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Toward the end of the first episode of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” Season 2, Jen Affleck and husband Zac embark on a journey. Specifically, a ketamine therapy journey.
“Ketamine therapy is supposed to reset a lot of past traumas or habits you’ve created,” Jen says, nodding to her turbulent relationship with Zac. “Ketamine is in a gray area when it comes to the church.” The pair put on big headphones and eye masks; have IVs filled with ketamine placed in their arms; and relax in lounge chairs under cozy blankets. An hour later, and they’re done.
But what exactly is ketamine, and how does ketamine therapy work?
What is ketamine?
Among our brain’s communication signals are neurotransmitters. One of these neurotransmitters is called glutamate. Glutamate helps neurons fire a “go” signal. But glutamate can’t work without unlocking what is known as the NDMA receptor. Think of this as the mechanism that turns a traffic light from red to green. This process is vital for learning and memory and for being conscious and aware.
However, there are some situations when you don’t want to be aware – like if you are in severe pain from an injury or if you are undergoing an operation. In these situations, it’s like all traffic lights are green – you would just get signal after signal that you are hurt and you are in pain.
Ketamine binds to the NDMA receptors and is essentially a “stop” signal. It starts to interfere with the connection between your brain and your body.
Ketamine is known as a dissociative anesthetic or dissociative hallucinogen. The effects are dose-dependent, but it generally leads to a “disconnected” feeling from you, your person – and your body. Symptoms range from unconsciousness, (like when used in general anesthesia) to an “out of body” experience or hallucinations.
What is ketamine therapy?
Glutamate plays a role in awareness and it also plays a role in regulating mood. Most of us have likely had moments of overwhelming, racing thoughts. In severe depression and anxiety, there is often a cycle of ruminating negative thoughts. Ketamine therapy, a combination of ketamine and cognitive behavioral therapy, aims to break this cycle.
Dr. Shannon Eaton, a neuroscientist and Assistant Teaching Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University, previously told USA TODAY: “In the treatment of major depression disorder, ketamine can “stop” some of that faulty thinking, that rumination effect – the cycle of like, ‘Everything bad is happening. Only bad things happen.’ Ketamine can come in and silence that because it’s that ‘stop’ signal saying, ‘Don’t send that signal anymore. Stop thinking.’ ”
Is ketamine legal?
Ketamine is a legal medication that’s used for many medical purposes. Dr. Ryan Marino, a medical toxicologist, emergency medicine physician, and associate professor at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, previously told USA TODAY that ketamine is considered a general anesthetic, but can be used otherwise medically. “Ketamine was primarily developed for anesthesia for surgical procedures, and it is still used for that indication today. It is also used as a general sedative – so for people who are on ventilators or if they have some other kind of critical illness and need continuous medication for comfort and sedation.”
He added that it’s also used in the emergency department for some minor procedures like reducing fractures and dislocations.
Does ketamine require supervision?
Ketamine is also used recreationally, and without a prescription from a medical provider, it’s not legal. There are serious risks associated with taking ketamine without supervision.
Ketamine is a powerful tool in a medical professional’s belt for the treatment of pain and requires physician-level expertise to be used safely. A doctor can weigh the risk factors that may make ketamine use unsafe such as a heart or psychiatric condition. In any setting, ketamine use requires supervision in case of an emergency.
Contributing: Delaney Nothaft
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