If you have been dealing with chronic pain, you know how challenging it can be to achieve lasting relief. Most standard pain-relief treatments only offer temporary respite, leaving you trapped in the same cycle of discomfort and distress for months or even years.
What is Ketamine?
If you have been looking into alternative treatments for chronic pain, you may have come across ketamine. Ketamine has been used during surgeries for many years to provide analgesia for acute pain. Recently, ketamine has also been effective in treating chronic pain and mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Before starting their ketamine therapy at Bespoke Treatment clinics, our clients often ask, “How long will the effects actually last? Will ketamine provide a lasting relief, or will the pain come right back? And what if it doesn’t work for me?” Since ketamine doesn’t offer a one-size-fits-all solution, having someone to answer your questions about how long ketamine pain relief lasts can help set realistic expectations.
What Happens During a Ketamine Treatment Plan
Ketamine works by targeting the brain’s NMDA receptors. NMDA is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in signaling pain. Ketamine can reduce or stop chronic pain by blocking NMDA receptors, which calms nerve activity and reduces pain signals. Ketamine has shown promise in bringing long-term pain relief to patients with chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraines, and cluster headaches.
How Long Can You Expect the Effects of Ketamine Treatment to Last?
At the Bespoke Treatment clinics in California, ketamine treatment involves ketamine IV infusions.
Ketamine Infusions
Ketamine infusions usually begin with a series of doses over a short period, typically eight IV ketamine infusions over four weeks. Many patients experience pain relief shortly after this time. However, the duration of relief can be highly variable. After the initial treatment, some people experience weeks or months of reduced pain. Others require maintenance treatments every few weeks to sustain the effects. Long-term relief typically depends on both your individual biology and the cause of the pain.
How Does Dosage Impact the Results of Ketamine?
The dosage of ketamine you receive plays a big role in how quickly and how long you feel the benefits. At Bespoke Treatment, we don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Instead, we personalize your dose to you. Higher doses don’t always mean longer relief and may increase the risk of side effects. In chronic pain, long-term treatment planning is crucial, so we make sure to customize the dosage based on your symptoms, treatment background, and the response of your body.
How Ketamine Affects Your Body
Ketamine doesn’t just improve your mood. It literally rewires your brain and body. It helps relieve pain by attaching to NMDA receptors in the brain and boosting a chemical called glutamate. Glutamate helps your brain rewire itself and can “reset” how your nervous system processes pain, making your brain less sensitive to pain signals.
Moreover, ketamine can help regulate weight, improve sleep, and lower stress levels by calming your nervous system. Most patients report feeling more relaxed, having more clarity, and being more capable of managing everyday life upon treatment.
Coexisting Medical Conditions That May Affect Pain Relief Outcomes
If you have coexisting conditions like autoimmune disorders or mental health issues, these can affect how well ketamine works and for how long. Individuals with treatment-resistant pain disorders often need more frequent or longer-term treatment regimens. Your overall health, sleep, nutrition, and stress levels can also play a role. That’s why a holistic, individualized approach will typically give you the best results.
Final Thoughts
Typically, the pain relief from a single dose of ketamine lasts for a few days to a few weeks. With repeated doses, the effects can be long-lasting. Some patients experience months of reduced pain following a full series, especially when used in combination with other therapies like physical rehabilitation, psychotherapy, or lifestyle modification. Working with a knowledgeable provider and being open to ongoing adjustments can help you get the most from your treatment.
If you or someone you love is suffering from chronic pain, Bespoke Treatment can help. Book an appointment today and learn if ketamine therapy is the right option for you. Contact us today to find out more.
