benzodiazepines, many of whom have been using benzos for years. Received 6 infusions of ketamine under anesthesia over 4 weeks. Investigators investigated the rate of successful withdrawal of BZDR (benzos), the trajectory of acute psychiatric withdrawal symptoms, and subsequent withdrawal of BZDR during an average 1-year follow-up period.
They also examined significant worsening of depression, anxiety, sleep, and/or suicidal tendencies during the acute BZDR discontinuation phase.
Of the 22 participants, 91% (20 of 22) had successfully discontinued all benzos by the end of the 4-week period, which the researchers confirmed medically with urine analysis. Fewer than 25% of patients experienced a significant worsening of anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, and suicidal tendencies during treatment, which is quite miraculous.
Additionally, the mean duration was 12 during the follow-up period. [three – 24] months), 64% (14 of 22) of patients did not use any benzodiazepines. Findings like these suggest that ketamine infusions for TRD may help wean from benzos, even if patients still have depression, anxiety, insomnia or other benzo-related comorbidities. are doing.
If you are already taking benzos, one of the first things your ketamine provider will say is that benzos can have depression-busting effects, so try to take as little ketamine before and after your infusion as possible. It is worth noting that it is to strive. less effective.
Ketamine therapy has been shown to be revolutionary in both treating depression and weaning off benzos, but it is not without side effects. Abusing ketamine can damage your bladder and kidneys. ketamine bladder syndrome. Another, perhaps more direct, concern with ketamine injections is their availability. Ketamine injections can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars per session. The treatment regimen for treatment-resistant depression is usually he six sessions in two weeks. In this study, participants were asked to complete six sessions over a period of four weeks), so it also takes a lot of time. Many people can’t get away from work that often. Because if you’re wondering if a generous infusion of ketamine during the day will keep you from wanting to go back to the office, the answer is yes, yes it might.
Ketamine Nasal Spray is also available, which is famous as the first psychedelic drug (technically a hallucinogenic dissociative anesthetic). The FDA-approved version is actually “esketamine”, the S enantiomer of ketamine, rather than regular oreketamine. Simply because it’s a method that Johnson & Johnson can patent and market under the Spravato brand name. Some doctors prescribe off-label ketamine nasal sprays that you can buy at multi-purpose pharmacies and use in the comfort of your own home without going to the clinic. Of course, have someone around you in case you overdose and need support or supervision.
Ketamine is already valuable because it treats depression quickly (SSRIs take up to 6 weeks, whereas ketamine works in hours). The news that it can also help people come out of klonopin addiction comfortably is a much-needed and welcome breakthrough in the treatment of mental health conditions.
