How Does Ketamine Work as an Antidepressant?
Depression is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. The brain is either releasing too much norepinephrine or serotonin, or not enough. As a result, people suffering from depression have a difficult time experiencing happiness, feeling good, and may lose their ability to function and complete the normal activities of daily living.
Antidepressants work by balancing out these chemical imbalances. Ketamine has been shown to be highly effective as an antidepressant by interacting with opioid receptors in the brain, which affect pain and depression. By changing the communication pathways in the brain, ketamine has been shown to significantly improve mood disorders.
Traditional treatments such as therapy and drugs such as Zoloft, Prozac, and Wellbutrin for example, are the go-to drugs for many medical professionals, but now ketamine is proving to show many positive benefits for those suffering with depression.