If you have been researching alternative treatment options for anxiety and depression, you may have come across ketamine. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has gained recognition in recent decades as an effective treatment for various mental health issues. At Bespoke Treatment clinics in California, our clinicians use ketamine to treat anxiety, treatment-resistant depression, ADHD, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
But have you heard about using ketamine for managing weight, chronic pain, sleep hygiene, or promoting neuroplasticity and overall emotional resilience? You might be surprised to learn that ketamine offers several health benefits that many people are unaware of.
Surprising Health Benefits of Ketamine You Didn’t Know
Supports Weight Loss and Metabolism
Many people who struggle with anxiety and depression may experience weight gain due to a mix of emotional eating, low energy and activity levels, sleep disturbances, hormonal imbalances, or medication side effects.
In addition to addressing anxiety and depression symptoms, ketamine can help suppress appetite. According to research, ketamine may be more effective than standard antidepressants for people with higher body weight because it can work around hormone imbalances linked to obesity, like leptin resistance (a condition where the body doesn’t respond properly to the hormone that controls hunger and metabolism). Regular antidepressants don’t fix this problem. But ketamine does, by targeting NMDA receptors in the limbic system— the part of your brain that handles emotions, and where the hormone leptin also helps regulate mood.
Helps Regulate Stress and Cortisol Levels
When you are under chronic stress, it keeps your body in a constant state of “fight or flight.” This causes your cortisol levels to be constantly elevated. High cortisol over time is linked to fatigue, weight gain, weakened immunity, and even heart disease. Ketamine’s ability to reset stress pathways in the brain helps calm the nervous system, helping you feel more resilient and less reactive to daily stressors.
Improves Sleep and Reduces Insomnia
Sleep problems and mood disorders are closely linked, meaning that poor sleep may aggravate anxiety or depression, but also that anxiety and depression can ruin sleep. Addressing insomnia can improve overall mental health outcomes.
Ketamine might have a positive effect on sleep, especially in people with treatment-resistant depression. Research shows that not only does ketamine lift mood, but it also improves sleeping patterns. This includes better slow-wave and REM sleep, which are important for restorative sleep. Deep sleep and fewer nighttime awakenings seem to play a significant role in reducing symptoms of depression and even stopping suicidal thoughts. In fact, those who slept better after ketamine treatment were more likely to have long-term improvement in their mood.
Provides Long-Term Relief for Chronic Pain
There is evidence that ketamine can provide long-term pain relief in individuals with chronic nerve pain, such as in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) or fibromyalgia. Ketamine works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which helps calm down the nerves and reduce the way the body sends and feels pain signals.
Current studies also reveal that ketamine, especially when administered intranasally or intravenously, may alleviate cluster headache and migraine symptoms. In a pilot study, 54% of participants with chronic cluster headaches reported being pain-free within two weeks after taking ketamine.
Ketamine Therapy Can Enhance Overall Wellness
Beyond treating specific conditions, ketamine therapy benefits overall well-being by promoting emotional stability, reducing chronic stress, improving sleep patterns, and increasing neuroplasticity, which promotes healthier brain function. Many patients experience that they feel stronger, more relaxed, and mentally clearer, which allows them to cope with daily life better and provides long-term mental well-being.
Potential Side Effects of Ketamine Therapy
While ketamine therapy offers many benefits, it does come with potential short-term side effects, like dizziness, drowsiness, feeling “high,” or nausea. Some people may experience a sense of dissociation (feeling detached from themselves or reality) or mild euphoria during or after treatment. Despite this, many doctors and patients feel that for people with severe, treatment-resistant pain, the benefits are worth the risks.
Less commonly, there can be increases in blood pressure or heart rate. When used frequently or in high doses, there’s a risk of memory issues, mood changes, or bladder problems. However, in controlled medical settings, ketamine is generally considered safe, with side effects closely monitored by healthcare professionals.
If you’re struggling with treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain, or the symptoms of long-term stress, ketamine treatment can bring you the relief you’ve been seeking. At Bespoke Treatment, we provide personalized, evidence-based treatment to help you feel better. Book your consultation today to learn how we can assist you.
