Anxiety is becoming a mental health epidemic, albeit a quiet one. Given the increasing amount of daily responsibilities, stress from the constant grind, and more connectivity than ever before, it’s no wonder that anxiety is touching more people and starting at a younger age.
As simple as anxiety may appear, believe it or not, it’s a rather complex process taking place within the brain involving both chemical reactions and changes. Your environment is a huge influencing factor. Social interactions can make or break your quality of life. It’s a lot to unpack.
Sometimes, making minor tweaks to your daily routine or implementing coping strategies isn’t enough to conquer any symptoms you’re experiencing. Traditional talk therapy might not be the best fit either.
Just because one kind of therapy may not work for you does not mean you have no other recourse. You have another option through the less traditional means of ketamine assisted psychotherapy. Ketamine assisted psychotherapy is worth exploring for its benefits in treating anxiety.
What is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy?
Ketamine has two main uses for most medical purposes. It offers both pain relief as well as psychedelic effects. When used properly by a professional, this medication has several benefits.
It has proven effective in treating certain mental health conditions. Ketamine assisted psychotherapy involves using a low dose to reach an altered state during which you can tap into your emotions and experiences more effectively.
Your session will begin by obtaining a baseline, checking your vital signs, and ensuring you’re mentally prepared to start. In the event you need any grounding work, these exercises would be implemented before taking any medication.
Ketamine can come in various forms, but all will offer similar effects. Whichever route you and your therapist decide on, you’ll receive your dose and wait for it to go into effect.
Integration sessions occur afterwards and focus on your experience with the ketamine. This is a time to process feelings and emotions. You and your therapist will form coping strategies and learn how to integrate them into your daily routine.
How Does Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Help Anxiety?
Of the mental health conditions that have been studied for effectiveness with ketamine use, anxiety has seen promising results. This type of therapy is truly innovating how anxiety is treated and managed.
With the ketamine use, you’re able to alter brain chemistry favorably, leading to faster results. Neuroplasticity occurs more quickly and is enhanced by the medication. The brain also experiences a reduction in inflammation in the key areas that are responsible for producing anxiety. New neural connections and less inflammation are a great starting combination for combating anxiety.
One differentiating factor is the combination of medication and talk therapy within the process. The integration sessions offer the opportunity to dive deeper into what’s triggering your anxiety, gain more insight, and process more effectively. This combination can lead to longer-lasting behavioral changes.
Considerations for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
The most important factor for ketamine assisted psychotherapy is working with a trained healthcare provider. In some instances, clinics may offer ketamine in pill form that can be taken independently. While this is an option, there’s always the possibility of side effects or additional symptoms that are better handled with guidance.
There’s also a small chance that ketamine can cause anxiety on its own, which is another reason to only use it under a therapist’s guidance. During sessions, your symptoms can be monitored, and real-time support given to alleviate those feelings.
How Can I Get Started?
Have other treatments not been giving you the results you’re hoping for? Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and anxiety therapy could be alternatives worth exploring. Contact us for a free consultation today to learn more.
Related post about Ketamine Assisted Therapy
