JustCare

Tag: Mood

  • Who should take ketamine for depression?

    Who should take ketamine for depression?

    Everywhere I turn these days, someone is talking up ketamine and its ability to treat mood disorders. David Dodge reports for The New York Times on the risks and benefits of using ketamine when other treatments for depression fail. Who should take ketamine?

    What is ketamine? Ketamine is an anesthetic–a pain reliever. It is not like other anti-depressants that increase your serotonin levels. Rather, it affects glutamate, which is a neurotransmitter that is a factor in regulating mood.

    How do you take ketamine? Ketamine can be taken as a nasal spray, in a tablet or through an IV.

    What is the setting for taking ketamine and its side effects? People usually spend an hour or two in ketamine sessions, in a doctor’s office or clinic, where they are being closely monitored.

    How long does it take for ketamine to work? What’s impressive about ketamine is that some people who have been suffering from depression for prolonged periods feel complete relief right after taking it. Many people are said to see their symptoms go away or recede in less than two months. But, some people may have to continue taking it for a prolonged period to keep symptoms at bay.

    What types of mood disorders does ketamine treat? Some ketamine trials are showing that ketamine is able to treat many different serious mood disorders that other drugs are not able to treat. Ketamine has been shown to treat obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. It is still unclear who benefits most from ketamine.

    How does ketamine make you feel? People might feel euphoric, sleepy, dissociated from the world. They also might feel dazed and/or nauseous for many hours. Some feel that they are in a catatonic state. In large doses, ketamine can cause paranoia, thoughts of suicide, chest pain and high blood pressure.

    Who should take ketamine? The jury’s out on this question as of now. There is no data on its long-term effects. Several ongoing clinical trials around the world will provide more data. Since it can have serious side effects–although experts say they are rare–some say that only people with severe mood disorders should take ketamine. Others believe that it could be an alternative to traditional treatments for depression and anxiety.

    Who should not take ketamine? People with heart conditions should not take ketamine except in special situations. If they do, they should be monitored while they take the ketamine because it can increase their blood pressure and heart rate.

    How does ketamine compare with other treatments for depression? Unlike other treatments for depression, which can take several weeks to take effect, ketamine works quickly.

    Is ketamine addictive? It’s still unclear. But, some experts worry about potential for abuse.

    Can your doctor prescribe ketamine? Yes. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved it to treat depression and anxiety. But, the FDA has approved it for other purposes, so your doctor can prescribe it for off-label use.

    How much does ketamine cost? At a clinic, ketamine can cost between $400 and $800 for each session. At home, the cost can drop to $120 a session. Your health insurance generally will not cover its cost.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • For your mental health, feed your brain

    For your mental health, feed your brain

    The New York Times reports on nutritional psychiatrists who advise people to eat as little processed foods, meat and dairy products as possible in order to ease anxiety and mild depression. Instead, for your mental health, they recommend a rainbow of natural foods, including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Is it possible that how you feel turns on what you eat?

    Dr. Drew Ramsey, a nutritional psychiatrist, recommends eating oysters because they have vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids. According to some studies, B12 can keep your brain from shrinking. And, you are at risk for suicide and depression without adequate omega-3 fatty acids. Keep in mind, however, that there is no good evidence to suggest taking B12 or omega-3 fatty acids in supplement form has any health benefit. Moreover, Cochrane.org, the gold star for analyzing the research data, says the evidence is not conclusive that eating omega-3 fatty acids treats depression.

    Dr. Ramsey also believes that eating unhealthy foods contributes significantly to depression. Americans eat a lot of calories but do not eat a lot of micronutrients found largely in fruits and vegetables that help our brains to thrive. We need to eat between 12 and 16 ounces of fruit and between 16 and 24 ounces of vegetables every day. Yet, just 10 percent of adults eat that much fruit and vegetables.

    To treat depression, Dr. Ramsey appreciates that talk therapy can be beneficial, as are prescription drugs in many cases. He and others believe that supplementing those treatments with whole foods can be invaluable. In addition to fruits and vegetables, they recommend fatty fish, whole grains and legumes. Foods high in phytonutrients promote the generation of new brain cells and reduce the risk of harmful inflammation.

    There are a few studies to support Dr. Ramsey’s view. One 2016 study of 12,000 Australians found that those who ate more fresh fruits and vegetables were happier and had a greater sense of well-being than those who did not do so. A 2017 study of 422 young adults from the US and New Zealand had similar findings. Canned fruits and vegetables did not deliver the same results.

    A 2017 randomized-controlled trial also showed that a 12-week Mediterranean diet improved people’s moods and reduced their anxiety levels. The Mediterranean diet apparently delivers good gut bacteria. And, good gut bacteria has been found to help process serotonin, a mood elevator.

    Dr. Lisa Mosconi, who directs the Women’s Brain Initiative at Weill Cornell in New York City, has found, based on imaging studies, that people who eat Mediterranean diets typically have brains that look younger and are more active metabolically than people who do not. These people may have a lower risk of dementia.

    In short, it appears wise to pay attention to what you feed your brain. Your brain needs a lot of nourishment; it consumes more energy than any other organ in your body. Avoiding processed and fried foods is a good beginning. It may improve your mood and make you feel better.

    Here’s more from Just Care: