Chronic pain affects millions of people worldwide, hurting both physical and mental health. When regular treatments don’t work well enough, patients and doctors look for new options. Ketamine therapy is one promising treatment for various types of chronic pain. Let’s explore what it is, how it works, and what to expect.

Ketamine was first made as an anesthetic in the 1960s. It works differently from regular pain medications:

Main Ways It Works:

• Blocks certain receptors (NMDA receptors) in the nervous system
• Stops pain signals from getting stronger
• Reduces nerve sensitivity
• Changes how pain messages are sent in the brain

Research shows ketamine also:

• Reduces inflammation
• Helps brain cells adapt and change
• Works with the body’s natural pain-control system
• Decreases activity in brain areas that process pain

These multiple actions make ketamine helpful for complex pain conditions that don’t respond to regular treatments.

Pain Conditions That May Improve With Ketamine

Research shows ketamine may help with:

Nerve Pain:

• Diabetic nerve pain
• Pain after shingles
• Nerve damage from chemotherapy
• HIV-related nerve pain

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): This severe pain condition is very hard to treat. Studies show ketamine can bring major relief, especially in early stages, sometimes lasting months after treatment.

Fibromyalgia: This widespread pain condition affects 2-4% of people. Ketamine’s ability to change how the brain processes pain makes it a good option, with studies showing improvements in pain levels and daily function.

Headache Disorders: People with stubborn headaches report fewer and less intense headaches after ketamine treatment.

Other Conditions:

• Phantom limb pain
• Ongoing pain after surgery
• Lower back pain with nerve involvement
• Cancer-related pain
• Facial pain syndromes that don’t respond to other treatments

Evidence supporting ketamine for chronic pain continues to grow:

Research Studies: Recent reviews show moderate to strong evidence that ketamine works for specific pain conditions, especially nerve pain and CRPS. A 2018 analysis found that ketamine significantly reduced pain compared to placebo in various chronic pain conditions.

How Long Relief Lasts:

• Some patients feel better for days to weeks
• Others improve for months
• Some need regular maintenance treatments

Starting treatment early seems to lead to longer-lasting benefits.

Who Responds Best: People may get better results if they have:

• Nerve pain
• Shorter pain duration
• Younger age
• Fewer mental health issues
• Limited previous opioid use

Benefits Beyond Pain Relief

Ketamine therapy may help with multiple aspects of chronic pain:

Mental Health Benefits: Chronic pain often comes with depression and anxiety. Ketamine’s fast-acting antidepressant effects may:

• Reduce distress related to chronic pain
• Break the cycle of negative thinking about pain
• Improve sleep quality
• Boost overall mood and resilience

Daily Life Improvements: Many patients report better:

• Physical movement and activity
• Ability to do everyday tasks
• Return to work or meaningful activities
• Overall quality of life

Less Need for Opioids: Ketamine therapy may help reduce opioid requirements:

• Some studies show 50% or greater reduction in opioid use
• Potential for fewer opioid side effects
• May help patients decrease high-dose opioid use

Safety and Side Effects

While ketamine therapy shows promise, understanding the risks is important:

Common Side Effects: During and shortly after treatment, patients may experience:

• Feeling detached or “floating”
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Temporary increase in blood pressure and heart rate
• Visual or hearing changes
• Drowsiness

These effects typically go away within minutes to hours after treatment ends.

Serious Side Effects: Serious problems are rare when ketamine is given by qualified healthcare providers in appropriate settings, but can include:

• Breathing problems (mainly at higher doses)
• Heart and blood pressure effects
• Severe anxiety or hallucinations
• Bladder issues with long-term use (mainly with recreational use)

Not Recommended For: Ketamine therapy may not be right for patients with:

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Unstable heart disease
• Active psychosis or severe mental health conditions
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Severe liver disease
• History of substance use disorders (requires careful evaluation)

Patient Selection Process

A thorough assessment is essential before starting ketamine therapy:

Understanding what to expect helps patients prepare:

Before Treatment:

• No eating for 6 hours, no drinking for 2 hours before treatment
• Temporary stopping of certain medications
• Arranging for a ride home (no driving after treatment)

During Treatment:

• Comfortable treatment room with monitoring equipment
• IV line placement and ketamine given over 40-60 minutes
• Continuous monitoring of vital signs and oxygen levels
• Some clinics offer calming music or guided imagery

After Treatment:

• Monitoring until side effects resolve
• Gradual return to normal activities (usually within 24 hours)
• Recording pain levels and improvements
• Scheduling follow-up appointments

Combining Ketamine With Other Treatments

Ketamine therapy works best as part of a complete approach:

At Eulas, ketamine therapy provides a valuable option for individuals experiencing chronic pain that hasn’t improved with traditional treatments. With its unique mechanism of action, rapid effects, and dual potential to address both physical discomfort and mental health concerns, ketamine therapy is an important addition to comprehensive pain management strategies.

While ketamine therapy isn’t a universal solution, it offers genuine hope for improved quality of life for many struggling with persistent pain. It’s essential for patients to openly discuss the potential benefits, risks, and alternative therapies with a qualified healthcare professional to determine whether ketamine therapy is the right choice.

For those dealing with stubborn chronic pain, ketamine therapy at Eulas may represent a meaningful opportunity to interrupt the pain cycle when other approaches have fallen short. Continued research will further enhance our understanding of how ketamine can most effectively support pain relief and overall well-being.