PTSD affects the brain by altering how it processes stress and memories. The amygdala, which triggers the fight-or-flight response, becomes overactive, leading to heightened fear and anxiety. At the same time, the prefrontal cortex, which helps manage emotions, becomes less active, making it harder to control these fear responses. The hippocampus, which helps distinguish between past and present, often shrinks, causing confusion between real danger and trauma reminders. These changes can lead to intrusive memories, emotional struggles, and constant hypervigilance.
Ketamine has shown promise as a treatment for PTSD, particularly for individuals who have not found success with traditional options. Unlike conventional treatments that can take weeks or months to work, ketamine often provides relief within hours.
It has been effective in cases of treatment-resistant PTSD and may also alleviate accompanying symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, research suggests that ketamine promotes neuroplasticity, helping the brain form new connections, which can improve mood and cognitive function.
During ketamine treatment for PTSD, patients receive the medication through an IV infusion in a clinic, lasting 40-60 minutes. They relax in a comfortable chair while a small IV is placed in their arm, and the medication is administered at a controlled rate under close monitoring.
Some patients may experience temporary dissociation, such as feeling detached or noticing dreamlike changes in perception, which typically subside after the infusion. Afterward, patients are observed briefly before heading home.
