Ketamine-assisted therapy is gaining attention as a promising treatment for mental health conditions, especially for those who do not respond well to traditional medications.

Known for its dissociative effects, ketamine can temporarily alter perception, mood, and cognition. But what exactly happens in the brain when ketamine is administered?

In this article, we’ll explore how ketamine affects brain function, its potential benefits, and why it differs from conventional treatments.

When ketamine blocks NMDA receptors, it increases the release of glutamate, an important neurotransmitter responsible for brain flexibility, learning, and memory. This increase in glutamate helps create new neural connections and strengthens existing ones. Many researchers believe this is why ketamine can quickly improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

Additionally, ketamine temporarily reduces the effects of GABA, a neurotransmitter that typically slows down brain activity. By reducing GABA’s inhibitory action, ketamine allows certain parts of the brain to become more active, contributing to its fast-acting antidepressant effects.

Depression and Anxiety Relief

One of ketamine’s most promising uses is in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), a condition where we know that standard antidepressants fail to provide relief. Many people with TRD experience rapid mood improvements within hours or days of receiving ketamine treatment. This fast response can be life-changing for individuals who have struggled with depression for years.

Ketamine-assisted therapy is also used as a treatment for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The way it helps the brain form new connections may allow individuals to break away from negative thought patterns and emotional distress.

Suicidal Thoughts

Unlike traditional medications, which can take weeks to improve suicidal thoughts, ketamine has been found to rapidly reduce suicidal ideation in some patients. This is one of its most important benefits, as it can provide critical relief for individuals experiencing severe distress.

Chronic Pain and Ketamine

Beyond mental health, ketamine is also used as a pain management tool. It interacts with opioid receptors in the brain, which may contribute to its pain-relieving effects. This has led to its use in treating conditions like fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and neuropathic pain.

One of the most exciting discoveries about ketamine is its role in neuro plasticity. What this means is the brain’s ability to reorganise and form new connections.

Rewiring Brain Circuits

In conditions like depression, stress, and anxiety, specific brain pathways can become rigid and overactive. This means that negative thought patterns and emotional responses get “stuck”, making it difficult for individuals to break free from them.

Ketamine appears to reset these neural circuits by creating new synapses (connections between neurons). This rewiring process can help individuals shift out of harmful thought loops and develop healthier mental patterns.

The Role of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor)

Ketamine also increases the production of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). This is a protein essential for brain growth and repair.

Higher levels of this protein help support long-term changes in brain function, making ketamine’s benefits more than just temporary relief; they can actually promote long-lasting improvements in mental health.

Ketamine and the Default Mode Network (DMN)

The Default Mode Network (DMN) is a part of the brain that is active when we are at rest, self-reflecting, or thinking about the past and future.

In people with depression and anxiety, the DMN is often overactive, leading to excessive rumination (repetitive negative thinking). Ketamine temporarily disrupts the DMN, allowing individuals to break free from rigid thought patterns and experience a sense of mental clarity.

This is also why ketamine can induce a dissociative state – a feeling of being detached from reality or one’s sense of self. While this effect may seem strange, it can help people gain a new perspective on their thoughts and emotions, making it easier to process trauma and difficult experiences.

There has been concern about whether frequent ketamine use can cause long-term harm. While low-dose, medically supervised ketamine treatments appear to be safe, excessive or recreational use has been linked to potential cognitive issues and bladder problems (ketamine bladder syndrome).

This is why clinical ketamine treatments are carefully controlled under medical supervision, using specific doses that maximise benefits while minimising risks.

How Long Do the Effects Last?

• Immediate effects: The psychedelic or dissociative effects of ketamine last about 30-90 minutes.
• Short-term mood improvement: The antidepressant effects can last for several days to weeks after treatment.
• Long-term benefits: With repeated sessions, ketamine may promote lasting brain changes that improve mental health over time.

For those undergoing ketamine therapy, results tend to last longer when combined with psychotherapy and healthy lifestyle habits.

There’s no doubt that ketamine therapy is changing how we approach mental health treatment. Enhancing neuro plasticity, rewiring brain circuits, and disrupting negative thought patterns can offer real, long-term relief for many conditions – especially depression, anxiety, PTSD, and in chronic pain management.

Although it is not without risks and may not be suitable for everyone, when administered in a controlled clinical setting and used as part of a wider therapy treatment programme, ketamine has the potential to provide significant relief and even life-saving benefits for individuals who have been struggling for a long time.

As the body of research continues to grow, ketamine is only continuing to emerge as a cornerstone in the treatment of mental health disorders, offering a new avenue of hope for many who are struggling. However, it remains essential for individuals considering ketamine therapy to do so under the guidance of qualified healthcare providers, ensuring that it is a safe and appropriate treatment option for their specific needs.

If you’re interested in learning more about ketamine therapy, get in touch today.