Ketamine in psychotherapy: new option for heavily therapy patients?

Ketamine in psychotherapy: new option for heavily therapy patients?

Pro and contra of ketamine in psychotherapy / information about opportunities and risks of therapeutic accompaniment with the anesthetic ketamine

Only a few people remain without any improvement after psychotherapy. In most cases, a significant improvement can be achieved by diagnosis and suitable treatment. However, there is a small group of patients in which conventional psychotherapeutic measures are not sufficient. Accompanying therapy with anesthetic ketamine can be a last hope for these people. In such cases, the health insurance companies cover the costs of this treatment. However, it is important that an anesthetist prepares and accompanies the treatment. Ketamine is particularly helpful to use the increased neuroplasticity of the brain in psychotherapeutic sessions and learn new positive thought patterns.

There are numerous ways to use ketamine in psychotherapy. A historical development of ketamine is closely linked to the discovery of the psychedelic potential of synthetic substance by Professor Edward F. Domino at the University of Michigan. Nowadays, ketamine is mainly used in emergency medicine, but it is also being researched at the Berlin Charité Clinic for the treatment of mental illnesses.

The use of ketamine in psychotherapy is not prohibited, but only allowed within the framework of the so-called "off-label muse". This means that ketamine is not officially approved as a medication for psychotherapeutic applications. When administering ketamine as an infusion, an anesthetist must prepare the therapy and trained personnel should accompany the therapeutic phases.

The costs of a ketamine-based therapy are only borne by the health insurance companies in very rare exceptional cases if all other therapy options were unsuccessful. The therapy can be done either by an infusion or by a nasal spray. However, the infusion requires stricter monitoring of the patients. There are only a few psychotherapeutic practices or clinics in Germany that offer ketamine-supported therapy.

ketamine has different effects on the body and mind. It has a mood -enhancing effect and can intercept suicidal tendencies. At the same time, it can lead to dissociative states and waking dreams, which enables patients to access displaced memories. Ketamine can also overwrite negative neuronal links and thus enable positive changes in thinking and acting.

However, there are also risks when using ketamine. In some patients, fear can arise due to the unusual conditions. People with psychosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, after a stroke or with an untreated thyroid overactive should not be treated with ketamine. Medical accompaniment in the use of ketamine is imperative and long -term income is not possible because this can lead to urological problems.

For people, in whom conventional therapy methods have not achieved the desired success, the "off-label use" therapy with ketamine can be a possible solution. However, it is important to note that this form of treatment is time -consuming and can need several cycles to achieve permanent improvement.

dossier therapy & ketamine

Read our articles on the subject:

• The history and research of ketamine in psychotherapy
• possibilities and requirements for ketamine-based therapy
• Opportunities and risks of ketamine in psychotherapy
• Experience reports and studies on ketamine in psychotherapy

further information

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