Depression has the potential to negatively impact a person's life. Those who suffer from severe depression can find it challenging to maintain relationships, keep a job, or find joy in their daily lives.

Many prescription medications have been developed to help treat depression, but some people with severe depression experience no response to these medications. Ketamine, a drug originally developed as an anesthesia agent, is showing promise as a possible treatment for severe depression.

How Does Ketamine Work?

Researchers are finding that ketamine can have a significant effect on patients who have been unable to experience relief from their severe depression through other medications. This is due to the fact that ketamine works in the brain differently than traditional antidepressants.

Most antidepressants are designed to temporarily prevent certain neurotransmitters from being absorbed back into nerve cells in the brain. The idea is that the lingering presence of these neurotransmitters will help strengthen mood signals to ward off depression.

Ketamine not only prevents the reuptake of the neurotransmitter glutamate, but it also activates AMPA receptors in the brain.

This two-prong approach encourages neurons to communicate with each other along new neural pathways. Mood, thought patterns, and cognition can all be enhanced by these new neural pathways.

How is Ketamine Administered?

Ketamine is being administered to patients with severe depression in one of two ways.

Doctors can use IV infusions to administer carefully measured doses of ketamine directly into the bloodstream. Doctors can also rely on a nasal mist to deliver the prescribed dose of ketamine to a patient.

Most doctors opt to rely on the nasal mist, commonly known as esketamine, since this delivery method has recently gained FDA approval as a treatment for severe depression.

Patients must self-administer the nasal mist in a doctor's office under direct supervision. The nasal spray cannot be taken home, which helps eliminate the potential for overdoses or drug abuse.

When is Ketamine Prescribed?

Ketamine isn't a drug that is taken lightly by medical professionals. Misuse of the drug could have devastating consequences. Doctors will typically require that patients have tried at least two traditional antidepressants for an adequate period of time before turning to ketamine for help.

If you haven't had luck managing your severe depression, talk to your doctor about the potential benefits of ketamine treatment. You may find that this experimental treatment can provide the relief you are looking for so that you can enjoy life once again.