Who Stands To Gain From Esketamine Therapy?

Esketamine is given to patients who suffer from treatment resistant depression, meaning those who have used at least two different antidepressants for six weeks without achieving their desired result.

“For those who haven’t responded to other treatments, esketamine can be life-changing,” says Dr. Fradkin. “It offers hope that relief is possible.”

How Does Esketamine Function?

Most antidepressants are effective in treating depression by increasing the levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine which help to improve mood. But esketamine differs in this regard.

• Increases in Glutamate – Orthodox medicines do not compare. Esketamine raises glutamate, which is the most widespread brain neurotransmitter. In doing this, there is much more connection between brain cells, which helps with quicker relief of symptoms.
• Faster Recovery From Symptoms – Normal antidepressants give results after many weeks of intake. Esketamine improves mood in a few hours.
• Diminishes Suicidal Thoughts – Many antidepressants have the reverse effect of increasing suicidal thoughts. Esketamine, on the other hand, reduces suicidal thoughts significantly.
• Effective for Treatment-Resistant Depression – Clinical trials indicate that many patients suffering from depression who have not seen any results with other antidepressants, do find reprieve with esketamine.

Esketamine and Brain Health

Left untreated, depression harms the brain overtime and is associated with a greater chance of dementia. Research has shown that chronic depression can shrink the hippocampus, an area of the brain important for memory and learning, by 20% at the most.

Esketamine has been demonstrated to be helpful in mitigating these damages. Animal based studies show that it aids in reconstructing damaged neural pathways, thereby enhancing brain function and reversing the impact of chronic depression and stress.

Side Effects of Esketamine

In general, patients tolerate the use of esketamine very well, but some have noted side effects, especially during the first few doses. Common complaints include:

•        Brief glimpses of hearing voices or feeling worried
•        Dry retching
•        Feeling sleepy
•        Greater than normal blood pressure
•        Dizziness or feeling “intoxicated”
•        Migraines

Effects most often reach their worst level at around forty minutes and ease off within two hours. Most patients agree that after several sessions of treatment, the symptoms subside.

Is Esketamine Right for You?

If standard antidepressants do not seem to work, consider looking into ketamine therapy in New Jersey. At Neuroplasticity MD, your psychiatrist will help you decide whether esketamine is suitable for you and ease any fears you have regarding cost of esketamine nasal spray and what treatment will be like.

This innovative therapy provides a way for patients who have long suffered from depression to begin the healing process. If you are interested in learning more about new avenues for achieving mental health, contact Neuroplasticity MD today.